Replies: 48 Comments
on Thursday, February 15th, Tom said
It's seems clear that Vick - who are you anyhow? - has quite a chip on her shoulder. Chill a bit. It'll probably do you wonders. It doesn't have to do with male versus female either.
on Thursday, February 8th, doctone said
Thats why we must circumvent the "art world"
Check out this cat Tom Reyes on you tube and see how to bring your work directly to the public.
on Thursday, February 1st, leighgirl said
I am in texas and I can tell you that most of the people I have ran into in trying to get my art book out are very rude. Some of them even tell me to come meet them and they are the owners then when I get there they look at the books and ask to keep them to show the owners.
I think some people are very nice in the industry but, some are really rude and want to always get things for free or be in control.
Texas is not the best place for art as you can guess.
leighgirl
on Saturday, January 27th, Mark said
Frank, I agree with much of what you said. I think here in the USA we are in a kind of dark cultural bleakness (for many reasons to numerous to go into here). I am no fan of Bush and I think he has some to do with this but only a little, I would no give him to much credit for it as I do not think he is that smart. BUT, I do think that cororations do have a lot to do with it because of their greed which like it or not filters down. As far as there being a more uptight art market, I think that may be mostly because of competion (more artists then ever) and things just don't work the way they used to, but change happens and we need to change as well.
Olga, I agree humor is good, it is a way of fixing a great many issues, not just rudeness.
on Saturday, January 27th, Olga said
There is a certain correlation between being rude and factors like financial stability (agree with Frank) and health of person. I feel pity about those people who can't keep frustration inside - it's too much for them. It's an answer to your question, Mark. I try to avoid cause rudeness, and never answer the rudeness. This requires the ability to be less eghoistic and feel the situation - in Russian we say that one has to have tact. Agree with Ellen. As Vick noted, Michael commented on the view at a gallery full with artworks that had to be commented first if to use tack. It was enough to make frustrated ladies who probably can't make enought income from the work in gallery..Instead of trying to understand the situation, Michael critisize their black closes...
Humor is a great tool to fight with rudeness, to make someone or yourself laugh.
on Saturday, January 27th, Ellen Fisch said
Olga-
You are right. I feel better & worse for complaining. Trying to do the "right" thing should be its own reward, but I guess we all need affirmation. Thanks.
on Friday, January 26th, Olga said
Ellen, you are great person and normally you'll meet kind and nice people. If something like you described happen, only sickness is to be blamed. I am sure you would avoid that girl and mom if they are really rude.
on Friday, January 26th, Ellen Fisch said
Michael, you seem like a kind and considerate person; therefore, rudeness would affect you most of all. Those individuals who have developed a "thick skin" would probably shrug and go on or not even notice rudeness. You are certainly correct in that parents are teaching their children to be rude. Recently, I learned that a teenager whom I know was ill with a mysterious ailment. The girl was missing a lot of school and she was extremely upset about possibly losing her ranking in her class because of absences. She was also naturally enormously upset by all the invasive tests she had to endure at the hospital. She comes from a wealthy home. That info does not seem relevant,yet it is. I sent her a small basket of treats from a catalog just to let her know I was thinking of her & to say "Hi.". Both the girl (who is fine, thank goodness....one of the medical mysteries) and her mother on separate ocassions told me that my sending the basket was "so unnecessary." I was so insulted. A simple "thanks" is fine, but don't tell me that an act of thoughtfulness is "unnecessary." If you can't say "thanks," say nothing...that's better than telling me I shouldn't have bothered. Perhaps they don't want to be beholden, or reminded of the illness or didn't like what I sent, or it could just be the thing to say when you don't want to extend appreciation..... I thought that the girl definitely learned the obnoxious expression from her mother and the rudeness it implies.
On the other hand, the NYC gallery, Jadite Galleries, where I'm having a show has been WONDERFUL! The owner, Roland Sainz, and his wife, Kathy, treated me like their top selling artist of all time. I know that this is not true, but their graciousness made me feel great! Many of the people with whom I deal are very polite...the rude ones I try to avoid.
