Staging is under way

Hanging a retrospective is as much of a work of art as the paintings themselves, and it all starts with staging. Staging is under way in the east conservancy of the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center and continues today as we lay out all the pieces and decide how to arrange them on the towering walls of the Art Center’s grand atrium.

I have so many pieces that we’ve decided to hang the show salon style. This is a term that refers to large groupings of art that extend higher and lower than eye-level. Most galleries hang their shows “museum-style,” or in a single row set at eye level, but salon style works better for a large retrospective like mine.

The salon-style display dates back in time to an influential annual exhibition in pre-Revolutionary Paris. It offers several advantages for viewing work. Higher-hung pieces can be seen by everyone, even when the room is crowded, and the alternative perspectives on pieces on display provide an intriguing historical throwback.

 

In addition, more artworks can be displayed in a given space, and the non-linear approach allows us to highlight connections or contrasts between multiple works, styles, periods, and series.

All in all, there is going to be a massive amount of work on display in this show, so don’t miss it. Palettes: Past Present and Pursuits opens Friday night with an artist’s reception that begins at 6:00 p.m. and runs through 10:00 p.m. The show itself will be on view through January 24. The Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center is located at 2301 First Street in the heart of the downtown Fort Myers River District.