Articulating and Positioning Work

Sustaining a Practice
Professional Knowledge


12. 11th July 2011

Caroline Wright. Professional Context. Video Lecture.

The importance of clarity of context for an artist amongst the range of possibilities. The role of the artist - different functions of art and image. (Sullivan G. Art Practice as Research)

Why articulate
to explain, interpret ideas, inform, present, market, document, opportunities.

Where
exhibition, press, web, applications


For whom
ourselves, audience, funders, tool for learning


By whom
curators, artists, reviewers, critics, writers, ourselves.

No art inside - Patrick Mimoran - on street furniture at Venice Biennale 2011.
Text is work - work is text. placing.

Art Monthly - Cause for Thought - Mark Wilsher - the error of art explanation - that art is supposed to mean something, Conversely - Peter Suchin - art now dominated by words and now part of visual art practice.

Proposals
opportunity/gallery - clear, simple - reference other piece has made.
show how it will fit into practice, and how proposal fulfills brief. Also explain how will fulfill - budget, time lines, etc.

Exhibition Labels
now usual practice. name, title, date, medium, dimensions.
Short text, interpretation.

Statement
of work/works/practice. Clear, concise, showing development of ideas, and referencing ideas behind. Write in third person. Statement basic framework to adapt.

Essays
Reference well, show trajectory of work, ideas and practices, appropriate images, process and progress.

Suchin - dialectic image/text. In 60,s and 70,s philosophy - artists tool. intrinsic to work, not an add on.

Reviews
Maximum exposure - online, extending life.
Imagery - clear idea of work. constructive - relate to current practice.
Realistic and honest.

Documentation
Always - everything. Different formats.
Keep as much material as possible. Inventive - document experience as well as fabrication. Challenges, etc. Qualities, quantities, references.
collate folder for each piece.
A shorter, clearer version for public info.

Presentations
Exposure. Extra insight. Face to face questions. Keep simple. Show work in progress. Show what an artist does. generate mailing list.

Funding
Writing - specific language, glean from funders website, guidelines, use phrases they use. clues.
Respond to excellent audience engagement.
Fit criteria as exactly as possible. Keep personal - development of career. Factual, well researched, accurate. experience. Audience numbers.
Be honest, fit needs and aims. Keep deadlines and word counts. Allow time.
show links to other organisations, events, initiatives, etc - shows linked into art scene, adds justification and support, Add in their programme.
This support in kind can be costed, its added value can be required matched funding.
Find funders - look for logos on similar events.

Funders

various


Positioning
Piet Mondrian - a thing as a complex, a complex as its parts - always see the relationships and always know one thing through another.
Why, Where, For whom, By whom

Allora and Calzadilla - Track and Field, Venice Biennale 2011. Sited in front of American pavilion - dominant, noticeable, political, bold. Tank treadmill - control of entropy.

Where to position work
Where peers show, identify where would like to show work - plan trajectory.
How to judge development. When to say no. Be selective - choose perception.
The curator. Galleries - professional development - talks, presentations.
Relationship of trust and time. Battenfield - be part of the vision for that gallery's programme - let them feel they have found you.
Ask for feedback from submissions - work seen by selection panel anyway.

Leading not following
Ascertaining the market
Establish a market - something you are known for
Fastidious mailing lists, responses, etc
Linking to other markets and spheres
Trawling potential opportunities.

Art market - service
               - product - initial
                            - resale


The role of one person like Saatchi can change art market for good or ill.
Mailing lists, suitable galleries.
Assess costs, fees, etc. professional in light of career.


No single pathway to be an artist.


Sustaining a practice
Engage, interact, choose. Wide variety.
Balance earning with creative freedom - prioritise practice.
Space, mentally/physically. Linked to art career. Maximise outcomes.
Pensions, insurance AIR.
Studio and studio group. Online stuff.
Website. Potential for buyers/collectors.
Collectors collectives - through galleries - studio visits, etc. - show coherent body of work, evidenced work - professional style - card, catalogue, booklet, etc. Maximise opportunity.
From static work - prints, photos, limited editions, tour exhibition. Invites to openings.
Rates of pay, contracts.

Diversifying
Collaboration - cross media work - not dilute but enrich. Cross discipline or profession collaboration - new communities for work.

Professional Knowledge/ Maintaining Learning
Mentoring / peer support. barter skills. galleries.

Administration and Management
Maintain database, log and archive work/ CV, statement, website, data gather and maintain equipment - keep up to date. Membership - studios, college, etc - use facilities.


Technical Support Working with Curators/Other Professions
Build up bank of professionals.


Marketing
Cards - keep clear, simple, eye catching

Blog
on shared arts related site - curators, etc
Visitors book at exhibitions

Peer Support
networks.
Tax and Finance
self employment. Professional help.

Copyright
DACS. arts council info, etc

Organisations
membership.

Art-
Accessible
Available
Context




Reflection

Actually I'm not sure if I agree with Caroline about statements being written in the third person. I have come across lots of examples in all sorts of settings written in the first person. Even is that is the case, I think it is a convention open to interpretation. MacFarlane states this as a distinct possibility.



There is much to do and to maintain. It is a bit of a labyrinth, but making it up as it goes along also means that there is no one right way, and it can all be invented to fit.

15th July 2011