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Post by masao626 on Apr 8, 2008 7:07:37 GMT -8
I read through this thread awhile ago and while it started off as a discussion about the direction of Juxtapose, it briefly turned into a discussion about galleries and "shady" methods employed to hype artists and make a buck. limitedaddiction.net/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/3171036301/m/6751010253/p/2the artist who started the thread seemed quick to want to get the thread back on track but also made the following note: "PS: We certainly shoud not bring galleries into this topic. The comparison is unfair and not at all related to the question at hand. Without galleries we wouldn't have all the wonderful art we enjoy so much. Galleries (particularly one's that have unfortunetly been mentioned, and those that haven't) are doing what their supposed to do; Sell art, promote their artists, and do whatever they have to in order to survive! Galleries are always at some sort of disadvantage (the occasional flakey artists, public taste, rent, advertising, etc...). So, whatever keeps those doors open for you and I to be able to look, buy, admire, socialize, etc,... should be our only concern (not what goes on behind closed doors). Remember, a gallery is different than a magazine. Also, remeber a forum should be civil, intellectual, and thought provoking. We should continue to support Juxtapoz if we believe they are speaking to our tastes. If not, then let's discuss alternatives. Let's support galleries that show the work that connects with us. If not, let us find the one's that do, and do our best to keep their fragile doors open. Let us be honest and point out injustices, but try to make them better by discussing options. Here's to all of you.... Cheers!" what do you think about his position pertaining to what galleries do to survive - specifically considering the gallery(s) that most people refer to when they question ethics? |
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Post by rhinomilk on Apr 8, 2008 15:04:03 GMT -8
yes  |
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Post by masao626 on Apr 8, 2008 18:19:51 GMT -8
i thought the exact same thing. all is right with the world |
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Post by ruud035nl on Apr 9, 2008 4:02:47 GMT -8
Perhaps a gallery feedback thread should be opened? Let's share our experiences we have had with the galleries.
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Post by sleepboy on Apr 9, 2008 13:55:26 GMT -8
Perhaps a gallery feedback thread should be opened? Let's share our experiences we have had with the galleries. I think that's a good idea, feel free to start a thread for that if you want. I think that we have to be careful in posting things that we know firsthand instead of alot of gossip that may be detrimental to a gallery's reputation. And in response to Charity's initial post I think that it's not as easy as most people think to run a gallery. It's a lot of hard work and behind the scenes stuff that we don't know about. And yes, in the end, they must do what they need to to survive. However, pet peeves of mine are gallery owners repeatedly buying prime items for themselves either to keep or flip later, treating customers rudely (for example making clients who are not as well off feel like they are nothing), outright lying about lists etc.... I really don't mind waiting lists and regular customers and such because there's no way to make everyone happy, just don't lie to me. |
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Post by entropy on Apr 9, 2008 16:23:48 GMT -8
It's a lot of hard work and behind the scenes stuff that we don't know about. And yes, in the end, they must do what they need to to survive. However, pet peeves of mine are gallery owners repeatedly buying prime items for themselves either to keep or flip later, treating customers rudely (for example making clients who are not as well off feel like they are nothing), outright lying about lists etc.... I really don't mind waiting lists and regular customers and such because there's no way to make everyone happy, just don't lie to me. I definitely appreciate your honesty. I'm glad you said it. These are some of the things that tick me off too. Especially your reference to "treating customers rudely". Just because I haven't purchased from a particular gallery in a year, or because I politely declined their discreet attempts at trying to unload some steeply discounted sub par art work on me in the past, etc. is no reason for being snotty and thinking I still don't buy art! Ha ha. It's just I have so much to choose from these days! Galleries all over the country that sell via the phone and/or web, stuff on ebay, trades on EB, and prints galore! I'm on a budget, and can't always afford stuff, but at last count, I've purchased 6 paintings, 2 drawings, and 9 prints in 2008. Sometimes I have to sell prints to offset the price of an impulse purchase...but I can always make it work. Point is I'm always on the look out, collectors are always on the look out, so it's never wise for a gallery to dismiss anyone at all... but a gallery needs to make me feel welcome and offer something different, something compelling (like fair prices! ha ha). The sad thing is that I truly believe most galleries are started up by art lovers like us. It's a noble endeavor in the beginning. But after just a modicum of success, it sometimes goes to their heads. The 7 seconds of their allotted 15 minutes of fame makes them think they're celebrities. So ultimately it then becomes 82% business, 15% vanity project, 3% passion for art. Of course, I'm only thinking of one place specifically as I type this. But I certainly have seen variations of the above behavior manifesting itself elsewhere. [For the record, I like Copro and L'Imagerie so it's definitely not them that I'm talking about] I can never boycott a gallery outright. You never know if one of your faves will ever show there. So as a collector you never want to burn your bridge anywhere. But I do my best to avoid stuff at certain galleries. Even if that means being dropped to #275 on the VIP list. The future of art commerce: Well, I think it's already in play... It's following the lead of the thriving indie music industry... It's artist direct to collector. If you look hard enough, you'll find treasure out there. I know I have. Some artists aren't entrepreneurial however and absolutely need the galleries. And some would-be collectors don't know what to spend their money on or care for the hunt, and therefore rely on their neighborhood gallery for direction. Plus galleries offer a fun component: An opportunity to meet the artist and fellow collectors at an opening reception. So there will always be a need for galleries. And don't get me wrong.. it's always sad when you hear a gallery is closing shop. I think the "healthiest" galleries (from what I've seen) are hybrid stores/galleries. They depend on sales of in-store or mail-order merchandise revenue more so than whatever amount they skim from art sales. And when they don't sell any art for a given show, their attitude is, so what. Life goes on and it's not the end of the world. We'll just try to mix things up next time! Still, I do appreciate the hard work that goes into promotions, dealing with the occasional pretentious full-of-scheisse art personality, etc (I've heard first hand stories! ha ha. AND I've dealt with a temperamental artist a time or two! no doubt). I could go on and on, but I'll save the rest for another day. I did read the LA thread linked above however. For the record, I have to agree: Juxtapoz kinda sucks and has for a while. It took me a while to realize the emperor no longer has any clothes! Several years ago I'd get so excited with each Juxtapoz issue. Those days are gone... But each issue of Hi Fructose has recaptured that feeling for me and is a quarterly event for me. Not sure if I'll let my Juxtapoz subscription lapse, because they do have some cool advertisements. PS. I'm not so sure a new thread providing gallery feedback is a good idea. The art world is so small and insular, any collector posting wouldn't want to ruffle the feathers of a lurking gallery, would they? I think such a thread would be limited to posts fawning over "great" and "wonderful" and "life altering" experiences. Which I guess is good. Feel goodness is not bad. Personally, I suggest we all just play it by ear. When cool things happen, post it wherever. When bad things happen, well, maybe one of us will be brave enough to bring it out in the open. PPS. The incident I described in the first paragraph implies that I was treated rudely once upon a time. Yes, indeed. But it was subtle. |
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