On Friday, January 12th, I visited Friend of a Friend a gallery show curated by Lili Marto & Tif Xb that displayed 82 artworks in collaboration with 54 artists. Entering the third-floor gallery from the elevator leaves you with the immediate thought “Where do I start?” Thankfully a handy flyer of the gallery’s layout was provided. A wide space, artwork displayed everywhere, including multiple floor-to-ceiling beams and columns with different artworks displayed on each side, providing the viewer with a new artwork at every turn. Friend of a Friend satirically poked fun at the obvious fact that many shows and events occurring within the arts; happen because of relations and politics. While some may see that as a negative, interestingly enough we are all friends of a friend.
We can always assume that someone you know could know someone else you know whether you know them together or as separate individuals. The show’s title “Friend of a Friend” encapsulated the environment during the opening night, as I walked around several artists inquired if I might be another artist displaying in the show, which I declined.
The reason I choose to mention these interactions is regarding the metaphysical environment created by the curation of the show. Not only did the show invite viewers but also provided reasons to interact with the art and people alike. I don’t know if this was the intention but it was executed perfectly.
With every eye shift, turn, and blink there was a new artwork to be seen and a new artist to research, as Gen-Z would say “It’s giving a fair but almost an afterparty. In a good way though.”
You’re probably wondering, why haven’t I started to discuss any of the 82 artworks displayed within the show. While Friend of a Friend displayed numerous artists with individual backgrounds and talents. The engagement and attention were enforced through the title of the show.
In a world with fast-paced media consumption, Friend of a Friend was an event that targeted the viewers’ stimuli and attention. As I looped around the gallery six times; my normal target being three. I still cannot confirm if I saw everything. As each time I walked around, I saw something new and exciting.
Friend of a Friend provided the feeling of speed dating artworks, in relation to swiping through a TikTok/ Instagram Reels feed. You view and swipe, take a photo instead of double tapping if liked.
Friend of a Friend was a comprehensive show displaying performances, works on canvas, sculpture, panels, pillows, a coin machine providing access to collect original artworks, and more. The show brought me to question if future art shows will navigate towards understanding that as a society our attention spans have shortened, due to the large consumption of short fast-paced content.
Friend of a Friend curated by Tif XB & Lili Marto brought innovation organically to the scene by crafting a fast-paced event that captured the viewer’s attention while embedding memorable experiences into every viewer who entered. Instantly transforming viewers into participants; I look forward to seeing future shows curated by the duo and wonder what is next.
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