Art Is Now Virtual: Silverlens Launches First Online-Only Show
The coronavirus pandemic has forced the closure of virtually every art space all over the world. While it has put a halt to many things, the art world is adapting and looking to different platforms. Right now, the most promising is online.
One of the first to take it online, locally, is Silverlens Galleries. The gallery is staging its first online-only show, Anticipating the Day, on June 2. It will feature works made during the pandemic from different artists, as well as picks from Silverlens' social media series #athomewith.
Isa Lorenzo, the founder of Silverlens Galleries, says changes in the way they do things are coming, but for the better. "The art world, it is very much a face-to-face experience. We are trying to make the online experience more personal to mimic the real world as much as well can," she says.
The participating artists include Martha Atienza, Frank Callaghan, James Clar, Chati Coronel, Nicole Coson, Corinne de San Jose, Dina Gadia, Patricia Perez Eustaquio, Gregory Halili, Mit Jai Inn, Wawi Navarroza, Elaine Navas, Renato Orara, Gina Osterloh, Bernardo Pacquing, Gary-Ross Pastrana, Hanna Pettyjohn, Norberto Roldan, Ryan Villamael, and Eric Zamuco.
Anticipating the Day will have works displayed in artist's studios. It's a look into a more raw yet alive part of the process. The show takes off from the gallery's social media series, which had more input from artists and their studios. According to Lorenzo, it might seem impersonal at first through a screen, but she points out how most of our intimate moments in the last few months has been experienced through a screen.
Navigating the online territory for a show had significant changes. "The challenge is to make something that moves beyond the studios, beyond our screens, into something tangible and real. The experience of being let into private spaces, with the reveal of new art that came from them. Our media team has designed a very personal show, and we hope that our collectors, friends, and audiences take the time to really view and appreciate both art and process," Lorenzo says.
Silverlens' shift to online works hand in hand with the city's new guidelines. The on-site shows will start up again at the end of June, but these will be heavily augmented by the gallery's digital platforms. An upcoming show with Pow Martinez and Corinne de San Jose is already on the schedule.
"Art goes on. Our on-site shows will continue, but with social distancing and guidelines in place (no big openings, scheduled visits). There will be less frenzy, however, we look forward to a deeper appreciation and respect for art," Lorenzo says.
