i’ve curated a show for the 20th anniversary of the gallery…
i’ll post images and texts of individual works, but first, my curatorial statement. 
What I’ve Learned So Far
I believe that art must surprise and charm, be so beautiful, so mesmerizing, so technically masterful or so horrifying that it suspends us in delight or awe or wonder. It’s only from that place that we’re slowed from the everyday — distracted from the torrent of information — and give a work the attention required to consider its meaning. That is the hook that lodges in our psyche. But alone, isn’t enough.
To continue to engage me, art must make me think: challenge my prior understanding, show me things I’ve never seen, give me access to experiences that are very different from my own. For me, the importance of art is the opportunity it provides to transcend myself and envision approaching life from another perspective.
This exhibition is my reflection on the twentieth anniversary of Hosfelt Gallery: an attempt to visually manifest the values of the gallery through various artworks and their relationships to one another.
Virtuosity is central to the aesthetics of Hosfelt Gallery. But more importantly, masterful execution reflects a fascination with the act of creation. Technical prowess comes of dedicated artistic practice — intellectual curiosity, relentless experimentation and a never-ending struggle against physical constraint. The art we exhibit (and the way we show it) manifests artistic process — allowing viewers an intimate glimpse into the mind and intent of the artist.
I believe eccentricity is a fundamental aspect of great art. A masterpiece may reflect the culture and time it comes from, but it could only have come from the mind and/or hand of one particular individual. Innovation is born of a unique outlook and fresh means of expression.
From a search for viewpoints that are new comes an inclusiveness — a broad and eclectic worldview — a pooling of ideas that generates richness in the social dialogue the gallery facilitates.
I believe an understanding of history — artistic, literary, cultural, political — is fundamental to an individual’s intellectual maturity as well as to social progress, and am drawn to artists who examine what came before and use that knowledge to make work that is ground-breaking. Through their understanding of the past, those artists illuminate the present and suggest methods of approaching the future.
I am drawn to artists who continually experiment — no matter the success of earlier work — who question what came before and challenge what they and their audiences think they know.
I respect people who have courage in their convictions and I believe each of us has an obligation to take a stand. In the case of an artist, that might take the form of social critique. But in a sense, exhibiting artwork publicly always means exposing yourself to the world. In the case of this gallery, taking a stand means giving voice to “the other” as well as exhibiting what we believe in — without regard to trends, commercial viability or art-world politics.
I’ve learned that my job as a gallerist is to educate: to ignite intellectual curiosity, challenge preconceptions, elucidate by creating relationships, incite dialogue, and infect you with my delight in the beauty of objects and ideas. This exhibition is the story I want to tell you of what I’ve learned about — and through — art.
Brilliant, Todd…so clear and well thought out, not to mention explaining why your gallery is so much more exciting than so many others. Proud to call you my friend!
Sent on a Samsung Galaxy S®4
Eloquent, thoughtful statement – accurately reflecting the strength and intelligence of the work that you show. Thanks.
Is it strange that you studied as a lawyer first?? Wonderfully articulate, concise explanation of how to personally get the most out of the art experience. Going to Hosfelt gallery is like an art course at a university that everyone wants to take.
Wish I was in town to see it. Nina
Masterful…. Thank you for sharing, virtually.
Thank you for writing and posting this. I am very impressed with your insights and way of expressing the meaning and purpose of art. I will try to get there to see the exhibition in SF! Jane
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I came to Hosfelt today. The floors are cement covered with white gloss paint, the space is a combination of tall white walls, exposed cement and steel windows.This is my second time in the space. I like Hosfelt but why?
It is the day after elections. The word ‘inconceivable’ is repeating in my mind with a slight emphatic lisp—Vizinni style from The Princess Bride.
There is something critical that I did not understand about my country. A perspective that I missed. So I ask myself as an artist—do I know who my audience is.
I am here sitting in this space and I do feel that time has slowed. It does take time and attention to know the meaning of a work of art. So the viewer must chose to do this, the gallery must create a space that enables this. I can look at a chair with a small figurine standing less than an inch high at the front leg of the chair. I can bend down and look closer. I can look at the cement wall below the steel windows of the building clearly exposed and study the texture—nothing in this room is unintentional.
What resonates is the word “inclusiveness”. An artwork is not complete until it is engaged in a conversation. The gallery is a space that facilitates this conversation and I forgot about this. Sitting on the wooden bench in front of Liliana Porter’s video, I watch a figurine of a woman in a green trench coat expand and fill the screen. I am enclosed in a room made of black transparent cloth hanging from the ceiling, behind me are other viewers, and at that moment I asked—what is the vision behind this space?
Thank you for sharing.
-Alex