Instant Gallery - Wall Display

[Mark Mandell]

Jim and Ruth Bremer's fiber and wood pieces got me to wondering if other turners were doing pieces destined for wall mountings, and whether those people would want to take part in the Instant Gallery this June if appropriate wall display space could be included. Last year's IG was basically "limited" to items on tables. While plates and platters and such can be shown well by using small stands and supports, other items designed to be hung from or mounted on a wall would not.

Since providing wall space with sufficient strength and stability is likely to be something of a chore for Symposium coordinators, it should only be considered if interest is shown by enough members who will be participating.

So.

How many (if any) of y'all here (posters and lurkers) who will be going to Louieville in June and placing items in the IG, would also bring work that needs to be wall-mounted if the option were available?

[Since this is the Internet, we can't do a show of hands so please respond in this thread. 😀]

Thanks

M

 

[Malcolm Tibbetts]

Mark, thanks for posting this question - you beat me to it. Personally, I think it would be a good idea for the instant gallery to provide some vertical display space. As you have asked, "How much space is needed?" Dain Riley, a Louisville resident, has offered to help create some vertical panels. It would be nice to have a rough idea of how many pieces need vertical display space.

 

[Mark Mandell]

Malcolm,

I had wanted to wait on posting here because I wanted to get some sense if the display space would actually be used by people attending the Symposium BEFORE I made the suggestion. Looks like I did it the wrong way. 🙁

If there won't be a number of artists/turners who would actually bring pieces to wall-mount, I'd hate to see the AAW go to the expense of materials, volunteer time, and space to provide an opportunity that won't actually be used.

Although the query got some discussion on the WOW site, not a single one of the turners there indicated that they would actually bring stuff to wall-mount. If the same result follows here, I think the idea aught to be dropped for lack of interest.

😱

 

[Captain Eddie]

Going Vertical?

I noticed in one of two Instant Gallery videos that some wall pieces are shown on small easels. Would this be allowed? I have a few clocks that won't work if they're laid flat, no kidding, they won't work.

 

[Jeff Jilg]

Yes, I think it should be okay to mount a piece so that it was displayed properly and/or so that it worked. We won't have the same space that we had the last 2 years, so each person is limited to 3 pieces. I had proposed to raise that limit to 5 pieces but we can't because of space concerns in Louisville.

 

[-e-]

Great idea, Mark!

Perhaps if a vertical surface is provided, people will then start bringing vertical work ...

Thanks for thinking of it ...

 

[Richard Baker]

If you build it, they will come.

 

[Mark Mandell]

If you build it, they will come.

If they know about it . . .

[Jeff & Malcolm - if it will, in fact, be available, I think a note to that effect on the Symposium page would be appropriate. You may want to put a limit of the pieces, however, say 30 lbs. x 40" or so, with the turner responsible for doing the mounting, in assigned space.]

 

[S. Clark]

Great idea, Mark!

Perhaps if a vertical surface is provided, people will then start bringing vertical work ...

Thanks for thinking of it ...

While I'm NOT planning on attending the symposium, I have started doing "verticle" works. I think this is a whole field that needs better exposure. I'm not just punning here. I've seen significant interest in wall mounted works and yet most galleries and shows don't include much in this direction. Is it because not much is being produced or becuase there isn't enough wall space to display what's out there?

- Scott

 

[Jim Bremer]

Love the question

I was thrilled to see this thread. Knowing that wall space is available will highten our interest in attending the event. The instant gallery is really exciting, and anything that will make it more inclucive is good for the symposium.

 

[Mark Mandell]

I was thrilled to see this thread. Knowing that wall space is available will highten our interest in attending the event. The instant gallery is really exciting, and anything that will make it more inclucive is good for the symposium.

Well,

Come Ahn Dahn!!! 😀

M

 

[Jeff Jilg]

I'm interested to find out exactly how many people will use a wall display if we coordinate the area. We'll get some details worked out on this if we have sufficient interest. Please email me or post a response to this thread if you would use the area.

If we get enough responses I'll volunteer to help with some of the coordination effort. And if we go forward with it, I'll make a short registration form to get commitment from those planning to use it.

 

[Jim Bremer]

Leaving money on the table?

Obviously our recent pieces need to be on a wall, but consider this as well. Any platter looks better wall mounted at eye level. It certainly is more work to display it this way than just setting it on a table, but it elevates the presentation and will generate more interest in the event Here's a thought. As this organization grows consider charging a hanging or display fee for those who want their work better displayed. By doing so you can raise the funds for fixtures, lighting and all that is needed to make this a more spectacular event. Keep the tables for those who want to show for free. I for one, would gladly pay ten to twenty dollars per entry to properly display my work. The AAW is leaving money on the table by not offering this kind of option. I was surprised that the Step up to the Plate compatition has no associated fee. Evey entry that makes it in that show should in my view pay a display fee. That would give you funds for awards for the best work, which in turn will encourage more people to enter.

 

[Jeff Jilg]

Good suggestions Jim.

There is an entry fee of $25 for the Step Up to the Plate exhibition. And the AAW gets a portion of the proceeds from each item which is sold. In general that helps offset the associated exhibition fees.

 

[Mark Mandell]

I would be more likely to agree with Jim if the Symposium were held in the same place every year so that the "fixtures" and things he anticipates could be stored and reused, and their cost amortised over a period of time. But it doesn't work that way, and the cost to ship such items around the Country would be more than buying them new each year.

Moreover, the Instant Gallery has always highlighted the AAW's egalitatian base mission, and I would be very wary about establishing any kind of entry fee or tiered "class" system for any part of it beyond a membership card. My suggestion was made to enlarge the types of turnings that could be displayed in their intended orientation, thus expanding the scope of potential inspiration for attendees beyond what has been described as "brown bowls." It is the free all-are-welcome flavor of the IG that is it's allure and its true power to inspire. It's hundreds of pieces by "guys who live down the block from me" mixed in with the famous people in the books and videos, all doing what they love to do, that make the IG so very special. It's not about money, fame, power, or anything other than turning in as many aspects as we can bring together under one roof.

Entry fees are for the juried shows and the collectors who come with full pockets and an empty spot on a shelf.

Yup, putting up some display "walls" would be a recurring expense, and should not be done unless there is some reasonable assurance that it will, in fact, be used. But we're not talking about a lot of money, and the materials can, I'm sure, be recycled through H.F.H. and other local organizations around each venue. Indeed, with a little inspiration, we might find those materials donated or loaned by local firms in return for a prominent thank you in the Gallery or the Program handed to the "public" visitors.

People like Jim who are graciously moved to help defray expenses are always free to make a direct donation to the AAW. It is, after all, a charitable organization.

end of rant. 🙄

Now, come on, Boys & Girls, a little classless participation is in order here!!!

Who's going to bring pieces that belong on a wall to the Louisville Instant Gallery?

😀

 

[Jeff Jilg]

I'll take emails as well, and keep names off the tally if folks want to do it that way.