{"id":94,"date":"2020-12-03T07:52:06","date_gmt":"2020-12-03T13:52:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dda.ndus.edu\/ddreview\/?p=94"},"modified":"2023-04-18T16:22:50","modified_gmt":"2023-04-18T21:22:50","slug":"here-there-and-everywhere-human-vs-cyber-space-in-art","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dda.ndus.edu\/ddreview\/here-there-and-everywhere-human-vs-cyber-space-in-art\/","title":{"rendered":"Here, There, and Everywhere: Human vs Cyber Space in Art"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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David Borlaug, president of The Capital Gallery with a self-portrait by noted Native American artist Fritz Scholder (1937-2005).<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Recently, we interviewed David Borlaug, the president of The Capital Gallery, about the differences and synergies between physical space and cyberspace in art. The gallery is located downtown in Bismarck, North Dakota.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 1980, in Washburn, ND, Borlaug co-founded Farm & Ranch Guide, which became the most popular farm newspaper nationwide. In the early 1990s, he formed the Lewis & Clark Fort Mandan Foundation and, since 2000, served as president. Borlaug also served as chairman of the board of Prairie Public Broadcasting. Currently, Borlaug serves as the vice president of both the Central Dakota Humane Society and the Bismarck-Mandan Symphony Orchestra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2016, he moved to Bismarck to establish The Capital Gallery, which operates as both a museum and a retail art store.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Dakota Digital Review<\/strong>: In today\u2019s world, with everything going virtual\u2014especially during the pandemic\u2014why is a brick-and-mortar art gallery still relevant?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

David Borlaug<\/strong>: An art gallery is important because that\u2019s how you need to experience art. When you are looking at a piece, you need to step back to gain perspective. If the painting is expressive or abstract, you need to look at it from several distances to determine what you are really looking at. In other pieces, you will need to look very closely. Yes, you can zoom in on a computer monitor, but you can\u2019t zoom out properly or observe from different points of view. Also, an art gallery gives you the total experience of being surrounded by art.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The in-person engagement with art is also about other people around you. That\u2019s why we have opening receptions. Someone might be pondering a Fritz Scholder piece, for example, and someone else walks up and asks \u201cWhat do you think he is trying to say?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Capital Gallery in Bismarck, located in the core of the city.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dakota Digital Review<\/strong>: How often do you exhibit artists?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Borlaug<\/strong>:About two to three months for each show. It\u2019s too much work to put an artist\u2019s work up for 30 days, take it down and start over. More importantly, it\u2019s not fair to the artist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every exhibit transforms the gallery space. The far wall, which is about 45 feet long, looks incredibly different each time. Three years ago, Jessica Wachter, who is from Bismarck, had her first major showing here and then showed again last year. Jessica had many large paintings, and it was a smash success, with sales nationwide. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, not many people have room for such large works, nor do they have the means. That\u2019s where an artist like Bob Matz comes in. We are showing his work now. Many of the paintings are small, and the price points are affordable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of our advisers said that our mission is to teach people in Bismarck the joy and value of original art. Imagine the delight a work by Jessica or Bob or Walter Piehl brings into someone\u2019s house. Unlike a print or poster, when you take original art home, it\u2019s transformative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cBison on Rock,\u201d copper, steel, fieldstone, Patrick Shannon.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dakota Digital Review<\/strong>: Artists often feel the need to live in art centers like New York or Chicago or Minneapolis. But art itself is very local, right?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Borlaug<\/strong>: We have shown very high-quality artists from outside the region, and they don\u2019t sell as well as local artists. For our clients, there needs to be an affinity. Most of them go to Scottsdale for the winter, where there is no shortage of opportunities to buy art, and still they buy here. More than once we\u2019ve had people buy art because it replicates what they see out their window in North Dakota. At least there needs to be a local theme. Colorado artist Michael Haynes sold well because he was the artist of record for the Lewis and Clark Expedition, as well as being a national award-winning artist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Dakota Digital Review<\/strong>: You said earlier that a 30-day showing isn\u2019t fair to the artist. Why?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cLight at the End (Mott Bank)\u201d mixed media, Bob Matz.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Borlaug<\/strong>: Often, a buyer makes several trips to the gallery to view a piece before purchasing. Maybe they want to check the measurements or match colors. We also let them live with the art to see how they feel about the piece. Next week, Marci Narum and I are taking several paintings to Fargo to a client\u2019s house to help the couple make up their minds. They need to live with it in three-dimensional space first. It is a large commitment. Art changes the gallery space dramatically, so we allow people to take it home, hang it for a while and experience how it transmutes rooms at home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dakota Digital Review<\/strong>: Do you have a presence elsewhere in the state?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Borlaug<\/strong>: Yes, since May we have been the fine art provider for an interior design showroom in downtown Fargo, Curated by Trevor Hill Design. Two summers ago, we opened a satellite gallery in Medora, which attracts thousands of tourists to western North Dakota. The gallery is in the Harold Schafer Heritage Center. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cWaves on the Ocean,\u201d pyrography, watercolor, Bob Matz.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

