Curate, ‘...to curate’, ‘...a curator’. Meanings related closely to the arts, and synonymous with the idea of ‘putting on a show’, starring artist(s). In Malaysia, at least, I find that this definition holds tight, with many exhibitions (shows) are organised with the artist in mind, followed by his/her works, after which invitations are sent out to the public audience, inviting them for an opening for the show.
Ideas are haphazard, and more than likely progress in a non-linear flow. As artists, ideas are bountiful, representing self thoughts and expressions, presented conceptually, perfomatively, or through tangible materials. To curate with the artist, would then require a curator, open to absorbing the process, whilst simultaneously thinking of providing tools for the public audiences to access the art (or not, if the artist prefers). The ‘show’ does not star the artist only, but includes the ideas, space, works, combining into the experience of the public viewer walking into the show.
‘Welcome. This show is going to make a difference in your life’, is what I would want to think or feel with each art experience I encounter. In Malaysian art exhibitions, such shifts are rare and far-between. I question the why’s of this scenario - the inflated perception of ‘art for sale’, the lack of funding for the arts, the supposed lack of audiences and new collectors, the majority comfortable middle-class lifestyle that permeates our society. After all, doing differently, and changing processes does take work, and do we need to do it today?
Of late, I have started to take note and gravitate towards artist owned curated shows. The artist(s), choosing to step into a curatorial role, makes the choice to help shape their own creative thoughts and processes, over and above their art. Not an easy task, but I do applaud and appreciate the push against normal, and more importantly find myself enjoying such shows. These artist run shows might not be as structured and neatly pulled through as what goes on in the galleries, however that would only mean as an audience you would have to get more involved personally to follow and think of what is going on around you.
It takes five to ten minutes to walk around a gallery space, looking at art on a pre-defined eye level. With artist run shows, more likely than not, it is not in a common four wall gallery, challenging the artist(s) to look beyond the walls in presenting their work.
TBC
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