Don't make me wait

Michael Asher's work sparked a string of thoughts regarding the viewing experience of art. His exhibition at La Jolla was specifically designed around his interest in "individuated reception." In other words, viewers had the enter one at a time. At first I found this a little contrived for the art world. I can imagine myself feeling a little annoyed that I would have to line up and wait for my turn to experience the work - not because I'm particularly impatient, but for the sheer fact that the authority of the audience (which is such an integral part of many contemporary works, especially discussed in this course) is handed right back to the art institution. How can they tell me how I can and cannot experience a piece of art? What would it mean if I snuck it with someone else when they weren't looking? And then it question how I would normally 'experience' art. And to be honest, I would have to say individually. Whilst I enjoy visiting galleries and shows with other people, I prefer to 'take in' a work of art, observe how it makes me feel, or the absence of feeling, etc all on my own. So, Michael Asher would be controlling me to 'experience' his art the way I probably would anyway. Even though there would be strictly no one else i the space, in normal gallery viewing situations I'm not necessarily effected by the other people ardound me anyway. Thus, I feel that the process of waiting to see Asher's work is just as part of the work as what is experienced inside. For in that time the viewer is made aware of, reflecting upon and questioning their reception of art; the very emphasis of the exhibition.