Thursday before the Opening

Timothy Callaghan, Nighthawk, 2010; gouache on black paper, 11.5 x 11 in.

Timothy told me that he did not want his Nightshift paintings to look like "black holes" on the wall. I tried minimal lighting and it worked amazingly. With dark shadows between each painting, the pigment glows on the canvas.

On the other side of the wall (in the new gallery space) the first section of floor has been stained and varnished, which makes it feel like everything is finally moving toward completion. I am still imagining the new gallery - how the spaces will relate to each other; how multiple exhibitions will feel as they slide over and under each other; whether installation, video and performance will fit; and how people will learn about and interact with the exhibitions.

I have lots of ideas - as usual, some good and some bad - and I happily anticipate the time when the gallery can give them voice.

Wednesday Before the Opening

As usual, the gallery is a little bit of a mess between shows.

Installed 4 ceramic pieces by Kristen Cliffel in the entry gallery, including the banner "Tell Me that You Love Me" (which hangs on the wall behind my desk, above where I am usually sitting and working).

The construction and fix-up for gallery expansion is proceeding according to schedule, which is a little bit surprising. By the end of the day the floors will be sanded, with staining on Thursday and Friday, then varnishing on Monday and Tuesday of next week.

Timothy Callaghan's show is partially up. We installed the seven paintings on canvas yesterday. They are nocturnal views of Cleveland neighborhoods, places that the artist passes through each day. I am trying to decide how to light them. Not too much, I think.