First Edition: Love to Hate Video Art (Plus a Preview of Something New)
August Newsletter
Happy long weekend! The end of summer is always bittersweet, but I always look forward to the art world re-invigorating for the fall and can’t wait to share some findings with you. However, a benefit of the lull in programming was an opportunity to visit exhibitions I might have overlooked otherwise. I found this surprisingly refreshing, including an exhibition at the AGO dedicated to video art.
🌊 Deep Dive: Developing an Appreciation
Last week, my 8-month-old, Effie, and I spent the afternoon at the Art Gallery of Ontario — she’s becoming a big fan of paintings. We went to the fourth floor, as we usually do, to check out modern and contemporary works on view. On the 5th floor was an exhibition called Bright Signs: Spotlight on Video Art.
I almost skipped it because, honestly, I still have a bit of a hang-up about video art. (I am so glad we didn’t because I found it surprisingly refreshing and Effie loved it.)
This aversion is interesting because some of my favorite art experiences have involved video. Arthur Jafa’s Love is the message, the message is Death, 2016 (I dedicated a whole newsletter to the piece here), and Christian Marclay’s The Clock 2010 which I’ve been lucky enough to catch different segments of the 24-hour piece in both Paris and London (referenced with Jafa’s piece in my century of art round-up here) are prime examples of artworks that have changed my perspective on art appreciation for the better. Yet, there’s a part of me that still wants to avoid video art altogether.
To understand why, I wanted to rewind to a defining moment from my past, which my high school best friend still loves to remind me of. In 2008, I was in 10th grade on a field trip to The Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City. At that time, the museum was in its original brutalist Marcel Breuer building from the 60’s—a stark and memorable structure that’s since become part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s offshoot and will soon host Sotheby’s Auction House previews.
We were there for the Whitney Biennial, which, ironically, has become an event I never miss nowadays. But back then, the experience was overwhelming. We stepped into a room with blaring noise and disorienting visuals that completely threw me off. The sensory overload was so intense that I just wanted to shut my eyes, cover my ears, and get out. My friend can’t quite believe that someone who had such a strong aversion to video art back then is now so into it.
Fast forward to today, and I’ve come to appreciate how art can affect you on multiple levels—not just intellectually, but physically and emotionally as well. It’s a different mindset that’s allowed me to embrace video art.
Looking back, I recognize some names from that 2008 Biennial that I now admire. However, finding that specific video piece from then is tricky, as archives weren’t as detailed. Ironically, I suspect that the piece which once repelled me might have been by Mika Rottenberg—an artist I later came to appreciate after seeing her work ten years later at Art Basel in Miami. My newfound admiration for her came with time and a more open perspective.
So how do you go from disliking something to genuinely appreciating it? Sharing this story to demonstrate how with time perspectives can change. It’s a reminder that our experiences with art are constantly evolving, and what once seemed off-putting can eventually become something we deeply value (even if we need to be reminded).
🔥 Trending
As a kick-off to the fall art season in New York, the Armory Show opens on September 5th, as Frieze Seoul closes.
The Louvre was closed for celebrities a lot this summer, including Snoop Dogg and Kendall Jenner & Bad Bunny.
BANKSY caused a stir in London this month, creating several (relatively lighthearted) animal-inspired murals.
Special Paid Subscriber Preview
Due to popular requests, I am excited to introdue a special paid section of my newsletter with artists I have my eye on, available works, trend forecasts and so much more. Think of it as a little monthly peek inside my art brain.
This Month’s Advisory Picks
Spotlighting two artworks I would invest in.
Larissa Lockshin
The why: Beyond the fact that this work is dreamy — her works are especially alluring as they are often created upon a satin canvas — Lockshin’s paintings are everywhere I turn right now. First spotted at Felix Art Fair in Los Angeles, she has since had some great shows with talent-spotting galleries.
Price: 6,000 USD
Anna Ortiz
The why: Three reasons; Bailando is an incredible painter from Mexico, and Latin American art has been increasingly popular in the auction world. Her motifs also mix surrealism and landscape, and a rediscovery of surrealism is taking place. Finally, the price-to-size ratio presents a pretty significant bang for your buck.
Price: $7,000 USD
Final thoughts
Thanks for being such great supporters of my newsletter — I always love sharing what’s been on my mind. If you have questions about the forthcoming paid section or otherwise, don’t hesitate to drop me a note!
Until next time…
Yes, so much video art depends on the context in which you encounter it. Too often I come upon a video during a gallery/museum walkabout, and just don't have the time/attention to sit down for a long viewing. Plus you never know if you've walked in during the middle or end...