Why "Art" (and Artists) Can Turn People Off: Advice For Those Seeking Funding
Last week I posted a link related to a group of Russian artists (Voina) who create street art, or performance art.
I have mixed opinions regarding their work, but I do think they are interesting, or rather, I find them entertaining, which is primarily why I wrote about them.
However: The way Voina described their own pretentious and obscure artistic goals really kind of bugged me.
Why? Well, because it's not the first time I've heard artists (including writers, photographers, choral directors, etc.) complain their work isn't understood.
And, the truth is: I love art. I want all of us who create from our hearts with our unique abilities to thrive. I really do. But, this is 2011. And right now all of the arts are a tough sell.
Here's some advice regarding this issue:
Look, it's bad enough when people don't "understand" your art, but when that lack of understanding means you also can't pay the bills, eat, and/or thrive then it's time to re-think how you introduce what you love doing to the world.
So, how do you sell your art?
The following lecture goes for anyone who wants to support themselves on that which they created.
This applies to Actors, Directors, Playwrights, Novelists, Poets, Public Artists, Sculptors, Street Artists, Choreographers, Dancers, Singers, Choral Directors, Cello Players...You get my drift now, right?
So, when you can't support yourself because you can't get your work funded, you may want to rethink why that is: Is it because you can't bring yourself to really sell it? Or is it that people are just too stupid and clueless to understand it?
Well, fellow artists, if normal mere mortals are not emotionally moved by what you do, then It. Won't. Sell. Period. Well, not these days.
Appealing to them just intellectually about why what you do is marketable isn't going to work so well either, because I'm a firm believer that if people don't feel something by via your talents -- well, then they ain't buying it. This ain't the '80's, folks: Most art collectors are not buying art by the square foot anymore. We have so many channels to watch on television that if your acting isn't great, they've moved on to something else.
You have show the buyer why you love your work and why that love is universal to that buyer and not alienate them while doing so. (Note: This goes for actors meeting with agents, directors, etc, too. Because when it comes to acting: YOU are the art.)
A perfect example of this gives my a chance to include a very amusing clip from my all-time favorite Woody Allen movie, Hannah And Her Sisters:
In this scene we are introduced to the character of Frederick played perfectly by Max Von Sydow, who in the film plays a passionate, established visual artist, who in this scene feels his art is just not good enough for this prospective buyer, a nouveau riche rockstar currently seeking to buy art for his new home in Southampton.
In the scene Frederick finally becomes so disgusted with the buyer that he explodes saying "I do NOT sell art by the yard!" Hilarious, but we also cringe, because that situation is so real.
You really have to watch this brilliant scene through the "awkward moment" exchange between Eliot and Lee in Hannah And Her Sisters (sheer Allen genius) through to when Dusty and Frederick explosively return to the room arguing because Dusty said he can't buy any art without checking with his interior decorator first. Favorite Dusty line: "It's NOT a sofa! It's an ottoman!"
Another example of "how not to make a sale" can be seen in the wonderful new Bravo reality show Work Of Art: How many times did contestants lose because of a poor ability to explain what they created?
Again, if you have to over explain something, then it's not working. And certainly it's not working if you completely annoy the person you are talking to and/or make them feel stupid. Do that once and you've lost the sale, which is entirely your choice, of course. If that's what you want, fine, then.
Yes, it's fine if it's 1984 and you're Frederick and your girlfriend is Barbara Hershey, who will feed you dinner in the loft that night, but this is 2011. We have real bills to pay and these days, if you can't sell your art they'll do mean things like take your house away. You know, that house we bought back when Bush said we could all afford houses, even us artists. Right? Right. (Oh, where is Barbara Hershey and that loft in Soho, now?)
I digress - roll with it.
In any event, I think the character of Frederick speaks for many of us who have felt those who can offer us work may not be qualified to really appreciate it. Okay, well fine, but keep that to yourself if you want to eat. But, if you have to make ends meet, then get over it.
Just let it go. Take the money and run.
But, do not talk down to your buyer. Do not alienate those who can support you.
So, and below is a super short claymation video demonstrating how all that pretentious faux art-speak (mental Novocaine) also makes no sense to most real folk: If people tune out when you speak, they are probably not funding your art because they've already started to leave the room.
Yep. Doesn't matter if you're talking about your new book, your choral program or your hot new one act; the last time I checked when you're pitching something about your unique talent, if the pitch becomes self-absorbed, obscure and even slightly pretentious, it just won't sell.
So, if you want to make a living creating art (and I hope people do. I really do.) then my advice is to not alienate anyone who could "buy" it. Duh. Keep your "sales pitch" open-minded and emotionally accessible to the person you are talking to. And you could even try what all good party-goers are advised to do: You could ask them what they think. You could ask them what they think about what you've shared with them, about your work. You could ask them what moves them.
Seems like an easy art lesson to me, but, uh, it still seems to be a tough sell to some people.
If, on the other hand, you've done your very best to present your talents and the funding isn't there, well, don't takebeing poor not getting funding personally. This is 2011.
(Right now the only people making a living seem to be all those road crews tearing up freeways making traffic miserable for the next decade. But, ask yourself: Would I rather sing or lay concrete on the 405? You know the answer.)
Or, maybe everyone's just as broke-ass as you are. So, just keep moving. You know the mantra. Maintain that thick skin, believe in your work and just keep moving. Stay open to new opportunities for growth and believe in your unique talents. That's the only way to survive. Ain't no other way, but along the way please don't make your life worse by sounding like a pretentious idiot when desperately seeking support: That's all I'm talking about.
Oh, don't get me wrong: Once you book that interview with Charlie Rose or are featured in Interview Magazine, then you can go hog-wild with your lofty aims, in fact, that's a prerequisite, but certainly not in 2011.
