In the “Curators Inside the Industry” season, we feature Lea Simone Allegria, one of the co-founders of The Curators, an online art gallery offering a curated selection of art. This platform allows visitors to purchase art that curators have expertly chosen from across the globe. Allegria, also a model, has worked in the luxury fashion industry, collaborating with renowned fashion houses such as Hermès, Dior, and Oscar de la Renta. Beyond her fashion endeavours, Allegria is a talented writer, having published novels in France.
Image courtesy of Lea Simone Allegria
I don’t like the way many traditional art galleries seem confidential, open only to connoisseurs and a certain crowd. We are hoping to create spaces with a different, more modern vibe
Lea Simone Allegria (The Curators)
Her expertise extends into the art world, where she possesses a discerning eye for exceptional art and emerging talent. Allegria dedicates her time to art hunting, sourcing unique and exclusive works for private collectors worldwide and for The Curators platform. In this interview, we will delve deeper into the life of the woman behind The Curators brand. We’ll explore her inspirations, her curating process, and much more.
Q: First things first, why do you do what you do?
Lea Simone Allegria : I am running The Curators (with co-founder Augustin Doublet) because I have come to meet so many artists who are not getting the exposure they deserve. It started as a diary on Instagram, where I was re-posting pieces which inspired me, and I soon realized that people were following my feed and before I knew it, referred to me as « a curator.» We then decided to invite other curators to join the game, to offer a broader range of eyes, discover more and more artists, as many hidden gems all over the world.
Q: What is your inspiration?
Lea Simone Allegria : I’m moved by the poetry of a drawing, and the stories behind the images.
Q: What is your creative process when you’re curating for exhibitions?
Lea Simone Allegria : The location starts it all. My favorite exhibitions take place in people’s apartments, as the space is already occupied, invested, and it immediately creates a dialogue between the artworks and someone’s intimacy. Once the place is settled, I think of a theme or a mood, and then pretty fast, all those pieces I carry in my mind pop up and impose themselves like a list of guests to a dinner party.
Q: When you are selecting works from artists, what do you look for in an artist?
Lea Simone Allegria : Spontaneity. Research. Courage.
Q: The display of artwork is essential to an exhibition experience; how do you decide on where each artwork should be placed for the best exhibition experience?
Lea Simone Allegria : I let my creativity wander on the walls. I try many different compositions; I always say, « no, no, this time, I have it, I have it,» which infuriates my partner because I pierce so many holes during the process. And then at one point, out of the blue, every piece seems to find its right place. The harmony of the ensemble rises out of nowhere, almost magically.
Q: What situations might occur that would cause you to rethink an exhibition?
Lea Simone Allegria : We always think we’d need an extra week. The lack of time is challenging to cope with, but it’s also a great ally. The urge makes everything more tense.
Q: What would you say is an integral part to the work of an art curator?
Lea Simone Allegria: Making sure everyone has rosé.
Q: What do you find valuable about preserving history?
Lea Simone Allegria : Preserving history.
Q: What do you think is the primary challenge facing exhibitions today?
Lea Simone Allegria : So much offer. So many things to see. Hard to find your own, rightful audience, as much as it is hard for the audience to find its rightful exhibitions. The ones that speak to their sensibilité.
Q: What do you believe are most effective ways for marketing exhibitions?
Lea Simone Allegria : We’re trying on different things. Social media, of course, helps a lot. But I believe word to mouth, friends of friends, is even more efficient.
Q: What do you like and dislike about the galleries/exhibitions?
Lea Simone Allegria: I don’t like the way many traditional art galleries seem confidential, open only to connoisseurs and a certain crowd. We are hoping to create spaces with a different, more modern vibe. We like to mix things up, have a show, a performance, with music and dance, installations, videos, paintings, create a moving, a live art scene.
Q: In your opinion, where do you see the future of art curation in 10 years?
Lea Simone Allegria : Wow. Beautiful question. I believe curation will be more and more important as time goes by. The curator will be recognized as an artist himself. Maybe the line will get blurred, curator /artist /artist / curator – I would love that. Having artists working together with other artists to create imaginative and unique shows.
Q: Do you have any advice for curators starting and do not know where to begin?
Lea Simone Allegria: Begin with gathering images of artworks you love, see where they lead you.
Q: Is there anything that worries you about how social media is affecting the promotion of artists, exhibitions and museums
Lea Simone Allegria: I don’t like the way the algorithm pushes the most viewed accounts. It’s hard for so many great ones to emerge.
https://www.instagram.com/leasimoneallegria/
https://www.instagram.com/the.curators/
©2019 Lea Simone, The Curators
Len is a curator and a contributing writer at Art Plugged, a platform for contemporary art; he also engages in web development, design, and marketing.
