Friday's lecture gave me an interesting piece of information that I was completely unaware of previously. Being relatively new to the art world, I had no idea that once a painting is sold, the artist loses his or her right to collect profits from its sale. Though this does make sense, seeing as the person who bought the painting does now own it, I just hadn't thought about it before.
This got me to begin thinking...what is the incentive for artists to choose a path in which they may: a.) see their works grow massively in worth yet not receive the benefits... b.) never even see their works become famous... c.) ultimately watch as their life's goals and dreams jump out the window as piece after piece fails to sell... d.) live a life of mediocrity and be subjected to the convoluted cynicism of the public... etc...etc...negative path after negative path...etc...
I understand there is passion and love for art, but I guess what I'm trying to figure out is when and how a person makes a decision to be solely an artist as a means to make a living. This idea also hit me after walking past the "local homeless artist" that sits on Michigan Ave, day after day, painting away and probably not making much. It just seems like a very difficult path filled with frustration and disappointment even with the satisfaction of looking at something you perceive to be beautiful and knowing that you created it.
Also, the art dealers and the gallery system also kind of threw me for a loop. I have no experience whatsoever when it comes to galleries with the exception that my friend just got signed to a gallery in Grand Rapids, Michigan. That's quite the concept, but it also makes me wonder how an artist can essentially "sell out" when so much of art, specifically painting and sculpture, is about staying out of the mainstream and remaining this independent, expressive art form.
I may be completely wrong and my opinions may be completely outrageous to the rest of you who are yourselves painters or sculptors, but these were just things that came across as interesting and I wouldn't mind some opinions from the rest of you.
Grand Rapids this city recently had the idea for an art contest/ fair ... in fact I believe it took place this weekend! And so naturally Chicago followed suit with ' Art Loop Open ' a juried event which affords certain artists a place to showcase their work at places like Macys and posh hotels in and round the 'city center - whats more -the public get to view n' vote' on their favourite piece with the winner rec. 50.000 bucks! this extravagaza begins Oct15.
ReplyDeleteotherwise I feel no need to feign interest in other artworld developments. i do so here b/c its happening in my own back yard. its infinitley more interesting to make the work even if some of it ends up under the bed. g'night