Exercise 5.1: Origins of the White Cube

Exercise 5.1: Origins of the White Cube

Reading Thomas McEvilley’s introduction to Inside the White Cube: The Ideology of the Gallery Space I've detailed a summary of key points mt own personal reflections.

For others who may struggle finding a link, try this:
https://monoskop.org/images/8/8e/ODoherty_Brian_Inside_the_White_Cube_The_Ideology_of_the_Gallery_Space.pdf

McEvelley in his introduction sets out some key points as to how the modern gallery is:

1. The Object - Like an Egyptian tomb there is a desire to create an illusion of time being frozen for the pictures displayed and protected from age. I think an attempt to keep the image remote from the outside world and away from its current influences. 

2.  The Viewer - The exhibition space is to be considered ritual / symbolic but only viewable for people of a similar disposition with a similar outlook or viewpoint

3.  The Context - Sterile and white or perhaps from new beginnings. Prior to digital so perhaps the starting place of the photograph on the white photographic paper. Perhaps a disembodiment for the viewer leaving behind everything and being grateful for what the eye discovers in the cube. 

Whilst the text was written 30 years ago I find again a common theme for essays or critiques written much longer ago to use a style of writing and reference that is deemed only understandable and accessible by an elite few and so distinguish the author from peers or people considered of a lower standing.

Interestingly modern photography is accessible to all people. There is an art to creating a photograph, rather than taking a photograph, so the end result is that art has been created. I think its great that many people can now shape what photography is.

However what i did like was the view that someone walking into a gallery is able to remove pre-conceptions or wrappings of their life, perhaps like having a shower, before entering the white cube and being able to see the images displayed in an remote and timeless area. 

I think a gallery should be open and available to all. Photographic art is not created for a select few, its for everyone to enjoy and discover the photographer's or even their own message. The setting for allowing this to happen is quite poignant and the idea of a white cube does happily resonate with me. A cleansing before hand, like a glass of water before wine cleanses the mind and enjoys the full richness of the images to be enjoyed