An excellent series of gallery entryway photographs by Andy Freeberg are being shown at the Rosier Gallery in San Francisco. The gallery operates by appointment only, contact them at (415) 753-1214 to schedule a viewing.
Here is what Freeberg has to say about “Sentry”:
“It was an odd moment when I walked into that first gallery in Chelsea and saw a large white desk with a head poking up from the top edge of the computer screen. I took out my camera, carefully framing and exposing the scene, and the head never moved or took notice of my gaze. As I walked around that booming Chelsea neighborhood of art galleries, I began to notice a trend: at some of the biggest galleries there are giant entry desks, where the top of the head of the desk sitter is often the only other human presence. This leads me to wonder, in this digital world of email and instant messaging that supposedly makes us more connected, are we also setting up barriers to the simple eye to eye contact that affirms our humanity?”
I see the tall desk as a necessity and yes, we have one at our gallery, NOWhere Limited. The importance of a first impression is critical. If you enter a gallery and are met with magazines and sketchbooks in use by the gallery sitter then you are likely to be distracted. This wall hides the clutter and leaves the visitor free to concentrate on the artwork unaware of the double tall latte.
The rule at our space is to make eye contact and offer a greeting. Anything less is inexcusable. Of course, some days are better than others.
Andy Freeberg
Sentry
5 March – 2 June 2009
Rosier Gallery
San Francisco
