A Policy of Names

The first approach to artworld names is the following LIST( ) of examples of lists with names. More of them will follow. With this I consider it of importance how my phenomenon of investigation is actually displayed, why this is my first attempt, others may follow.

My Name

LIST ARTIST NAMES:

What Name Policy means

This is a first attempt of an investigation of names and name-lists within the art(world)-kontext by means of COLLECTIONs( ).

For all those in this kontext the existence of proliferations of names (NAMEs( )) and lists (LISTs( )) seems to be fundamental to the way this business works.

At first glance there are two different ways of adressing the public, by publishing a general title of an event ('German Romantic Painters' or just 'The Sea' or 'Africa'), or by demonstrating a single name or a list of names.

The single name normally asks for no other justification but the place of the event ('Julian Schnabel', 'Mary Boone') where the list of names very often underlines the general direction of a certain place or nature of an event.

Quite often there are events which would make no sense without a definite list of names, and the list is more important than the event, DOCUMENTA is a good example of this.

It is certainly no too much to state that the way certain names are combined and put together on lists reflects the power of the person or institution which was able to force that particular list in the public. In addition, the very existence of that list justifies the way that institution works.

Plus, in the way names on a list are differentiated (stated as discreet differences) it always creates a double separation, to those, who are not on the list, and among themselves as entries of different weight (which is the most common phenomenon:'If he/she is in the show/list I'm not going to participate!')

More names

• Who is who: Frankfurt Artists
• A lot more dirty names: Thing Frankfurt Mailinglist
• Names in the context of Thing Frankfurt Moblog Tags