Bingo is not just a game of luck.

The other day I attended a lecture by Molly Nesbit about Bingo, Gordon Matta-Clark's project at Artpark in 1974. I'm a big fan of Gordon Matta-Clark, and I learned some things about his work that I didn't know before, but that's not what I want to write about...

At the lecture I was sitting next to Matthew Barney and Rirkrit Tiravanija. It's not unusual to see well-known artists (or critics, curators, etc.) at an event held at an art institution in New York City. Just last month I saw Lawrence Weiner at his own exhibition. In both situations, I kept to myself, thinking it would be intrusive to approach them. But recently, I've been thinking that perhaps I am missing some opportunities by not talking to these people when situations like these arise. I feel a bit uncomfortable approaching people I don't know at these sort of events, but if I just work hard in my studio and don't make an effort to connect with people (famous or not), well, that just seems like a bad strategy.

I do think that an opening or a lecture reception is an appropriate place to initiate conversation. If people didn't want to talk, they wouldn't stick around, right? But how to start a conversation? It always seems like the artist or speaker is already talking to someone. If you do get a chance, I guess the smart move is to open with a thought or question about the exhibition or lecture, rather than blabbering about your own work. But is this how people "network?" The whole thing feels unnatural to me, but I know that I need to get over that.

If anyone is reading this blog, I'd appreciate feedback on the subject.

image: Gordon Matta-Clark's Bingo pieces installed at Artpark, 1974