Tempest in a Tea Pot
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — This afternoon Caryn Coleman made a post over at art.blogging.la that I took offense to.
There's an article in the LA Dowtown News today focusing on the growing arts cluster in dowtnown Los Angeles. Not just concentrating on the new "Gallery Row", the article also included Chinatown. Galleries (including the fanastic Bank), artist spaces, print studios, etc. are included, and mentioned, but sixspace isn't. This is the catalyst for what I'm about to write and has caused me to rethink downtown and my place within it.
I wrote a heck of a lot in the comments there, but from my final words on the subject:
Caryn isn't hating on Downtown, and I can quit being so defensive. I'm not trying to say Downtown is right for everyone, and she's not trying to say it's not right for anyone. Caryn and Sean know their business and I don't, and if they think that Downtown isn't offering what their gallery needs in a space, that's their call. They've done a lot to hype Downtown, and I know they'll continue to do a lot to hype Downtown, 'cause Downtown's cool. Just because Downtown might not work for them right now doesn't mean they're giving up or backing down from the trendy new challenge. I'd rather have them somewhere else than have them not selling art.
I still think that a safe environment is important. Just as "safe environments won't bring buyers to downtown art galleries," unsafe environments will keep them away. I can help work on making things safe, but it's up to the galleries to put together good shows and spaces that are attractive to their clients.
All in all I think it's an interesting read.
Shawn on March 07, 2005, at 08:09PM – #1
Her response definitely sounded like sour grapes. She's po'd that sixspace wasn't specifically mentioned. She's po'd that people think that she's far away (well isn't she?). She also took a swipe at downtown art scene:
"I get the feeling that a lot of the spaces opening up here are by people who think it would be cool to open a gallery without really understanding what it means."
Sean Bonner on March 07, 2005, at 11:08PM – #2
Shawn - she's obviously pissed about the article as she said that herself. And no, we're not far away. We've never had customers or visitors complain about where we are, the only people who complain are some of new galleries in Downtown. Why do they care where we are? Do they want our traffice? We were there before many of the other galleries so for people who moved in AFTER us to complain that we are to far away is stupid. As for the downtown art scene, care to proove otherwise? Becase while Caryn is the one that just said it publically, that's the opinion we've been hearing repeatedly for the last year and frankly it's hard to argue with.