For our class field trip to the Lower East Side on February
14th we hit around 12 galleries throughout the day. I either enjoyed an entire gallery or found
myself questioning the point or relevance in some of them. I enjoyed the gallery with Dina Litovsky
where she documented fashion shows and the last galleries where we got to see
Richard Avedon and all the big name photographers. The subject was more
appealing to me because of my interest in fashion and media. Although I was drawn
to these images the most I found myself intrigued with how people, both my age
and older would interact with the pieces and the galleries throughout the
day. Art is a luxury and one not
everyone has time to experience or have. I always viewed art buyers and those
who are customers at galleries as classy and very well put together. This past
week I spent exploring New York City by myself throughout the days. I would
consider myself an extremely perceptive person and I am constantly aware of my
surroundings.
On our trip with the class I noticed those in the galleries,
both students and tourists have terrible gallery habits. More than half the
time the person “viewing” this art work in front of their very eyes was facing
a photograph but their head was facing down being sucked into their phone. I
was embarrassed for these people. I’d like to think someone who is choosing to
spend some time at an art place would put down their phone and actually look at
something and see it. I was very frustrated and pushed my feelings aside and
tried to focus on what I wanted to draw from this experience as a whole but I
could not let it go.
I went to the Museum of Modern Art in New York City where I
had planned to take my time, look through all of the galleries and make mental
notes on what inspired me. Half way through my visit I noticed the same
technology obsessed society was surrounding me at the MOMA... somewhere you pay
to enter. I became obsessed with the contrast of such a monumental piece of
work in front of someone’s eyes and all these people could fathom to do was
check their instagram feed.
So that’s what I did…
I spent my day documenting those ignorant, obsessed and representing
more than 50% of our society.
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