The World Art Market – 2010 And Beyond
The World Art Market – 2010 And Beyond
Art in 2010. Will it be very exciting for you the collector and wonderfully challenging for you the artist?
For you the buyer…
Art in 2010 will obtain greater value, and quality works will be passionately sort after – judging by what I heard from Sotherby’s modern and contemporary art auction in November 2009… which was one of their most successful sales – so far.
Art in 2010 will also take on a greater importance financially and within the investment market – from what I read in Business Week in April 2008.
Both Sotherby’s and Christie’s are regarding modern art sales as a revitalising agent “Contemporary art is now the driving force of an auction house,” (François Curiel, the Paris chairman of Christie’s Europe). This rise in popularity of the two very different genres, contemporary and postwar art, is partly due to the lack of older works available for sale. So new fresh works are being sort after – and found. As a result Europe, North America, and Asia contemporary art auction sales have experienced rises in value despite the world economic situation.
There is even better news… particularly in France.
Up until June 2009 France was lagging well behind in the international art scene controlling just 6.4% of the global art market (compared to 43% in the US, and 30% in the UK). So, in order to improve France’s art market the French Culture Minister Christine Albanel has implemented zero-interest loans of EUR5,000 to EUR10,000, as from June 2009, and more tax breaks for companies that purchase contemporary art, and fewer restrictions on auctioning. This opportunity has enabled artists, especially those living in France, to look more towards having their works put up for auction. And I think this will mean a greater number of auction houses having more contemporary art sales (if they have not already run any).
And for you the artist…
The demand for quality in art (although I believe that is a very subjective statement) means that the challenge will be greater for the individual artist to produce a work that portrays exactly what they are seeking to achieve… and the demand will also be greater for the artist to explain their work. The potential collector will be looking to acquire a basic understanding of what image is there before them… even if it is to specifically shock, evoke some other emotion, or even allow the viewer to enter into some kind of meditative state. The buyer will be looking for some kind of empathy with the piece.…
Frances Melhop – The Enchanted Lens
Frances Melhop – The Enchanted Lens
At the other end of the rabbit hole, among the ferns of the New Zealand countryside, there sat a little girl by the name of Frances. She really, really wanted to see the scurrying pink eyed rabbit come out of that little patch of darkness. She imagined herself engaged in a formidable argument with an ill-tempered caterpillar and she wished for just a little sip from Mock Turtle’s tureen brimming with beautiful soup. She simply needed or better yet, she demanded, something fantastically absurd to happen.
Many times before, she had heard fabulous tales in which princesses slept inside crystal coffins undisturbed for centuries, their beauty preserved by inexplicable magic. She had read accounts about wooden boys turned real by the power of true love. She’d listened to myths of tiny fairies fluttering about and little winter pixies huddling inside a magpie’s nest. She was utterly convinced that all these creatures were out there in the forest, teasingly glancing at her without allowing themselves to be seen. Yet Frances always felt truly at home in this land of make-believe among her whimsical companions.
This is how Frances Melhop grew up to be a story teller. Her affinity for fairy tales only became a stronger source of inspiration as time went on and, quite naturally, women became the focal point of her visual tales. Her photographs now incorporate every possible aspect of the archetypal female: the damsel in distress, the marionette craving for autonomy, the persecuted heroine and the youngster untainted by malice or deceit.
Frances’ characters are never regarded as mere objects of tantalizing beauty, but rather as vehicles through which the story is told in successive vignettes. Melhop despises the way in which women have come to be portrayed in fashion and advertising. Often times they are nothing more than the unwilling recipients of a vulgar and distasteful set of attributes and expectations. In sharp contrast, her work breaks away from this trend to render females in a much more thoughtful, considerate and elegant manner.
Marionette is an ideal illustration of how, through such a succinct and forthright image, Frances Melhop is able to imply the many layers of meaning within the tale. Here, the puppet and the master are one and the same. The duality of their roles develops into a symbiotic relationship between them. It is a complex bond that simultaneously grants them both freedom and confinement.
