ART QUEST
[copy right Metroland Newspapers Published May 98]
ART QUEST Recently, an acquaintance surprised me with a comment that startled as well as intrigued. The comment had to do with contemporary art. My friend simply stated, quite indignantly, I might add, that he never visits any public gallery that showcases contemporary art , because he feels he is being condescended too. A little more probing brought forth more clues. He felt that money spent to showcase contemporary art was only for people who wanted to make him feel less educated in regards to art. His comment, said it all. If I like it I will look at it, but if I don’t understand it, then it isn’t art! I have been pondering this point of view for some time and while I spent some time with him discussing the matter, he remains adamant. The point of view seems to be the problem. The trouble here is that he had discounted all art in most public galleries because they house work of a contemporary nature. The more I think about it, the task of getting that opinion changed should be the number one priority of the galleries. The reason I think this is so important is that this hostile reaction to the contemporary art world was something that grew over a long period of time. It also makes excellent sense as to why the AGO is bringing in the Courtald collection in the summer of 1998. This collection, amassed by industrialist Samuel Courtald included mostly French impressionists but arguably houses some of the most magnificent examples of French impressionist art in the world. I would suggest, if you are a Impressionist lover, mark off the dates June to Sept 1998, to view the 70 painting on the tour. But, back to the contemporary art collections. In 1993 the Ago suffered it’s most painful reorganisation in history. Many people lost their jobs as Government subsidisation was drastically cut and when the "box" office , paid for by the art appreciative public in Ontario was nowhere to be found, the gallery closed it’s doors. The hiring of a new director had the promise of increased traffic since the Barnes collection, badly in need of money to house the collection in safe modern surroundings found a legal loophole if Old Doctor Barnes’s will and took the collection on tour. The financial success of this endeavour speaks for itself. The AGO recovered with 600,000! new visitors. I believe this I where the answer to this dilemma lies. The contemporary art shows that continually make the Public gallery circuit should contain a mixture of more traditionalist art. Why couldn’t a show containing French Impressionists and contemporary work go on tour. At the very least a touring collection could be appreciated by a broader spectrum of art lovers. I believe this was what my acquaintance was referring too when we discussed this. Art galleries, by not displaying works that cover a broader range, disenfranchise people who may, in viewing a mixture of art styles, come to a different opinion. The very people that now shy away from contemporary work might decide they want to see more and that would be the best of all possible situations.
FEB.
ALL comments
are welcome :)
