ASK ARTY

Ask Arty is a monthly column written by a team of appraisers, art market specialists, and consultants who will answer your questions about fine art.

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Dear Arty,
How can "high art" be relevant to society if it only reaches such a select few individuals? And why is it that I still meet people, in the year 2002, who have nothing but contempt for anything Modern in art? Is this really just an universal ignorance or is it perhaps more along the lines of a capitalistic caste system? I mean, I am an artist that comes from a middle class background and I am quite proud of the fact. Consequently, if I were to become a "successful" artist none of my original works would be finacially accessable to my friends and family. Is this being honest to myself or my art? I have a hard time believing that it is. As an individual working for a company that deals with the commercial exchange of art how do you quantify the difference between WORTH and VALUE (I mean beyond the obvious and tired combination of the ever dominant History and the ever impotent Skill)? I know this is a bit of a muddle but I would really appreciate a response-thank-you.

David

Dear David,
I can offer you only my opinions. Why is high art only appreciated by a select few individuals? The same reason that Kid Rock is a millionaire and Survivor is a hit TV show. I have no idea. How is it relevant? It is relevant because, whether main stream America likes it or not, "high art" reflects the society in which it was created. Abstract Expressionism was a reaction of the inexpressible horrors of WWII, feminist art was cutting edge the 1970's at the same time that the feminist movement revolutionized our work force etc... I'd be willing to bet that with the terrorism, war, crime etc of this decade, we will see some fantastic artwork emerge.

Why do people have contempt for Modern Art? Because they are afraid of things they can't classify. Would Georgia O'Keeffe's paintings be less beautiful if there was no such thing as a flower? In today's MTV culture, most audiences have an extremely short attention span. Abstract art takes work -- it doesn't hit you over the head with it's meaning.

As far as the cost of artwork, as I am sure you know, it is difficult to make it in the art world. There is no excess of money. Perhaps if more individuals in our society appreciated the arts, more artist's could afford to work. Art would become less of a scarcity and thus more affordable to everyone.

Regarding worth and value, like beauty, they are in the eye of the beholder. Just my opinion.

Sincerely,

Dear Arty,
Do all limited edition serigraphs come with a certificate of authenticity, and if so, why didn't the gallery provide me with one at the time of the sale? Grateful for your reply.

Many thanks,
Fern

Dear Fern,
In short, all limited edition prints should come with a certificate that lists the tirage. The tirage on a certificate gives the complete print documentation and should be given to the buyer upon purchase of a print. The tirage will list the "who, what, where, when, and how many" of the entire run. A seller of limited edition prints is required to present the buyer with documentation of where, when, and the disposition of the plate at the time of sale.

Once upon a time a buyer might not have had full knowledge of the entire run because the printer decided after they sold out to further extend the edition. Nowadays, the seller has to state the entire run up front and can no longer pull additional prints after the original run. My suggestion is to contact the gallery where you purchased your print from and request the certificate of authenticity.

Sincerely,

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