In appearance, the human is simply in command of the toy. Paradoxically, the puppeteer enacts her dreams through the actions of the marionette, so that the puppet turns into an agent of freedom despite her attachments. The issue of ethical behavior and personal boundaries is candidly addressed in this photograph.
What remains unequivocal is that Frances Melhop is the one gently holding the strings behind all her images. Her work is distinctively her own. In recreating these fairy tales she whispers secrets, unveils beauty, washes away bias and connects us all with the acorn …
Touching Up Trouble Spots on an Interior Paint Job
Touching Up Trouble Spots on an Interior Paint Job
Touch ups on painted walls can be tough. This is because it is difficult to find a paint color that will match what you have on your wall. Additionally, it is tedious especially if you have to mix paints and hope that you make the perfect combination. You can do this yourself or ask a pro to do it for you.
Before you get busy with finding the right color of your paint, it is important that you identify the causes of your wall problems first. This way, you can avoid them and limit the number of time you have to deal with these trouble spots. Most are caused by your activities at home. The smoke from your cigarette, the grease on your hands and the accidental touches of inks are just some of the reasons why we have to deal with such problems.
To deal with it easily, we need to clean the wall often. This will help eliminate the traces of dirt, grease and unwanted wall markings. Some are removed easily while others will remain on the wall no matter how hard you try to work on it. This is when you need to think about touching up.
In order to make it easier for you, document the type and the color of the paint you used. Include the brand name. The shade of the paint color may also vary because of the brand. If you have mixed multiple colors of paint, take note of the ratio you used. This will make it easier for you to derive at the shade of paint you need. There is also a product available that allows you to store the paint you used and extend its life. This way, you will have something ready to use when the need arises.
It is also important that you make the necessary preparations to avoid making a mess. This is also important to avoid flashing. Flashing refers to any imperfection on your paint job. To avoid this, use a primer before applying a fresh coat of paint especially if you are going to use shiny paint.
If there are very noticeable imperfections after touching up, the best thing to do is to paint the entire wall. You may also paint it from break to break. A break is often the corner but this can also be one section of your wall. Just make sure that the shade on the other portions of the wall is not significantly different from the other, unless this is part of your design plan.
Flat paint is easier to touch up. Before you start painting, see to it that you shake the can of paint well. Use the right materials. When touching up a small area, use a brush. Use a roller when you are working on a larger space.
There are different types of touch ups. What is important is that you prepare the area you will work on. …
For Your Home Painting and Decorating Needs, Trust the Experts
For Your Home Painting and Decorating Needs, Trust the Experts
Wall painting and home decoration exercise when done using expert help and trusted products can help transform the final outcome in every way. However not many people pay attention to this and end up with unsatisfied results once the painting job is completed. If you are not one of those who can compromise on the look of their home then expert help is the way to go and there are numerous benefits of it, read on to know more.
Proper planning: Presently home painting has become a crucial part of the home decoration process, so if you go wrong here many other things are bound to be affected. But when you seek help of experts this will not happen. Professionals have a systematic way of carrying out their job in a planned manner. Whether it is assisting you in picking the right colour or the paint finish type to be used, they will guide you in every step. Another added advantage of seeking help from experts is that they have the knowledge of what will work and what won’t for your home, they will first inspect the area that needs to be painted and then give you the options best suited.
Trusted products: When we go in hunt of paints and other products required in the house painting process there are chances of us going wrong and choosing the wrong products. This often happens because we do not have the correct information; the experts solve this dilemma and make sure the apt products are chosen so that our home walls get the treatment they always wanted. Quality of the paints matter a lot, if inferior paint is applied on the walls, the effects will be visible soon in the form of paint chipping, cracking etc. Instead of ruining your home decor in such a manner it is better to make use of genuine products that are safe for your walls, your health and even add to the beauty of your home.
Effective time management: When you handover a house painting job to a professional contractor he will give an estimate of how much time will every activity take. Right from the day they inspect your home until the entire process is completed there would be a time frame given to you so that you are well prepared. Pre painting care, paint application to the final paint drying period, they will guide you at every step and effectively manage time too.
