[alt-photo] Re: bottom-weighting mats

[Diana Bloomfield]

Hi Tom,

I had an exhibit, back in March, where everything I had was in some  
alt process, and the gallery owner wanted me to display it all without  
glass, so I did.  He felt that so much of the work is lost through  
glass, except if you use museum glass, I guess, but who can afford  
that.  Anyway, everything was fine-- no problems with damage or  
anything (though that is the risk).  And, honestly, it's the first  
time that I can ever remember where people were, throughout the  
opening, actually looking at the work, and asking me detailed  
questions about the process I used.  With some alt processes, I tend  
to give the shortened version of any printing method, simply because I  
don't think anybody really wants to hear details (except, possibly, a  
gallery owner)-- but there were so many people who really wanted to  
know specifics and just seemed genuinely interested.  I have to  
believe that having no glass (essentially, no barrier to seeing the  
work) helped tremendously with that.  Not that eliminating glass  
translated into work flying off the walls and innumerable red dots--  
it didn't-- but it was gratifying to see people seriously looking,  
rather than just standing around with their backs to the work,  
drinking wine and socializing-- which is what I often see at art  
openings.  So  I was pleasantly surprised.  I'm not sure how often I  
would eliminate glass, but I am always on the lookout for ways to  
print without glass or mats at all, though I do think floating frames  
tend to look good with the kinds of papers we often use.

Anyway . . . sorry-- you directed your question to Laura, I know-- but  
the no-glass option compelled me to comment.

Diana

On Dec 1, 2011, at 11:34 AM, Tomas Sobota wrote:

> Laura, what you say about protection is true, but then surely a mat  
> only
> slightly larger than the print would do?
> Not to speak of another, only somewhat related, matter: do you have to
> cover the print with glass in all cases? Some alt prints are far  
> better
> displayed without glass, same as oil paintings and all techniques  
> where
> medium texture is important.
>
> Tom