What is an art gallery?
You've started to take an interest in art, but you're not quite sure how a gallery differs from a museum. If that sounds like you, this article is just the thing!
First of all, what is an art gallery?
Simply put, an art gallery is a place to "buy" works of art. It is run by specialists, and its main purposes are the "exhibition" and "sale" of works.
What kind of place is +ART GALLERY?
Our gallery, located in Shibuya, Tokyo, exhibits a wide range of works, from emerging artists to established names.
The role of an art gallery
- Exhibiting works of art: presenting works while preserving their beauty.
- Supporting and discovering artists: finding new talent and introducing it to the wider public.
- Spreading art and culture: sharing the joy of art through events.
- International exchange: connecting with artists around the world and fostering cultural exchange through their work.
Museum or art gallery: which should you visit?
Museums are for "viewing," while art galleries are for "buying." Choose according to the purpose of your visit.
In recent years, many galleries handle "contemporary art"
Galleries of this type, which specialize in "contemporary art," have a major influence on the art market and have been steadily increasing in number in recent years.
Wait, what exactly is "contemporary art"?
Contemporary Art can be a little hard to grasp for beginners. Put simply, contemporary art is a general term for the artistic styles and methods that emerged after World War II. It takes many forms—not only the traditional "fine arts" such as painting and sculpture, but also video, installation, performance, digital media, and more.
Why is contemporary art so diverse?
- The influence of society and culture: Contemporary art often arises as a response to social, political, and cultural events and issues—for example, questions of gender, racial discrimination, and environmental problems.
- Free expression: Contemporary art has an "anything goes" spirit. Artists freely express their own thoughts and feelings.
- The advance of technology: Digital technologies, new materials, and new methods offer artists an ever-wider range of expressive options.
How to enjoy contemporary art
- Interpretation is free: Contemporary art often has no single "correct" interpretation. Whatever you feel and think is your "correct" interpretation of the work.
- Learn the artist's intent: Knowing what a work is about, along with the artist's intentions and background, deepens your understanding of it.
- Have a dialogue with yourself: One way to enjoy a work is to savor the inner dialogue of what you feel and think when you see it.
Contemporary art has many different "entry points," so it's a good idea to start exploring from whatever first caught your interest. Even a work that seems strange at first glance often has a solid concept and meaning behind it, and the process of uncovering that is one of the joys of contemporary art.
What came before contemporary art?
Before the art of our present-day "contemporary" era, each period had its own names and ways of understanding art, shaped by technology and the changing values of the times.
Major periods and movements in art (before contemporary art)| Period | Main characteristics | For example |
|---|---|---|
| Prehistory | Art was expressed in forms such as cave paintings, sculpture, and pottery. Themes were generally related to religion and mythology. | The cave paintings of Lascaux |
| Ancient civilizations | Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece, Rome, and others. Art on themes of mythology, history, and religion. | Greek sculpture, the pyramids of Egypt |
| Middle Ages | Christianity-centered art such as Gothic and Romanesque. | Notre-Dame Cathedral |
| Renaissance | Naturalistic representation, one-point perspective, and human anatomy developed. | Da Vinci's "Mona Lisa" |
| Baroque | An opulent, emotionally rich style, characterized by the effects of light and shadow. | The works of Caravaggio |
| Rococo | A light and decorative style. | Fragonard's "The Swing" |
| Neoclassicism | A style that revived the ideals of ancient Greece and Rome. | Jacques-Louis David's "The Intervention of the Sabine Women" |
| Romanticism | Characterized by personal emotion and a celebration of nature. | Turner's "The Parting of Sailors" |
| Impressionism | Adopted new painting techniques that emphasized light and color. | Monet's "Water Lilies" |
| Post-Impressionism | Influenced by Impressionism while developing it further. | Van Gogh's "The Starry Night" |
| Symbolism | Art on themes of the inner world, dreams, and mythology. | Gauguin's "Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going?" |
| Modern | Up to the early 20th century, diverse styles emerged such as Fauvism, Cubism, Dadaism, and Surrealism. | Picasso's "Guernica" |
So, what defines an art gallery?
Art galleries come in many forms, but at our company we keep the following in mind.
- A diverse range of works: We exhibit works across many genres.
- Expert advice: Art professionals explain works and artists in detail, guiding you so that even beginners can buy art with confidence.
- A cultural experience: Through art, you gain new perspectives and moments of inspiration.
In summary
An art gallery is not merely a "place to sell." It is a multifaceted space that connects art and people.
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What did you think?
+ART is an online store that sells contemporary art. We feature and sell works in conjunction with the curated exhibitions at our own gallery, as well as online-exclusive items.
At +ART, we share content from many different angles so that as many people as possible can discover the joy of buying and collecting art.
If you have little experience buying art, or it's your very first time and you feel unsure and would like to talk it through, please don't hesitate to reach out!
(The plus art editorial team)