Keep writing, Michael! The books make perfect gifts!
on Friday, January 26th, Frank Ettenberg said
I read this 'story' this morning & got dizzy with all the ins and outs it described. Now it's evening and I'm going to put down the impressions that came up as I was reading & have persisted until now.
1) Money seems to be talking the loudest in the US of A at this time. People and all they can mean to each other has been shrinking as a focal concern. Period.
2) The problem of rudeness, therefore, seems to have grown in proportion to the rise of the (unsuccessful) search for dollars.
3) It's been getting tighter and more up-tight in the art markets
of big cities or art centers. For example, it's now normal practice for better known gallery owners to charge a fee when they agree to review artists' artwork. If artists can't or won't pay to buy into some venue or another - there's not too much decent public access oppotunities that will enable them to show.
4) I live in Europe now for some time. Americans here are looked at more and more as being childish, moneygrubbing, crude, and ignorant. I was recently impressed by the 'rudeness' and arrogant demanding-ness of the character Brad Pitt played in 'Babel', directed & co-produced by a Mexican team. There's also something of that nature suggested by the descriptions of 'rude' people Mr Corbin provided in his article. He is given to projecting his own judgments and uncertainties onto those who allegedly are guilty of snubbing him. Here's just one more form of American self-centeredness in action.
5) America is - in my opinion - in a culturally dreadful state.
The whole matrix from artist to art-gallery-to collectors and cultural philanthropists seems wobbly, hardup, very unsure of both their visions, the scene and the players.
I am no exception, actually. I enjoy being in Europe where the
angst seems much gentler. I am in a bigger arena where I am & all I lack are some personal introductions to help me on my way as a painter (with over 40 years' experience). There also happens to be a lot of uncertainty here as well, but still, a slightly greater chance for lesser-knowns to get a leg up.
When times change back in the uSA for the better, it will probably start when Dubya is deposed. When his regime is changed. I still don't really believe that he was fairly elected, by the way. That the people have tolerated him for so long has just as surely depressed them as it has me! Let happier days come soon!
on Friday, January 26th, dianne bowen said
All I can say is Wow... Didn't expect this to get to such a point. The topic is really not worth all this time. Rude yes rude is everywhere, and I agree that the person being rude probably has some unaddressed issues to cuase this behavior. Let it go. There are many more interesting and important things to get pissed or worried about.
That's just my opinion, and I don't mean to be rude.
on Thursday, January 25th, Mark said
The art world does not have the corner on rudeness. Artists, collectors, dealers and all the other art world population are no more, or no less rude then the rest of the world. Being rude is part of the human conditon, as are hate, anger, love and caring. I think it best when we are treated with rudeness to take it, not as a dog might take a beating from its master but rather take it standing tall and strong and with understanding, with the realization that something in that persons life, big or small, has caused them to be this way and let it pass, as water passes over a stone. Then let it go. The anger or injustice one may feel from being rude too, will only darken our spirit.
on Thursday, January 25th, olivier said
The big picture si working very well I beleive. Like music, movie industry ect it just doen't need so many players. It never did. In the same way it always been difficult to be an happy collector, if general recognition of your taste matter for you. We talk a lot about celebrities, great collectors great artists. What about this mass of Canadian collectors who bought all these Dutch scene in the 40's? These European who bought Corot, Millet in the early 20th? All these if they own nice paintings are in lost if financial is the point. You know what? Just buy pin up totem you cannot be wrong like many of our great Canadian collectors did. With or without you art will survive for sure. I know many friends who "invest" in it, auctions never been so strong either. Just too many players to satisfy everyone. It is easy to splash painting on a support, it is much more difficult to make it "nice" and/or to sell it. You don't necessary need any instruction for that. In fact the best sellers I met in my carreer most often come from no education, some had even great taste..some. Snobish are out,ouf! Finish the kingdom of the art critic of the 70's, you like it or not we are all one in our days. just here by ex.. To finish nice collectors don't complain about their passion but their are not find in every e-corner blog
on Thursday, January 25th, Walt said
Yikes. Meltdown! It isn't worth it folks. The artworld is screwed up enough as it is. Chill. We don't have to be part of the big picture if the big picture is disfunctional. And it is.
