Picard response

I thoroughly enjoyed Picard's article. I think that the lifestyle of someone who lives in a in an apartment gallery is fascinating. Having a living space that is in constant flux is a concept that is both enticing as well as terrifying. I would imagine it would promote a high level of stimulation and creativity. I think breaking down personal barriers is a positive experience as well. I enjoyed the comparison Picard made between a television sitcom home and an apartment gallery. I think the dismemberment of the "classic home" is essential for our culture to progress. She emphasizes the importance of the interaction of a viewer with a piece within a space rather than its commercial value. Our culture is based on the material value of things and acquiring wealth. Picard suggests that we place value more on the experiences of life. This underground way of displaying art undermines the hierarchical nature of the art world. I also strongly agree with the almost selfish nature of the pursuit of an artist. Whether it be time dedicated to ourselves as artists or sometimes an inability support ourselves or a family, we dedicate most energy to our own work. The drive that exists to create is something that is rooted so deep that financial struggles will not sway us from our goal.
Also I really enjoyed her final note about redefining our values as a race. I find it inspiring to search for something other than the pursuit of wealth to drive my happiness.

Varrassi_Public Space Reading Response

This article was interesting, although it didn't really tell me much or make me think differently about alternative spaces. I've always found the idea of apartment and house gallery shows as sort of tacky and unappealing? It's just how I feel personally, I really don't like going over to a complete strangers house, to me its a weird invasion of privacy, and I always feel really uncomfortable. I also feel that if the space hasn't been significantly altered to allow art to be shown (for example moving furniture aside, setting up really good lighting and viewing spaces, making it not look like someone overpriced rundown apartment) then the actual space is distracting and almost more interesting than the art works that might be shown there.

I can clearly see how alternate spaces are a great way for artist communities to grow in an area though. There is great value in them for artists who don't have the professional connections or resources yet to get into official galleries.

On the Matter of Public Space

I enjoyed reading this article, and I fully support the idea of an apartment or DIY gallery setting, even with some of the drawbacks that Picard highlights. If I were in a situation where I thought it might be beneficial to me to lend my space for an apartment gallery, I like to think that I'd be willing. There's a necessity for more public spaces, and apartment galleries are a good solution. That said, I can appreciate how Picard emphasizes how these alternative spaces seem to create a sense of community specific to the kind of artists that participate in them. For the artists with limited access or opportunities for participation in a commercial gallery setting, an apartment gallery is ideal. It has potential to generate a different kind of audience, such as other artists in similar positions, or viewers who would not typically show an interest if the space weren't as available or intimate.

Public Space

I can see the appeal of an apartment or at home gallery and am intrigued by the idea. However  they would be regulated makes the practice nearly impossible.  From both reading the article and working in a gallery i can honestly say that it would be easier to take over and alley in the city for a few hours. And in some ways this is even more accessible to the public

On the Matter of Public Space

I found this piece quite interesting and enjoyed her personal stories. I liked Picard’s ideas about the notion of the apartment gallery and how they essentially challenge the boundaries of public and private space. I also found interesting how relationships become just as important as the work shown in the gallery itself because of such an intimate setting. I was kind of shocked to find out that apartment galleries are actually illegal in Chicago. On one hand, the idea of a DIY show in your apartment kind of freaks me out. Tons of strangers in the place where you sleep is weird and where do you put all of your furniture? On the other hand, I liked what Picard said about if you have no interest or access to the commercial world, an apartment gallery could allow you to relate to your audience more and create more intimacy with your art. I also liked her idea of a shift of societal need for more money and consumption to different symbols and virtues of achievement to create a better world.

Picard response

I enjoyed this reading by Caroline Picard because it opened my eyes to the strange idea of apartment galleries. I liked the idea of it being such an intimate space for friends and appreciators of art to mingle and speak freely. I like that Picard wrote about the issues that arose with the inhabitants of the living space. It never occurred to me that someone would misinterpret the proper etiquette for a gallery space. I also like that she explained everything about how apartment galleries conflicted with Chicago law, and the she included, step by step, what she had to do when she got a ticket for owning an apartment gallery.

on the matter of public space

On the matter of public space 

This article was very action packed and very dramatic. I could feel the tension in between the interactions. I think that I could see this becoming a movie one day in the future, where people are getting arrested and yelled at by the cops and in the end the cops win and they shut everyone down but then the artist society stands up against the police and they have an all out battle to the death.

I think the reason the cops are shutting the venues down is because the cops are evil. I also think big galleries don't like people profiting which is selfish. But what can you do but fight the man.