When you’re new to contemporary art, engaging with a work can feel intimidating or elusive, but that sense of ambiguity is part of what makes it so interesting. Eri Takane, Fair Director of Tokyo Gendai, believes that enjoying art starts with trusting your instincts. In this beginner’s guide, she answers six common questions to help beginners nurture a deeper understanding of contemporary art.
What am I supposed to feel when I look at an artwork?
There’s no right answer, and that’s what makes art so interesting. In the design world there’s requirements such as function and purpose, but with art, there’s no such things, nor is there as a standard for what is “good” or “correct”. Depending on the person, they might be incredibly moved by an artwork, while someone else might not feel anything looking at the same piece. And that’s perfectly fine! In fact, I think art is a really good way to discover and hone your own values.
How do I interpret art?
If you have any hesitations, the simplest way is to ask the artist or gallerist directly. Reading books is of course a good start, but conversing with them in real time often leads to a deeper understanding. Unlike other art periods, many contemporary artists are still alive and active, so being able to hear directly from them is a really valuable opportunity.
How do I know which works are valuable?
“Value” can mean many different things. There’s financial value, but also personal value – how a work impacts or resonates with you and your life. If you feel that a work of art has shifted your outlook on life, that’s a kind of value you can’t put a price on.
As for market value, there are some indicators like whether it’s part of a museum collection, which gallery represents the artist, and auction records. Still, there’s no absolute standard.
How are the market prices determined for artworks?
Prices are typically determined through discussions between the artist and gallery, based on various factors such as the artist’s career history, past exhibitions, whether their work is held in museum collections, and the scale of their shows. However, social media has also had an influence in recent years. More artists are selling their work directly nowadays, so there are many different cases that determine pricing.
What questions should I ask a gallerist?
A good place to start is: “Can you tell me about this artist/artwork?” If there’s a work you like, maybe tell them that and ask about that piece. Try choosing artwork you are naturally drawn to, and it’s okay to let curiosity guide your questions as you talk to the gallerist.
How should I read a wall label?
Some people prefer to read the caption first to learn about the work and then view it. Personally, I recommend looking at the work first without reading anything.
Try viewing the work, feeling something with your own senses, and coming to your own understanding of the artwork before reading the contextual information listed in the caption.
It might be difficult at first to look at artwork without any prior information, but the more you do this the more you start to understand your values, and the more fun it gets.
That said, if your goal is to study art, reading the caption first is also fine. Whatever suits your style.
What if I feel like the work looks like something I could make?
In my experience, the simpler a piece looks, the more difficult it was to shape it into what I envisioned without an understanding of color and material, and a clear concept. Perhaps the best thing to do is to actually try making it. Maybe you will discover a hidden talent!
Every artist seriously thinks daily about what to convey and how to convey it as they work on their creations. Even if a work looks simple at first glance, it may be the result of many, many tries, the result of which looks simple because that is the best way to communicate their message.
I have a lot of respect for the artist’s determination to continue believing in themselves. Sometimes people connect with the work, and sometimes they do not. Nevertheless, they continue to create steadily, with the determination of wanting to convey what they want to convey. Even if a single piece doesn’t resonate with people, they might continue creating over years or decades. Over a longer period of time, the meaning deepens, and they suddenly attract attention. I feel that many of the artists who are working on a global scale have such determination and the power to continue creating.
