Do you feel like we live in a world where people are unappreciative of original artwork. Or maybe the people that are appreciative are in the low minority? I often feel that way, and wonder what can be done to shift the paradigm. I mean if you take a look anywhere you will see cheap art prints-- they lurks around every corner. Furniture stores have them, small stores in the mall have them, they are in banks, hotels, restaurants and mostly in every home. I have seen people buy fifteen dollar poster prints and spend $400 on framing. These same people would never buy a piece of original work for their home or office. If you don't believe me, the next time you are out spot the places with original art and spot the places where you see a print. The latter will out number the first tenfold. The art world caters to a small minority of people with a passion for original work. These days, when every thing is produced for a cheaper cost overseas it is hard for people to understand artwork costs.
Some things to think about:
What can be done to raise awareness that real art is uber fab and cheap prints are drab.
As artists are we helping or hurting the situation by getting into the Giclee business.
Can we start a dialog with our not artist friends-- see what they think and why do they by prints. Do they even think about it.
Do people spend more time wanting hamburgers than original art.
Do you buy art prints?
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I do not own an art print. Well, we do have original signed prints by Peterson, on his waterbirds. All of our other work is original. It is eclectic, it is interesting... It reflects us- it has a soul...
ReplyDeleteArt prints are just like blow-up dolls....
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ReplyDeleteInteresting...$400 on a "anybody can make that" frame...$15 on a "not just anybody can make that" print...Something is wrong with this "picture"...
ReplyDeleteWe need to change that...
Thanks for bringing it into the light...
I see both sides of the situation. First off, I sell both originals and Giclees. I'd prefer to sell the originals but not everyone can afford them. So I create giclees for those people. Am I cheapening my art?I don't think so. I look at it more like providing a bridge to future fine art original purchases.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you though, we need to do a better job of communicating the authenticity, uniqueness, and value of our original art pieces. I blogged about this a bit in my last blog entry on http://addmorenoise.blogspot.com .
Those of us who can clearly communicate what we are trying to achieve in our art are those who rise to the surface–those who show up on ART21 and in reputable galleries and collections. It is one thing to be able to communicate visually it is quite another to be able to communicate in words. Something I am working hard to improve.
That's my two-cents. :)
I think prints of original art, that are produced by the artist and sold by the artist or in a gallery environment are quite different than mass marketed prints. I would love to sell an original piece to each and every client that admires my art...but not every person can spend that amount. The art print or glicees offer an alternative, a way to sell to those not quite in the market for the cost of originals. They get the joy of owning a copy of the original, and the artist gets the joy of making more from their efforts at creating art. I like to do signed limited edition prints, that makes it a little more respectable than mass marketing and not quite like licensed work. It makes you really thankful to those who buy original pieces, those who appreciate the heart and soul we put into our work!!!
ReplyDeleteThis is something I have given a fair amount of thought to as an artist, as I have considered giclees of my own work. I have not done so, I feel that I probably will not.
ReplyDeleteI will say that as a purchaser of art, I do not own any massed produced art prints, but do own several limited edition signed prints of one particular regional artist from Alaska, purchased in years past. I recently added a small original from this artist. We also have several original pieces from other artists, acquired as we have been better able to afford them.
Because I am a painter and I live with a photographer, there is no lack of artwork on our walls. But the pieces of original work by other artists are treasured much more than any of our prints. And I plan to buy only original pieces now, as I feel that I value them and appreciate them so much more.
Although I agree that the limited edition prints may be an entree into art collecting, there really is no comparison to living with original artwork that you love, for a person who appreciates art.
I don't make prints. I only make original pieces. I make them once and then move on to new ideas. I may duplicate my art in some way or another some day but for now I think it's important to keep it fresh. I have no shortage of ideas. In fact I have too many which makes it hard to remain focussed. That having been said, I do feel that original art is not respected as much as it should be. I feel that sales are down due to the economic situation but I also feel a withdraw of interest in supporting local art unless that art is in a charity show of some sort.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard enough spending countless hours on a piece and watching others fart out their art in seconds. It's frustrating to see so many cheapen the the art scene with their shortcuts like tracing and other unoriginal techniques. I have a rule about all art. My art, your art, everybody's art, fashion, music, design and craft is 90% crap. This makes it really hard to find the 10% which is actually worth a damn. So those who occasionally graze that 10% won't get the respect they deserve in their struggle for standards and excellence. When it comes down to it, that %90 crap disguised as art really smothers out any attention that good local art might otherwise receive. I'm no better than anyone else but I do attempt to reach that upper percentile as often as possible.
Sincerely struggling to get reach that 10%.
Clint Scism
Great points raised Clint!
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