on Wednesday, January 24th, olivier said
Yops ,so rude we are, even worst than Vick witch had a good point. Sometime we like to cut collector in little pieces and glue them on canvass. Next time be careful Michael
on Wednesday, January 24th, Mark said
I had intended to write one more comment in what has become a he said she said argument and that is a waste of time. Once more if I insulted you Vick or encrouched apon you personaly I apologize, that was never my intent. I do agree with you that perhaps to much time has been spent here, I for one have not done the days work as I should have.
on Wednesday, January 24th, Vick said
Oh, classic. Circle j-e-r-k.
on Wednesday, January 24th, Vick said
Debate? Calling someone paranoid isn't a debate, Mark. For whatever reason you have taken my comments and decided they were directly aimed at you, which they were not in any way.
But now here is a direct comment:
What I notice about these blogs in general is that it is the same few of you consistently commenting. You like to congratulate each other on your wildly insightful commentary and you might as well go to the town square and have a circle ****.
This is a classic example of that. It's an interesting human dynamic in general when the marginalized band together to marginalize others. It seems to play out in a big way on the internet. Whew, we finally belong to something, someone pull up the ladder so the rest of the riff-raff can't board the life boat.
Jose bends over backwards to be inclusive and insightful and seems like an extrodinary human being and artist.
This has become a waste of my time. You boys can hang up the "no gurls allowed" sign again and have at it. I seriously doubt many new voices will chime in to these blogs because you have become very effective at driving them off. You can make it about me, but the end result is the same--this blog poster is a waste of an artist's time and why you choose to defend it to the death is beyond me, but again, it's your artist career so whatever.
on Wednesday, January 24th, Mark said
No Vick. You got it so wrong. I found your site and looked at your work by the way. Just was curious as to what you create. I have no real issue with what you are saying, and I have no desire to equate what you are saying with your work.
My "strong opinion" was not a way to cow you or attack you, but only to show that an opinion is just that and nothing more. As far as saying it publicaly (if it helps I apologize) don't you think that those reading this know who we each are talking about, after all you did insult my abilities, remember "learned helplessness", but I didn't take offense. I don't know you, I don't claim to know you. I could be and most likely I am very wrong about you. I can only form a "strong opinion" by what I read in your comments, that is all. You can only form a "strong opinion" about Michael by what you read in his blog, you don't know him any more then he knows you. I can then only guess that by your comments about the blog you are trying to cow Michael (I am not trying to defend Michael as that is his job, besides I don't know him). Maybe you are trying to cow me, you can only know me by what I say. Is that it, you are trying to cow me? Strong opinions are fine, but all opinions must be heard and we all make our own judgement about those opinions. We may or may not like the opinions but that is the way it is, and like it or not no one opnion is right. Including mine.
So maybe we should just agree to disagree and let it at that. It has been a very interesting discussion and actualy I have enjoyed it very much, nothing like a good debate. So Vick i hope we have no hard feelings, take care.
on Wednesday, January 24th, Vick said
Are you serious? Don't you think publically posting I sound "paranoid" in this blog and continuing to address it to me personally is an attempt to in fact cow me? Don't you think asking to see my work because you don't like what I am saying is in fact an attempt to cow me?
Get a clue.
on Wednesday, January 24th, Mark said
Vick I like to keep an open mind, it is a closed mind that will be uncreative. Yes you have an opinion, that is wonderful, so do others, that is wonderful. If ours doese not match yours then I guess we are wrong and you are right. So be it.
OK Vick so you have opened the door to what you call "strong opinion" here is one, mine. You sound very paraniod, as if we are all against you and what you think, that we want to see what you create, to attack you. You sound very much as you claim Michael to sound, whinny and not getting the respect you deverve because you are an "Artist" self proclaimed I might add. Big deal. No one is trying to cow you. The "peanut gallery" decides nothing, we are just expressing an opinion just like you, I for one am not trying to be politicaly correct. I can only speak for myself here Vick but I do NOT LIE. That comment of yours only shows further how insecure and imature you are being. How full of tears is your beer Vick?