When you hand over your home decoration and painting project in the hands of experts be assured of quality and creativity involved in it. Not everyone person would know what would suit his home and professional help can prove to be helpful in such cases.…
Exterior House Paint Ideas and Tips
Exterior House Paint Ideas and Tips
Are you planning to redecorate your home? Instead of changing the furniture or adding rooms as the usual goes, you can also consider repainting your house. The best way is to start with the exterior paint of your home. Changing the exterior paint can instantly facelift your home as it changes the look and feel with a few coats of paint. If you do not know where to start then here are some easy exterior house paint ideas and tips that can get you started on the right direction.
The first tip that you have to consider is the main and secondary reasons for wanting the paint job. You might have a lot of exterior house ideas in mind but not knowing your primary and secondary goals can lead you to an unharmonized look. So before you go shopping for your cans of paint or even before you select the color scheme to use, make sure that you know your goals. Do you want simply to retouch your house’s old paint? Do you want to live up the facade? Do you want to change the exterior theme? Do you want your home to have a livelier look and feel? Answering questions such as these can help you determine your objectives and can guide not just in choosing your paint but also in implementing the job.
Now, it is time to use your exterior house paint ideas. Once you have set your goals, you can now think of the color scheme. The color scheme should not just be drawn out of thin air. It is important to line it with your objectives. If you want to liven up your house’s look then choosing a colorful palette is wise. If you want to create drama then making use of bolder and darker colors can do the thing. If you want to change the theme then you have more options to consider. Make sure that your exterior house paint ideas are all tied up in one color scheme so you end up with a harmonious look.
Another crucial tip when considering exterior house paint ideas is the kind or paint to choose. Exterior house paint ideas is not just about the color; it should also be about the quality and durability of paint. Since the exterior of your home is subjected to the elements of nature, it is important to choose quality paint that can provide a level of protection for your home. Be sure that the paint you choose does not just look good on your home’s surface but can also provide protection for wood, cement and other materials. Choosing durable and quality paint does not only ensure your home surface’s protection from the elements but it can also save you from the need to repaint in a few years time.
Once you have completed your exterior house paint ideas, it is now time to deal with another big issue – who will do the job? …
A Short Review on Contemporary Art
A Short Review on Contemporary Art
Contemporary art has always been attracting the worldwide art lovers since many years and it have a significant place in the world of art. It doesn’t matter that the art work belongs to which region or country, but it attracts every eyeball. There is a tremendous growth in the Indian contemporary art and it has achieved the top position in the world contemporary art and it’s all because of the Indian artist’s innovative approach.
Although it may seem like a provocation, the contemporary Indian art is very old. It has about forty years and is still contemporary, though, of course, has been changing over the years. An unwritten history of Indian contemporary art pick up his powerful birth in the mid of sixties, and its classic moment during the seventies. The paradox is purely terminological, since here we use the term contemporary, not their sense of current, but in a generic sense that slowly is emerging among sociologists, historians and art theorists, but without there being less unanimity. The use of contemporary in the sense that it proposes seems to us a convenient and rigorous action to collect a wide variety of families and individuals. There is a big contribution from the Indian artists to grow the contemporary art in the past and present days.
Within the panorama of indigestible contemporary art confluence of two trends. The first has to do with aesthetics as practiced during the modern period, based on the experience of formality as something that transcends the real and natural. The second is more related to the experience of enjoyment, as a principle an art of the difference, an art budgets and aspirations different to modern art. In contemporary art, there is a combination of philosophy and psychoanalysis. The perception aesthetics goes hand in hand of psychic structure, driven by parental authority imposed by the institutions (school, museum, etc) and into the instinct of pleasure and desire of self, both facing in the sand as possible and the indefinite.
