How To Crash a Gallery Opening

  • July 29, 2008
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Art, schmart – you’re only here for the white wine and obnoxious conversation.

You Will Need

  • A little bit of courage
  • And dress-casual attire
How To Crash a Gallery Opening: Pick a show

Step 1: Pick a show

Identify the gallery show or opening you’d like to attend. Write down the date.

How To Crash a Gallery Opening: Get to know the artist’s work

Step 2: Get to know the artist’s work

In the interim before the show, familiarize yourself with the artist’s work.

It also helps to know a little bit about the gallery owner, too.

How To Crash a Gallery Opening: Dress the part

Step 3: Dress the part

On the day of the event, shower and get dressed to fit the part of a clean, neat and sophisticated attendee. Don’t be loud or trashy.

How To Crash a Gallery Opening: Arrive late

Step 4: Arrive late

Arrive at least one hour after the opening time. The place should have a good number of people in it, but not so crowded that you’ll be standing in line to get in.

How To Crash a Gallery Opening: Approach the bouncer with people behind you

Step 5: Approach the bouncer with people behind you

If you can, go up to the bouncer just before someone else so that you have people waiting behind you. Make eye contact, smile and say, “Hello.”

How To Crash a Gallery Opening: Give your name if you have to

Step 6: Give your name if you have to

If it looks like he’s not going to hassle you, go right in.

How To Crash a Gallery Opening: Make an excuse about why you’re not listed

Step 7: Make an excuse about why you’re not listed

If Bruno checks the list, you’ll have to make an excuse for not being on it, such as sending your RSVP a bit late — which is common and plausible.

Act like you’re supposed to be there, and that this is unusual and slightly embarrassing. Turn around and apologize to the people behind you. Make sure the bouncer sees you do this.

How To Crash a Gallery Opening: Avoid the artist and owner

Step 8: Avoid the artist and owner

Once inside, look for the artist and the owner. Stay away from them for the moment and try to find a place outside of their view to settle in.

How To Crash a Gallery Opening: Pretend to care about the art

Step 9: Pretend to care about the art

At first, you want to act like the art is what’s of interest to you. Don’t make a beeline to the booze, but take a glass of wine if one is offered.

How To Crash a Gallery Opening: Start talking

Step 10: Start talking

Strike up conversation with friendly-looking people. Smile like you’ve met before, then ask how they’re doing. Collect names, just in case you have to name-drop people later on.

Avoid critiquing the artwork if you can. Instead, ask people what they think is their favorite piece.

How To Crash a Gallery Opening: Thank the artist and the owner

Step 11: Thank the artist and the owner

Once you feel secure, don’t hesitate to thank the artist and the owner. Ask when their next shows will be. That may get you on a mailing list next time.

How To Crash a Gallery Opening: Don’t be the last person there

Step 12: Don’t be the last person there

Finally, don’t be the last survivor. If you can find people to leave with, the illusion will be perfect. And thank the bouncer on the way out.

While pop artist Roy Lichtenstein was still alive, his paintings were being sold for $2 million each before he even completed them.

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Comments (3)

filmFlicka

No, sorry... it isn't John Lovitz... I can see the slight similarity though ;-)

over 2 years ago by filmFlicka

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JohnSmith_HC

Is that John Lovitz?

over 2 years ago by JohnSmith_HC

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jiefmo

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7 months ago by jiefmo

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