tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20645140.post3926923053197245661..comments2023-06-13T08:29:39.914+00:00Comments on MAKING A MARK: Art in 2008 - A Review (Part 2)Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20645140.post-70924349397485431832008-12-29T09:44:00.000+00:002008-12-29T09:44:00.000+00:00Update (29.12.08)The Organisation for Economic Co-...<B>Update (29.12.08)</B><BR/>The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development said last week that 25 million jobs could be lost around the world as the financial crisis worsens<BR/><BR/>In the last week since I wrote this, four more national and regional chains on the high street have gone into administration - Zavvi (which used to be Virgin Megastores before the management buy-out), Whittard of Chelsea (specialist tea and coffee), Officers Club and Adams (both clothing stores).<BR/><BR/>The interesting one was Zavvi - which is a victim of the change in technology (fewer CDs being bought as more people download) and over-dependence on another retailer's (Woolworths) supplier for distribution of stock to stores. There's a couple of lessons in there for the art economy!Making A Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13509483023337008890noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20645140.post-44742894452961033972008-12-24T16:10:00.000+00:002008-12-24T16:10:00.000+00:00Haven't spent much time online lately but I'm glad...Haven't spent much time online lately but I'm glad I stopped in today to catch this post. Which makes me wonder...will the changing tides result in people spending more time online (for the sake of community) or less time online (getting back to basics)? It's my feeling that, in line with the other points made in your post under "a more positive note," quality will trump quantity. Meaning...blogs and sites like yours that post content of value and meaning will endure and possibly even experience new growth. If not in terms of immediate revenue, at least in terms of making lasting connections. Thanks always for your thoughtful posts.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20645140.post-48537112695803876272008-12-23T20:26:00.000+00:002008-12-23T20:26:00.000+00:00It takes a smart & level headed person to tell...It takes a smart & level headed person to tell us how it is. Taking heed and thanking you for you outstanding post. <BR/>Merry Christmas:)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02291653794232344859noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20645140.post-63579315465224520692008-12-23T19:41:00.000+00:002008-12-23T19:41:00.000+00:00Casey - 4% doesn't sound much - drops in sales ove...Casey - 4% doesn't sound much - drops in sales over here are much bigger. However I think you need to actually look at certain sectors to get a sense of what is really happening.<BR/><BR/>One of the things we were saying when this is all started is that there are always going to be people with money and they're always going to be buying art. However if you take a close look at other areas of spend frequented by people with money then the picture is quite dire.<BR/><BR/>At the moment those people currently aren't buying expensive cars. Sales are down by about 50%. Plus car production generally is down by about a third due to lack of demand.<BR/><BR/>People who buy art also travel abroad - but British Airways profits are down 88% in the context of the worst ever trading environment ever experienced by the airline industry. 25 airlines have gone bust so far.<BR/><BR/>Up market jewellers are also seeing 20% falls in sales.<BR/><BR/>I'd say this rather suggests that quite a lot of people with money (art buyers) either haven't got it any longer or they're being very much more careful what they spend it on.Making A Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13509483023337008890noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20645140.post-69037132089881749732008-12-23T19:39:00.000+00:002008-12-23T19:39:00.000+00:00IMO, progress in the arts should give each generat...IMO, progress in the arts should give each generation the chance to enjoy the riches of freedom & generousity, even if it can't give each & everyone of us financial riches. Freedom & generousity are beautiful things.<BR/><BR/>Happy Christmas everyone :-)tstAdam Copehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00597553517593344369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20645140.post-83444764340953076582008-12-23T18:49:00.000+00:002008-12-23T18:49:00.000+00:00This was an excellent, informative piece. It is n...This was an excellent, informative piece. It is needed information.