Just sayin'.
"Artsy Fartsy"
I have mixed opinions regarding their work, but I do think they are interesting, or rather, I find them entertaining, which is primarily why I wrote about them.
However: The way Voina described their own pretentious and obscure artistic goals really kind of bugged me.
Why? Well, because it's not the first time I've heard artists (including writers, photographers, choral directors, etc.) complain their work isn't understood.
And, the truth is: I love art. I want all of us who create from our hearts with our unique abilities to thrive. I really do. But, this is 2011. And right now all of the arts are a tough sell.
Here's some advice regarding this issue:
Look, it's bad enough when people don't "understand" your art, but when that lack of understanding means you also can't pay the bills, eat, and/or thrive then it's time to re-think how you introduce what you love doing to the world.
So, how do you sell your art?
The following lecture goes for anyone who wants to support themselves on that which they created.
This applies to Actors, Directors, Playwrights, Novelists, Poets, Public Artists, Sculptors, Street Artists, Choreographers, Dancers, Singers, Choral Directors, Cello Players...You get my drift now, right?
So, when you can't support yourself because you can't get your work funded, you may want to rethink why that is: Is it because you can't bring yourself to really sell it? Or is it that people are just too stupid and clueless to understand it?
Well, fellow artists, if normal mere mortals are not emotionally moved by what you do, then It. Won't. Sell. Period. Well, not these days.
Appealing to them just intellectually about why what you do is marketable isn't going to work so well either, because I'm a firm believer that if people don't feel something by via your talents -- well, then they ain't buying it. This ain't the '80's, folks: Most art collectors are not buying art by the square foot anymore. We have so many channels to watch on television that if your acting isn't great, they've moved on to something else.
You have show the buyer why you love your work and why that love is universal to that buyer and not alienate them while doing so. (Note: This goes for actors meeting with agents, directors, etc, too. Because when it comes to acting: YOU are the art.)
A perfect example of this gives my a chance to include a very amusing clip from my all-time favorite Woody Allen movie, Hannah And Her Sisters:
In this scene we are introduced to the character of Frederick played perfectly by Max Von Sydow, who in the film plays a passionate, established visual artist, who in this scene feels his art is just not good enough for this prospective buyer, a nouveau riche rockstar currently seeking to buy art for his new home in Southampton.
In the scene Frederick finally becomes so disgusted with the buyer that he explodes saying "I do NOT sell art by the yard!" Hilarious, but we also cringe, because that situation is so real.
You really have to watch this brilliant scene through the "awkward moment" exchange between Eliot and Lee in Hannah And Her Sisters (sheer Allen genius) through to when Dusty and Frederick explosively return to the room arguing because Dusty said he can't buy any art without checking with his interior decorator first. Favorite Dusty line: "It's NOT a sofa! It's an ottoman!"
Another example of "how not to make a sale" can be seen in the wonderful new Bravo reality show Work Of Art: How many times did contestants lose because of a poor ability to explain what they created?
Again, if you have to over explain something, then it's not working. And certainly it's not working if you completely annoy the person you are talking to and/or make them feel stupid. Do that once and you've lost the sale, which is entirely your choice, of course. If that's what you want, fine, then.
Yes, it's fine if it's 1984 and you're Frederick and your girlfriend is Barbara Hershey, who will feed you dinner in the loft that night, but this is 2011. We have real bills to pay and these days, if you can't sell your art they'll do mean things like take your house away. You know, that house we bought back when Bush said we could all afford houses, even us artists. Right? Right. (Oh, where is Barbara Hershey and that loft in Soho, now?)
I digress - roll with it.
In any event, I think the character of Frederick speaks for many of us who have felt those who can offer us work may not be qualified to really appreciate it. Okay, well fine, but keep that to yourself if you want to eat. But, if you have to make ends meet, then get over it.
Just let it go. Take the money and run.
But, do not talk down to your buyer. Do not alienate those who can support you.
So, and below is a super short claymation video demonstrating how all that pretentious faux art-speak (mental Novocaine) also makes no sense to most real folk: If people tune out when you speak, they are probably not funding your art because they've already started to leave the room.
Yep. Doesn't matter if you're talking about your new book, your choral program or your hot new one act; the last time I checked when you're pitching something about your unique talent, if the pitch becomes self-absorbed, obscure and even slightly pretentious, it just won't sell.
So, if you want to make a living creating art (and I hope people do. I really do.) then my advice is to not alienate anyone who could "buy" it. Duh. Keep your "sales pitch" open-minded and emotionally accessible to the person you are talking to. And you could even try what all good party-goers are advised to do: You could ask them what they think. You could ask them what they think about what you've shared with them, about your work. You could ask them what moves them.
Seems like an easy art lesson to me, but, uh, it still seems to be a tough sell to some people.
If, on the other hand, you've done your very best to present your talents and the funding isn't there, well, don't take
(Right now the only people making a living seem to be all those road crews tearing up freeways making traffic miserable for the next decade. But, ask yourself: Would I rather sing or lay concrete on the 405? You know the answer.)
Or, maybe everyone's just as broke-ass as you are. So, just keep moving. You know the mantra. Maintain that thick skin, believe in your work and just keep moving. Stay open to new opportunities for growth and believe in your unique talents. That's the only way to survive. Ain't no other way, but along the way please don't make your life worse by sounding like a pretentious idiot when desperately seeking support: That's all I'm talking about.
Oh, don't get me wrong: Once you book that interview with Charlie Rose or are featured in Interview Magazine, then you can go hog-wild with your lofty aims, in fact, that's a prerequisite, but certainly not in 2011.
Just sayin'.
"Artsy Fartsy"
Comments
ps here is a blog where I sell my original illustrations:
http://melaniehopegreenbergillustrations.blogspot.com