Lecture series on the 26th–28th January 2015 and workshops at Frame Visual Art Finland focus on the sustainable evolution and reimagining of gallery practices.
Galleries are in a pivotal position today in the international contemporary art world. Meanwhile in Finland the gallery scene is at a turning point, yet to be fully integrated into the global market while public funding is diminishing. The moment is ripe, even urgent, for developing and testing out new alternative models that would continue to embrace diversity. With a lecture series and workshops Frame sets out to explore different avenues for the galleries to strengthen their profiles and support for the artists as well as expand their engagement both within the local context and the global professional networks.
The lectures by guest speakers are open for public and moderated by Taru Elfving, Head of Programme at Frame. The accompanying four-day workshop is facilitated by Tomas Träskman from Arcada and tailored for a range of galleries selected through an open call. The lectures take place at Frame Visual Art Finland office (Cable Factory, door C, 4th floor).
Lectures
Who & how to represent artists today?
Mon 26th Jan, 10am–12noon
Galleries have an increasingly pivotal mediating role for artists operating internationally today. Both commercial galleries and artist-run organisations are actively supporting the career development of artists through sales, audience development, marketing and networking to new commissions, publications and various other modes of international collaboration. What does it mean in practice to represent artists today, whether in local or global contexts? How can diverse gallery practices be developed both in the market and in the non-profit sector so as to respond to the challenges facing artists today?
Guest speaker:
Ceri Hand / Ceri Hand Gallery & Contemporary Art Society (London, UK)
Ceri Hand has over 25 years’ experience of working in the art world. Currently she works as Associate Consultant at Contemporary Art Society, London. Working as Director (2008–2014) of her self-founded Ceri Hand Gallery, she actively contributed to artists’ opportunities in the art market by creating networks and partnerships with organizations, as well as by developing public programmes.
Previously she has worked as Director at the art center Metal in Liverpool, as Director of Exhibitions at FACT, Liverpool, and as Deputy Director of Grizedale Arts in Cumbria. She has curated over 70 exhibitions and over 150 events – the most recent examples of which can be seen archived at www.cerihand.co.uk.
Gallery profiles & diversity
Tue 27th Jan, 10am–12noon
Diversity of the gallery scene is necessary for a dynamic contemporary art ecosystem. Bold artistic profile and recognised expertise allow for the galleries to position themselves both locally and internationally. This is critical not only for the development of peer-networks and focused programme, but also for the gallery artists and their profiles within the art scene. Yet in the abundance of galleries in the ceaselessly shifting landscape, how to claim one’s place and stay afloat?
Guest speaker:
Mike Ruiz / Future Gallery (Berlin, DE)
Mike Ruiz founded Future Gallery (Berlin), specialized in digital and Internet art, in 2008 to better understand artists’ contemporary working methods. Future Gallery has represented their artists at several art fairs (NADA Miami Beach, ARCOmadrid, Dallas Art Fair, Art Rotterdam).
Ruiz studied philosophy at St. Edward’s University in Austin, TX, then sculpture at the University of the Arts Berlin under Professor Gregor Schneider.
Hybrid gallery models
Wed 28th Jan, 10am – 12noon
Myriad models of operation have recently developed within the commercial gallery scene, the non-profit sector and, most of all, in-between the two. This may well have been as a response to the many structural changes and economic, cultural and socio-political pressures, yet it has opened up important new avenues for artists, arts organisations and their audiences. Exhibition programmes are today integrally supported by a range of discursive activities and publications, community projects and audience development, new commissions and residencies, archives and studio facilities, as well as various kinds of services as public spaces.
Guest speaker:
Sabine Unamun / Arts Council England
Working at Arts Council England, Sabine Unamun has been closely involved in supporting the development of the local gallery scene for over a decade. As the British art field has gone through severe changes, Arts Council has strongly supported the diversity of the local gallery field as well as the development of new models of operation and funding.