Alternative Art Spaces (AAS) and Online Galleries

Question 1

What is an Alternative Art Space (ASS)

Answer 1

• Alternative art spaces may not look like conventional exhibition
  spaces. The definition of an alternative art space is constantly evolving
• Some examples of alternative spaces include cafes, bars, restaurants and site-specific presentations such as street sites etc.
• Cyberspace may be viewed as an alternative art space (online)
• Any artists can exhibit work in a particular alternative space as there are fewer restrictions placed on the presentation of artworks.
• Cost to exhibit is often considerably less than those exhibiting in
  commercial galleries
• Alternative art spaces may attract a different audience that they may not generally attend art exhibitions at conventional art galleries/spaces.

Question 2

Example of an AAS

Answer 2

• Mailbox Art Space, formerly Mailbox 141, is an alternative public art space that supports artistic experimentation and the exhibition of new work.
• Located in the heart of Melbourne’s Flinders Lane arts precinct (141-143 Flinders Lane, Melbourne, VIC 3000), artists are invited to create site-specific work for a series of restored mailboxes and the surrounding area of the historic Pawson
  House heritage building.
• Mailbox Art Space is directed by Andy Butler, John Brooks and Louise Meuwissen.
• smallest art space in Melbourne
• No restrictions as to what materials that can be used
• Line listing in Art Almanac (magazine)
• Mailboxes are illuminated from within
• No commission is taken for exhibiting in this space (all enquiries and
  sales go through the artist)

Question 3

What is an Online Gallery

Answer 3

• Online galleries reflect a relatively new way of exhibiting art. In recent
  years there has been a massive increase in presenting exhibitions of
  artworks online.
• This online exhibitions may be based on uploading visuals, text and
  audio from an actual exhibition of artworks; in a gallery space.
• Any significant gallery, whether it be public or commercial, presents
  online information and installation views of their exhibition.
• These exhibitions happen in a physical space but are also available to
  view online.

Question 4

Example of an Online Gallery

Answer 4

Bluethumb

Question 5

Characteristics of an online gallery (for exam Qs)

Answer 5

• review the artwork and the artform to ensure it is categorised correctly and placed into the
  correct platform online – to showcase the work accurately and attract a potential buyer
• include price
• organise a blurb that discusses the intentions of the artist and the ideas of the work
  (contextualise the content)
• high resolution photograph of the work (with no reflections)
• Layout: (stage the artwork effectively through web design)
• make the work a hero image
• hero image could be featured as a “slider”
• details of the artwork must include: artist full name, title, media, dimensions, year
• zoom ability – to ensure the viewer can see the fine details of the artwork and determine if the
  surface/texture appeals to them
• Placed with other works that share the same artform or theme