Art, thanks to the internet is becoming more democratic and accessible than ever before. There are already numerous online platforms, like Artsy, which use the web to full advantage and encourage users to discover and experience art. Things are getting more creative, though, as the internet’s social aspect is being tapped by new platforms like Gertrude, which organizes intimate private salons hosted by an art specialist and ART:I:CURATE, who stopped by CH HQ last week to discuss their mission, which is to turn passive viewers with an interest in art into an actively engaged collective. London and New York-based ART:I:CURATE (which rhymes with “articulate”) was started by Irina Turcan and Nur Elektra El Shami in March 2013, but they’ve known each other for more than seven years. “I’m Italian and Irina is from Moldova, but we met in Milan and [back] then we pursued completely different industries,” says El Shami. Turcan was working in investment banking while El Shami was in luxury goods, but the two remained in touch over the years and have become partners behind a manifesto they share. “In a way, we are part of our audience,” says El Shami.
“The idea came because we’re very interested in art. We have artist friends, we go to exhibitions, we go to openings—but we feel that sometimes, there’s a certain wall, a lack of dialogue and it’s very difficult for emerging artists to be seen or get exposure. So we were thinking of ways how it could become something more engaging than just going to galleries.” “That’s how the idea for ART:I:CURATE was born. We thought, ‘What if we could decide what is exhibited and be part of the curatorial process?'” says El Shami. “And [decide] the definition of what ‘contemporary art’ is,” adds Turcan. The website showcases artists—their current roster has a little more than 100, representing around 40 countries—and encourages people from outside the industry to enter the platform and either discover art through browsing (with help from a “suggested artists” section) or by following other people. Artists must apply in order to be featured on ART:I:CURATE, and because all content on the site is curated, they do not create their own profiles or bios. ( By Nara Shin from www.coolhunting.com ) Get more information at the link below.