I read this essay by Munks on another site and it really gave me something to think about. I am posting this link with the permission of Munks. Read it and see if it applies to your experiences with art fair attendees and the apathy we see toward art in general. Enjoy!
Comments
Barry, I understand all the points of Munks and believe me I do not think for a second that he a bad person. I do not think that he comments are out of line.
My point to his good statement is very simple and he knows as well as you life is to short and we can not keep looking the glass as half empty. If we look and think like that what is the point of keep pushing ourselves. I want people to understand that we need to be aware of the problems that we face because that is the only way we can find the courage to solve the problems.
I'm getting a little tired of people blasting Munks. OK!! Nobody is actually blasting him, now, but, I'm tired of it none the less. Munks is a great guy, knows a lot about art, certainly more than 98% of you who accesses this site, and is as passionate about what he is doing as anybody I know. If you met him at a show, you wouldn't believe he is the same person who writes essays and blog posts. I have always found his obscure references to be brilliant. To me they are not so obscure. I must have read the same books, seen the same movies, and studied the same art at university. His points are meant to jar you into thinking and responding...to the ideas, not the person. So discuss the ideas and leave Munks out of the discussion. You may get more out of this than knowing what color walls to buy, or what flea market, that they are calling an art fair, to do.
Btw, Munks not only paints. He owns a gallery, has books published of his work and writings. If you ever get the chance, go out to diner with him. It will be a very fun worthwhile experience.
Great that you link this. Thank you. It was very enjoyable to read. Every thing that Munk mention is indeed true...... but not all in the same person. Im sure Munk has also heard comments at his last show like....... fantastic work; extreamly inventive; I will buy this now before some one else grabs it; I admire your talent mister; wow!; I been to every booth and I came back here to buy one of your pieces. It is therefore nice to also "look on the bright side of life." There are still a lot of great people out there.
I do shows because I am passionate about what work I do. I could not care less about the type of people Monk described at the shows because in reality these type of people are everywhere in life.
Your work can not and will not appeal to every one but you can be friendly to just about everyone when you realize that those great future-customers and friends are mixed in that crowd.
Happiness comes from inside of me first beforre it can be seen in others.
I find this to be true for outdoor shows where there is no admission fee. To attend an indoor show the "customer" has to pay an admission fee, can't bring their dog (yea!). Often they have to travel to an Armory, a convention center, or a tented area in a park so they have made the effort to travel a distance to attend. At these shows the food is necessary as many people spend the day and need a respite. I do hear the "love your work, have no more room, and have those that come in asking for explanations when they have no intention to purchase. But they are appreciative and complimentary, always thank me. It's fine with me because many of those people attend the same shows year after year and many times they end up purchasing from me, saying something like I've been seeing your work and couldn't buy until now. My answer to to this: I don't do shows with no admission fees unless for a special charity event or special circumstance.
My dear Munks,
So why you still doing shows. If this how you feel, why you still do shows. Yes it SUCKS to deal with that ....... all day long. What it hurts me is that promoters are not focusing in bring buyers. What is the point of having 1000000 pass your booth if only 5 of does are buyers. 5 buyers can give you 250.00 or 50000 in income but we know better.
So we agree in that.
Now, the fun is to get buyers in that crowd that you describe so well. Times are change and is up to us to adjust or forget about doing shows. If you, artist, feel the same as Munks is time to move on to something else. Do not give the crap about I been self employ for 30 years nobody will hire me. Let see what choice we have.
It is our choice to keep doing shows and we always hope for the best. Hope is the only thing for certain other than death.
Stop crying and get to work.
While Munks has written his piece with the customers at the forefront, I see it as the failing of promoters and directors to make art the primary focus of their art festivals.
Art is no longer the most important thing at these shows. It is just one of many pieces. As funding for the arts gets cut at more and more schools, rather than bring it to the forefront at festivals so people can still experience it, the art is just one of many pieces at most shows.
If the promoters and directors don't show art and artists the respect they deserve, sadly the public seems to follow.
It sucks.