some thoughts from today
some thoughts from today about..
What makes a space, like a gallery, cafe or bookshop succeed? a combination of many things. the right combination at the right time. location can’t be altered, so selecting the right location is critical, but to know what that place is requires a plan. otherwise you won’t see the place even if it is before your eyes. The story of Gallery EF is a good one to study, i read it in Art Space Tokyo a book published by Chin Music Press. The owners had a the place already and needed to find it’s purpose only. But possibly having a purpose, you can then find a place to suit is a good alternative also. A purpose is required, not just another cafe or another gallery, those are too vague and lack any real purpose and would possibly lead to a failure in the long run.
A space that serves multiple purposes is more liekly to succeed should one part of the business fall on difficult times, or is not profitable but still a necessary part of the overall space.
Contacts that can contribute to a space, will help a place be successful. maybe they are even essential for a place to survive. Colaboration is also essential from many varied people, from local and global locations, doing similar things in their own place. A gallery owner from Tokyo for instance with a similar vision, artists who will contribute the works to a new space, diverse, up and coming artists. Making contact before setting a purpose and finding a place is a good idea
Having a contributing vision is beneficial in promoting a healthy community around a new space, both locally and as a network, connected by common interestsor visions.
some thoughts about Tokyo and Sydney
Tokyo – a place of multitudes, of everything and everytime. of old and new and respect of each. Respect of the renewal of space and place, for the good of continued intrigue and refreshment, for the purpose of not becoming comfortable and complacent.. and boring.
Sydney – a place of attempting to become something. of hard work and rest and comfort. it is a place that perhaps takes 2 steps forward and 2 steps backward, continually. possible not getting anywhere quickly. but still a good place as it’s not going backwards.
Berlin is next on my agenda… i hope to find something to write about it also after experiencing living there.
What kind of spirit do different places bring to my mind
a bar – fostering customers communication skills, a place to feel at ease or on edge and to discuss and communicate with friend and strangers alike.
a gallery – the transfer of ideas from artist to audience. if possibe a cyclic place, artist to audience to artist, art to idea to art.
a cafe – a place of nutrients, of replenishing energy and spirit. of starting new ideas and sober casual meetings with friends. a place to appeciate others company
a bookshop or library – a place to listen to other with our eyes and minds. to listen to history, to listen across time, from past to present
a second-hand shop – a place to re-invent another’s identity with your own. of enhancing an objects history with your own journey and spirit. a place of recycling objects through time.
well that was my rambling writings for tonight. i scribbled these words at a cafe and then a bar in Jimbocho, Tokyo.
please feel free to comment or email me your thoughts