Agreeing to disagree

Have you ever noticed that visiting a show by yourself is a different experience to visiting it with a companion? I often find that another pair of eyes on an artists' work helps me to see and feel more at an exhibition, even when we disagree about our reactions to it. In fact, that is what is so valuable about discussion. It doesn't make you or your companion more right or wrong than each other, after all opinion is only opinion and personal reactions are unique.

This clip from an article by Mark Amery (The Dominion Post) echoed the same thought:

 

“It’s like we attended a different show,” exclaimed guest Martin Patrick on the visual arts podcast I host, Circuit Cast last week. Such was the difference in our impressions of an exhibition (Soundful at City Gallery). What was old hat for me, proved stimulating to him.

So it often is, and should be. Relish the diversity of taste around fine things I say. Tussle with it. Particularly when contemporary art itself continues to get ever more varied in approach.

Feelings can also vary widely across an artist’s practise. Art is speculative. Good artists take risks, leading to a mix of failures and great pay offs – far more interesting than years of ho-hum production. In all this flux the role of the critic is to empower difference in opinion and our confidence in stating it. It’s often more interesting when you disagree. "

 So next time you visit the Beetroot Tree, bring a friend to talk to, catch us at the desk or when serving your coffee and have a chat about the pieces on display then we will all have a richer, deeper experience.

Alysn

Lost & Found - new exhibition and special event!

LOST & FOUND | 3 March - 15th April 2012
Free Exhibition Event Thursday 8 March 6pm - 8pm with artists talks, refreshments and 10% off any purchases made from the main gallery.
 

Showcasing discarded objects resurrected into fine artworks. Not redundant but regenerated. Works re-deploying paper, machinery, textile, card, wood & slate via 2D, sculpture & jewellery.
Collections from artists including Bob Barron, Maggie Cullen, Avril Elward, Angela Fox, Cas Holmes, Suzie Gutteridge, Chris Jenkins, Beth Nicholas, Alys Power, Aiden Spencer and Kirsty Whitlock.

'Hunter' by Chris Jenkins

Three of Chris Jenkins 'Outposts'

Cas Holmes

Avril Edward

'Cabinet of Curiosities' by Maggie Cullen

Bob Barron

Jewellery by Aiden Spencer

Angela Fox

...so many exhibitions...

I've just been looking through some of the thousands of photographs and videos that give a lasting record of our eclectic exhibitions over the last 12 years and it got me thinking....

What has been your favourite themed exhibition?  Which artist sticks in your mind? What inspired got you talking? What has inspired you to get creative?  What piece of artwork have you purchased and what is it that meant you couldn't live without it?
From the sumptuous array of textiles in our “Majitha” exhibitions to the shimmering jewellery showcased in “Heavy Metal Fragile Soul”.  With inspiring sculpture about “Memory” and evocative paintings displayed in “old Masters New Masters”.  I find it truly astounding to think of the vast number of artists The Beetroot Tree has worked with and the even larger amount of art works that have been made available to you, the viewer.
So, here's looking to the future!
Download out Exhibitions Programme to see what’s next! or join our Mailing List to make sure you don't miss any Exhibition Events or Special Offers!

Stevie