Themes + Projects by modernbook

Modernbook shares a floor of a building downtown with several other galleries. I was walking down the corridor when I passed it and decided to poke my head in. I didn’t stay long – but it was long enough to tell that this gallery was not worth a longer visit. For starters, it was very cluttered. Works by several artists were on display simultaneously, and it looked more like a showroom than a group show, with several works by each artist clustered closely. Apparently because they ran out of wall space, there was one series of four works laid out in a square grid on the floor. The lower parts of the walls were used as a lean-​to storage space: wrapped up prints of all sizes were propped up and facing the wall. I’m no construction expert, but I don’t think it would be so hard to put up some drywall and make a storage area SEPARATE from the display area. To top it all off, the gallery was playing bad muzak – the sort of saccharine house you hear in Europe’s cheesiest cafes. If you’re passing through the building and you’re in the mood, you might as well pop your head in and see if anything catches your eye. But don’t expect much.

I was very inspired by this gallery, and I love the guys who run it. They all happened to be there when I dropped in, and were ready to tell me about the current show, Ryan Bush’s work. What is so great about the energy in this gallery is you can tell these guys love photography and art, and feel so lucky to have the thrill of running a gallery. I agree with Vicki J, the space is lovely. I can’t wait to visit again.

Mark and Bryan are great. They are very knowledgeable and helpful and have a great space for viewing the work. They offer some amazing work! And also have lots of lovely photography books to choose from. They were formerly down in Palo Alto. The new space is lovely. I can’t say enough great things about them!