Art Collecting 101: Size Matters

Turns out the piece was one inch shorter than my ceiling. Clear! Phew. But then I received this message from a Facebook friend:

"but the measurement you need is the tipping height ... and how that relates to the arc it will swing through as it's tipped into place. If this was a book case it wouldn't work, But the pole is so narrow at the top it might... but I don't think it will. One inch isn't a lot of room to play with. I'm guessing ... you have a tipping height here of maybe 110 to 114". Can't see it well enough from this photo to tell where the 108 height is.. assume the top of the pole. You may be able to use a recessed light in your ceiling (if you have one) sans bulb, etc. for the extra height you'll likely need (keeping pole stationary and swinging base, as opposed to the normal way of having the base stationary and tipping the top into place). Whatever you do.. it's gonna be tight..."

Caramba! We'll find out if it fits once the exhibit ends and the artwork is delivered to my place. So what did I learn from this experience?

If you are dealing with a trusted, respected gallery, the risk of buying art unseen is minimized. Conner Contemporary is a highly-regarded gallery and I knew I was getting a great work of art if they were showing it. Co-Owner Jamie Smith curates this show every year and it's always been impressive.

I still wanted the art even after I thought it might not fit in my place. It totally grabbed me. I figured I'd store it until I lived in a place I could display it. Or maybe lend it for a while to a friend who had high ceilings. Also, Leigh suggested that we could ask the artist about shortening the center pole.

I was excited about being able to support an emerging artist! Christina Martinelli just got her MFA at the Maryland Institute College of Art and was a semi-finalist for the Sondheim Artscape prize.

Though I had vowed not to buy any pink art, I could not resist this piece!