Anyone interested in maybe arranging an exhibition

Calina

This is just a vague idea that's going through my little head (it's too early...I should maybe not think about these things)...I don't belong to a camera club or anything and for various reasons have had to pull out of people's photography (damn my life anyway)...I was thinking about maybe seeing if anyone was interested in contributing to a boards.ie photographic exhibition.

The notions vaguely wandering through my head was perhaps to:

1) see if anyone else was interested
2) idly wonder if the Gallery of Photography would be interested in hosting or any other options (Helix in DCU, for example - they occasionally have exhibitions there but it's not so central)
3) find out how much would it cost
4) find out how many photographs we would be talking about, and how/who would get selected if it was seriously limited for space
5) find out what sort of a timescale
6) hit myself on the head cos frankly I don't know where I'll find the time to organise this but feel it should be centrally located in Dublin.
7) maybe see if some one of the camera shops was interested in sponsoring (but since all you lot buy from Kea this could be difficult)
8) stuff like that.

I have no experience in this area but...I just wonder if anyone else would be interested and if so, maybe I would look into taking it forward. Aim for a date in November/December if you like, possibly angling towards the Christmas present market if you're interested in selling prints through it.

Roen

Why not. Would a municipal gallery not be better suited though? I'm not sure what the craic is with those as regards having to pay, but bear in mind that a private gallery will look for a relatively high % if anyone sells anything.

Plus the fact that you'll be trying to break in to the whole private 'Art Mafia' scene. Which I doubt will be easy.

Again I don't know a whole lot about this industry either, but I do know it is an industry.

Paulw

I'm tempted/interested.

I can have a word with a friend in Fujifilm who may be able to help with sponsorship (especially if we have to print all images on Fujifilm). Would that be of use?

Calina

I print everything on Fuji Crystal Archive anyway...but yeah, might be interesting if this thread draws a lot of interest...Maybe talk about it later when we have some idea of how much interest there is in participating, is that

Roen, what you say is interesting...I'll salt it away for future consideration - if we went municipal it might be possible to get some assistance out of the Dublin City Council arts officer as well. That hadn't occurred to me - so that's good.

thanks for the feedback, both of you.

____

Incidentally having had the benefit of re-reading this now that I've been soaked by rain in the meantime, I'd like to clarify the comment about "centrally located in Dublin" - not that I meant it should only be in Dublin, but that if it is in Dublin, it should be somewhere central rather than somewhere out of the way to a good deal of the city occupants...I'm thinking that there wouldn't be such a big footfall in a scout hall in Swords, for example. Beyond that if we got this off the ground, given that there is a cluster of boardsie photographers in Cork/Galway and Waterford (off the top of my head - please don't kill me) there isn't any reason why it couldn't be there also, again, provided it was reasonably centrally located in those areas.

thebaz

sounds good -- and central Dublin sounds best for me -- if it works out -- i assume others could be done in Cork , or Galway etc.
But i'd be interested.

Roen

If you're doing the municipal thing it may be able to tour, like a week in Dublin, a week in Cork, Galway, Limerick, Waterford etc.
Then again, best to concentrate on getting it together first I suppose.

Calina

yeah, I got carried away with the idea of a tour until it occurred to me I'd a job to worry about as well...

but if we can get it off the ground at all...might be easier to spread around then.

DaireQuinlan

Signal Arts centre in bray is funded by the arts council, and only takes a conservative 25% commision on anything sold. Drawback is that its a little out of the way. My sister has had several exhibitions there (embroidery, fine art). They also have a darkroom I just discovered recently. Hmm. Private galleries in town will take a 50% commision minimum. The advantage being of course that you'll get a lot more people just wandering past the place stopping in. Signal I suspect just tends to attract regulars and the occasional lost tourist.

Setun

DaireQuinlan wrote:

Signal Arts centre in bray is funded by the arts council, and only takes a conservative 25% commision on anything sold. Drawback is that its a little out of the way. My sister has had several exhibitions there (embroidery, fine art). They also have a darkroom I just discovered recently. Hmm. Private galleries in town will take a 50% commision minimum. The advantage being of course that you'll get a lot more people just wandering past the place stopping in. Signal I suspect just tends to attract regulars and the occasional lost tourist.

