Art by Marianne Monto

Originally published 17th September 2022

I love exhibitions. Both to view and to present.

When presenting, I would like to hide in the corners and hear what people really think. Would it be unethical to bug the works? I understand that people are bit shy to give their honest opinions, as they are worried that they might offend. Aaand then there is also people who wants to offend you, to try to gauge some reaction out of you (and negative reactions are so much easier to provoke).

Yes yes, I understand that as a artist my main focus IS to provoke feelings. I just feel that provoking negative feelings is a bit lazy. Everything that provokes feelings is not art, sometimes it’s just trolling (although, art can also be trolling and if trolling is done well enough it can be considered art ;)) or horrible actions of twisted mind. I do not consider criminal acts as art, even if those are tried to frame as such.

Anyhow, I would love to hear what people really think. And if I could eavesdrop I might hear the honest opinions. In this sense kids are amazing. They like what they like, dislike what they dislike and they are honest, unapologetic about it. They do not think what they should like or try to explain why something is something is worth (or unworthy) of liking.    

In group exhibitions I like to see how people react to different pieces, what makes them pause, what makes them smile and what makes them frown or raise eye brows. Actually, I think I watch even more people than the art.