Blog Post #8

Toucan Gallery Experience


Functional Considerations:

Has traffic flow been planned for in the gallery space?

I think the traffic flows nicely throughout the gallery space. There is artwork along the outer walls of the space and some tables down the middle of the gallery as well. There is plenty of space to walk down the aisles.


How has the space been designed to serve multiple purposes? Do you see any potential problems with traffic flow or the exhibition of artworks? If so, what are they?

The gallery shows and sells artwork. There is also a framing shop in the back, where people can have things framed and matted. The gallery also occasionally offers classes down in the basement.



Formal Considerations:

Describe the typographic aesthetics: evaluate its effectiveness. How do the choices of fonts, etc. on the signs and signage complement or detract from the artwork?

The typography is pretty consistent throughout; there were labels and price tags on the work, but they were small and subtle as to not distract from the artwork itself.


Is there visual unity of elements/components within the displays in the gallery space and within the window displays? Explain why or why not?

I think everything went together nicely; there was a flow through the gallery from one body of work to the next. The gallery owners chose the art that is shown in their gallery, which also shows by how the work all fits together nicely and seems to have a pretty common theme throughout. There is no work that just stands out and doesn't fit in with the rest. The window displays are well executed and put together in a way to entice and attract customers.


Does the gallery seem to have a visual style? If so, describe it. Is it appropriate to the type of gallery this is? Why or why not?

The gallery has a very professional yet casual style. It is a break from traditional white galleries. The gallery tries to show art for everyone that is at a more affordable price that "high art". Because the gallery owners chose what work is shown, I think it allows for the gallery to look more cohesive and planned out.



Conceptual Considerations:

Describe the overall message of the gallery in one sentence. You may wish to refer to the gallery website.

This message of this gallery is to show and sell a variety of artwork in a professional, casual environment that allows for everyone to find something of interest.


Does the organization of the work in the gallery have a linear sequence (a beginning and ending point), or is it a fluid sequence (the visitor can start at any point in the exhibit and move to any other point?)?

The gallery has a more fluid sequence, visitors can start and end wherever they choose and not have to worry about missing valuable information by moving on to the next body of work. It seems that most of the work from each artist is clustered together, so moving from one artist to the next does not affect the understanding of the work.


Is the type of sequence effective? If not, how would you improve it?

Yes, I think it is important for a gallery that is selling work to allow for the visitors to be able to move freely to the work that they are attracted to. They do not have to look at all the work presented in the gallery, if they choose not to.



Visitor Observations:

What do you believe would be the most and least popular aspects of this gallery space for visitors under the age of 25?

I think the bright fun colors would be attractive to visitors under the age of 25; the color palette feels warm and inviting. However I think the price for some of the artwork would be intimidating to some visitors under the age of 25. The layout of the gallery is casual and relaxed which would also help draw in the younger generation.


What are the most and least popular aspects of this gallery for visitors over the age of 25?

I think the type of art would be more attractive to visitors over the age of 25, there is a lot of functional art word and ceramic dishes, that may be more appealing to people over 25. Also, the artwork seems to have a very "western" feel to it, which could partially be because the owners of the gallery choose the work that they like and want to displays, therefore creating a theme throughout the gallery. I would imagine that the actual experience of shopping for art would get a little redundant for people over 25 that do not particularly enjoy shopping.


Can visitors share their experiences of the art with others, or are they designed to be individual artistic experiences? Explain.

I think because the environment is so casual and relaxed, it makes it easier for the visitors to be able to talk about the work and be able to share their experiences. If it were a typical white wall gallery, people would feel more apt to stay quiet. 


If you could change one thing in this gallery space, what would it be? Why?

I would change up the style of art a little more; I do not necessarily think that I would need to like the work, but I would want to have a large enough variety for all of the visitors to be able to find something that resonates with them.