Last fall, a new gallery opened in a near by town. A friend had stopped into the space and even ventured my name and Bob's as likely candidates for showing at the new venue. Bob and I called in one afternoon and were pleasantly surprised to see interesting work of an experimental and conceptually engaging nature. We additionally had a positive conversation with the youthful husband and wife (formerly of New York City) who were running the gallery. Both Bob and I left our web addresses and suggested they take a look.
Several weeks later, I called the gallery and talked to the male half. He immediately acknowledged me- again in a positive manner- and stated as how he'd looked at my web site and was interested in my artist's books and how I encouraged hands on interaction with them. He even asked if we were available on a certain Monday as he said he needed to be in our area (we are only one town away.), Unfortunately, I had to work and we agreed to set a time in the near future for a studio visit. Of course, they had a new show opening and then the holidays came and everyone got busy so it wasn't until the other day that I thought to check in...
When I called, he again remembered me but I detected a strain in his tone. Before I could even recommend another attempt at setting a date for a studio visit, he immediately said, "Well, we're actually booked for the rest of the year." Me, being all affirmative and trying to be upbeat and chipper replied, "We all know that most shows are scheduled well into the future and artists often have to wait a year or two to show. Besides, sometimes artists drop out or are unable to complete the work and there comes an available time to show." (See? I've been at this a long time...) But I'm starting to get that queasy, twisted feeling that comes when a conversation shifts into unpleasant territory- much like trying to hook up with someone that you have a crush on and it dawns on you that the feeling is not mutual. A lot like that! Anyway, I'm nothing if not persistent (but not in a creepy stalker-ish way!) and I said, "Look: I'm returning this call and following up because you expressed an interest. This isn't like a "cold call"". And he responds, "Well, honestly, I don't usually drive all over the place making studio visits." We're only in the next town... it's not like I've asked him to drive to Montana to see some lame-ass work. Besides, he'd encouraged me!
So I finally, trying very hard to not sound utterly foolish, desperate and like a jilted suitor, said, "Well how about I bring some work by the gallery?" To which he had to agree. But by this point, I'm thinking, "What a complete A-hole!" And why not make a poor artist bend over backwards and jump through fucking hoops?
Most artists will recognize this story. Curators, art dealers, critics- people even tangentially associated with the arts- feel they can ride rough shod over artists. Yes, there are too many of us but the system that has sprung up around artist sucks, to put it bluntly. I am so tired of feeling like I'm asking for a favor or a hand-out or some bizarre perversion simply because I need what most artists need: an opportunity to show my work.And how on earth are we to succeed if the very system that presents our work is manned by weasels that run the other way when they see us coming? I've been told repeatedly that dealers/curators feel "pursued" and "put upon" by pesky artists; they are jaded. But what's an artist to do? We are told we need to be aggressive and persistent, but then we're rebuffed. I was actually told one time, after asking for the contact information of a curator who had selected several pieces of my work for a show, "not to "bother" the curator. !?!?!?!!?!? WTF?
I know there's a fine line, a balancing act to follow. But does anyone have those guidelines for me to figure out just the right mixture of push and pull? And don't lead us on. Believe it or not, we're adults. that is, if you're not interested, just say so. Pleasantly.
So, in short- you Art World "power brokers": be nice! Artists have it hard enough.
grt
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