Behind the Scenes at GMOA

Museum goers have spoken and we have been listening. We know you want to know more about what goes on behind the scenes at GMOA, so copied here you will find an example of the sorts of conversations that take place during an average day at the museum. The subject matter was the appropriate term for a particular type of exhibition space within the museum. Immediately after our reopening, the space will serve to display video art, but will also be used for informational films that correspond with a featured exhibition and may even be used as exhibition space for the new latest and greatest medium that is bound to come down the line one day. So, we thought it might be interesting for our readers to get a sneak peek inside the thoughts of GMOA staff.

Copied: Email sent by Georgia Museum of Art Pierre Daura Curator of European Art, Lynn Boland

Basically, the term "new media" or "new media art" incorporates anything non-traditional and, well, new. This includes but is not limited to video art, virtual art/internet art, sound art, biological art, etc. A subset of "new media" is "time-based art," or so-called "TBA." "Media art" is another term in use, but that typically refers to art using the materials of mass communication.

On the subject of showing educational films in a gallery, here are my thoughts:

In short, I say "gallery" and make it an exciting "flex space" that's geared towards and equipped for new media art, but also serves as a didactic space for larger, temporary exhibitions when needed.

Here's my rationale:

I've never met a curator who has a problem with showing an educational film in a gallery space provided
a) it doesn't detract from the visitor's experience of the exhibition's art, and
b) it directly informs the exhibition with which it is planned.
Since we commonly stage exhibitions in multiple galleries, then there shouldn't be any problem with the space being a gallery and using it for educational films sometimes, in fact, it's perfectly suited for doing so.

Calling it a gallery also gives us the flexibility to use it for anything else. Video art, other new media, yes, but also installation and who knows what else? What is the lighting in there? It could work well as an information room sometimes. It would probably also come in handy for art "overflow" from time to time, or for an occasional small or even single-work show. Just thoughts...

Thanks for asking,
Lynn