For my group exhibition i have been visiting various galleries and exhibition’s around Manchester.From smaller exhibitions, to pop-up exhibitions to larger more well known galleries, all varying in themes and work displayed, but one thing that is in common is the way in which the exhibitors display their work. Whether that be wall mounted painting, prints, displays or sculptures and 3D pieces on plinths.My exhibition proposal is to have the space available to display three wall paintings, one large landscape and two square. Then placed directly in front of each painting one plinth that displays my trainer designs.My exhibition research has included all options and possibilities, so that i can gather knowledge on all aspects of professionally putting on a exhibition and presenting my work.First, very noticeable piece of presentation is the space. The space is just as important as the work being displayed. If the space is busy and not presentable, it can distract the viewer displaying the different work. It can also appear to ‘cheapen’ the artwork. If an artist has not taken the time to professionally present their work, it’s likely that the viewer will not appreciate the art work as much as a piece presented in a clean, bright and crisp white space. The spaces are all simplistic in wall colour, the basic canvas being white to create a bright and minimalistic space. Also, the flooring, now i’m not inputting the flooring has been changed for a exhibition, but i am insisting that it has been cleaned to a high standard. This preparation is also includes clearing anything else from the space, so if that exhibtion is displayed in one room or connecting rooms, it is only the exhibition and not random room objects, E.G. a disposal bin would normally be placed in the entrance area or passing corridors.Now, referring to my first two images that show plinths within the exhibtion. The first shows placement was more playfully selected, the placement still linked to paintings surrounding the plinths and i could see connections of the plinth works and wall arts. Where as the second image shows a carefully placed plinth that has it’s own individual space in between two works. This to me suggest’s the exhibitor wanted this work to stand for itself, rather than mirror a piece on the wall. This plinth also has a glass cover placed on top, to protect the item being displayed from either being touched or moved. I think the glass makes the display look more desired in a sense of providing protection of the art work being exhibited. These two examples of plinths are entirely different to the plinths i photographed shown in the third image. These were different in shape, size, assembly and colour and it was OK for the nature exhibition because the natural colour of the wood reflected the exhibition really well and didn’t cause distraction so in this sense i believe it suited the exhibition. Im taking this into consideration, so that the plinths i include to display my trainers on suit to the whole of my work being displayed and reflects well, rather than causes distraction to my work.I have taken the measurements for my plinths to stand at the right height, which is average so that the viewer can have a overview. They will not have glass on top to cover the artwork because i do not feel this is necessary for what i am presenting. They are not small and delicate so i do not feel the need to enclose within a glass case. If I did have a change in thought, I would be able to include the glass case because I have measured the size to have enough space around the trainers to the edges of the plinth and this would be plentiful to sit a case on top of.Concentrating on the wall hangings now, they are all varied in how they are hung, placed /spaced. I think this is something that is determined by what the exhibition involves and how the exhibitor wants to present their work and somewhat themselves. They are not physically being exhibited but their own work along with their artist statement is and this can be how someone will recognise their work in future and how they will refer to or remember them by, so the presentation and displaying is just as important to the exhibitor as their work. I’ve visited several gallery spaces to collect different ideas and expand my visual research for exhibition spaces and I was much more attracted to the work being displayed in a somewhat relatable way to the work. So for example, it was interactive and the furniture that was used to display the work was of similarity to the theme of the exhibition. If I were to hang my canvases they would not have a frame to add security because I do not feel this is necessary given the location and the formality of my theme, it is a contribution of trainers and to represent fashion and canvases that represent the art. I would like it to just be easily reflected behind the trainers, to act as a mirror and replicate the colour onto the wall. I have decided to only display three plinths that will sit my trainers on. These will not be enclosed in a glass case, I wish for the viewer to be able to view my work closely and not have them boxed off. The plinths will sit evenly apart across the space I have been given to take full advantage of the space, which has a great length to take advantage of.
