Field Trip #5

Chelsea Galleries Reaction

            Visiting the various galleries in Chelsea was interesting to say the very least. As an art collector, my worry was if I did not sell these pieces could I actually live with them? Again the question of good art vs. bad art came up time and time again in my mind. In some galleries, those faces of admiration and appreciation appeared and I was tempted to ask what they saw that my eyes couldn’t. After visiting five galleries and speaking with a few people it was suggested to take a look at the Acquavella Gallery. This gallery catered more to my taste of paintings.

            The Lehmann Maupin Gallery was displaying the art work of Gilbert & George. The installation arrangement was done very well, but what was being represented quickly turned me away. Oddly, the room had a cold feel to it as well. There were printed posters covering every single wall and the first thought that came to mind was violence. The words that jumped off the posters turned out to be the title of each work. Some titles were “Death”, “Arrested” and “Man Dies” and “Playboy” just to name a few.

            As I turned to learn about the artists and exhibit, in huge lettering were the names of every single poster. The exhibit was entitled “London Picture”. They were all mystery and drama inspired. Gilbert & George were portraying London’s moods and that of a quotidian contemporary society. These posters all represented the daily urban life in London. These issues take place worldwide, yet in my opinion they could have transmitted the message differently; perhaps via a video montage. I dreaded the thought of not selling these posters and having them sit in a storage unit.

            Visiting the Greene Naftali Gallery gave me some tranquility. Rachel Harrison’s exhibit “The Help” contained beautiful art pieces with vibrant color. The drawings all portrayed her passion and the sculptures were set up along the middle making you feel like a part of the exhibit. While they still were not my absolute personal favorite, I was able to identify a market in which to sell them. Recreating the ambiance of the curator would be part of the challenge. The sketching in “Untitled, 2012” and “Untitled, 2011” were impressive to say the least. The artist used styrofoam in just about every sculpture; “Hokotoho, 2012” almost looked like a silhouette.

            The job of an art collector is certainly not easy and involves a lot of patience and attention to detail. Once a client base is organized, then one can begin to purchase specific pieces. Nonetheless, the field trip was fun and made you appreciate a day in the life of an art collector.

Viewed at the Lehmann Maupin Gallery

Gilbert & George

"London Picture"

2011

Viewed at the Green Naftali Gallery

Rachel Harrison

"The Help"

Specifically referenced:

"Hojotoho" 2012

"Untitled" 2011

"Untitled" 2012

Rachel Harrison