If what you say is true Vick, that you really do know what is going on here beyond the rest of us then rather then just moan and groan about it why don't you tell us poor ignorants what to do about it. It is one thing to complain but another to also offer solutions along with the complaint.
on Wednesday, January 24th, Vick said
What learned helplessness. Did either of you even try the search feature with my name? It works.
on Wednesday, January 24th, matt said
Vick,
I don't even know who you are, so how can I do a search in the site? A last name would be helpful. Why do I want to see your work: I am curious. Nothing more, nothing less.
on Wednesday, January 24th, Vick said
I am willing to state my opinion. I have stated my opinion. At least I have an opinion. Go ahead, guess and speculate about me, my work, my reasons for having strong opinions. Every time you make another post trying to cow me for having an opinion means that someone else having a strong opinion isn't going to post because the peanut gallery decides they want to be politically correct and turn it into "oh, she couldn't possibly be talking about me because I am open to everyone" You lie. Maybe it makes you feel better to think of yourself as that kind of person but at the end of the day the only thing you have to show for your effort is that you sat and cried in your beer with a time waster.
on Wednesday, January 24th, Mark said
What is your last name Vick?
on Wednesday, January 24th, Mark said
I thought this blog was about people being rude? It is nice Vick, that you are saying for us out loud what we are only thinking quietly to ourselves. By the way how do you know what we are thinking? OH, you don't. Maybe you are very perseptive and your reading between the lines. Sorry didn't mean to be rude.
There are a lot of time wasters in this business as there are in any business and yes they must be weeded out but they can not be weeded out till you expose yourself to them in some way. There are a lot of shows, galleries and internet galleries that are a waste of time I agree. Just as there are artists who are a waste of time. And it would take far more then "twenty dollars to make me roll over like a trained seal" At least $40.00.
Vick you talk about self proclaimed "collectors", "curators", "art dealers", and so on. Are you not a self proclaimed artist, or is the world knocking on your door proclaiming that you are an artist. My guess is the world is not at your door. I know it is not at mine. Besides who makes those judgments as to whether some one is self proclaimed or not?
I think this whole blog has in many ways just gotten out of hand and way of subject. Not that I mind because I think it has become quite interesting. Though a bit hostile.
Yes it is about a person's worth, rudeness be-littles people, those who are being rude and those at the other end of rudeness.
As far as Michael having a chip on his shoulder? That could very well be, he would have to make that confession. I think though and I am saying this out loud because I know others are thinking it, that Vick sounds like he has a chip on his shoulder as well. Do you Vick?
I mean this with all respect Vick and not as a challange. It would be nice to see what you do.
on Wednesday, January 24th, Vick said
Matt, What does it matter to you? Why exactly would it be "nice" to see my work? Seems to me you are trying really hard to miss the point of my words. Going to turn this into a discussion then about my work in particular? Going to try and suck up to the "collector" by vilifying my work now on this blog?
Do a search on Absolute Arts, I am here and so is my work. I invite you to re-read what I wrote, however. My email feature works, too, so if you have any insightful tidbits to share with me about my work, feel free to email me directly.
on Wednesday, January 24th, matt said
Still would be nice to see your work Vick.
on Wednesday, January 24th, Vick said
My point, which seems to be lost is simply this:
Artists choose every day. Will you spend your time trying to educate or even tolerate a boorish hanger-on, or will you spend that time making a phone call or doing internet research to find an opportunity that might be of value? Will you enter the alleged competition offered by a no-name internet gallery that only shows on the internet and spend $20 to get the pat on the back saying your work is accepted by such a "gallery", or do you take the risk and send your work to a more legitimate venue where you might get rejected?
