Massive Group Shows: A Critical Look at Two San Antonio Exhibitions

An essay examines the phenomenon of massive group shows through two San Antonio exhibitions: 'Fan of a Fan 3' at C7 Space and 'A Postmodernist Says ¿Que?' at Centro de Artes. The author reflects on how such shows, often featuring dozens of artists, force a narrowing of attention where some works are neglected. 'Fan of a Fan 3,' curated by Jeff F. Wheeler, Jack Massing, Hills Snyder, and Leslie Moody Castro, includes 43 artists and 47 pieces hung salon-style. The show operates on a networking principle where artists invite admired peers. 'A Postmodernist Says ¿Que?' features 34 artists and 154 works across two floors, curated by Vikky Jones. Jones separated works into thematic sections rather than grouping by artist, allowing repeated encounters with artists like Gabi Magaly, Raul Rene Gonzalez, and Ricky Armendariz. The essay contrasts the overwhelming nature of such shows with the need for curatorial strategies that aid viewer comprehension.