BESTSELLER
19-20 June, 2019 at Galleri Bo Bjerggaard
Exhibiting artists:
Louka Anargyros (FR), Kinga Bartis (DK), Daniel Fleur (SE), Nicolai Freberg (NO), Albert Grøndahl (DK), Martin Brandt Hansen (GL), Benjamin Harpsøe (DK), Helen Haskakis (SE), Mads Hilbert (DK), Freja Niemann Lundrup (DK), Lisa Lundgren (SE), Arthur Löwen (DE), Matthew J Robertson (US), Erik Uddén (SE)
Bestseller is the third exhibition curated by pro tempore.art. The exhibition addresses the issue of commerciality in the art world, speaking into the current discussion of artists’ livelihood and the financial structures in the art world. As an emerging artist you will inevitably be confronted with the question if and how to sell your work - whether you are creating to live or living to create.
By playing with the word bestseller (dict.: a book or other products that sell in very large numbers) pro tempore.art applies a banal framework from another industry to ask the simple question: Does such a thing, a bestseller, exist in the art world? This question triggers another, more complex question - namely whether the art world can be compared that directly with other industries in an attempt to solve the important issue of artists being able to live of their art.
The ironic title of the show and the comparison with other industries has been the curatorial point of departure and guided the selection of artist: a simple Google Search provided an outdated definition of what a bestseller is in the (painted) arts today*:
Traditional landscapes
Local views
Modern or semi-abstract landscapes
Abstracts
Dogs
Figure studies
Seascapes, harbour-, and beach scenes
Wildlife
Impressionistic landscapes
Nudes
* Art Business Today’s survey from 2016
Based on this list, 14 artists from Denmark, France, Germany, Greenland, Norway, Sweden and the US were invited to participate in the show, each displaying works in one of the 10 narrow categories listed above, ranging from classical painting to figurative sculptures.
Publication & Salon-talk
In an attempt to explore the many aspects of this complex issue, a publication and salon-talk will be facilitated. During the opening, 19 June, a publication on the exhibited artists and how they are influenced by commerciality will be launched. The publication is produced in collaboration with Det Københavnske forlag Chris & Gulmann and will be available for sale during the exhibition and at selected retailers.
During the second day of the exhibition, June 20, 4.30-6.30PM a salon-style talk will be held, inviting the audience to engage in this discussion.
For two days, pro tempore.art will introduce the new to the established, by exhibiting emerging artists at Galleri Bo Bjerggaard. The exhibition is a temporary experiment replacing regular emptiness with moments of artistic collaborations and new vibrations.
Special thanks to
Snabslanten, MTAB, Niklas Adrian Vindelev, 1664 Blanc, Galleri Bo Bjerggaard, Marie Vinther, Mads Vegas, Det Københavnske Forlag Cris & Guldmann, Reform, Social Service Club & Artrebels
BESTSELLER was a short term exhibition curated by pro tempore.art. in collaboration with Det Københavnske Forlag Chris og Guldmann we left a trace behind.
︎ THIS IS FOR SALE
Photos: Niklas Adrian Vindelev