This weeks post will focus on the contemporary art scene in Rome. If you have no interest in art, proceed with caution.
Think about all the contemporary art you see everyday in the states: Maybe a strange looking metal work, just plopped in the middle of a square or courtyard and “ugh so annoying that I have to walk around it”, or perhaps a contemporary architectural piece, that not only serves a function (i.e. building, park benches etc.) but has a look about it that you find either (like me) incredibly compelling or just downright ugly. Or, of course that fork or two pieces of paper glued together sitting in a museum underneath some serious glass casing that you think “Holy crap, why is this art?! I can do that.”
Well, if you don’t understand contemporary art that’s fine, that’s the point. Often times it’s meant to be interpreted differently by each viewer, or not interpreted at all; a statement that speaks to the idea more than the actual piece itself. If you’re someone who doesn’t care either way whether or not it has a meaning, or should have a meaning or if you just simply hate all contemporary art because you could do it, I’m not going to attempt to change your mind. (But I will say, “Yea, you could probably do it, but you’re not….so.”) However, what I am trying to convey in this post is if you’re looking for contemporary art in Rome, it sure is hard to find.
For someone like myself who is very much interested in contemporary art on the whole, this can be rather discouraging, but it’s there if you look hard enough. A large part of my discovering contemporary art in this city has been through my “Galleries & Studios” course, led by a prominent academic in the contemporary realm. Every week we sit in lecture and talk about contemporary art, sometimes in a focused manner and other times, pretty obscurely. Then the next day, we spend 3 or 4 hours walking to various parts of the city and popping in and out of the galleries that you would never ever find on your own, unless led to them by some sort of connection or “in” in the artist community.
I’m sure you can imagine why Rome lacks a contemporary art scene, and if you can’t, I’m here to spell it out for you: R-O-M-E…I-T-A-L-Y…G-L-A-D-I-A-T-O-R-S…E-M-P-I-R-E. Guys, the only thing anyone thinks about when they think about Rome is the Coliseum, and like, Caesar. Unfortunately, Rome and Italy as a whole will more than likely never form another identity; and I’m not implying this identity isn’t proud and incredible, but it leaves no room for contemporary art, in any major capacity.
That being said, I work in one of these smaller contemporary galleries three days a week. The economic position of this country, along with its solidified spot as a strictly historical region, makes the experience rewarding and difficult. The artists we represent are incredible and have a lot of international exposure. In some cases, we’re the only gallery in Europe that represents them, making us a hotspot for their loyal buyers. We are in a good location in terms of a relatively new market (its not like trying to open a contemporary gallery in Miami or New York) and international art fairs are constantly looking to invite contemporary galleries from Italy to represent.
That’s the point we’re at now. Kelsey and I, along with our supervisors have been doing nothing but prep work for upcoming international art shows, solo or the contrary. It’s demanding, and frustrating at times, but its incredibly rewarding and fascinating when you realize that a small organization can have a pretty important international reach.
The contemporary scene here is lacking, for sure. If you dislike looking at the street art or urban works that you pass everyday on your daily commute, or you have to walk around that ugly looking steel piece: just remember that you live in a place that has not only a past history, but a presence in the here and now; one that opens itself to new ideas and new forms of expression. In a country like Italy, entry into this realm is a battle, and the people here clearly aren’t aware of the beauty that’s created from the marriage of old and new.
da Roma
Kat
Think about all the contemporary art you see everyday in the states: Maybe a strange looking metal work, just plopped in the middle of a square or courtyard and “ugh so annoying that I have to walk around it”, or perhaps a contemporary architectural piece, that not only serves a function (i.e. building, park benches etc.) but has a look about it that you find either (like me) incredibly compelling or just downright ugly. Or, of course that fork or two pieces of paper glued together sitting in a museum underneath some serious glass casing that you think “Holy crap, why is this art?! I can do that.”
Well, if you don’t understand contemporary art that’s fine, that’s the point. Often times it’s meant to be interpreted differently by each viewer, or not interpreted at all; a statement that speaks to the idea more than the actual piece itself. If you’re someone who doesn’t care either way whether or not it has a meaning, or should have a meaning or if you just simply hate all contemporary art because you could do it, I’m not going to attempt to change your mind. (But I will say, “Yea, you could probably do it, but you’re not….so.”) However, what I am trying to convey in this post is if you’re looking for contemporary art in Rome, it sure is hard to find.
For someone like myself who is very much interested in contemporary art on the whole, this can be rather discouraging, but it’s there if you look hard enough. A large part of my discovering contemporary art in this city has been through my “Galleries & Studios” course, led by a prominent academic in the contemporary realm. Every week we sit in lecture and talk about contemporary art, sometimes in a focused manner and other times, pretty obscurely. Then the next day, we spend 3 or 4 hours walking to various parts of the city and popping in and out of the galleries that you would never ever find on your own, unless led to them by some sort of connection or “in” in the artist community.
I’m sure you can imagine why Rome lacks a contemporary art scene, and if you can’t, I’m here to spell it out for you: R-O-M-E…I-T-A-L-Y…G-L-A-D-I-A-T-O-R-S…E-M-P-I-R-E. Guys, the only thing anyone thinks about when they think about Rome is the Coliseum, and like, Caesar. Unfortunately, Rome and Italy as a whole will more than likely never form another identity; and I’m not implying this identity isn’t proud and incredible, but it leaves no room for contemporary art, in any major capacity.
That being said, I work in one of these smaller contemporary galleries three days a week. The economic position of this country, along with its solidified spot as a strictly historical region, makes the experience rewarding and difficult. The artists we represent are incredible and have a lot of international exposure. In some cases, we’re the only gallery in Europe that represents them, making us a hotspot for their loyal buyers. We are in a good location in terms of a relatively new market (its not like trying to open a contemporary gallery in Miami or New York) and international art fairs are constantly looking to invite contemporary galleries from Italy to represent.
That’s the point we’re at now. Kelsey and I, along with our supervisors have been doing nothing but prep work for upcoming international art shows, solo or the contrary. It’s demanding, and frustrating at times, but its incredibly rewarding and fascinating when you realize that a small organization can have a pretty important international reach.
The contemporary scene here is lacking, for sure. If you dislike looking at the street art or urban works that you pass everyday on your daily commute, or you have to walk around that ugly looking steel piece: just remember that you live in a place that has not only a past history, but a presence in the here and now; one that opens itself to new ideas and new forms of expression. In a country like Italy, entry into this realm is a battle, and the people here clearly aren’t aware of the beauty that’s created from the marriage of old and new.
da Roma
Kat