When we were planning The Capital Gallery, many people advised me to follow the business interests that were pushing development into North Bismarck. We were told to open in a mall where there\u2019s free parking. In any case: Don\u2019t go downtown; no one goes THERE!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But city centers are important for the development of culture. The convergence of government offices, businesses and apartments in multi-story building creates the population density needed to support high-end restaurants, theater, art galleries and bakeries\u2014like the exquisite one that opened across the street. These institutions in turn function as anchors for further development in the city\u2019s core. So THERE becomes the place to go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t go downtown; no one goes there! But city centers are important for the development of culture \u2026 so THERE becomes the place to go.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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Reception for Jessica Wachter\u2019s \u201c#nowords\u201d solo exhibit on September 6, 2017. Credit: Glasser Images.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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That\u2019s why we keep the lights on 24 hours a day. Everyone dining at Pirogue Grille, The Toasted Frog, India Clay Oven in the evening can walk by, peer into the gallery and come back to visit. It would be great to have three or four other galleries nearby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also, from Thanksgiving through Christmas, we rented a store space at the Kirkwood Mall in Bismarck. Art is available to buy, and there are three demonstrating artists: Linda Donlin, Nicole Gagner and Katrina Case.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The digital dimensions of an art gallery obviously work, but virtual reality can\u2019t ever replace the real experience.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Everywhere<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Dakota Digital Review<\/strong>: Does The Capital Gallery have a website? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Borlaug<\/strong>: Yes, we are online at thecapitalgallery.com<\/a>. Portfolios of the artists who have exhibited here can be viewed on the website. Typically, an artist\u2019s portfolio is uploaded soon after the opening reception and then is updated regularly to show the works that are still available for sale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Codi Ann Miller, Director of Marketing and Communications; David Borlaug, President; and Marci Narum, Vice-President.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dakota Digital Review<\/strong>: Do you sell much art through the website? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Borlaug<\/strong>: We don\u2019t offer direct online sales. People can see the artist\u2019s work on the website and then pick up the phone, email or text to purchase a piece. Two years ago, I got a phone call at 11:15 at night when I was lying in bed. It was a North Dakota farmer who had just come in from the field. He wanted to buy a Walter Piehl painting after hearing that we had some works available. He asked if I had access to the online portfolio via my cell phone. I said I did and was able to send him images. He chose the one titled \u201cRagtime Redux: Sweetheart of the Rodeo.\u201d He completed the transaction right then, even though he had never seen the painting in person. But he had seen other works by Piehl in the gallery and wanted to snatch one before someone else did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dakota Digital Review<\/strong>: Do you use social media? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Borlaug<\/strong>: Yes, we are quite active on Facebook, and we\u2019ve sold more art through our page than our website. Recently, someone visited our Facebook page and saw a bison painting, titled \u201cWhere the Grass Whispers,\u201d by Kaye Burian. The client called and needed to see it in person first. I\u2019ve sold many paintings sitting at the bar at Pirogue Grille and getting a call or text and sending people images. About half of sales originate with a client visiting our website or Facebook page. Then the buyer usually visits the gallery to see the piece in person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The digital dimensions of an art gallery obviously work, but virtual reality can\u2019t ever replace the real experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I think we\u2019ve found a good use for digital in the gallery with plans to install a monitor to show all the art in storage. That way people can access our inventory, and then we can show pieces of interest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cBarrel Racer II: Cowgirl Suite,\u201d an acrylic on canvas painting that is included in the current exhibition, \u201cInto the West,\u201d at The Capital Gallery. For more information about Walter Piehl and The Capital Gallery go to www.thecapitalgallery.com<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Other Everywhere<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Dakota Digital Review<\/strong>: How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected the gallery? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Borlaug<\/strong>: We were closed for several months in the spring, which halted sales. We survived and now are getting back on track. We scheduled the recent reception for Bob Matz on two evenings, instead of the usual one, to keep the crowd size down and allow for social distancing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dakota Digital Review<\/strong>: Have you detected any change with the artists? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Borlaug<\/strong>: Yes, I\u2019ve noticed an increase in intensity in their work during the pandemic, although they don\u2019t explicitly reference it. Ironically, isolation has forced them to do what they always wanted to do\u2014that is, stay in their studios and focus on their art. So, there is already an outpouring of art like we never saw coming. I don\u2019t think it will necessarily be dark. You will see despair, but also exuberance and all the other human elements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dakota Digital Review<\/strong>: Any artist in particular? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Borlaug<\/strong>: Walter Piehl for one. He\u2019s been painting for 50 years and taught at Minot State University for more than four decades. Now he\u2019s retired and having the time of his life thanks to The Capital Gallery. We\u2019ve sold 50 pieces of his art over the last four years, making him our top selling artist and the most successful artist in the state. A customer came into the gallery last month and bought three Walter Piehls for more than $20,000. (Since this interview, the customer returned to buy a fourth work). We sold two of Bob Matz\u2019s paintings today. Next time Bob walks in, he\u2019ll see two new red dots on the pieces on the wall. The ultimate affirmation is the sale, and it invigorates the artist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now Walter is living in isolation, because of COVID-19, and doing nothing but working on his art. He had started a new series about barrel racing. Most of his paintings are parts of series involving the rodeo. His father was a rodeo producer, and Walter competed in rodeo and worked on the side as a rodeo announcer for 30 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Walter works in his studio much like artists centuries ago. Yet because of digitization, he can archive his work and send images and communicate by text. Technology tempers seclusion and helps make it more productive.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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