I think there's a long waiting list for that place though, correct me if I'm wrong.

What about Monster truck on francis st? Place was redone recently, not a bad venue I don't think.

melekalikimaka

nice idea, gets my support

familyguy

If I was going to put anything forward, I'd seriously appreciate a bit of help picking.

Some sort of platform for feedback and submissions anyone?

Calina

I think everyone would...but I suppose it might be in my interest to go looking at possible galleries and see how we might be fixed for space if we were to go down the road...then everyone would have a rough idea of what/how many pictures in total we've to play with. It looks like a few people like this idea anyway.

elven

Rather than a gallery as such, would there be any chance of finding a cafe or pub that might have a suitable space, maybe?

DaireQuinlan

Yeah, a lot of places seem to do that aswell. My sister (again!) had a lot of her stuff up in that veggie place on georges st for a while, as well as a couple of other places. didn't really translate into sales though if thats what people are interested in. It'd be fun to have a boardsie gallery in some cafe somewhere though :-) People could leave comments on handily provided whiteboards, It'd be like flickr only in real life !

gandalf

Calina wrote:

I think everyone would...but I suppose it might be in my interest to go looking at possible galleries and see how we might be fixed for space if we were to go down the road...then everyone would have a rough idea of what/how many pictures in total we've to play with. It looks like a few people like this idea anyway.

Good idea, I suppose the best thing to do would be to get an idea of how many would seriously be interested. Limited it to a number of photos lets say 5 per person and maybe have it themed.

I think elven has a good idea of seeking an alternative to a gallery as well.

Zillah

I am provisionally interested

latchiko

Great idea! Definately interested.

preilly79

I'll second the proposal for monster truck. a mate of mine runs it, let me ask him a quick question about commission and other fees and i'll get back to you.

311

Would renting a hotel reception room in Dublin be expensive ??
If it was possible during the summer and in the city centre ,it could be advertised on the net and bring some well deserved attention.

Could bring a couple of other boards.ie areas in aswell ,share the burden of cost. Maybe offer some independent IT services.

sineadw

Oooo that monster truck place - just googled it - I must check it out!

I'd be interested too

leinsterman

Sounds a bit of fun ... but maybe the peoples photography is kind of what you mean ???

I'm in either way ... but I'd suggest we theme it in some way rather than just hanging an array of random images ...

elven

Oh, Simon... read the OP Calina said she can't make people's photography. Besides, it'd be cool to have it as a uniquely 'boards' thing.

A theme is definitely the way to go - would make it more coherent. Need a venue before anything else though.

I wouldn't be in it for the selling, just for fun and to see a shot or two out in the wild Depends on the cost of involvement mind you, just like anything else...

Fionn

hmmm...
it's too darned far away

i'd think it'd be a good idea but as stated at what cost etc. it'd need lots of organising.

i've been trying to get an exhibition going in my own home town here, it's difficult to cut through all the arty bs that these self-appointed ego maniacs spout
I've submitted a CD ROM with some of my stuff to the local arts centre so i'm waiting to see will anything come of it.

Calina

Alright, there's interest which is good, I'll see about pushing this a little further over the next month or so.

On the subject of a theme: I'm allergic. One of the beauties about an internet based photography community is that we cover a wide, wide variety of different things between the macro/landscape/gig/sports photography that's coming out. I'm not hugely interested in coherence which I equate slightly to uniformity. We produce a lot of different work. Trying to tie us all down to a single theme is perhaps not wholly fair. I'd like to emphasise the breadth of what we do rather than anything else.

Carrigman

The Gallery of Photography may be an option. Firstly however there are certain ground rules you have to observe if you wish to hang your work there:


1.Describe yourself as an “emerging photographic artist”. Under no circumstances describe yourself as an amateur photographer, a non-professional photographer, or suchlike.

2.Avoid at all costs taking photographs that incorporate classical compositional rules such as the Rule of Thirds.

