Article: Do we need new spaces?

An article that examines the question: 
Do we need new spaces for art as a means of deepening and expanding the viewer’s engagement with contemporary art?

This article examines the way in which the "white cube" gallery space may be becoming  increasingly redundant due to contemporary art styles. Projections, performance, digital media and installation can challenge the ability of the stereotypical and traditional art presentation space.
Hughes discusses that during modernist movements through to the 1960s, and later revisited in the 1990's art began to adapt contemporary spaces such as swimming pools, shops, and warehouses, breaking away from the  "staid and dusty" - Hans Haacke museum. She then goes on to state that during this time a number of new movements grew such as pop art, fluxes and minimalism. All with alternative sitings.

"Many artists believed that by placing contemporary art within the museum it lost a sense of meaning and became part of the market. This led towards an escape of the contemporary art museum." 

The article then goes on to explore the effects of a deep dissatisfaction with the institution and the notions of a "gallery". Which led then to a change in thinking and practice. The term "space" became dominant and began to open up more range for interpretation in itself. There is no connotation attached to "space" as there is "gallery" which leaves more room for audience and viewer interpretation of a given work of art. The new sites and spaces could be said to have provided a new range of vision whilst being in a more relaxed setting perhaps. If this is a more relaxed setting, how did it change the impact of viewing art? 

The article then continues analysing the effects of space and art and the communicative properties of establishing new sites and presentation etc.

The article educated me in terms of movement verses its alignment with situational reconstruction and interpretation. I am aware now that non-gallery spaces such as Burghley house and its "sculpture gardens" effect the manner in which we take on work. Also, the art effects the space. An example of this can be found in most homes. The placement of an image and its content can effect the way in which guests to our house "feel" within a given space. My lounge for example is very neutral with images painted of Buddha's and also of warm toned lakes. This was intended to give a peaceful atmosphere which I feel was successful. My bathroom however has stark white walls on which I have black and white prints of Banksy's street art in heavy glossy black frames. 

For the Final Show module, students are having to consider the connotations of the placement of their work both on the space, and other pieces of work. This article has aided me in terms of understanding and contributes massively to the experience gained from the small exhibition practise session conducted during the module several weeks ago.

Text title/ref:

Journal of Visual Art Practice Volume 4 Number 1 © 2005 Intellect Ltd
Article. English Language. doi: 10.1386/jvap.4.1.29/1

Do we need new spaces for exhibiting contemporary art?
A critique of curatorial practice in relation to the viewer’s engagement with contemporary art
Lindsay Hughes