Taking the art world online
By Kristin Hoerth
Kyle Ma, Eternity, oil, 12 x 16.
This story was featured in the June 2020 issue of Southwest Art magazine. Get the Southwest Art June 2020 print issue or digital download now–then subscribe to Southwest Art and never miss another story.
MY, WHAT A difference a month makes. As we were wrapping up our previous issue in the second half of March, the most serious implications of the coronavirus were just beginning to be felt. Since then—while we’ve created this issue from our homes—we’ve watched as the art world has quickly changed. Galleries and museums have had to shut their doors, and countless openings, shows, festivals, plein-air events, exhibitions, auctions, and more have had to be reimagined, rescheduled, or called off.
The Oil Painters of America’s national exhibition, for example, was to have taken place in mid-May in Fredericksburg, TX, but has moved to October. The Prix de West Invitational, always held the second weekend in June, is now in September. The annual Santa Fe Indian Market—a centerpiece of the summer season in the country’s third-largest art market—will not happen this year. And those are just a few of the largest events affected. As I write this in late April, it’s difficult to predict for how long such effects may be felt.
In the midst of all the upheaval, though, there has been something wonderful to cheer: an incredible effort to take the art world virtual. From California to Utah to Texas and beyond, artists and galleries and museums have come together to bring their artwork to you digitally on your phone, tablet, or laptop. I’ve seen opening-night receptions conducted via videoconference, invitational shows posting video clips from participating artists, and impromptu auctions done through email. I’ve watched artists give virtual tours of their solo shows and curators do video walk-throughs of new exhibitions.
Make no mistake, this is not an equal substitute for getting to see artwork in person. Not by a long shot. No video or website can match the impact of standing in front of a painting or sculpture. And none of these virtual experiences come with the same camaraderie that’s such an important part of the art world.
But here we are, in this extraordinary moment. I don’t know about you, but when the world is serving up torrents of bad news, I want nothing more than to counterbalance it with powerful doses of beauty. So if I can’t visit galleries by walking through their doors, I’ll visit their websites more than ever. If I can’t talk with artists at galas and openings, I’ll watch their Facebook Live events. And then one day soon, when we meet again in person, we’ll be grateful that we stayed “virtually” connected through it all.
This story was featured in the June 2020 issue of Southwest Art magazine. Get the Southwest Art June 2020 print issue or digital download now–then subscribe to Southwest Art and never miss another story.
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