Arts Culture
A Group's Unique Bailout For Artists
 |
| Vinod Dave’s “The Greatest Show in the Greatest Nation.” (Courtesy of Vinod Dave) |
Creators Will Trade Art For Services
By Andrea K. Hammer, For The Bulletin
While a group of artists recently brainstormed ideas for upcoming shows, they hit on a brilliant way to cope with the current economic environment: a series of exhibits titled “Art4Barter.”
“One of our first barters prior to the show was a box of wine in exchange for a collaborative artwork done between co-curators Henry Bermudez and Antonio Puri,” said artist Michelle Marcuse, one of the show’s organizers who realized that bartering might provide an answer for bailing artists out of the current financial crisis.
“We artists have been bartering for several years,” Mr. Puri said. “When we were discussing show ideas that could reflect our current economic climate, it made sense to try and explore the idea of bartering in an exhibition.”
He added that this approach would allow artists to share their needs with the community. Simultaneously, viewers would discover that art is not an out-of-reach luxury item but attainable through exchanged goods and services.
“It also made us realize that success as an artist isn’t just to think about one’s own achievements but also to create opportunities for others,” Mr. Puri said. “There are no limitations to this idea. Musicians, writers and others can do the same. We hope this will open the door for many creative ideas in the future.”
The upcoming show, opening at the Henry Bermudez Studio on Friday, will feature artists Alexis Duque, Brujo de la Mancha, Ellissa Collier, Erica Brown, Keiko Miyamori, Kim Alsbrooks, Quentin Morris, Rebecca Jacoby, Theodore Harris, Tory Franklin and Vinod Dave. The artists, who are from diverse backgrounds, will trade their artwork for services and goods rather than money.
“We asked ourselves why artists, who so often are at the forefront of economic trends, are some of the first to feel the squeeze. Maybe it is because we are blessed with great creative problem-solving skills that we are resourceful,” Ms. Marcuse said.
“In a system that is broken, this idea was born out of necessity, and it is the logical conclusion to our current money problems. It will solve some very real living issues at hand.”
The exact service or good that these artists require — for example, dental work, other medical services or studio space — will be on a label next to their art.
“Given the economic climate and with all the artists that we know suddenly without viable work, it became clear one evening as we sat around the dinner table, that art could be treated as a currency. We want to make art more accessible for those who don’t have it in their environment,” Ms. Marcuse said.
By using the bartering system, these artists hope to set a trend-setting example. In addition, these artists want to establish bartering as a respectable activity that promotes relationships among people from different trades.
“I imagine that during difficult times people find many ways to cope with the economic struggles of life. Bartering is an age-old idea that works,” Mr. Puri said. “It allows people from different trades to share what they have and in exchange get something from others that they didn’t have. It leads to endless possibilities and solutions.”
Although some may object to bartering — because they think that items and services may not be of equal value — Mr. Puri hopes that they will reconsider.
“Part of the objective of this project is to open the eyes of people who are too grounded in what is good investment and what is not. Value is so relative,” he said. “Perhaps this system will make us respect each other’s trades more. In the end, it really is about love and respect for each other. If I love what I do, it is priceless to me; if you love what you do or create, then that is priceless, too. Maybe we can barter these priceless things with each other?”
Mr. Puri also stressed that all of the bartering parties are responsible for their own negotiations. He also said the relaxed atmosphere of an artist’s studio will provide a welcoming setting for the first show.
“I love the idea of Art4Barter because it helps artists who want to increase his or her network,” said Mr. Duque, who is open to exchanging his artwork for any item needed and hopes the recipient will experience joy. “I think this will open up many possibilities in this particular global economy.”
Mr. Dave, another artist in the show, is interested in offering his artwork for a specific digital camera and video-editing software.
“I am an artist who used to have considerable commercial success. Of late things are not good. But my needs continue to be there,” he said. “Art4Barter makes it more affordable and takes the money out of the picture. The recipient will be able to own some serious art works without having to part with money in a difficult economy.”
Ms. Miyamori, a Japanese artist, thought the bartering concept was “wonderful.” Her work, titled “Tsunagu-Kabe” (“A Wall of Connection”), focuses on the theme of unity.
“I hope viewers can be a part of the wall, which is invisible yet connects us some way as a unit on the earth,” she said.
Art4Barter is currently exploring a possible location in New Jersey for another show. Professional artists who need goods and services are invited to contact the organizers for future exhibitions.
The curators will also barter artwork with those who can provide venues for upcoming shows.
“We have created artwork specifically for venues that are willing to give us the next exhibition. They can own an original Bermudez/Puri collaborative drawing in exchange for an opportunity to continue this project,” Mr. Puri said.
The location for phase one of the Art4Barter project, with opening and closing receptions from 6 to 9 p.m. on Jan. 30 and Feb. 6, is the Henry Bermudez Studio, 628 Hancock St., Philadelphia. Exhibit hours are from 6 to 9 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday, and by appointment.
