'Don't show everything' is advice given to artists using the social network. Whilst I don't show everything, unlike artists who may get meatspace gallery shows I have no reason not to show everything. The only reason I don't is reluctance to overload viewers. This is ironic in the age of overload most of us live in, but there it is.
I have shown in galleries and bookshops but the gallery without walls is my most commonly-used exhibition space. As I said to a friend over a beer just the other night whilst he bemoaned the lack of venues or labels for bands, the works of independent artists utilising the internet will probably be seen/heard by more people than was previously likely in pre-PC days.
The idea of an online 'exhibition' came whilst I contemplated the issues above. Having run two sites for a few years I'm aware of the phenomenon that is bottomless digital pit and the accompanying capacity for viewers to unwittingly demand/consume as much as the creator gives. Sometimes this is exhausting for the creator. She/he will, on the one hand, enjoy the attention, but also put pressure on themselves to maintain the supply.
The old adage 'less is more' is applicable. So to is the idea of maximising content in the hope that 'more' creates a greater chance of being seen. It's true that through greater input of online content some artists have gained recognition by those in a position to publish them. Others publish themselves. Loving books as much as I do, the latter can only be viewed as a great achievement. So too is being able to afford a more lavish physical representation of one's work in book form.
The Survival series also contains works called The Swimmers but for convenience I have used the one title since all images derive from the use of one core image. The texts are from Guy Debord's Society Of The Spectacle. All works can be made available as high quality C-type prints on fine art paper should you desire one.
(third person) 'Robin Tomens lives in London where he spends a lot of time consuming strong coffee and making art to a soundtrack of Jazz, Electronic music (old and new), Dub and 20th century Classical. He was a DJ for over 30 years, created the fanzine, EGO, wrote the book on Jazz, Points Of Departure, has exhibited with The Tunnel collective and is published by Timglaset (Sweden) as well as self-publishing. He lives with fellow artist, Jane Pearrett.'
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