Private Eye

PRIVATE EYE
An exhibition of intriguing collections from residents of the Capital Region
November 12, 2001 – March 17, 2002
Public Reception: Friday, November 16, 2001, 5:30 – 7:30 pm.

Many exhibitions celebrate the unique vision of an artist. In a similar way, this exhibition pays tribute to the individual perspective of the collector, who assumes the role of the artist. For it is the personal history, outlook, dreams and values of the collectors – the private eyes they focus onto the world — that shape their collections, just as an artist’s individual experience shapes his or her art.

All the assembled objects here were gathered and organized by residents of the Capital Region – including adults, businessmen, academicians,
homemakers, an elementary school child, and a few who are also artists themselves. Many of the objects aren’t commonly collected – cow anchors, down spouts, miniature oil cans and fake fireplace logs. Others are more familiar collectibles – salt and pepper sets, Pez dispensers and snow globes, for example – and are represented here because of the particular breadth or refinement of the collection.

Many of these objects are familiar to us, and speak to experiences that we may share. And even things as common as paper clips can yield compelling visual and cultural attributes when viewed in multiples.

Each collector–or should we say artist–featured in “Private Eye” offers some insight into why they have grown so fascinated with these particular objects and what their collections mean to them. As you read their statements, perhaps you will be reminded of your own collections, or will uncover clues to what you might find compelling enough to collect in your own world.