Why Art Fairs Matter
With tools like the Instagram and TikTok, art fairs can feel old-fashioned.
For artists might ask themselves: why sould they put out the time, money, and energy to exhibit at an art fair? Collectors might ask themselves a similar
Question: why should I go to the fair when I can just search fine art online (any purchase it) from the comfort of my own home.
It really drives me to think of a few things. First, I really like to go to art museums. I’ve been to the local art museum so many times - the front desk, security, and gift gallery attendants seem to all recognize me. I love to go and study works of art. To feel emotions new and old. But, the works on the walls in the permanent galleries are - for the part - always the same. And, from mostly dead artists. Can it fell repetitive? Sometimes. Well, truthfully, not for me - but I can see how for others how it can feel that way. An art fair is like walking into a living museum gallery of currently practicing artists. Its alive.
Secondly, art needs to bee seen in person - not on a screen. It needs to be seen in 3-dimensions (yes, even a 2-d paintings needs to be seen like this). Scale matters. This is how a work can truly connect to the viewer. Work needs to be seen, felt, and even smelled. You need to see brushstrokes, or look at smoothed edges of metal. You need to fell small when looking at a massive work. You need to get in close and become intimate with smaller pieces. Its visceral.
Lastly (and I think most importantly), art fairs give you a third space for connection. You can build community with others that are attracted to this wild and wonderful world of art. Can you get something to eat at the fair? Yes! Something to drink? Yes! Can you talk to a person you have never met before? Yes! Can you people watch and not talk to a soul? Absolutely! However you like to engage with humanity, you can do that at the fair. You can connect, add to commerce, stimulate you mind and the economy, and engage (really engage) with the world around it. Its community.
For all these reasons, and more, I’ll be exhibiting at the Other Art Fair in Atlanta. I hope to see you there.
Let’s build community.
-Adam
