Who collects art?Collecting art can be a rancorous beast. According to ehow.com “Collectors use art to decorate their home, earn money as an investor or simply satisfy the desire to build a fine collection. From ehow.com” But the categories are never that neat and clean. Some collectors do want to decorate their home and earn money on their “investment”. Some want to build a collection because of the intellectual thrill, emotional stimuli of acquiring and also the ability to show off their “prizes”.
On Collecting Art
How to go about collecting art? Do you listen to art gallery directors? Look at museums? Visit art shows and openings? Or just give up and collect stamps? I believe it is a combination of all but the last one.
Ultimately the benefits and burden on collecting art fall on the individual. Every person taste is different. Fortunately so are all the categories of art. So since everything is thrust on you, the individual, you should enjoy yourself to the max.
As to who to listen to? Listen to everyone but act on no one’s advice. Collecting art is a voyage of discovery. Just like being a sea captain, your voyage is about what appeals to you and makes you feel good.
Each person that advises you, the gallery director, artists, etc. all have a potent point of view. Gallery directors and artist want to sell you the latest and greatest artwork – they are in business after all. Your friends might be well-meaning but not know you very well – artistically. They all may be right about how their art is the greatest – but it very possibly will not suit you.
Good Artwork does not need adjectives or superlatives – it just is
There is also a fallacy here: there is a best or greatest artwork. The best and greatest artwork is always subjective to a particular individual. For instance, in college Picasso was always one of the gods to fawn over. Yes he was okay, had a long art life, and was productive. But he did not make me sit up and squirm in my seat. George Braque and Salvador Dali did that. So each person is different – no better and no worse. Anyone pushing artwork on you that is the greatest or best should be politely ignored so that you can get back to your browsing.
Kyouko Installation, private residence, NC
copyright 2009 Carl Wright
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2 comments:
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- David
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