Latest in art… or the fate of starving artist
The market for art reflects
the relationship between art and society. Typically, markets is a demand driven
entity and it does exist as a creation a
society and for societies, since the early ages of art.
The art market has developed
with the constantly changing relationship between art and society. An fundamental
part of this relationship is, in turn, the relationship between artist and
society.
Comparing the Renaissance
and Baroque artist to the Abstract Expressionist, it seems valid to suggest
that artists today are confronted by more difficult marketing and business
decisions than their counterparts.
In earlier times the notion
of art as business and marketing was more apparent that it is today, we are intrinsically
addressing the transformation in the role of the artist from artist as
craftsman to artist as icon. This shift, over the last four centuries, has
played an important role in the way artists are seen by society today.
Take Renaissance and
Baroque. During the Renaissance and
Baroque periods, artists had begun to move towards a more iconic identity.
However, they were still deeply entwined in a relationship to society that had
been developed centuries before.
The artist of that period
was regarded as a craftsman, being on the same societal level as carpenters,
goldsmiths and guilders. Patronage to a single patron or church was common and
subject matter was restricted.
Back in a day art served
more of a defined purpose - either strictly religious or plainly decorative. Hence
the artist regarded himself as inclined to the side of trade and commerce, with
realistic goals and ability to be able to earn money. In the past the artist
ran his workshop in much the same way a administrator or shop keeper would run
his business.
The artist’s contemplation
of art marketing was vital to its creation, as were sensible business practices
and efficient production to make possible to meet the demand.
Nowdays the term ”starving
artist” is no longer a cruel joke but a reality. It is rare for an artist to make it and kids are often
discouraged from pursuing art as a university degree, or generally a
career. It is only a very small
percentage that ”makes” it in the art world but the lucky few that do remain
inspiration for the ones that try.
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