You can spin your artistic wheels for the rest of your life trying to placate or educate or please self-professed "collectors" "curators", "art dealers" "interior designers" et al., there is no shortage of opportunists ready to waste your time and money. There is no shortage of people who will waste your time claiming to like your work. An artist serious about their work and career will weed them out as the time wasters they are.
Mark, this is not about a human being having worth. And Andrew, it's not about your work. This isn't about me evaluating your work at all, it is about your time as an artist.
What I see when I read this blog is someone with a huge chip on their shoulder about the perceived shabby treatment they receive, and if you scroll back through previous blogs, you'll see the same whine, and if you internet research the poster, you'll see a whine about doing some gig and not getting paid, so I see someone looking for opportunities to vent about not being given their props and hiding behind waving a $20 bill in front of people like they are supposed to roll over like trained seals.
You want to waste your time with the time wasters, be my guest. It's your career. You want to think you are better than my opinion on this, be my guest. In your heart of hearts you already know that you will choose something that offers you more value for your life or career than spinning your wheels with the hangers-on. I am saying it out loud, that is the only difference between me and the rest of the artists who are reading and not posting.
on Wednesday, January 24th, Andrew said
Gallerists and art people in general tend to be rather insecure. How many of the former tried and failed as artists, and how many artists in general can claim to have been successful in what they tried to do? Rudeness, and the appearance of certainty that accompanies it, are trademarks of insecurity. Unsuredness, on the other hand, is a sign of solid footing. The ability to say you're not completely sure of whatever stand you take, or that your artwork is all it could be, the ability to pause and listen before screaming out your opinion, is a brightly lit signpost saying you wait and analyze data before reaching a knee **** conclusion. A continuous evolution and improvement of ideas that comes from missing very little of the incoming information because of an established bias. You have to work, though, to keep yourself from building a wall that leads you to isolation and the conviction that you've reached completeness. If you don't keep knocking it down, you become pretentious.
Apart from that... Vick, I'll take you up on your dare. I'll put my artwork out in front of you and watch how it fares. Just click on my name. I might learn something.
on Wednesday, January 24th, Mark said
One more point, or rather a question for all. When you are treated badly what do you do about it? Walk away angry, seething in you own juices at the injustice of the world, or do you do something about it? Better to react and do something positive about it then walking away kicking trash cans and cats on the way home.
on Wednesday, January 24th, Mark said
Hey vick, it would be nice to see your work. Is there a web site we can go to. I wanted to say here, "So as to put your art where your mouth is", as a joke but thought better of it. Oops, did it anyway.
on Wednesday, January 24th, Mark said
Lets be realistic here, there are rude, angry people everywhere (artists, collectors, gallery owners, plumbers, doctors, poloticians, mothers, fathers, so on and so on) and many are right here commenting. Maybe Michael is a hanger-on, a wanna-be that can't be, a groupie, some one with money but no real art sense, who knows and who cares. We all take up space in this world and we all have some worth. Think about this, usually when we dislike some one or what they do or say, it really means we see in them what is in ourselves (I might not include murderes, rapists and poloticians in this, lol).
Vick, I don't meen to pick on you here but you have been the most vocal. As for "us pussyfooting around" not sure what that means as I see no one here doing that unless you mean that if one's opinion does not agree with yours they are pussfooting around. In your comments about people wanting to be artists, I agree being one does not happen over night. You said you have worked hard and EVEN got an education, well good for you, I have no formal education but have been at this for over thirty years now and considering the state of art education in this country, would pit my knowledge and ability against any one with an art education. Remember too that an art education does not make an artist either, far from it, in fact the education has little to do with it but rather the "artist" must come from within, after much work and struggle. As far as a wanna-be, we have all been a wanna-be at some time. We have to be before we can be.
