RE: That's REALLY Cool! But I Just Don't Think Anyone Will PAY That For It!
@natureofbeing, thanks for your supportive words... and for the vote and resteem!
It's a "dodgy" topic, at best... and one that is seldom talked about by artists because the artist inevitably ends up being made to feel like either (a) they are just an ungrateful whiny little twat or (b) they have sold out.
I wanted to share this as objectively as possible, both as an artist myself AND as someone who had an art gallery in a larger city (Austin, TX) for 15 years and my wife and I have a small independent gallery here in our little seaside town of 10,000.
Keeping that objectivity in mind, I definitely AM well aware that art is a bit like professional sports... the number of people who actually become "superstars" who get to create and sell their pieces for $20K a piece during their lifetime are few and far between. That's ONE reality.
HOWEVER... the other reality (to use these examples) is that pro sports are OVER valued while art is UNDER valued. Earlier this year a (really very nice) man with his little daughter stood in our shop and allowed her to pick out one of my pieces-- priced at $65-- and then quite openly declared "This man is a very talented artisan, so hold onto this!" Then, on noticing the $65 price tag, continued: "He's also a very skilled highway robber..." because "skill" notwithstanding, he was expecting to get something for "a handful of change."
Examined at a higher level, that almost reduces artists to "roadside beggars" who just happen to be a little more honorable than common panhandlers because at least they give you something for your "donation."
I realize that might sound a bit "militant" and I am totally not looking to become some "spoiled prima donna" here... I'm just wanting to educate the wider world to the idea that a lot of hours and passion go into these creations that are often being devalued as a result of-- mostly-- ignorance.
I completely understand your point of view and the pitfalls of being perceived as winey, ungrateful etc....
This is an almost inconceivable reality in almost any other field of work and very difficult to truly get the ideas across.
I was thinking yesterday about how to raise awareness about just how much we rely on visual, musical, written forms of creativity each and everyday and how much we take it for granted. I was wondering if doing a story challenge here on steemit - asking people to share their stories about art that people love - The piece they bought and just love so much, the one that got away, the public art piece they make an effort to walk by on the way to work, favorite poem and the impact it's had for them etc.... It can be about a poem, a song, a piece of visual art, a garden etc....with these kinds of things there is always a story.
It seems to me that building an awareness of our personal relationship with evidence of creativity is a step in the right direction.
Do you have any ideas about how to build the value of art/creativity?
@natureofbeing, similar things do happen in other fields.
For example, writers face the hurdle of being told "We'd love to publish your article, but we're not paying for submissions at the moment-- but it will look GREAT on your resume to say that you were published by us!"
In the advertising design field, graphic designers are often expected to "spec" logos and designs for free, as a "goodwill gesture" in hopes of gaining a long term client... but often they just end up with nothing.
That said, I do like the idea of some community engagement challenges of some kind-- asking people (and artists) in general to share their impressions of "what matters" to them about art. Maybe even with rotating monthly topics. Definitely something I will give some thought.
I think central; to building "value" for creative fields is an effort to "personalize" art. That is... get people to stop thinking about art/creative expression as a "thing," and get them to think more about the person behind the creation. Once you humanize something, people are less likely to be dismissive of it. In a sense, it's a bit like the Internet... people are less likely to be rude and trollish with someone they have actually met IN PERSON, outside the virtual environment.