Comments on: Chicago Gallery Owner Calls It Quits, And She’s Not Alone http://www.artisticfailure.com/2008/07/08/chicago-gallery-owner-calls-it-quits-and-shes-not-alone/ Where all creative intentions go to die. Sat, 22 Nov 2008 06:41:35 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.2 By: admin http://www.artisticfailure.com/2008/07/08/chicago-gallery-owner-calls-it-quits-and-shes-not-alone/#comment-1168 admin Wed, 09 Jul 2008 01:48:34 +0000 http://www.artisticfailure.com/2008/07/08/chicago-gallery-owner-calls-it-quits-and-shes-not-alone/#comment-1168 I don't have a thesis that "the failure of artists is largely due to forces larger than themselves." While market forces do contribute to the failure of art in this country, to argue that that's the cause is too reductive and simplistic. If anything, I take artists and arts community members to task for their own contributions to their downfall just as often as anything else... I don’t have a thesis that “the failure of artists is largely due to forces larger than themselves.” While market forces do contribute to the failure of art in this country, to argue that that’s the cause is too reductive and simplistic. If anything, I take artists and arts community members to task for their own contributions to their downfall just as often as anything else…

]]> By: Sam http://www.artisticfailure.com/2008/07/08/chicago-gallery-owner-calls-it-quits-and-shes-not-alone/#comment-1167 Sam Wed, 09 Jul 2008 00:50:32 +0000 http://www.artisticfailure.com/2008/07/08/chicago-gallery-owner-calls-it-quits-and-shes-not-alone/#comment-1167 Thanks for directing me over to the bas blog for this. I'm a bit confused by the "truth" you praise her for acknowledging in the quote. I agree that it's a poignant observation, that she seems to be blaming, bottom line, her lack of ability as a gallery director. Pointing out that others have done it successfully, she concludes that it's just not in her to make it, due to a combination of poor business skills and a lack of dedication. Without ever having met her or stepped foot in her gallery, I suspect that she's correct. But doesn't that go against your evolving thesis here that the failure of artists is largely due to forces larger than themselves? That it doesn't come down to ability/skill/business sense, but to unwieldy social forces beyond our control? In her failure, Lisa Boyle seems to be reinforcing the idea that it isn't dumb luck or random chance, but (at least in part) through individual decisions that one makes/breaks it. (BTW, it goes without saying that I agree.) Best of luck at the new gig. Thanks for directing me over to the bas blog for this. I’m a bit confused by the “truth” you praise her for acknowledging in the quote. I agree that it’s a poignant observation, that she seems to be blaming, bottom line, her lack of ability as a gallery director. Pointing out that others have done it successfully, she concludes that it’s just not in her to make it, due to a combination of poor business skills and a lack of dedication.

Without ever having met her or stepped foot in her gallery, I suspect that she’s correct. But doesn’t that go against your evolving thesis here that the failure of artists is largely due to forces larger than themselves? That it doesn’t come down to ability/skill/business sense, but to unwieldy social forces beyond our control? In her failure, Lisa Boyle seems to be reinforcing the idea that it isn’t dumb luck or random chance, but (at least in part) through individual decisions that one makes/breaks it. (BTW, it goes without saying that I agree.)

Best of luck at the new gig.

]]>