So it’s morning time over here in Asia, but for most of North America it’s bed time. Here is a little fuel for thought before you slip off into dream land.
A couple of days ago I attend an art forum which addressed the concept of public art and exhibition. Part of the conversation which I found particularly interesting was the concept of multiple “publics”. When we say public exhibition do we really intend for the enitre general public to appreciate the art? Is it still a success if only a select group of the public participates in the exhbition? Are we living in a fantasy land if we assume that the 2 hour long performance art taking place on the city side walk will be attended by the local baker? Or if Dallas Contemporary has a public exhibition, and its well attended but only by a certian type of already seasoned art intellectuals - is it still a pubic opening? Does the local baker care about art? Should he care about art? How much of the public do we hope to engage in our shows? Is it possible to engage the enitre public?
All of these were interesting questions posed at the global forum. Unfortunately, their was no definitive answer - just lots of healthy, heated debate - and isn’t that the whole purpose of contemporary art anyhow - to get us thinking and questioning everything we assume to be true….
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