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Thursday, August 23, 2007
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The Art of Business 102
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As a follow-up to my last post about the value of art students taking business classes, I thought it only fair to continue with the value of business students taking an art history class or two. While collegiate artists are missing out on marketing and economics lessons, B school kids are being deprived of two very important aspects of business: culture, and more importantly, writing intensive courses.
On my first day in the business college, there was a new student orientation where they gathered all of us in a large banquet hall for lunch. They then proceeded to give us an etiquette lesson on using silverware properly, behavior at the table, and useful talking points for successful networking at a business luncheon or dinner. The whole situation was so artificial it was all I could do not to laugh. Not to mention, I think this all falls again under things your parents should have taught you. Granted, much of business school is like this, but they were actually close to hitting on something. Great businessmen and women know how to schmooze, and about a lot of different subjects with lots of different types of people.
Other than a few general education classes in their freshman year, most B students only take business classes, making them very myopic. This is where an art history class could be valuable. Students learn about the art and culture of a number of different societies and about the historical context. And they’re in classes with students other than themselves. You know, the crazy art students who come to class splattered in paint from head to toe. It’s a big dose of culture in one class.
Culture and well roundedness aside, business classes lack writing. Most all testing is done with multiple choice and there are few essays assigned. In contrast, almost all art history courses are made up of essay tests and at least one essay. I truly believe that the only things one needs to learn in college are how to read and write well. Unless you are going to be a doctor or engineer, you aren’t going to use much else of your college education. These are two things that, no matter what you do for a living, you will use daily. And I saw again and again business students who graduated and still didn’t know the difference between things like its and it’s.
So there it is, business students need art just as much as art students need business. Class dismissed.Labels: art. art of business 102
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Tuesday, August 21, 2007
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The Business of Art 101
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This week, art students across the country are heading back to college registered in everything from Drawing 101 to Advanced Painting 496B. Whether you are a painting or sculpture or fibers major, you can bet that your schedule will be filled with long hours in studio classes, late night cramming for art history exams, and heated discussions during classroom critiques. But there is one thing that is notably and almost universally absent from the packed class schedule of the collegiate artist. The Business of Art 101.
Every May, the University of (fill in the blank) graduates hundreds or even thousands of incredibly talented starving artists. These students spend four years working hard to learn their craft but are never shown how to sell themselves or their work. I find this even more amazing because at its core, college is a true service industry. Yet, it really fails to service these clients in this area. I have heard a number of excuses why art schools don’t push business on their students; everything from “it stunts their artistic growth†to “art teachers are worried that the students will take their jobsâ€. How ridiculous is that?
The reality is, art students (and their paying parents) need to demand more from the school. And they need to take the initiative and register for an economics and an accounting class along with color theory. If the art school isn’t offering it, the business school most definitely is. Instead of majoring in painting and getting a minor in drawing, pursue a business minor. As corny and cheap suitish as the business classes can be, that is where you will learn marketing (Hi, my name is blank and this is my work), economics (This is the world [of money] that I live in), and accounting and finance (This is how money works and what I need to do so that I don’t starve).
Beyond the basics of econ and finance, there is also a certain reality to business classes; that is, the teachers constantly stress that when you graduate, you will get a job, whether it’s something you love or not, and work your way towards a goal. For most graduating artists, the reality is that they aren’t going to be able to just set up a studio and start making a living from their art. Instead they are going to have to work at something else while working on their art. It’s much less romantic than some of the notions that art school instills, but a lot more realistic. And in the end, that’s good because it means that these artists may actually have a chance of building an art career as apposed to dropping their art completely. I was once told that, ten years out of school, less than one percent of art majors make any art at all. That’s too bad. But I believe that with a little Business of Art 101, this number could change for the better. So, for all of you student artists, take an extra couple of credits this semester and learn about accounting and marketing. And while you’re at it, maybe you can convince some of those business majors who don’t know the difference between Monet and Manet to take an art class.Labels: art, business of art 101
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Friday, August 10, 2007
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A Car Crash, Somewhere
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This afternoon, I experienced one of those bittersweet moments; I sold a painting that I absolutely loved and intended to buy. It was such a great feeling to make the sale on behalf of the artist and Ugallery, and at the same time, I truly felt a loss. Every time I looked at the piece it drew me in with the same kind of strange fascination that causes people to slow down and look at an accident when they pass. Ok, so maybe that has to do with the fact that the piece depicts a grizzly car crash, but seriously, this work has power. I couldn’t keep my eyes off of it. I certainly believe that one should take their time when purchasing art to make sure that it’s something they have a connection with, but once you’ve established that, don’t let it pass you by. Enough of that, huge congrats to the artist, Harris Johnson. This kid’s got major talent and I can’t wait to see what he comes up with next!