<BR/>I forwarded it to my daughters who are dealing with the economy in other fields.Peggy Montano & Paintingshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13480099910333973191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20645140.post-59895982717392201042008-12-23T18:01:00.000+00:002008-12-23T18:01:00.000+00:00Thanks, Katherine. I've been thinking a lot about...Thanks, Katherine. I've been thinking a lot about these issues, too, and working on a my own business plan to get through.The blessing in disguise is that the next two years will be the equivalent of a breathing space for the passionate artist, time to really work on improving technique and skills without thinking about selling. My job in the gallery world dropped to one day a week from 5, and probably won't extend far into 2009, so the financial worries are certainly there. People aren't buying much art right now. But supporting your predictions, I've seen a gradual up tick over the past months of people acquiring art that "reminds" them of great artists of the past, a similar style, or subject matter - the recognition of something familiar that represents security/quality. I know that the next two years are going to be tough and only those artists who are compelled to create for reasons other than a quick profit will survive. Keep up the excellent work!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20645140.post-8356112735834173152008-12-23T17:03:00.000+00:002008-12-23T17:03:00.000+00:00Thanks for an excellent post and a solid picture o...Thanks for an excellent post and a solid picture of reality. As an emerging artist, it certainly gives context to what I have already been thinking and the framework on which to look at building a new strategy.Michelle B. Hendryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12500918089801585939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20645140.post-23790402011497580442008-12-23T16:51:00.000+00:002008-12-23T16:51:00.000+00:00The Great Recession. There, I just made that up -...The Great Recession. There, I just made that up - although I can't be the first.<BR/><BR/>Somewhere I found a humorous photo with a soup line in B&W, and the men all have depression era suits and looks, but tucked under each arm is a wii computer game box, with a bright red ribbon.<BR/><BR/>Spending is down here at 4% - that is significant, but it is a universe away from the GD of the thirties. No small matter is my portfolio, which suffered tremendously in the near past. My home? I'll probably never sell it, but if I did...ouch!<BR/><BR/>My art came down in price in the middle of last year, but I didn't announce it. It was the thing you never do. My past gallery affiliation had inflated my prices, as well as demand at the time.<BR/><BR/>I think that those whose biz plan is organized around print and the like are organized for better success. Me? I don't do prints, but rather smaller originals. I won't change course significantly because I think it lacks authenticity. Always room to learn and grow, though.<BR/><BR/>I am thinking of the early eighties when I graduated college, and the awful seventies with gas lines and recession. Misery was worse, then, but we were younger, too.Casey Klahnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08020906666248399435noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20645140.post-91637611264995317912008-12-23T14:36:00.000+00:002008-12-23T14:36:00.000+00:00What an in-depth ANALYSIS!Hmmmmm........ makes me ...What an in-depth ANALYSIS!<BR/><BR/>Hmmmmm........ makes me wonder where all this is going to lead us!<BR/><BR/>Thanks once again for 2 days of SOLID INSIGHT and UNDERSTANDING into the current art/economic situation!adebanjihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12832505675979297771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20645140.post-89478346980701254182008-12-23T14:09:00.000+00:002008-12-23T14:09:00.000+00:00Jeff and Rhonda - Thanks for your comments. It wa...Jeff and Rhonda - Thanks for your comments. <BR/><BR/>It wasn't an easy piece to write - and I did think of leaving it until after Christmas - but when is it ever a good time to say these things?Making A Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13509483023337008890noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20645140.post-2622686040931765412008-12-23T14:04:00.000+00:002008-12-23T14:04:00.000+00:00You hit all the hard stuff that is coming, or is a...You hit all the hard stuff that is coming, or is already here. With every seller of every kind of service and item cutting prices to 50-75% off, consumers are going to expect cheap prices for everything, including art to hang on their walls. As you say, plan your strategy and ride it through or be willing to cut prices, paint smaller, make things more appealing and available. Thanks, Katherine, for writing about this.<BR/>---RhondaRH Carpenterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05497161758269292809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20645140.post-5695848759475473662008-12-23T13:16:00.000+00:002008-12-23T13:16:00.000+00:00Thanks Katherine; lots of good things to think abo...Thanks Katherine; lots of good things to think about - as always!<BR/>-JeffJeffrey Hayeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17592087972176625764noreply@blogger.com