|
A. Designing the Exhibit
The application has been filled out and mailed. Now, you are officially
committed to the upcoming pottery exhibit. Whether the goal of your show
is strictly to display or to sell, a potter has the responsibility to
the show and to the other participating artists to make his display
professional. This attention to detail will determine your reputation as
an artist, the reception of your work, and the ultimate success of the
overall show. Remember that a commitment to a show means respecting the
other artists who have also made the same commitment. If your display
looks good, they look good and
the show will be well received.
Different styles of work demand diverse staging, but there does seem to
be basic conventions each of us adhere to when searching for just the
right look. These conventions can be traced back to the formal Elements
of Art and Design with your emphasis on keeping the pottery the top
priority.
1. Line
The human brain works to scan the eye’s horizon line quickly forming an
implied line as it examines item after item. When that line is
essentially flat, the brain perceives it to be boring. When the horizon
fluctuates to different heights or levels, the brain becomes challenged
and engaged. Look at
the picture in Fig. A. When a group of pieces relatively the same size
are arranged together on a tabletop even if there is a slight difference
in height and grouping, they produce a static line which the viewer more
than likely perceives as uninteresting. In Fig. B, when the same pieces
are arranged at angles and varying heights, the line becomes much more
engaging and attractive to the brain.
|
2. Space
Space, is also important for that dynamic line. A successful use
of space can make the difference between an overcrowded exhibit
versus one that allows each piece to shine. Each piece of your
pottery is extraordinary. But, with improper spacing, the
uniqueness of each piece gets lost. Your exhibit becomes a sea
of forgettable pottery. Instead, carefully orchestrate resting
places for the viewer’s eyes to be able to stop and focus by
creating open spaces on the table. To do this, you may need to
make a choice to store some of the pottery until later in the
show in order to create a pleasing arrangement that shows off
your hard work. In doing so, you form a showcase for the pieces
left on the table. Not only that, but as the show progresses and
you reveal stored pieces, you reinvent your display and viewers
will want to come back for a second look. |
