Semester 2

Arts TRYathlon #1: Choose Your Own Adventure

The Hall of Lost Steps by Izabela Apananska - Red Sheep Gallery

#artgallery #virtualartexperience #visualart #painting 

I had wanted to go to the National Gallery of Art in person, however, circumstances did not allow me to venture out into the real world for this TryAthalon. However, I still wanted the experience of going through an art gallery and ended up finding a virtual option in The Hall of Lost Steps, a virtual gallery exhibition containing art by Izabela Apananska housed at Red Sheep Gallery. Throughout colloquium last semester, I was of the staunch opinion that partaking in art had to have some sort of meaning, whether the meaning be expressed as I am consuming the art or whether the meaning inspires me to ponder after viewing the artwork. However, I often believed that this had to be quite literal. Over the semester, I slowly changed this belief through exposure to the different ways in which people portray their art, and how each one was equally valid, even instead of meaning the goal of the exhibition was simply general enjoyment. Thus, I wanted to explore something that wasn’t “in your face” about the exhibition of art and allowed you to move around and your pace, to enjoy what you were doing. So, this landed me in art galleries! However, due to the fact I was unable to go to one in person, the fact that I consumed an entirely virtual art gallery, this allowed me to further think about the consumption of art, and how it's changing in a world that is increasingly digitizing. Oftentimes, if people want to see art, it is far away from most people, unless they live in places like New York or Washington D.C., and even when looking at people who live in population centers where collections of art are likely to be, there are barriers to being able to go see the art like transportation or price. A virtual art gallery then, removes those barriers to entry experienced by so many and allows art to become more accessible to the masses, increasing the equity behind art distribution and consumption. While it is fulfilling to see art in person, I appreciated taking my time to look at every piece up close on my screen myself at my own pace, and I really can’t help but once again say how easy it was to navigate and enjoy the art, which makes me optimistic for the future of art consumption becoming more equitable.