Art and Commerce news for June
There is a difficulty in being both an artist and business person, beyond the generalizations. It is most often understood that an artist will be temperamental, brooding, starving, never do well and lazy. You know, so they can have the energy to create beautiful things which is the pay off. The biggest difficulty is admitting to myself that I am capable of both and do it in the face of societies expectations. As a part of this effort I want to challenge some of these generalizations and create a bridge between art and business.
The age old business system for art is grant based, creating an unhealthy system of elitism, politics and homogenization. Which is the normal outcome when a few make decisions for many. However it is too early in the morning for me to take on that dinosaur. I’ll just say to all involved: Stop it. It doesn’t help art, the public or the artist.
How am I going to change things? By working hard, by working locally and not trying to change the whole world, just mine. I’ve been getting some excellent feedback on my efforts. Check out these articles about Tyson Crosbie Photography:
Tyson Crosbie – Photographer at Large
Art Review: Phoenix 20
I’d love to hear your thoughts: How am I doing? Where can I improve?
I think you’re already well on your way to bridging that gap. The only advice I’d give is that you could afford to be a little less modest. Handle your communications as if you already are the success you are aiming to become. Let your name be seen everywhere. Take advantage of unorthodox exhibit spaces and continue building a new audience.
June 5th, 2008 at 9:53 am@shaunac-
well said. I am very modest (I’d say humble) and have that feeling sometimes like I push to hard into the community that I am trying to build. And I definitely do not want to be ‘that guy’ (the one that can only talk about what he is selling). Sometimes I feel like I am asking too much of my community when we are all so busy as it is.
I’ll work on being more of a rock star, but more like the one you can still talk to after the show. ;)
June 5th, 2008 at 10:02 am