Caroline O’Leary doesn’t like blogs, however, they have their uses at times…
Before I go any further in this piece, I have something I feel I have to admit… I really don’t like blogs. In fact, I hate them, always have. I just cannot understand the public’s seemingly morbid curiosity with every aspect of another’s opinions and rants, or often every detail of their lives. Yet should you type the work “blog” into Google, approximately 3,150,000,000 results appear proving the mass appeal this new form of communication has gained. Some bloggers, such as Perez Hilton, have even managed to carve careers out of this new form of communication; Hilton began with nothing more than a taste for celebrity and an enjoyment for defiling photographs and is now one of the most popular sites on the internet, apparently even beating MySpace.
Much as I am still confused by this bizarre boom, I can recognise that blogs have become a new and very practical way to garner attention for yourself and your work. The art world has also caught onto this, with many artists now periodically publishing reports of their current projects and their progress online. One particular example of this is painter Joseph Dawson, who is represented by Dublin’s Apollo Art Gallery. In October 2007, Dawson decided that his next project was to be a personal interpretation of Velasquez’s Venus with a Mirror also known as the Rokeby Venus. This beautiful painting is a depiction of the reclining Roman Goddess, positioned with her back to the viewer and her face only visible in the mirror held by her attendant. Over the next few months, Dawson posted regular written and video blog entries of his progression including his visit to the original painting, his studies and sketches, and areas of the finished painting. During these months, the Apollo Gallery included in their mailing list emails regular reports on the works progress, as well as encouragement to constantly check out the Dawson’s blog.
The result of these efforts is evident in both the comments left on the blog and the great turnout for the painting’s eventual unveiling last April. Former friends, co-workers and strangers alike offered support and encouragement throughout the process while anticipation and reception of the piece seemed to far exceed that normally lavished on such a work. It seems that we will be seeing far more of this cheap, easy and efficient publication of art works in the future. It doesn’t mean I have to like it though…
