A patron taking photos by my painting Beverly Ride (78” x 54” – ink, oil & acrylic on canvas) at Castelli Art Space in Los Angeles. Photo credit: Gilbert Molinet.
I often forget that most people see the paintings I make through a computer screen. As thankful as I am for the modern inventions of screens and technology, and the speed with which we can communicate and consume information, there is no phone or monitor that can capture the experience of being live with anything, whether a place, a person, or a piece of art.
There is an energy in objects, especially those made by human hands, that is difficult to convey sometimes without an in-person interaction. It’s the difference between listening to recorded music and enjoying a live concert or watching coverage of a sports game on television versus being in the stands cheering with a good friend, a hot dog, and a beer. Having a conversation over text or on the phone can’t compare to being able to hug a loved one and look into their eyes.
Artist Teale Hatheway (left) chatting with patrons in front of her paintings The Arcade Theatre & The United Artist Theatre (48” x 36” each – mixed media on linen) at Castelli Art Space in Los Angeles. Photo credit: Gilbert Molinet.
Art when seen live offers the opportunity to have an experience beyond what electronic devices and printed materials can offer. There is an abundance of sensory information that travels through the five senses and communicates uniquely to each of us.
A patron at Castelli Art Space looking closely at my painting Leisure Day. Photo credit: Gilbert Molinet.
Seeing art in person also allows us the freedom to get closer, examine strokes, and observe the construction of materials from different angles. We get to see texture that appears flat on screens. We have a chance to see the true color of the artworks. As someone who has spent thousands of hours in my life mixing paint to achieve certain shades, I want the colors to appear in their original truth. Granted, everyone sees color differently, and how a painting is lit and the time of day contributes to those individualized perceptions. I’ve often heard collectors say they enjoy seeing how light illuminates paintings at various times of the day.
Patrons at Castelli Art Space in Los Angeles viewing L.A. Noire (24” x 36” – oil on linen) by artist Gregg Chadwick. Photo credit: Gilbert Molinet.
Ultimately, there is no 6-inch phone screen that can capture the grandeur of standing in front of a 7-foot-tall painting or sculpture and looking up.
The comparison of art seen in person versus art seen via technology seems quite elementary, yet so many people remain buried in electronic experiences (I say as I sit at the computer typing—ha). My fancy for seeing art in person doesn’t discredit the benefits of getting to see images and learn about art online, though. Sometimes it is easier to stay home and look at photos than go out into the world and interact with people. I also love the opportunity to connect with people I wouldn’t otherwise meet who view my art online. There have been many days when kind words from loyal followers or random strangers have boosted my spirits and been the extra motivation to keep creating.
My neighbor looking at Leisure Day (49” x 72” – ink, oil & acrylic on canvas; Note: in real life this painting has a yellow beach—an example of the challenge of capturing a painting digitally in various lights, no matter how fabulous the photographer). Photo credit: Gilbert Molinet.
In August of 2019, I got a reminder from one of my neighbors about the power of seeing art in person. As I flitted about my opening reception at Castelli Art Space to greet the various visitors who braved L.A. traffic to see an exhibit of cityscape paintings in person, I turned to notice one of my neighbors and friends wiping tears from his face.
I asked him what had happened, thinking perhaps something negative had occurred. His response surprised me. “When I look at these paintings I can feel the lives of each of these people… I can feel their struggles and their joys… and the energy of the location,” he replied. The empathy he expressed moved me. Moments later, his partner walked up, also with tears in his eyes. He spoke about the curiosity he had for how the feelings of people had been captured in two-dimensional images.
These two men have walked by me painting outdoors daily for years. They’ve seen countless artworks in process and often stopped to chat with me. One was also my personal trainer for a while and spent hours a week with me. I never would have guessed they would have a profound experience with my art after so much time. They said they hadn’t looked so closely before. In the studio/yard setting, it really wasn’t appropriate for them to block the path to my easel to stare closely at the canvas while I tried to work. (Imagining them doing that did make me laugh, though!) In the gallery, they got to take their time, because the purpose of a gallery is to create a place for viewers to have an experience.
Something in the shock I felt, seeing tears in their eyes and hearing their words, confirmed my belief that art is much more powerful in person than through a screen. I’d already experienced it myself, viewing other people’s art.
A patron at Castelli Art Space viewing the work of Alex Shaefer at the Surf & Turf exhibit featuring LA Skyline from San Julian (24” x 36” – oil on canvas). Photo credit: Gilbert Molinet.
I also advocate for experiencing what is being made today. There really is only a short time when today’s art is available for public eyes—at least contemporary eyes—before the work goes into private collections. It seems common for hundreds of thousands of people to stand in line to see the art of those who have passed away, yet miss out on the opportunity to walk into current galleries and see firsthand the originals of artists who are still alive.
Patron of Castelli Art Space talking to artist Teale Hatheway in front of The United Artist Theatre (48” x 36” – mixed media on linen).
These are the originals that future generations will one day stand in line to see, and we get to see them first. These are the time capsules of our generation.
As fast as technology continues to advance, the creation of art is still fueled by people. I vote for being part of supporting the institutions that create opportunities to experience art live. Regardless of whether you buy art or even like everything you see, your presence matters in shaping what gets created and left for future generations.
So will you see some art in person this year?
Credits:
Exhibition photos by Gilbert Molinet.
Check out the artists included in this blog:
Teale Hatheway
Gregg Chadwick
Alex Schaefer
Thanks to curator/gallery director Dale Youngman for exhibiting us together in 2019, and to Fred Goldstein for creating Castelli Art Space and being a great human being.
Brooke Harker