If one were to summarize very bluntly what contemporary art is well understood, we should say it is one that departs from the ancient tradition of Western art, breaking with a history museum that Indeed the vanguards had continued candidly, and adopts a reflective stance that takes no account of the work or the artist as the essence of artistic practice.…
Abstract Watercolor Paintings – A Rise in Popularity
Abstract Watercolor Paintings – A Rise in Popularity
Abstract art, especially abstract watercolor paintings, have become a mainstream genre of art and particularly well known through the Russian painter Wassily Kandinsky. Kandinsky is accredited with discovering the abstract art accidentally in his studio, when he suddenly noticed that colors and shapes were descriptive on their own and did not need to be defined. Based on this finding, Kandinsky combined different artistic elements with the abstract form to create interesting, organic shapes in bold colors. During the 1920s, the artist’s work underwent dramatic change, when it started depicting more geometric than organic shapes. Most of Kandinsky’s abstract paintings were inspired by music, as is apparent from the titles of his paintings, Improvisations and Compositions.
Watercolor Painting as an Art Form
Abstract watercolors use the color and form of the painting as the subject matter, rather than a recognizable or traditional subject. Abstract watercolor painting ranges from the geometric to the more fluid, although both require great planning and execution. These paintings also depict figurative abstractions, such as a spiritual experience, emotion or sound – Although eliminating the details, the basic spirit and essence is retained. Abstract watercolors basically took after the post-Renaissance movements of Impressionism, Cubism and Fauvism. Each of these movements sought to affirm the notion that a painting does not need a representative subject to convey the message of a painting.
Rise and Fall of Abstract Watercolor Paintings
Since the prehistoric times, watercolors have been used to ornament walls in living and communal areas. With time, new techniques and mediums were developed, which led to increasing popularity. During the medieval period and the Renaissance, paintings in the form of frescoes and murals were widely popular.
The popularity of abstract watercolor paintings can be attributed to the American as well as British artists. Since watercolor paintings form a complex art medium, artists are at ease with improvisation, since spontaneity is an essential element in watercolor paintings. While watercolor paintings were always popular in Britain, the American artists followed and practiced under British artists. However, during the late 19th century, the US witnessed a surge of watercolor paintings with an emphasis on individualism. This was in stark contrast to the British adherence to rigid traditions and schools of art. The popularity of watercolor paintings also increased with the discovery of paper. Artists such as Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo are known to have extensively used paper to record their thoughts and to practice.
However, the growth of Abstract Expressionism in the 1940s led to the decreasing popularity of watercolors. This was because watercolor was a small, intimate medium that provided limited scope to expressionists. However, the second half of the 20th century witnessed artists like Sam Francis and Paul Jenkins use innovative watercolor techniques and revive the popularity of watercolor paintings.…
Chinese Contemporary Paintings
Chinese Contemporary Paintings
It may surprise some people to know that more than a few of the greatest Chinese painters of the 20th century ended up in France. Paris was the principal city, to be precise. At the time the idea was to study the craft of the art in the West while remaining true to the essence of the Far East. Some of the early Chinese painters went to Paris in the 1920s. As time passed the work of Chinese contemporary painters began to increase to a noticeable degree. These paintings began to be seen more in the museums around France. Some of the best exhibitions came to be displayed in the Musee Cernuschi. This collection at this museum represents one of the most significant collections of Chinese modern painting in Europe.
It is a fact that the end of the imperial period occurred in 1911. The era of “emperors” and their exploitation of the people came to its conclusion. With the rise of the modern way of thinking came enormous effects for the Chinese elite at the beginning of the new century. It seemed natural for these intellectuals to seek learning in the West. Japan, America, and Europe all became significant destinations for Chinese students in the opening decades of the 20th century. It turned out that painters seemed to end up in France. In France Chinese painters could learn the classical teachings in drawing and oil painting of the professors of the Academie des Beaux-Arts, along with the growing influence of certain avant-garde masters. Chinese painters in Paris enjoyed a wide range of educational experiences as a result.
Two painters in particular had a specific role in the history of the cultural relationships between China and France. These painters were Xu Beihong and Lin Fenmian. These two artists from China became involved in exhibition projects. The purpose of these projects was to introduce Chinese contemporary art to the French audience. However, in the beginning such attempts did not seem to attract much attention.
