For those who don’t believe that social media is changing the way people interact and consume art, 300 people attended the Twitter/Art + Social Media’s opening reception at Diane Farris Gallery last Thursday to prove them wrong. In an informal setting, connected Vancouverites enjoyed the art over a beer while sharing how they discovered the exhibit on facebook or through a tweet, confirming that art is becoming more and more connected and accessible on a global scale.
Diane Farris Gallery has a history of forward thinking. The gallery launched its first website in 1996 when less than 1% of the world’s population had access to the internet, so when Mia Johnson presented the original idea for Twitter/Art + Social Media, it was a done deal. According to the exhibit’s curator, Lili Vieira de Carvalho, Diane Farris herself has always been interested in the possibilities of the internet and how online communities can support artists.
“If you are an artist who is sharing your process or artwork online, you are building an audience. You can also find people who care about the same issues as you and want be part of your creative process,” added Vieira de Carvalho.
Peter Combe, Iran’s Ahmadinejad Prepares for Avatar Premier, 2010.
The juried exhibit selected works from over 40 artists who use social media as an inspiration, a tool to connect with their audience, and to promote their work. However, Twitter/Art + Social Media is not only an art exhibit, it also intends to give back to the community through a series of free events:
On April 13th at 4:00pm, publicist Rebecca Coleman and photographer Kris Krug will facilitate a ‘Social Media for Visual Artists’ workshop.
On the 17th, Diane Farris Gallery will host an art and social media panel with the Twitter/Art + Social Media selection committee: Dr. Maria Lantin, from Emily Carr; Hank Bull, Executive Director of Centre A; Kris Krug, Vancouver-based photographer and Vancouver Film School professor; and Lili Vieira de Carvalho, Associate Director of Diane Farris Gallery.
On the 27th, the 8th edition of Draw by Night – A Drawing Party will take place at Diane Farris Gallery.
Please contact Diane Farris Gallery at (604) 737-2629 or email facebook@dianefarrisgallery.com to register for these events. Seats are limited.
Twitter/Art + Social Media exhibit is open Tuesday – Friday from 10am to 5:30pm and Saturday from 10:00am to 5:00pm. Diane Farris Gallery is located at 1590 West 7th Avenue, Vancouver, BC.
