something in common
group exhibition
21.Apr.2012 - 24.Jun.2012
shanghai
ifa gallery is pleased to present the group exhibition “something in common”, curated by Zane Mellupe.
artists exhibited:
Dai Guangyu, Deng Yu, Liu Bolin, Shao Shao, Wang Xiaofeng, Zhang Xianyong, Zheng Jing, Zhu Yec
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Contemporary: Art: Appreciation:
Some helpful hints for avoiding being influenced before you have looked at the art yourself :
1. Trust your responses –You don’t need to rely on an expert to guide you.
Information about an artist. their style, art history or philosophy is not necessary in order to enjoy exploring a work of art on your own –especially at the beginning –after all you go to a movie,can enjoy or hate it and make your own judgments without knowing about the life of the director, the techniques of movie making or a history of film.
2. Sometimes the art you don’t like or understand is the most interesting
3. Find the space in between.
A work of art does not “happen” in the work itself or in the viewer but in the silent conversation between them –Turn yourself into a a silent but active viewer
4. Have your own relationship with the art
Relationships with people and with art require openness, curiosity and a willingness to explore ones own responses. They also require time. One must be prepared to give of oneself to get the most out an artwork.
5. Don’t look for one meaning– a good work of art should have many meanings.
A work of art ellicits (I think it should be elicits) different reactions from different people. Even for the artist a work of art can have a multiplicity of meanings Sometimes artists and curators obscure meanings so as to not limit the responses that the work may generate.
6. Make your own choices
Pay attention to your instinctive responses — and then look carefully at the artwork.
Think of the first few words that came to mind when you first saw the work for the first time- then look carefully at the work to find what the artist put in the artwork that made you respond the way you did.
7. Make your own connections:
The more we can make connections, comparisons, and metaphors between art and the world around us, between art and art and between our own opinions and those of others, the more we will become active participants rather than passive viewers
Sheila Greenspan, M.A. Art History, M.A. Museum Studies
12 april 2012