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Post by reactor88 on May 15, 2008 13:18:37 GMT -8
...for how long?
I've been following the "lowbrow" (sorry, had to say it) art scene for only 4-5 years now, but definitely being involved more in the last few (going to more shows, buying art, interacting with artists, etc.)
In those last couple of years it seems like there's been a bit of an explosion/resurgence in the underground art scene- More artists that might not have ever gotten a shot a few years ago are now getting in shows, getting a decent fanbase, selling their work- even making a living off their wares. I'm not sure if it has to do with the art toy cross-over crowd, artists diversifying into general merchandise, it being "cool" to collect art, or what.
Does anyone agree with this? Maybe I just see it this way because I've gotten a lot more involved in the last few years myself?
On the same note, if anyone agrees with the above, any bets on how long it will last? Is this a bit of a fad/trend that might slow down in a few years, or will it continue to stay at this level? I didn't initially mention that it seems like this resurgence is mainly made up younger collectors that might have short attention spans and jump to the "next cool thing" in a year or so.
I'd love to hear thoughts from other folks that have been around for a while on all of the above...
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Post by oldfartatplay on May 15, 2008 15:47:04 GMT -8
I agree with you. Who knows how long it will last. I read somewhere about a year ago that the balloon was about to pop, don't think it has yet. I think in many cases that it's a fad/trend. Many of the artists that are hot today will be forgot tomorrow. Others will continue to be popular for years to come. That's the way the art world is. As many younger collectors may jump to the next cool thing there will be others behind them. Whether it will be still cool to collect art remains a question. (I didn't know it was cool... WAIT!!!  I"M COOL???) cool  . |
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Post by rhinomilk on May 15, 2008 18:04:29 GMT -8
nice thing about collecting art is that the worst thing that can happen is you have worthless paper on your walls that look really cool
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Post by highbrow on May 15, 2008 19:01:25 GMT -8
Can not agree more I have been thinking more and more about buying for investment however have come to terms that I would rather buy something I really love as opposed to try to buy something that will be worth something later.
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Post by reactor88 on May 15, 2008 20:54:09 GMT -8
I'm not concerned with the value of anything I've purchased as I've never looked at any of it as an investment. It definitely feels good to have picked up some things that I know are worth a lot more now though  I think I'm more interested in the state of the "scene" in regards to whether people think it will sustain this level for a while with a lot of the artists being able to keep doing their thing, or will it dive and they'll all have to go back to the rat race... |
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Post by knewnan on May 16, 2008 22:07:15 GMT -8
Most of the newest generation of artist aren't really lowbrow in my opnion. Most of the really great artist who were considered lowbrow 2-5 years ago aren't really lowbrow anymore because they have found a new market (and price point) for their art. I think the unique or unifying thing about Lowbrow Art was its fan base. Predictably, that fanbase is scattered and dispersed now. I don't know of any new (emerging) artist that can bring together that group of people.
On another note, the only way to make money on this art scene is to buy what you like, hope you have good taste, and then be willing to admit when something is worth more to other people than it is to you and sell. I like Amy Sol but when a painting I bought 15 months ago for $1100 is worth $3000+ I have to accept it is not worth that much to me. In other words making money on art is either lucky or sinister. Lucy is the easy way out.
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betso
New Member
Posts: 5
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Post by betso on May 22, 2008 14:58:56 GMT -8
I agree with you. Who knows how long it will last. I read somewhere about a year ago that the balloon was about to pop, don't think it has yet. I think in many cases that it's a fad/trend. Many of the artists that are hot today will be forgot tomorrow. Others will continue to be popular for years to come. That's the way the art world is. As many younger collectors may jump to the next cool thing there will be others behind them. Whether it will be still cool to collect art remains a question. (I didn't know it was cool... WAIT!!! I"M COOL???) cool . i hope the balloon just gets a small hole and deflates a lil bit to weed all the fad kids out,i sometimes feel like its the graf world and you see kids do it for a couple months and then die off...but i have a passion for art so im hoping ill be 60 years old collecting art/toys..and if rhinomilk is correct maybe i can get all the chet zars and hussars for pennies by then!!!!!! |
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Post by sleepboy on May 31, 2008 17:23:56 GMT -8
This topic is definitely on the minds of artists because for some reason it comes up in every conversation I have had with different artists recently. Most are saying...they haven't felt the effects yet but know other artists who have (so don't know if it's just paranoia since they haven't experienced it yet). Hopefully they will be more careful with pricing in the near future and allow us to still be able to afford things because a lot of collectors I talk to are not as free as their money as they were before. I kinda consider myself in the middle class of collectors, able to afford things but not rich. Our class is probably doing the bulk of the buying so as we get more hesitant it will be interesting to see what happens.
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Post by jimandtara on Jul 12, 2008 21:38:36 GMT -8
Havent seen this thread yet...interesting topic. I really don't see it as a bubble that at some point will "burst". That would suggest that the talent that makes up this movement is somehow homogenous. I think the essence of the appeal to collecting in this genre has been that the talent that makes it up has been so varied and continues to be full of surprises. I think if anything it will continue to have the same strength or gain in strength depending on the pool of talent. There will be shakeouts, that IMO are due and will be specific to certain artists or styles and will be good for the health of the market at large. Lets face it - theres some work out there that is all too lucky to get the prices they've fetched that are conceptually VACUOUS to put it nicely  (not naming names!) As far as investment versus buying what you like...I've always bought what I like (can't see why anyone that really loves art would carry on any other way). If what I've bought, goes up or down, its completely irrelevant - because I'm not selling anyway. Financial hardship would be the only reason to part with something you love and one can only hope you're never faced with that dilema! jIm |
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Post by ruud035nl on Jul 13, 2008 22:33:33 GMT -8
As far as investment versus buying what you like...I've always bought what I like (can't see why anyone that really loves art would carry on any other way). If what I've bought, goes up or down, its completely irrelevant - because I'm not selling anyway. Financial hardship would be the only reason to part with something you love and one can only hope you're never faced with that dilema! That is such a good point! Totally agree. |
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Post by junkyardsam on Aug 29, 2008 9:37:43 GMT -8
If people would just buy art they like it would be better for everyone, IMHO.
1) There's a lot of good artists, so money would get spread around better. More artists would make a little money and there would be fewer superstar overly rich artists because art would be bought for its visual quality rather than speculation or marketing hype.
2) It would be better for collectors because there'd be less chance of regretting a purchase, less chance of getting "tricked" into overpaying for art.
I guess in the end it would bring art down to "the people's level" and away from a wealthy or intellectual elite crowd.
But I know this isn't going to change. There's all kinds of things that go into people buying work, and a lot of it is the rockstar thing where galleries (like record labels) promote artists and buy ads in magazines which in turn do features on the artists which have the effect of humanizing the artists to art buyers... etc...
So it's just the way it is and always will be probably.
That's what I like about the art & craft movement and Etsy, etc. There are weird lowbrow crossover artists there that are able to do okay for themselves and it's a very people's level without all the elitism that normal art movements have.
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I"M COOL???) cool 
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(not naming names!)
