09/13/2015
This is a very long read. It is open for discussion with fair minded, knowledgable and experienced people who seek enlightenment in a very copy-cat world of non-original thinkers.
I was recently asked to head a blog in a local newpaper as editor in a discussion on how to improve the arts within our community. The idea thrown at me was after a lengthy discussion about my "business format" and as to why I as well as others within the Grey Dove are supporting this insane idea that art should be free to our community as well as to artists.
Given the very common business ideals that have been acknowledged as the "norm" within my community the interviewer became very informed when explaining to her the difference between co-ops and galleries. Most of your world known galleries are run through philanthropy, benefactors and volunteers. When realizing the outcome when charging artists rent rather than the "gallery" owner getting commision for selling an artists work was like putting the cart before the horse. This figure of speech means doing things the wrong way round or with the wrong emphasis.
Co-ops are generally supported by a group who agree they will fund the "gallery" they hope to grow that will support the members within. To have your work seen intails investment prior to work being sold. A lot of "galleries" around the world are ran this way and usually don't last long. The life expectancy of a co-op is 2-5 years and ends with the realization of the artists that paying "rent" when their work is not sold is aiding to the idea, "starving artist". I did add within the conversation that some co-ops do try to sell the artists work that employs them to do so. Sadly a lot of co-ops are there to sell the core of the members work who originated the idea and not the new-comers which is why they fail.
To make a point clear, a gallery usually does not show the owners work, it emphizes work of others. A studio is where the owners work should be seen and generally not within the gallery they own. Furthermore State funded galleries are not used to promote anyone within the establishments work. You will also find that non-syndicated galleries (those not in a branch or joined together by an association) are without any fundemental backing of ideals important to a community. By that I mean, religion, politics or anything that the art can sway an opinion they are neutral to and keep their doors open to all ideals.
Here is where the discussion became enlightening to my interviewer. When discussing how to improve the arts, she realized that when a syndication or association tends to dicate how the arts are controled or organized and all the "galleries" do the same thing or copy what others do it becomes redundant. She realized that IF the "galleries" were independant and ran with their own ideas how much more our community would be likely to want to come to our art district.
I told her once, while in a discussion with one of the proprietors of our local art association replied to me, when asked why this sort of ideal was prominate, she replied, "well someone has to control what people do downtown"! THAT was exactly the response I was suprised she would admit. My interviewer was appalled. In finalization of her knewly found understanding of why my business ethics are so different she realized that especially "art" is not meant to be the same.
My question is.....for artists.....when you see something that has already been done.....do you think you admire the copier or do you think, how boring, I wish people could think for themselves. I seriously ask this question due to the "watered" down art world we live in when everyone thinks they are now an artist. The guise of an artist is widespread now. Artists should always be challenged to widen the experience by doing something "completely different".
Never in the history of mankind has anyone who thinks differently than the norm ever been respected. In fact, to think differently means to change and break away from the popular and be alone in a very hateful world. You will experience cheaters who leech off your original ideas, then sit back and say how horrible a person you are because you will not conform.
Recently I see yet another "gallery" follow a business plan that a business has been performing for our community for quite a few years and it has become popular. LIke anything else we all have seen, when too many people do the same thing it kills an idea. I feel sorry for this busines because their business plan will soon die.
The discussion I hope will be adult. No name calling, no bashing of others opinions. I say this because I have tried to do this before and it became a elitist bashfest by those I have not named.
I turned down the request to lead a local news blog. I feel there is someone much better suited. I am way too opinionated and it needs to be run by a local neutral.
Hopefully the outcome will bring on new ideas from many, not just a few!
