Museums are where we house humanity’s greatest artifacts. There is a gravitas to entering into the hallowed halls of an institution and viewing what they consider worthy of displaying. Greek statues, Renaissance oil paintings, Picasso’s and Van Gogh’s, Warhol’s and Pollock’s. There is a feeling as if the art exhibited was always meant to be there, permanently affixed to the walls so that those financially able to afford a ticket might get the privilege of viewing these treasured works.
If you’re an artist, you might have asked yourself this question: “How could I or anyone compare or exhibit alongside works in those grand museums?” I think the question we need to follow up to this one is: “Why should we want to?”
Now, I love museums but the entire experience of a museum is sort of impersonal. The actual housing of the art is in a grandiose building, most likely inspired architecturally by Greek temples are pretty much every major building in the United States. Cold marble houses exhibit artworks that range from decades to centuries old. It’s hard to find anything contemporary or oftentimes local, museums preferring to show off what’s the most popular so they can sell a ticket. Further, those tickets are so frighteningly expensive, making it so any common person is scared away from even going in to see the art that’s always talked about!
For the contemporary artist, there is that feeling of trying to measure up to these bourgeois standards but I think it is important that we stop ourselves from doing that and instead refocus our efforts into something more democratic for both the artist and art seeking public. We instead try to exhibit in the everyday gallery: Cafes and Diners.
Local cafes and diners are where people frequent to fulfill their basic needs for coffee, food, and good conversation with friends or loved ones. Between sips of coffee, a person will look up to admire the establishment around them, noting the artwork displayed from a person they may recognize in their neighborhood. Experiencing these local artworks fulfills a nourishment of the soul for the viewer and the artist! The business is able to display artwork to decorate their walls and the artist is provided a venue in which to exhibit and sell their works. The impersonal nature of the museum is negated in the cozy atmosphere of the community. Café’s and Diners become the democratizing houses for local artists to show their work so that the public is able to view them for just the price of a cup of coffee.
A growing art scene is taking root in Scranton and I believe part of the genesis of this is through the many local businesses supporting the arts in the ways they can, such as Zummos, Northern Lights Espresso Bar, Linda Kays, Henry’s on Clay, etc. In future editions of the blog, I will be exploring these areas and interviewing customers and the spotlighted artists to hear their thoughts on the subject!