3.Anything that might be deemed pleasing to the average person in the street should be regarded as an abject failure.

4.Accurate colour rendition, sharpness, contrast, etc – these are only of concern to lesser minds than yours: you are an Artist.

5.Out of focus images indicate that you are more interested in the hidden meaning of the image than surface impressions. Only the Elect will see. The rabble will stare in bewilderment.

6.Do not go for the dramatic – your subject matter must be as mundane as possible. The sweeping landscape lit by a slanting sun is the preserve of mediocrities. You are more interested in photographing a clump of grass.

7.Said clump of grass will have a title like “Apotheosis Number 6”.

8.Help others see the significance of your work – provide a detailed commentary explaining how your photographic artworks of Tesco rubbish bags bespeak your inner turmoil at the war in Iraq, Climate Change, etc., etc. Your task is to change people's consciousness.

9. There is no need for expensive photographic equipment. A disposable camera is fine. Just make sure you make a platinum print of at least 20" x 16" for each of your exhibits.


I hope this helps:-)

Fajitas!

Loving Carrigman's post.

I would be interested in this, I've done a few exhibitions before.

I really don't like the space in Monster Truck though...I really really don't.

About what time of the year would people be looking to do this?

Basically, if we're going to do it together, we're going to need to get different people organising different areas... it's not something 1 person can do.

A theme isn't nessicary, but working to get the mounting & general presentation would make it.

sineadw

Provisionally I'd lend a hand with the organising. I've done some similar work in the past and know the score with funding and that type of thing. I say provisionally though as I'm starting fulltime college in September on top of an already full schedule. I'd do what I can though.

Carrigman - laughing - perfect

Calina

I didn't think it was something that could be done immediately because first you've to find a location and then you have to find a slot in their schedule. So I reckoned the reality is that we could be talking at least six months before you actually open a door on an exhibition.

I've never been to Monster Truck so I can't comment. I mentioned Temple Bar because I have been in there and what I remember most is that there's a sufficiently limited amount of space that we may not even seen 2 photographs per exhibitor...

I've all sorts of ideas going around my head for promoting it if we do get it off the ground...I guess that some legwork will need to be done first.

Fajitas!

I know a couple of companies that are good to sponsor.

If we got decent sponsorship, we could have a good opening night, a good venue and good value printing, but it'd still cost each of us a few bob to get it all together.

I don't want to go running away with Calina's idea, but see what people are saying and I may have a proposal by the end of the week...

Covey

I'd be interested also and would look for something on the sponsorship side.

I've loads of out of focus stuff also :mad:

T.

gandalf

Well according to most of those on Flickr my shots are out of focus......

mloc

Sounds good, could be a great success.

Setun

4 Dame Lane also run exhibitions, but again I'm not sure how much space would be available. Was anyone at the Banksy prints exhibition around October last year? I only suggest 4 Dame because I help run a Jazz Club there every Sunday, and they have been very accomodating and helpful to us in the past. It's a nice enough place aswell.

trooney

Daddio wrote:

4 Dame Lane also run exhibitions, but again I'm not sure how much space would be available. Was anyone at the Banksy prints exhibition around October last year? I only suggest 4 Dame because I help run a Jazz Club there every Sunday, and they have been very accomodating and helpful to us in the past. It's a nice enough place aswell.

There's also places like the Guinness Store House. I'm sure there are quite a few places about the city (or country??) that would warm to this kind of thing.

Oh... count me in too.

Carrigman

Whatever about the venue I think anyone contemplating participating in an exhibition should abide by the following:

1. Ensure that prints are properly (i.e. professionally) mounted and framed. No
Tesco frames and suchlike. And certainly no prints mounted on card - they
must be in a frame and behind glass.

2. Minimum size print: 10" x 8".

3. Maximum number of prints per exhibitor: 3. The space in the venue plus the number of exhibitors will decide whether all 3 can be included.

There are several months left before any exhibition will happen (if at all). Get some of your stuff properly framed if you haven't done so already. Even if the
exhibition never occurs you will still have work to hang on your wall.

