... and best wishes for 2009!
Micaëla
12.24.2008
12.23.2008
To the new collector (or to those who think they don't know anything about art, so they won't collect),
Dear Reader,
I'm in California, working from home right now, it's 2 minutes before 8 am, and my neighbor, Vern (working to stay afloat in this economy), is coming over at 8 on the dot (he's very punctual) to finish up a job in my home he began yesterday...groannnn...so I'd better type fast and get dressed.
Vern and I talked yesterday about collecting art - how it's a cultural thing, good for the soul and good for the community. He saw art collecting as a pursuit of the wealthy, a luxury, akin to foie gras, champagne and driving a murcielago ... well, if you're reading this (and the countless other blogs in blog land about art collecting), you know that's not true. So what's it all about? It's like good food - an excellent burger, a root beer float, fabulous fresh popcorn, or exquisite dining - and music - it's about experiencing pleasure in life.
What's so cool about seeing something that doesn't make sense? Well, if you like jazz, rock and roll, or classical music, you took time, once, to figure it out and decide whether you like it, so give the fine art a minute or two, or more. It's like deciding how you want to look today, at work or when you go out. What looks good? With art, it's exactly the same thing - it's essentially about what pleases you to look at (and all the subsequent thoughts and emotions that come with that), what looks good wherever it is (or where you plan to put it), and for most people, what you can afford.
As I wrote earlier (and if I didn't I'll write it now), the best way for an art collector to begin is to visit museums and galleries, and to take time to figure out the kind of art you like. Take your time, and make a commitment, a purchase - a small purchase - and see how you feel about what you bought. Hate it? Get over it and figure out why you hate it, and don't run. We all make mistakes, hopefully they're not costly and we recover. Try this over time, there's a lot of art out there that you can test the waters with - books, postcards, posters, even clothing (and that's also what copyrights, editions and licenses are about - let's save it for another time) - and have fun with, after all if it's about pleasure, make sure it is fun!
So it's the holidays, 2008 and all its misery is ending and there is new hope with 2009. Go out and have fun, open your eyes to everything around you and enjoy, look at everything like it's new and indulge yourself! ...and congratulations, you're on your way to becoming an art collector.
Happy holidays and best wishes for 2009!
Micaëla
I'm in California, working from home right now, it's 2 minutes before 8 am, and my neighbor, Vern (working to stay afloat in this economy), is coming over at 8 on the dot (he's very punctual) to finish up a job in my home he began yesterday...groannnn...so I'd better type fast and get dressed.
Vern and I talked yesterday about collecting art - how it's a cultural thing, good for the soul and good for the community. He saw art collecting as a pursuit of the wealthy, a luxury, akin to foie gras, champagne and driving a murcielago ... well, if you're reading this (and the countless other blogs in blog land about art collecting), you know that's not true. So what's it all about? It's like good food - an excellent burger, a root beer float, fabulous fresh popcorn, or exquisite dining - and music - it's about experiencing pleasure in life.
What's so cool about seeing something that doesn't make sense? Well, if you like jazz, rock and roll, or classical music, you took time, once, to figure it out and decide whether you like it, so give the fine art a minute or two, or more. It's like deciding how you want to look today, at work or when you go out. What looks good? With art, it's exactly the same thing - it's essentially about what pleases you to look at (and all the subsequent thoughts and emotions that come with that), what looks good wherever it is (or where you plan to put it), and for most people, what you can afford.
As I wrote earlier (and if I didn't I'll write it now), the best way for an art collector to begin is to visit museums and galleries, and to take time to figure out the kind of art you like. Take your time, and make a commitment, a purchase - a small purchase - and see how you feel about what you bought. Hate it? Get over it and figure out why you hate it, and don't run. We all make mistakes, hopefully they're not costly and we recover. Try this over time, there's a lot of art out there that you can test the waters with - books, postcards, posters, even clothing (and that's also what copyrights, editions and licenses are about - let's save it for another time) - and have fun with, after all if it's about pleasure, make sure it is fun!
So it's the holidays, 2008 and all its misery is ending and there is new hope with 2009. Go out and have fun, open your eyes to everything around you and enjoy, look at everything like it's new and indulge yourself! ...and congratulations, you're on your way to becoming an art collector.
Happy holidays and best wishes for 2009!
Micaëla
12.02.2008
Art Fairs
Dear Art Collector,
The art mecca is in full swing these days at the Art Basel|Miami Beach hoohah. What's the big deal...? This is it, an exceptional smorgasborg of art for the partaker, where collectors of every discreminating ilk browse and search, and purchase. For neophytes, this could be the beginning of a very serious collection habit.
Thousands, literally, thousands of artists - emerging, mid-career, and established - present artworks, solo or sponsored by their gallery of choice. The parties and celebrities descending on Miami Beach (South Beach) are a wonder to behold, the walking equivalent, in many ways, to the artworks on the walls. Galleries from all over the world come and set up their booth, or in some cases, a hotel room, fêted and hosted by promoters and curators. Go! If you're in Miami - throw yourself in the throng, fight your way past the gawkers, join the fray! There's nothing like it and it's worth every minute of your time!
Micaela
The art mecca is in full swing these days at the Art Basel|Miami Beach hoohah. What's the big deal...? This is it, an exceptional smorgasborg of art for the partaker, where collectors of every discreminating ilk browse and search, and purchase. For neophytes, this could be the beginning of a very serious collection habit.Thousands, literally, thousands of artists - emerging, mid-career, and established - present artworks, solo or sponsored by their gallery of choice. The parties and celebrities descending on Miami Beach (South Beach) are a wonder to behold, the walking equivalent, in many ways, to the artworks on the walls. Galleries from all over the world come and set up their booth, or in some cases, a hotel room, fêted and hosted by promoters and curators. Go! If you're in Miami - throw yourself in the throng, fight your way past the gawkers, join the fray! There's nothing like it and it's worth every minute of your time!
Micaela
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