Exposing yourself

I have a project on at the moment, well it’s in the final edit stages, and I’ve been looking at opportunities to ‘get it out there’. As well as a nearby arts centre (the project has local connections) I have been looking at the idea of exhibiting it some more interesting public spaces. My reasoning for this is twofold - firstly I want people to see the work because I’ve spent ages on it and think it’s really good; secondly I want people to engage in art as personally I think it’s incredibly fulfilling.

This reminded of some recent conversations about getting exposure for your work and the reason to do this. As an emerging artist getting your ‘work out there’ is very hard and it’s what you strive for through almost any opportunity that comes along. However you quickly realise that there are two worlds out there.

The first is related to ‘your CV’. The few words on a piece of paper that leans like an incomplete ladder to new opportunities, you’ve just got to fill in all the gaps. The hunt for rungs can be an all-consuming pursuit to add bigger and better and just more and more. The importance of getting your work in front of ‘special” people, influencing possibilities and jumping ahead leads to world of private views, private VIP views and VVVIP Private views (Frieze Art Fair).

The second is what you imagine before you get your first opportunity. A land where the people come and see it in many numbers, discussing its virtues, leaving inspired, telling their friends. The press love it and write about it and you are hailed an important place in the history of all…….. then you realise that actually not many people come to the gallery, maybe 1 or 2? O well at least it’s another rung on the CV.

At the top of the ladder is hopefully a utopian arts existence, although whether this is world where you work is quickly sold off to private buyers in closed galleries or an opportunity for you to be paid to properly allow everyone to see it is probably up to you.

It’s worth remembering that popularity is a fickle world. The public aren’t exactly always pleasant about art but then neither are critics and ‘special’ people, but they may understand your crazy concepts more. The pursuit of exposure can seem selfish and narrow minded maybe but as with everything the need to pay the bills can turn the best of minds. As long as you have some integrity and love what you do just enjoy the ride.