I don't know Michael, don't know any of you, I am sure you are all good people and really feel deeply about what you do and who you are, I know I do. But I also know that as I said before we all take up space and have a place here in this world, even if it is to be rude, or to be insincere, and even angry, so that the rest of us can learn not to be, to learn to treat others as we wish to be treated. Is that pussyfooting around, maybe, but that would be anothers opinion which in truth would matter not at all to me. We need to be strong inside, so as not to let the rude, and angry make us react in a way that will do us no good. Face the fact that there are rude people, groupies, hanger-ons and people who think they know far more then they do and must let others know of their so called knowledge to sooth their own insecruities, and people who wear black (not sure why that matters)let it roll off and lets get about the business that we take up space for, creating.
on Tuesday, January 23rd, Vick said
Let me clarify-- I have nothing against beginners, truly open people who genuinely do want a dialogue with the work or with artists. They are to be commended, encouraged and almost applauded if they venture forth to the unknown world of galleries and openings. I value them dearly, they have open minds and open hearts and genuinely want to understand.
From all of the blogs this poster has posted I have never gotten that vibe. I think the vibe I get is of a hanger-on much like the alcholics who gravitate toward art because the perception is "anything goes".Maybe the UFO club kicked him out, well there is always art, right? Anything does not go. I worked long and hard, I went to school for it, I sweat a day job in order to also do a second career as an artist. Many artists do that.
I get TIRED of people thinking it's a matter of making a decision to be an artist. Or in this case, a "collector". I do not anticipate one day waking up and saying "Hey, I'm a stockbroker". There is a seeping sense of entitlement coming from this blog and it pisses me off. I think that is probably clear. It pisses me off even more when the poster isn't even aware of how grating his behavior probably is, and if he encounters it multiple times, what should that be telling the poster about his own behavior in that environment? Is it all of us, or is it, possibly, him?
Y'all want to pussyfoot around, fine. Put your art where your mouth is, then, see how it all aligns when you really think about it.
on Tuesday, January 23rd, Vick said
Anon Tom-- why don't you voice your own comment instead of trying to editorialize other posters? You are a hypocrite and I'll tell you why:
I dare any artist to put their work behind this blog. I dare you to say you want your career evaluated by the clueless clods of the world or appear in a self-published book without a contract by someone who thinks owning the work means doing whatever they want with it.
And before you comment on me having PMS or some such other thing, I dare you to Google the author of this post and see that his talk show radio show started with UFO topics. Yup. Stake your career on that one, people.
on Tuesday, January 23rd, Tom said
Vick - how pathetic. Olga - the same. Rudeness is just, well, exactly what you have done. And you are perfect examples of the point of the article.
on Tuesday, January 23rd, Olga Dmitrenko said
Great observation, Vik!
Yep, artworld people are very sensitive, maybe more then others because they open theirself though showing their artworks publically. Also their life is more tough, more difficult to make living. This makes them to respond on any kind even small rudeness.
Black color? I love it. Actually you can add cople of colorful details to it and simple black dress will look wonderful. Plus visuallly black makes you look slimmer. So I do not see any connection between bblack closes and attitude. Just a matter of taste.
on Tuesday, January 23rd, Vick said
Olga hit the nail on the head. You do come off expecting to be catered to, "pulling out your credit card" and expecting the "somewhat tense" guy to lavish you with attention.
It's the height of rudeness to comment on the view at a gallery. That is like going to an opening and saying "nice frame" to the artist standing there. Maybe you think it's a compliment, the artist thinks you are a ridiculous clueless oaf.
But maybe I think that way because I also tend to wear black.
I think you are a pompous full-of-yourself wannabe who does not review work with an innocent eye, but rather you wave that dollar bill around and expect the pool of fish to jump for their bit.
You are keeping some notebook of tiny slights and nursing hurts and if it wasn't the art world it'd be something else.
on Tuesday, January 23rd, Ann Krause said
Hi Michael,
I think you will find that sort of behavior anywhere. We hope we would not experiance rude behavior from people who share the same interests, but it happens. Go to an electronics store, or clothing store and there will be rude people there too. My suggestion that I try and put into practice is to just assume they are having a bad day and maybe you'll find it easier to deal with them.
In fact, if the person seems to have attitude (I use this with retail places often), I'll say something like, "How's your day going?" and 9 times out of 10 they tell me how they are having a bad day and just ready to go home. And 9 times out of 10 that simple comment makes them happy they had an opportunity to just get it off their chest. But regardless, just keep smiling.
