Art- It's what people use to illustrate their point! (Part 1)

Today we blog about the famous blogger: Seth Godin!   So, are you willing to learn?

You don't have to like new art, but it helps to understand it

When John Cage published 4'33'', a piece of silent music, there was much consternation. Years later, it's still easy to joke about the absurdity of a piece of music consisting of four minutes and thirty three seconds of silence.

And when the first internet companies that proposed free as a business model (free email, free social networks, etc.) started to gain traction with investors, there was an even louder chorus from those that cried foul.

When (part of) your marketplace embraces a 'new' that makes no sense to you, it's essential you understand the point of view that's leading people to embrace this new idea. No, you don't have to cheer it on, collect it, support it or pretend you think it's the greatest breakthrough ever. But yes, you probably need to understand why other people were touched, inspired or found something worth talking about.

Can you explain to me why some people wait in line for that car or that new restaurant? Do you understand why this person is being talked about online or promoted at work? Does it make sense to you that this canvas sells for five times as much as that one?

Denigrating art you don't understand doesn't hurt the art--it reveals something about your willingness to learn.

Beach Beasts

Image from: 

timargues.blogspot.com

Currently I am working on a museum donation appraisal.   The artist's work has been compared to THEO JANSEn's: Strand Beests.

Enjoy his magiacal beach creatures!

Ushabti or Ishabti-or NOBODYshabtis:  BUT IS IT REAL??

Today I received a call from a gentleman wanting to get an appraisal on a Ushabti (ancient Egyptian funerary figure)  He ALREADY bought it for $1,500.00 off of the Internet.  He says he has a "certificate of authenticity".   

Two thoughts:

1.) ANYone can print out a "certificate of authenticity"

2.) Before you spend 1,500 of your hard earned money, get a CLEAR picture of who the Internet seller is, how they conduct business, how do they get their artifacts (are they grave robbers?) and just HOW can they guarantee that the object you think you are buying is really what you are buying.   

I gave this same advise to the woman calling about whether she should buy this Picasso over the web.  At least she called me BEFORE she made the purchase!

As published in ArtNexus; I wondered how much longer they could afford those metal clasps that are so emblematic of that GREAT institution: The MET!   Heard on The Street  The Metropolitan Museum of Art bids goodbye to the iconic clasps used as entry tickets  15/July/2013 United States, New York Institution: Metropolitan Museum of Art Since Monday, July 1st, the emblematic clasps used by the MET as admission tickets will be replaced by paper stickers, after 42 years in use. The decision was based on the cost to the museum of producing the clasps. These were presented in 16 colors and carried the symbol of a letter M. Paper stickers will also have colors, but their production costs a third of that of the clasps. This new policy is accompanied by the decision of opening the museum on Mondays, the day of the week when for many years it was closed. Now, the MET will open seven days a week and visitors will be admitted every day. Hours of operation are also changing: up to now, the museum doors opened at 9:30 am. Now, they will open at 10:00 am.   For more information, visithttp://www.metmuseum.org/visit/hours-and-admission

When is the worst time to buy art?

VACATION

Yes, you guessed it.  While on vacation! 

Why?

That's because pieces are usually priced higher than they are worth for the tourism market.  Don't fall into the trap with slick salesmanhsip shows and the feel good times while on vacation.  

Would you buy a car while on vacation? 

It's the same for art!!   Do your research, know your budget and go your vacation knowing that you'll have a good time but you don't need to necessarily buy art while you're there.

Would you like to know what your art, furniture, antiques or collectibles are worth?  

Click here!

SWAG.
According to Kamila Kocialkowska of the New Statesman:
The term, coined by analyst Joe Roseman of Investment Week denotes “alternate investments” which manage to defy economic gravity – namely silver, wine, art and gold.

Kandinsky: Drei Reiter
Courtesy of Worthington Gallery, Chicago

Art on the BIG screen

Wonderful works of art appearing on the big scree- hopefully near you!  Please support this.
http://www.exhibitiononscreen.com