Morlar

Carrigman wrote:

The Gallery of Photography may be an option. Firstly however there are certain ground rules you have to observe if you wish to hang your work there:


1.Describe yourself as an “emerging photographic artist”. Under no circumstances describe yourself as an amateur photographer, a non-professional photographer, or suchlike.

2.Avoid at all costs taking photographs that incorporate classical compositional rules such as the Rule of Thirds.

3.Anything that might be deemed pleasing to the average person in the street should be regarded as an abject failure.

4.Accurate colour rendition, sharpness, contrast, etc – these are only of concern to lesser minds than yours: you are an Artist.

5.Out of focus images indicate that you are more interested in the hidden meaning of the image than surface impressions. Only the Elect will see. The rabble will stare in bewilderment.

6.Do not go for the dramatic – your subject matter must be as mundane as possible. The sweeping landscape lit by a slanting sun is the preserve of mediocrities. You are more interested in photographing a clump of grass.

7.Said clump of grass will have a title like “Apotheosis Number 6”.

8.Help others see the significance of your work – provide a detailed commentary explaining how your photographic artworks of Tesco rubbish bags bespeak your inner turmoil at the war in Iraq, Climate Change, etc., etc. Your task is to change people's consciousness.

9. There is no need for expensive photographic equipment. A disposable camera is fine. Just make sure you make a platinum print of at least 20" x 16" for each of your exhibits.


I hope this helps:-)

. . . takes notes . . .

Fajitas!

I'm going to have to be anal about 4 Dame Lane (And I do like the pub, a lot!)

It's not a great showing space, there's not much room, and the lighting is awkward. What I was going to suggest has been partly mentioned in the Guiness Storehouse - The Digital Exchange, on Crane Street. Having seen a fine art media exhibition there, I think it was quite suiting (I actually mentioned an idea of having a group exhib there to Sebzy!) and there's quite a unique way of mounting the prints there, which if done right, could really make for a great show. Add to this we can ask the Digital Hub for sponsorship, and hopefully get a few more heads in from the tourists in the area, as well as NCAD down the road.

Lets get more suggestions in though.

watsgone

latchiko wrote:

Great idea! Definately interested.

Puts hand up at the back of the class too!!

Setun

Fajitas! wrote:

I'm going to have to be anal about 4 Dame Lane (And I do like the pub, a lot!)

It's not a great showing space, there's not much room, and the lighting is awkward. What I was going to suggest has been partly mentioned in the Guiness Storehouse - The Digital Exchange, on Crane Street. Having seen a fine art media exhibition there, I think it was quite suiting (I actually mentioned an idea of having a group exhib there to Sebzy!) and there's quite a unique way of mounting the prints there, which if done right, could really make for a great show. Add to this we can ask the Digital Hub for sponsorship, and hopefully get a few more heads in from the tourists in the area, as well as NCAD down the road.

Lets get more suggestions in though.

True, just a suggestion though. I wouldn't be up for exhibiting quite yet I don't think, but just said if you needed 4 Dame Lane I'd have some contacts there that I could try for yeh. Anyways good luck with it, I'd be sure to go if it gets going!

Fajitas!

I didn't mean for that to sound condescending!

I (and I'm sure everyone) appreciates the offer!

Calina

As the person whose crazy idea this was, yes, I do appreciate the offer and 4 Dame Lane hadn't occurred to me although I'll be in there for various reasons at the weekend and I'll have a look at it.

That being said, my mind is empty of pre-conceptions here so I'm open to any suggestions as to how and where, and I'm also really pleased that people are interested in this idea. That's really cool.

Setun

Ah no I didn't think it was, I just thought I'd just throw the idea out there. No worries

decsramble

Carrigman:
Dont forget the other rule: "The more artistic the fewer the photographs. Dont allow prints to distract the audience from the presentation" ;-)

Though seriously I've always thought it would be nice to see some high quality amature exhibitions in the Gallery. Sometimes I love their exhibits, sometimes I wonder if anyone actually spoke to the "artist" before giving the space over.