At this moment in time, there are three reasonably reliable spaces for exhibiting my work.
- My website www.patricia-farrar.co.uk
The new website shows all of the work and will include up-to-date paintings. As well, there is the Blog section which at the moment contains three blogs – these give me the options of explaining the work in particular the ‘listening’ element.
2. Physical exhibition
Advertising for my physical exhibition is underway even though the gallery and I do not know whether it will go ahead, considering the latest news on the lowering of restrictions (‘pubs and restaurants predicted not to open until May’) The link below shows the exhibition entry to go out in the gallery’s newsletter.
https://thelittleboxoffice.com/riverhouse/event/view/136006
The physical exhibition is my preferred space for the work but I feel there is the need to pursue the other option from Post 2…
3. Virtual tour of the exhibition.
The gallery is open to allowing me to hang the exhibition and have it photographed for viewing online. This would mean a reduced hiring cost but would require a professional photographer. I would then hold the exhibition for the public later in the year.
I was interested to read the following on Lensculture about virtual exhibitions.
Feature: Virtual Exhibitions: Digital Spaces, Open Possibilities
Essay by Magali Duzant
“…an online exhibition has a more fluid form than one in a physical space. There is more ability to enliven the work. There are more divers… audiences to connect with as well as more targeted audiences. Glenn Ruga, of social Documentary network, points out, saying, ‘Online exhibits can reach a global audience and in great numbers. Not that they will and often they don’t, but potentially they can.’ This of course relates to one of the challenges of online exhibitions; just because you put something out there doesn’t mean it will be found. Photographers (artists) …must bring their own audience as well as reach out to desired contacts.”
“Ruga also warns against a complacency around online shows and the need to not think of them as somehow less important or professional than a physical exhibition, saying…”(artists’ ) work will gain viewers and recognition in direct proportion to the effort they put into creating the exhibit…An artist should consider the exhibition in a similar fashion as a physical one. When does it launch? Is their programming to go alongside, how might that extend the reach? How will the audience hear about it?”
I can see some very positive elements in having a virtual tour of the exhibition to be released prior to the physical exhibition…if professionally photographed, the paintings should lose none of their impact; it gives me the opportunity to explain them in way which the physical exhibition doesn’t, apart from reading notes on the wall which I don’t want; it could incorporate the poetry; it could provide quiet moments for the viewer to experience ‘listening’ (to name just a few advantages) However preparing these two options side by side suggests a huge quantity of work and there is a time element.