One World Cafe – Peoria, IL
First 4 pieces up...5 more to go!
Dream State is in the process of hanging at One World Cafe…here in Peoria, Illinois. 6 of the 9 pieces are on the wall. Taking a break before the last three are up. The show is almost ready for me to leave it to it’s fate with the public.
Showing work in such a public place absolutely feels different from showing the work in a gallery. The informal atmosphere in a way makes people (mostly some of the One World staff) approach me with questions about how the work is made and some awesome general inquiries as to the processes I used to create this body of work.
I’ve noticed I’ve been asked more questions and approached by more members of the general public about my work than anyone in a formal gallery setting. Do galleries have a museum like quality in which people subconsciously make themselves turn their vocal volume on whisper and their inquisitive nature on “keep to oneself”? Is approaching the artist during a reception giving an observer a “taboo” feeling? Are galleries supposed to be a quiet self-reflection between an observer and the art?
What is it about showing work in a public space, such as a cafe, where the priority of the patronage isn’t viewing art, that makes the artist more approachable? Am I alone in my observation?
While hanging a show in a gallery, I’m in one mindset. The gallery is a space devoted to showing art. It’s purpose is to exist as a location in which people enter to view the art. At the cafe, I feel like the work is visiting presence. There is a daily routine between the place , the staff, the customers that become cyclic in a way. The art creates a small dent in the rotation. The rotation is no longer the smooth circular motion the cafe is used to. It slightly wobbles. People notice.
Or I could be typing this all up just to make myself sound like I’m really thinking, when the difference is both places nurture a different kind of social behavior. oh well.
First 4 pieces up...5 more to go!
*side note* It is really snowing outside. I ordered some hummus to help me relax in this snowy evening break.
Anyways, I’m on break and just typing up a blog entry about what odd thoughts are running around in my head while waiting for the area in front of the final wall to clear. I took a few minutes to say hello to Ms. Karen, whom I used to work with back in my days at The Special Collections in Bradley’s Cullum Davis Library. I’m slowly partaking in a plate of hummus and a basket of pita bread, while sipping on a Dr. Pepper.
only three more pictures to hang! See that ladder?
I may be here a lot longer than expected but I don’t mind. It’s worth it to sit here.
This hummus is really good. Very good actually.
It looks like I’ll get to finish hanging last three pieces soon. Soon being in a few seconds.
after a two hour break...the last three pieces go up in 10 minutes...bam!
And done!