Taking Responsibility for Your Own "Crazy"

It is highly impeccable that you recognize that not everyone else perceives of things the exact same way that you do. Your individuality and uniqueness will come across in your art, whether you embrace it or not and for better or for worse. What may seem perfectly normal to you may seem totally alien to another and visa versa. So, you have to come to realize that not everyone else will understand your art as you do, and this plays an important role in showing your work.

My husband and were recently discussing how so many artists are quick to assume that those hanging their work will graciously display it perfectly, just as they designed it to be seen. Even despite the following: alternative presentations that don't abide by prospectus guidelines, poor instructions on how it goes together, components missing or flawed... And that said gallery personnel will hang said artwork happily and not feel put upon or bothered by any extra demands on their time and skills to do so at all. However, this is not the case. What may seem like an elaborate but elegant and beautiful installation to you as the artist will likely appear as a chaotic jumble of parts to whomever unpacks or has to hang it. So I call upon you to make every effort to ensure that your artwork is installed properly as you would like it to be shown. We called this "taking responsibility for your own 'crazy'" because of that disconnect and the artist's need to work to ensure their own artwork is shown as they would like.

Ideally you should plan to install anything that deviates from a standard plop-it-on-a-pedestal or well-balanced wired wall-hung piece yourself. If you cannot install your own work make sure you converse with the gallery assistant and exhibitions staff beforehand. Include explicit instructions for installation that incorporate pictures (preferably photos and not sketches). Make absolutely certain that all of the proper parts are there and even include spare parts if possible, but make sure to label them as such to avoid confusion. Above all, as I've said time after time, communication is key so make sure that you keep the lines of communication open and professional.