Lunch time, and I needed to stretch my legs and eyeballs for a minute,
so I walked across the street to the the framing and "art" gallery.
This place was always known for selling high-end "limited edition"
prints and had that snooty "sold out at publisher" upsell thing going
on. Signs everywhere now saying "going out of business", "50% off",
etc.
It's been, maybe 10 years, since I stepped foot in the place, but
decided to entertain myself for a couple of minutes. Besides, it's in
the same building as the fireplace store and I needed to check on a
part.
I'm greeted by the same mass-produced schlock that keeps Hallmark in
business. Sorry, but I calls them as I sees them. Just inside the door
are two 1st year art student paintings being priced at a premium. I
think $12,000. Wasn't even anybody famous. Just paint on canvas that
had absolutely no originality or creativity in it. Three shades of
gray paint slapped on canvas. I know that I can be a bit unfair, but
trust me, those weren't worth $12, much less $12,000. However, they
were there as pricing touchstones for the rest of the garbage.
I'm trying not to smirk or be snarky. Honestly, I'm not. OK, maybe a
baby snark...
... (insert theme from Jaws) ...
OK, you know that I'm not going to be content until I unleash the
Great White of Snarks.
SNARK MODE /ON
Moseying around, I see numbered limited editions everywhere in the
room with stupid prices on them. Seriously, like why would I spend
$6000 on a inkjet print of some Hallmark painting?
I'm sure there are worse examples than this one, but it caught my eye
because I know several people who have bought one.
"Midnight Black Wolf" by Robert Bateman. Number 23530 of 25352.
TWENTY FIVE THOUSAND, THREE HUNDRED, FIFTY-TWO!!!!!!
Price: $2500 USD.
Now, I understand that this guy is a pretty popular painter, but
seriously? To be honest, I find his work to be gut wrench horrid, but
that's because I'm some art cretin, or something. I just don't get
Bateman."Midnight Black Wolf" is even worse than his usual fare.
23530/25352. What a deal.
SNARK MODE /OFF
Note, if you happen to own one of these prints and/or like Bateman,
this is no personal attack on you, this is just my admitting that I
don't like his work and am skewering these galleries for hyping his
work through artificial means.
AG Schnozz
--
_________________________________________________________________
Options: http://lists.thomasclausen.net/mailman/listinfo/olympus
Archives: http://lists.thomasclausen.net/mailman/private/olympus/
Themed Olympus Photo Exhibition: http://www.tope.nl/
|