FAQ NET:Part VII

FAQ NET: It is the name of the new column that we started as Media Partners on a regular basis of Platforms Project-Independent Art Fair, asking a common question to participating artists – representatives of artistic groups and collectives, resulting from the needs of conteporary reality and the changes that have already occurred after the Covid 19 Pandemic and the Global Lockdown; with Platforms Project-Independent Art Fair to pioneer in the European Art Fair space and to transfer the entire fair online at Platforms Project Net 2020 (14-31/5/2020).

By Efi Michalarou & Dimitris Lempesis

How do you feel participating in an online Art Fair like Platforms Project 2020? A new experience that emerged through the needs of Covid 19 World Pandemic fighting. What are the new challenges and what do you expect from this participation?

Maria Stamati (ArtCode Platform): Although my participation in Platforms 2019 left a mark on me as an artist, as far as my contact with so many visitors, the immediate experience with the artworks and the communication with so many fellow artists, this year the new prospect presented by the Platforms Project added more parameters. Expectations are synonyms with my certainty that the online edition opens up new pathways of communication between the art-work and it’s viewer. This will mainly occur due to the opportunity to visit the Platforms Net, at any given time and for as long as one chooses to, resulting to the best viewing of the artworks, and having the time needed to let this conversation settle in. It is also my belief that, although over 20.000 people visited the Platforms event in 2019, this year many more people from more cities and countries will have the opportunity to view the event.
Platforms is one of the most important art events we get to experience and especially this year with the Net edition, on demand for everyone out there, and immensly supporting current art creativity and artists.

Scott McGovern (Ed Video): I’ve had a lot of conversations recently with people who wish to shift their IRL art projects online. Generally their desire is to replicate the gallery, museum, or art fair experience in a web browser. This isn’t surprising as people always want new technology to do the job of old technology, instead of what it is inherently good for. When Art Basel was postponed, they were very quick to set up online ‘viewing rooms’ which essentially showed artworks in virtual booths. However, it is absurd to look at JPGs of blue chip art that is for sale for hundreds of thousands of Euros during this time, especially as the global economy is crashing – and art sales will be one of the first things to suffer. Their focus still seems to be on money more than art.
However, the team at Platforms Project has done an amazing job of moving online for 2020. The interface is excellent to show the layout of the fair, with simple to use links to see information, photos, and videos from each exhibitor. It is almost like playing a video game where you want to explore and see everything. So, Ed Video is delighted to participate this way, as we work hard to shift our own projects online, in particular by starting a live online show to speak to artists and show their work. People experience so much art through their screens anyways, so why not! Although it may not be a perfect alternative, it gives artists a sense that their work is still getting out to audiences, and that the community of independent artists and organizations is still strong.
After all, people who work in the arts are naturally creative and ready to embrace challenges, so it is not surprising that some great initiatives like this will occur during this time. Obviously this situation will alter what contemporary art is about for some time, so congratulations to Platforms Project for adapting to this format in such a thoughtful way – it has changed my ideas about how an art fair can exist online. We hope to see everyone and all of this great work in person next year!

Liesbeth Bos (artplatform |elsewhere): Taking part in the Platforms Project in Athens five times have ensured I became enchanted by Greece, its people and its great artists and art scene. Of course I mis going to Athens this spring. The physical buss, the positive energy, seeing your art-friends, building your exhibition, the lovely conversations with the interested Greek public, the family feel of being part of such a great event as the Platforms Project is irreplaceable. But sticking together in this difficult time, where you are housebound and a 1.5 meter society is the new normal, is important and helps to stay focused. Something Artemis Potamianou understands very well. The online edition of the Platforms Project is a great idea and gives opportunity, even at distance, to still be part of the Art Fair and to focus on the individual works of art as well. Time will tell if interaction between art platforms and between individual artist will emerge. For the 5th time artplatform |elsewhere, from the Hague, the Netherlands, will participate in the Platforms Project in Athens. For this edition of the Platforms Project |elsewhere asked artists, met in past editions and feel inspired by their work, to be part of the exhibition. Working on a concept for a presentation and putting it up with artist from three different time zones was already a challenge. That hasn’t changed. An online ‘Zoom’- opening is easily set up. It can’t replace a physical opening but on the other hand it gives time and space for discussing our joint effort and individual works and proces. And plans for exchange between countries are already made, digital or in real life. It seems the pandemic addresses our creativity. Sharing and explaining works of art on the social media has exploded. Museums wide opened their virtual doors and let us enjoy their collections. Or the creativity to do your own copy of a favorite artwork in between art and quarantine, #tussenkunstenquarantaine #betweenartandquarantine. As artist myself, it inspired me to start a new project double | distance. During the pandemic a covid-proof representation of my work. Some in retrospective some new but all at double | distance.