Consuming Art

Jeppe Hein, at National Gallery of Victoria, 2018

The evolution of the way we consume Art

The way that art is consumed changes constantly. From social media, where art is viewed through someone else’s lens, to street art where unassuming bystanders become an audience. But these are only a couple of ways to consider the changing consumption of art. 

How would you like to see the consumption of art evolve? We asked for the opinion of those across the industry...

Marion Borgelt - Marion is a contemporary Australian artist who has practiced in Sydney, Paris and New York.

My first reaction is to question the word ‘consumption’ because it brings to mind the act of ‘using up ’of utilisation, expenditure, depletion, exhaustion, wasting, squandering, draining, dissipating… I would rather use the words ‘enjoyment and ownership’, which bring to mind something positive and that in turn leads to the idea that enjoyment and ownership of art can enrich people’s lives. 

Artist-run initiatives play an important role in building a community and often form a bridge between the artists’ studios and established, professionally run galleries. They are an excellent starting point for artists to connect with their peers and equally play a significant role in bringing artists’ work to a broader audience. 

However, art is an expression of the times, whether it’s about the social and political conundrums of our world today, or the more personal statements that fill our heads daily. Unfortunately, the purchasing of art is based on discretionary spending and because it is not considered an absolute necessity to our well-being it is frequently the last item that is purchased, if at all. I would like to see our values towards art change so that it becomes a bigger priority in people’s daily lives. We, who are already in the art milieu know the value of art in our lives but what about everyone else—where do they get their poetry and existential ‘kicks’ from?

 Della Butler- Studio Coordinator, Gozer Media

Della worked at Sutton Gallery in Melbourne while also developing her own style of artistic practice, before joining Gozer Media.

 I believe that art should continue to shift and change with society’s growth. It is important that it engages with, questions and reacts to current issues. 

Hayley Haynes - No Vacancy Gallery

Hayley is the Gallery Manager at No Vacancy Gallery, a Melbourne-based contemporary hire-gallery which links artist-run initiatives and the commercial art world. 

I would love to see the consumption of art simply slow down. Whilst it is wonderful how much access we now have to the art world online, I would really love to see people spend more time with art in person. Let the gallery be a place of escape where time stops. 

With this being said, I would love to see more people feel less intimidated by art spaces. This is not a new challenge, but it is one that persists. We really try to make No Vacancy a very comfortable space and having the cafe attached certainly helps us bring art to those who might not normally enter a gallery. I think due to the challenging nature of a lot of contemporary art, people often feel that they need a degree in art theory to legitimize their presence in an art space. I want people to feel that it is OK to not understand everything, and furthermore to allow themselves the opportunity (through taking the time) to perhaps take something away from the works on show - to bring their own meaning. 

It would appear then that the way art is consumed, person to person, depends on how much the individual values art against other necessities in their lives.  Whether they feel art has the ability to inform them or bring enjoyment. The level of importance that an individual places on art then informs how that person will choose to consume it, and therefore how much they allow art to enrich their lives. 

The Lunch Hour

Caitlin Leishman

Quite a lot can be gleaned about a person from the way they spend their lunch hour. For example, are you: 

a.     That member of the work family, chomping at the bit for the baked goods offered up by the full-time manager/part-time baker of the group?

b.     A victim of the lunchtime meeting who cannot help but spend longer than needed waiting in the trendy coffee line along with an equally guilty colleague?

c.      Someone who catches themself looking down at their keyboard wondering how long the bits of brown rice and quinoa have been stuck in it? 

Me? I try to cram as many errands as possible into a lunch hour. This generally ends up with a long line at Priceline, prescription in one hand, and sushi roll in the other getting frustrated by my inability to multitask any further. So I scroll Instagram to pacify myself. What does this say about me? Don’t worry I’m working on it…    

After a brief, though perhaps not so scientifically reliable, Google search I can tell you that there is a lunch hour alternative that could contribute to a more productive afternoon. The answer is your local artist run initiative (ARI) or gallery. A few CBD suggestions include:

NO VACANCY:  34-40 BELL LANE MELBOURNE, QV BUILDING

No Vacancy blurs the lines of an ARI and a commercial gallery. It’s a welcoming and experimental space like an ARI but it is also a great spot to purchase art from local artists. The space itself is hired for functions and artist talks or book launches and is adjoined to its own espresso bar. Although in the heart of the CBD, the industrial interior of exposed piping and concrete walls provide an escape from the surrounding office environments. The nature of the building has even been known to influence artists exhibiting, altering their exhibition to make the most of the industrial elements. 

WESTSPACE: LEVEL 1/225 BOURKE ST

Getting into Westspace has you stomping up past a lawyers’ office and onto a second staircase. If the retro tiling and OH&S approved stair labels, reminiscent of a high school change room, are concerning you then you’re heading in the right direction. The walk is worth it. Westspace began as an ARI in 1993 but is now more of a blend between a not-for-profit experimental ARI space and a contemporary gallery. With four varying but large gallery areas weaving into each other it lends itself well to group shows and public talks and programs. 

NEON PARC: 1/53 BOURKE ST 

Situated down an alleyway by a Wilson’s parking complex, the entrance to Neon Parc is generally obscured by a vehicle so you’ll need to keep your eyes peeled for signage. It is an intimate two-room space, which differs from the much larger renovated factory of Neon Parc’s other location in Brunswick.  

So, to avoid morphing into a figure from John Brack’s Collins St 5pm, I can suggest a daily dose of art. Just 10 minutes in an ARI or gallery, or a stroll down a lane full of street art is a distraction from the everyday grind – even if it is just on the way back from getting your sushi rolls to eat over your keyboard.