Ann
on Tuesday, January 23rd, Olga said
Michael, when I read half of your blog, my immediate thinking was that if you are rude with people (even you think you are nice), people feel it and are rude with you. Then you admitted that you also have been rude by not responding to comments on your blogs...
You know what I mean.. Your signature as AVID ART COLLECTOR acts on some naive starving artists like a red on cow. I feel pity when they start to comment in your blog trying to get your attention with the hope, that maybe you'll buy their art... Guys, I am not talking about you, regular artists on this site. I think, Michael, you expect this reaction and enjoy it. What it is? It's a wish to see yourself much higher then others. If person is saturated with this wish, it's irradiates from him/her, want he/she or not, and surrounding people feel it and react by been rude.
I believe in good: If you love people, if you good with them, if you are trying to understand, to listen, they are good to you.
I am apologizing in advance, Michael, for being so direct in my comment.
on Tuesday, January 23rd, Gabriella Morrison said
Scenario: Gallery staff of 2 engaged in installing a fairly large show. They have a limited time in which to do this. Thus they need to work without interruption to get the show installed with care and efficiency. phone rings intermittently and policy is to always answer. By the 2nd or 3rd interruption the installer answering the phone is frustrated at being interrupted at the task. The caller says that his maiden Aunt Mabel has recently died and has left an old framed something - looks sort of like oil paint, but it is painted on some sort of cardboard, blah, blah... Can someone at the gallery look at the painting and tell him how much it is worth on resale through the Buy & Sell.
Can he come by this afternoon to get the painting looked at? Installer says, curtly, there is no person at our gallery who does evaluations. Caller then asks for names and addresses of people who provide such assessments? Sorry, can't help you there, says the installer, Goodbye and hangs up.
Substitute garage mechanic for gallery staff, garage for gallery, 20 cars outside, parked, waiting to be repaired for artwork to be installed, in this scenario. Call comes in about an inherited vintage Citroen (garage only handles domestic car repairs!)Interrupted mechanic listens, responds in curt fashion.
In both cases, depending on how pressured and flustered the responder is, chances are exchanges take place which prove frustrating for both parties. They both go away feeling slighted!
This happens all the time in all kinds of situations. I have been on giving end of such exchanges, unhappy to report, in a gallery as an installer. I don't feel good being short and abrupt with people.
The other problem is that often people expect others to be walking encyclopedias and open sources of information. And sad to say, many people are lazy and want the easiest and most convenient solution - for themselves!
on Monday, January 22nd, Walt said
Vick has a certain point even if he did mis-read the original context and progression. While Michael did ask permission it wasn't that long ago that any use of an artists work was given at the least a small honorarium as payment for letting the author and publisher use their work as an illustration. Now it is assumed that to give an artist exposure is more than payment. In fact unless the book is gonna be a number one best seller it may not give much exposure at all depending on who is going to read it. Besides people die of exposure. The right kind of exposure is what counts not just any exposure.
On the other hand the artist did, according to Michael, give permission. That is not the same as an iron clad contract that his work would be published just permission to publish. Two different things.
Illustrators working on assignment for serious magazines get a kill fee if their work isn't used after signing a contract. It is usually a percentage of the originally agreed upon price.
Too many ameteurs in the business. That's one of the reasons for getting an education.
on Monday, January 22nd, Margaret said
Re: rudeness. In addition to painting, I do glass work and I am new to the area so I like to see what is happening locally. I recently went to a local art fair. A glass artist had a booth there. Furnace work, mostly vessels, not particularly innovative but good craftsmanship. Glass is seductive and can be beautiful even if in a lump. No one else was in the booth. I introduced myself, said I was pleased to see glass at the fair, and did he have a studio locally. He answered those questions. I said I did glass work too and.......... Well, I didn’t get to finish my sentence. He was quite tall, looked down his nose at me, turned his back and walked away. He stood at the other end of his booth looking the other way. Now, I am a sociable person, knowledgeable about the medium, not terribly ugly or any such thing, but I suppose I am branded by looking like somebody’s mother. I couldn’t believe how rude he was. Wow! His prices couldn’t have covered the materials used in the work. He probably needed buyers. But no excuse for bad behavior. Artists can be rude too!
on Monday, January 22nd, Brad said
And you observed,
"...There's too much pressure to get things done...."
