Artist Open Studios, and presenting yourself.
An Open House is a great chance to meet and artist and get to know the ideas and process behind their work. But don’t miss the chance to also take a fresh look at how you present yourself.
Is this art?
The photo is by me (2015) — in case the photo itself turns out to be art. How very meta.
You can’t always tell :-)
Open Studios
I love going to artist studios and open house events. Of course I mostly go to enjoy the art and get inspiration. (And sometimes even talk to a human! Introvert power!) Art studios are often live-in spaces, and always show signs of work being done - they are a rare peek inside a real art lifestye. And because the studios are more often used for work and life - and less often for public visits or exhibition - they run a spectrum from very homey to very much like an art gallery.
See? A little corner of a kitchen peeking through! I want to live like this.
Images via Waltham Mills Open Studios
An accompanying sentiment (in addition to admiring the artworks) is often confusion. For an artist, the space becomes so familiar it must feel like (and often - is home) but for a visitor, the separation of art and life is not always clear. Something that might be obvious to the maker is not automatically obvious to an audience. As a designer (especially one who uses interviews and research to inform my work) I feel especially attuned to the unintentional misunderstandings that can happen because of differing experiences and assumptions.
What does it all mean?
As a visitor, I enter an artist’s studio with a set of expectations, interests, and questions. The baseline is of course my personal interest: What is it? What can I do with it? The answer comes together from these bits of information:
- Is this thing art?
- Do I like it?
- Why was this made? Is there personal motivation I can understand and relate to?
- Is it for sale? If so, is it way out of my range?
- Is this art made by this artist, or an unrelated art object, or a classic concert / film poster displayed for inspiration?
- What’s the genre of the art in this studio (usually pretty easy to determine at the door)
- What’s the context? Are there similar pieces?
- Does the artist seem like an interesting person at a glance? Do they offer a nuanced detail in light conversation - or stand around awkwardly (like I am sure I would) and seem uncomfortable with exposure?
- Do they have a dog?
These bits of information quickly add up to me deciding whether I am interested, and why. The problem is - these essential pieces of information are not always readable.
For example, I am still not convinced that the artfully arranged cables aren’t part of an installation in the corridor between studios.
Presenting yourself
It is easy to judge others’ effort. But when I examine the presentation of artists’ work, I always come back to look at my own. How do I present myself as a designer? Is it easy to understand why others might want to be interested? Is my presentation clear and intentional?
A very intentional display leading into a studio
Presenting work vs. presenting life
Some artists choose to arrange their space so that life and work is clearly separated. There can be a curtain with a “private” sign. Or the living areas could be so separate and hidden that they are barely detectible, and the entire space feels like an art gallery. Many artists use lighting to bring out areas they want visitors to see, while leaving a couch and a nook with a bed in dimmer lighting.
Presenting glimpses of your life as part of, or alongside a professional practice is a personal choice. Some people do it well. For others, personal or unrelated projects can interfere with the clarity of sharing your curated work.
I like the kind of person who would have this door mat.
Offer a story
Whether we share personal details or not - it’s important to tell a story. What lead you to making a specific type of work? What unique experiences make you one of the best at that work? A story offers your audience a hook, an opportunity to connect with you, and an excuse to like you.
P.S.: if you’re near Boston, the Waltham Mills Open Studios are next weekend, and happen every year. There are many other open studio events, mostly in the fall (pre-holiday art shopping!) and spring (because spring!), so check for something near you.