DEAR ARTISTS

Dear Artist,

Do you find it disrespectful and disappointing when people come to your openings, take merely a cursory glance at the artwork and then spend more time drinking the free wine and indulging in banal chat about politics, the weather, their home repairs, etcetera?

Signed,
Disappointed

Dear Disappointed,

Even though we make art in relative solitude, driven by personal impulses, most of us hope our work resonates with viewers—moves them to think or feel something new. Usually, we’re not around to see how it’s received. Openings uniquely bring the artist, the work, and the audience into the same room. And yet it's hard—maybe impossible—for even the most invested viewer to have a patient or profound experience with artwork during what is essentially a party. This is why I almost never go to openings. When invited, I usually excuse my absence in advance, explaining that I want to encounter the art under better conditions. Also, as parties go, they’re kind of lame.

Read Full COLUMN by Emily Farranto in the WINTER issue.

Street Date: December 9th 2025

Emily Farranto

Emily Farranto is a writer and artist based in New Orleans. Her art writing has been published in ANTIGRAVITY, New Orleans Review, and Burnaway. She is the author of two Substacks—Village Disco and Disco Nola—and posts art and commentary on Instagram @thevillagedisco.Emily Farranto is a writer and artist based in New Orleans. Her art writing has been published in ANTIGRAVITY, New Orleans Review, and Burnaway. She is the author of two Substacks—Village Disco and Disco Nola—and posts art and commentary on Instagram @thevillagedisco.