Too bad we've lost the concept of,
"There's so much pleasure in getting things done."
on Monday, January 22nd, Vick said
Hmm, well I may have read that incorrectly, but I stand by my comment. Artists have all sorts of fly-by-night-let-me-do-you-a-favor-baby-I'll-make-you-a-star types of propositions every day. Perhaps they are well-meaning but personally I am weary of the bored housewives of the world deciding they are going to become corporate art designers or some such other pie in the sky dipshit half-baked career changer and approaching artists with their plans and expecting access to work. Or expecting work at a 10% of the value for "exposure". This breed is right up their with the charities who ask artists to donate framed pieces for art auctions without so much as a thank you or receipt. The flavor is the same "boy, am I doing you a favor offering you this fabulous chance at exposure". Why would this book be any different, especially when it sounds like the project was somewhat disorganized? Publishers get signed releases to reproduce work, terms are spelled out, artists want to know what they are dealing with--good intentions really doesn't cut it when you are talking about doing something with an artist's work that might have long term consequences for the artist.
on Monday, January 22nd, Mark said
I agree with Matt, Vick, but better let Michael deffend that.
I do agree that an artist should be very concerned about the work especially when owned by others. We do need to protect ourselves and our work. As far as the SASE, whew, if I had a dollar for everyone I didn't get back.
on Monday, January 22nd, Matt said
Vick
I think you misread what was written about the artist, painting and permission.
on Monday, January 22nd, Vick said
Rude? Rude is sending a professional slide presentation packet to a gallery with an SASE and never gettting it back, even after 3 years and numerous phone calls. If they were rude to you, they probably thought you were an artist darkening their doorstep, not a buyer.
By the way, I think it's the height of naive arrogance to expect an artist to be overjoyed that you are planning on reproducing his painting in your book. Just because you bought the painting doesn't mean you can reproduce it, and an artist has every right to be concerned about how, when and where his work is reproduced. It's a big assumption you made, and in my view that artist was not rude at all, just honest.
on Monday, January 22nd, Mark said
Rude? Rude! We are not $&#* rude here!
Michael, on many levels I could not agree more with your blog. I have been railing against the attitude of the art world many times in my comments to other blogs. I think rudeness has always been a problem partly because only the rich used to be able to buy art, then in the 40s, 50s and 60s with the advent of abstract expressionism and the like the artists and those that sell art created this idea that if you are not art educated then you know nothing and hence, do not bother me. In this day when an average "Joe" could buy art he/she is afraid to and I don't blame them. I think it is up to us artists to start the change in attitude.
Many artists are over sensitive. I was when I was young and could not figure out why so few paid attention to me. But in this business you need to develope a thick skin and that I have done. We all do what we do for reason we all can not understand. The artist who was excluded from your book should have given you a chance to explain, the artist didn't and hence may loose out on an opportunity, simply because he/she got their feelings hurt. I do not mean to be rude here but to all the artists of that vain....GROW UP!
We all feel in some way that we are the center of our own universe. The trouble is some can never see beyond the bondrey of their universe and so they think it must be everyone elses fault, it certainly can not be me, when it comes to being rude. I am not rude it is everyone else.
I think rudeness is a fact of life. Yes it would be wonderful if everyone would just give a little thought before they spoke or acted, but, well that is not going to happen. We must just try to let it pass unless it is very uncalled for, then we need to take the person to task. Over all I think it best to just smile at the rude people and maybe feel sorry for them and if your facial expression shows that sorrow maybe they will feel a bit stupid for their rudeness, but don't count on it.
Now Michael, if are so rude as to not respond to my comment, well then I can only guess that you too are one of those $%#* rude art people who come here. LOL