The 1933 exhibition of Chinese painting was curated by Xu Beihong and Anre Dezarrois. It featured the most important artists of the day. It also received the interest of influential critics. Eventually, it led to the acquisition of a selection of twelve paintings by the national museum. What is most important though is the fact that Lin Fengmian and Xu Beihong used the foundation of Western style academies of art. Their work was inspired by the experience of the French educational system. It was no doubt reinforced by the cultural and social image of Paris in Chinese art groups. This influence was very strong among newly trained students of the new academies. In time, this same influence encouraged the departure of young artists like Wu Guanzhong, Zhao Wuji, and Zhu Dequn following World War II.
The legacy of Chinese contemporary paintings is about one hundred years old today. These paintings reflect the beauty of old China by using contemporary foundations and some western techniques. …
Wall Decorations And You: How To Find The Right Decor For Your Room
Wall Decorations And You: How To Find The Right Decor For Your Room
As I walk through my home, I look around and notice all decorations that fit on my wall. Most of them happen to be paintings. Not really anything fancy just pictures I happen to like and purchased. Artwork is the most popular thing to have on a wall but there are other things you can have on your wall besides just art. The second most popular wall decor are picture frames because everyone loves to have pictures of their family on their walls. There are various other items one can use as wall decor, in fact, almost anything will do.
If you decide to go with the art on the wall, there are some things you may want to take into account. For starters, you need to go through all the rooms of your home and decide which rooms would be best suited for art work. The room that features art the most is the living room. When putting a piece of artwork in the living room you want to make sure to put the art at an eye level. Most people will be sitting in this room so you want to make sure the piece is sufficiently placed where everyone can see it from where they are sitting and not have to move the necks up to view it. When hanging that piece you also want to make sure that is to scale. You do not want a piece that is too big or too small you want a piece that fits right in with the scale of the room. So go through all your art work to find the perfect match.
If you choose to go with a picture, most of the same rules apply as with the paintings. You first want to make sure that everything is to scale, and it is on an eye degree. You should also make sure that the frame is lined up nice and evenly, there are many times when I have been to someone’s home and have noticed pictures that are crooked and how crazy it drives me so always make certain it is right.
If you are the artistic type, you could make your own wall decor. It is very easy to put wall decorations up it is really just a matter of taste and a person’s prerogative.
There are many different types of wall decorations from paintings, to pictures to do it yourself crafts. Each one will look different and bring a different style to your room. Consider all your options before making your final choice as you may find out when going through the options that a second choice is better. Above all else, remember that everyone has a different taste so not everyone will have the same type of wall decorations.…
Some Unusual Decorative Interior Accessories for Your Living Space
Some Unusual Decorative Interior Accessories for Your Living Space
A living space can be spruced up with rugs, pillows and candles, however, if you pay a little more attention to the plethora of shows that are aired on television, you will probably notice that every designer is in a desperate need to find something new or unusual in terms of decorative interior accessories. You might think that an empty fish bowl is of no use if it is not holding water and fish; well the designers actually have simple ways to transform it and lend it an artistic look to liven up your room. Here are some very basic examples.
Books
Books are the easiest way to lend an intellectual flair to your room. You can include anything from Dr. Seuss to old jacketless tattered books. This not only reflects the range you have but also reflects the kind of reader you are. You can get hold of some excellent classic books in the local yard sale or garage sale and they come inexpensive compared to those available in the book stores.
Records
To much amazement a collection of old records is great way to decorate a home. If you have some actual vinyl at home then you can lend a retro look to your room. They work great form your entertainment room and media/studio room. They are great collectors’ items and you can either decorate them as it is or color them to suit the color scheme of your room. They look classic as well as kitschy.
Sporting Goods
If you have been into sports then what else other than using your sports gear as an unusual decorative interior accessories. Again, you can adorn the room with sports gear even if you do not play the sport. Try using some common sports gear that you find in your place and you can even consider tennis racket or a golf stick.
Wine Bottles
This is one very common place item and every house has a couple of these. You can add a really nice looking wine cellar for an artistic charm. A well-placed wine bottle looks great and is capable of grabbing attention of everyone. Full Wine bottles add a sophisticated and worldly look to your living space. However, even when they are empty they can still make great impact. You can use empty wine bottles as well to decorate your home.…