Musings

Out of the Crate

Back in January I visited Manchester Art Gallery.

I was intrigued to see their exhibition “Out of the Crate” which allowed visitors to see how galleries house and contain artworks not often or never seen.

The “Behind the Scenes” invitation seems special. Like an exclusive invite to something only certain people are privy too. Does this itself give the experience a more valuable feel? Knowing perhaps that this rare opportunity will not happen again?
In appreciating artwork, the hang is one of the most important elements to consider so then what happens when it’s seen differently lighted, part crated or unassembled?

These rooms then lead to another called ‘Cold Cases’. These spaces punctuated with artworks, artists files, desks and blackboards invite visitors to explore archival files that essentially have gaps in the who, what, why or how the artwork became to be part of the galleries acquired collection.

This then goes onto a 3rd room “It’s Good to Talk” which is curated by the ‘Making Conversation Group’.

The individual artefacts and files don’t occupy large areas as such but are housed in the very stately expansive rooms that the Gallery offers. While I enjoyed the opportunity to explore and spend time with the items, it still felt like being in an Art Gallery and so as much as I kind of wanted to sit and read /research I think perhaps I may have also felt on show myself as others walked around. At the time I was also with a friend, and as a visitor to Manchester, would not be afforded the time to really delve into what the room had to offer. I did not see any others sit and spend time in the space so I’d be interested to know if more people have engaged in that way and it may also feel different while the workshops take place within the ’It’s Good to Talk” areas.

What appeals to me here is that the exhibition represents, honestly, some of the challenges faced in record keeping and takes value in the public’s contribution and in effect allows us to value what would normally be kept behind closed doors.

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