For more information, call 215 923-2069; visit art4barter.com, which is under construction, for future updates.
Andrea K. Hammer is the founder and director of Artsphoria: Celebrating Arts Euphoria (www.artsphoria.com).
“One of our first barters prior to the show was a box of wine in exchange for a collaborative artwork done between co-curators Henry Bermudez and Antonio Puri,” said artist Michelle Marcuse, one of the show’s organizers who realized that bartering might provide an answer for bailing artists out of the current financial crisis.
“We artists have been bartering for several years,” Mr. Puri said. “When we were discussing show ideas that could reflect our current economic climate, it made sense to try and explore the idea of bartering in an exhibition.”
He added that this approach would allow artists to share their needs with the community. Simultaneously, viewers would discover that art is not an out-of-reach luxury item but attainable through exchanged goods and services.
“It also made us realize that success as an artist isn’t just to think about one’s own achievements but also to create opportunities for others,” Mr. Puri said. “There are no limitations to this idea. Musicians, writers and others can do the same. We hope this will open the door for many creative ideas in the future.”
The upcoming show, opening at the Henry Bermudez Studio on Friday, will feature artists Alexis Duque, Brujo de la Mancha, Ellissa Collier, Erica Brown, Keiko Miyamori, Kim Alsbrooks, Quentin Morris, Rebecca Jacoby, Theodore Harris, Tory Franklin and Vinod Dave. The artists, who are from diverse backgrounds, will trade their artwork for services and goods rather than money.
“We asked ourselves why artists, who so often are at the forefront of economic trends, are some of the first to feel the squeeze. Maybe it is because we are blessed with great creative problem-solving skills that we are resourceful,” Ms. Marcuse said.
“In a system that is broken, this idea was born out of necessity, and it is the logical conclusion to our current money problems. It will solve some very real living issues at hand.”
The exact service or good that these artists require — for example, dental work, other medical services or studio space — will be on a label next to their art.
“Given the economic climate and with all the artists that we know suddenly without viable work, it became clear one evening as we sat around the dinner table, that art could be treated as a currency. We want to make art more accessible for those who don’t have it in their environment,” Ms. Marcuse said.
By using the bartering system, these artists hope to set a trend-setting example. In addition, these artists want to establish bartering as a respectable activity that promotes relationships among people from different trades.
“I imagine that during difficult times people find many ways to cope with the economic struggles of life. Bartering is an age-old idea that works,” Mr. Puri said. “It allows people from different trades to share what they have and in exchange get something from others that they didn’t have. It leads to endless possibilities and solutions.”
Although some may object to bartering — because they think that items and services may not be of equal value — Mr. Puri hopes that they will reconsider.
“Part of the objective of this project is to open the eyes of people who are too grounded in what is good investment and what is not. Value is so relative,” he said. “Perhaps this system will make us respect each other’s trades more. In the end, it really is about love and respect for each other. If I love what I do, it is priceless to me; if you love what you do or create, then that is priceless, too. Maybe we can barter these priceless things with each other?”
Mr. Puri also stressed that all of the bartering parties are responsible for their own negotiations. He also said the relaxed atmosphere of an artist’s studio will provide a welcoming setting for the first show.
“I love the idea of Art4Barter because it helps artists who want to increase his or her network,” said Mr. Duque, who is open to exchanging his artwork for any item needed and hopes the recipient will experience joy. “I think this will open up many possibilities in this particular global economy.”
Mr. Dave, another artist in the show, is interested in offering his artwork for a specific digital camera and video-editing software.
“I am an artist who used to have considerable commercial success. Of late things are not good. But my needs continue to be there,” he said. “Art4Barter makes it more affordable and takes the money out of the picture. The recipient will be able to own some serious art works without having to part with money in a difficult economy.”
Ms. Miyamori, a Japanese artist, thought the bartering concept was “wonderful.” Her work, titled “Tsunagu-Kabe” (“A Wall of Connection”), focuses on the theme of unity.
“I hope viewers can be a part of the wall, which is invisible yet connects us some way as a unit on the earth,” she said.
Art4Barter is currently exploring a possible location in New Jersey for another show. Professional artists who need goods and services are invited to contact the organizers for future exhibitions.
The curators will also barter artwork with those who can provide venues for upcoming shows.
“We have created artwork specifically for venues that are willing to give us the next exhibition. They can own an original Bermudez/Puri collaborative drawing in exchange for an opportunity to continue this project,” Mr. Puri said.
The location for phase one of the Art4Barter project, with opening and closing receptions from 6 to 9 p.m. on Jan. 30 and Feb. 6, is the Henry Bermudez Studio, 628 Hancock St., Philadelphia. Exhibit hours are from 6 to 9 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday, and by appointment.
For more information, call 215 923-2069; visit art4barter.com, which is under construction, for future updates.
Andrea K. Hammer is the founder and director of Artsphoria: Celebrating Arts Euphoria (www.artsphoria.com).
Copyright © 2010 - The Bulletin