- Harris Johnson, "A Car Crash, Somewhere", watercolor and gouache on paper, 2006Labels: a car crash somewhere, art, harris johnson
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Wednesday, August 8, 2007
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Hated by the Establishment
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I’ve chatted through email several times this past week with a man who heard about Ugallery from the Wall Street Journal. In giving me his thoughts about the art world and the role of the Internet, he wrote that, “eBay is hated by The Art Establishment.†Although I don’t really know enough about this guy’s qualifications to say that his is an expert opinion, it is certainly not the first time I have heard this sentiment. There are tons of blogs and stories on the web about the risks of buying art on eBay. My favorite that I have come across, and from a credible source, is the very satirical “Make Big Money Selling Fake Art on eBay†by art consultant Alan Bamberger. And beyond this there are numerous news stories about people getting cheated.
It’s really too bad that eBay doesn’t do a better job of policing its site because it could be a great place for artists and dealers to meet lots of interested buyers. The concept works great for unlimited and inexpensive goods, but when it comes to limited edition and one-of-a-kind luxury items, one should steer clear. And it’s not just the art establishment that dislikes eBay, it’s handbag and clothing designers and watchmakers and perfumeries and on and on. Several weeks ago, I read that Germany’s highest court ruled that eBay must do more to halt the sale of counterfeit goods after losing a six-year dispute with Rolex.
The art world and the rest have good reason to hate this company. Instead of working to fix the problem, eBay claims that it is the responsibility of those who sell and shop on the site to find the crooks. That’s ridiculous. What’s the point of paying transaction fees to eBay if they aren’t working to improve the experience? As a result of this stance, most of the credible art sellers have left the site, leaving a void filled with thieves peddling “authentic†Picasso lithographs and Dali etchings.
There is another online auctioneer for very high-end luxury goods, Portero.com, which takes possession of everything on the site and guarantees that it is authentic. So it seems that if you want to bid on a real Picasso or Dali, this is the place to go. Unfortunately, this only serves a small group of people. eBay’s short sidedness has closed the door on the large group of everyday people looking to find a great piece of art at an affordable price. And on all of the legitimate emerging artists trying to use the site to get their work out there.Labels: art, eBay is hated by the art establishment
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Friday, August 3, 2007
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I Want It!
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I first heard about wants for sale through a Thrillist email on Wednesday, and today I received a DailyCandy email about it. Christine Santora and Justin Gignac are a Greenwich Village couple who have devised a cleaver way to use art to get what they want. The two create paintings of the things they desire, like Buffalo wings and Apple iPhones, and then charge the price of these items for the painting (the Buffalo wings painting will set you back $12.70 while the iPhone portrait will cost you $649.17). The art is simplistic and fun, and they’ve definitely come up with a great advertising gimmick. There is also a section on their site where you can request your wants, and if they like them, they’ll paint them. My personal favorite is “Financial Security†(shown right) for $1,000,000.
Have a great weekend!Labels: art, wants for sale
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Read weekly art segments featuring Ugallery artists and news about the art world at large. We hope you enjoy this insight into the inner workings of our gallery and invite you to take part in the discussion as well.
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