GALLERY BEAT
F. LENNOX CAMPELLO
SCENES T FROM THE ART WORLD
hroughout the years that I’ve been writing this column, I’ve often discussed what I call “true stories from the art world”, where I highlight interesting, unusual and eye-opening things which I have experienced in the sometimes puzzling day to day of running a gallery or manning an art fair booth. And one of the more eye-opening and entertaining things in attending an art fair is seeing the dynamics that go onto the decision to buy a piece of art. Put together a few thousand people, paying an entry fee to enter the fair, an assortment of dealers, and a huge diverse variety of offerings and it’s an education in people watching. And thus, for your entertainment, let me present: “Scenes from the art world.”
The married couple:
“Do you like it?” “Yeah, I like it- it’s just what we’ve been looking for.” “Where would we put it?” “We have a couple of spots that it’d fit.” “Do you really like it.” “Yeah, how about you?” “Yeah, I kinda of like it.” “Should we get it?” “If you want it.” (five minutes later) “Let’s think about it.” “OK” [To me] “Do you have a business card?”
The couple (not married): Her: “Do you like it?” Him: “Sssoright” Her: “Where would we put it?” Him: “Dunno.” Her: “Do you really like it.” Him: “So’OK.. Yeah, how about you?” Her: “Yeah, I kinda, sorta, really like it.” Him: “Dunno though” Her: “What? You don’t like it?” Him: “If you want it.” (five minutes later) Him: “Let’s think about it.” Her or Him: “OK” [To me] “Do you have a business card?”
The Single Woman (SW) with a Woman Friend: SW: “WOW! Now, I really like this!” Friend: “Yeah... it’s nice” SW: “It’s exactly what I’ve been looking for!” Friend: “I have a friend who does work just like this...” SW: “I am really drawn to it!” Friend: “Are you really sure that you like it?” SW: “Uh - yeah!... why? Don’t you like it?” Friend: “Yeah... it’s OK” SW: “I think it’s really good... I think it’s the first piece in this whole show that I really like.” 12 | December 2019
Friend: “There’s a few more booths we haven’t seen...” SW: “I think I’m going to buy this.” Friend: “Are you sure?” SW: “Uh - yeah!... It’s a good price too.... why? Don’t you like it?” (five minutes later) SW: “Do you have a business card?”
The Single Woman (SW) with a Man Friend: SW: “WOW! Now, I really like this!” Friend: “Yeah... Cool” SW: “It’s exactly what I’ve been looking for!” Friend: “I think it’s a lithograph” [it’s actually a charcoal] SW: “I am really drawn to it!” Friend: “Are you really sure you like it?” SW: “Uh - yeah!... why? Don’t you like it?” Friend: “I have something like it... I got it cheaper though...” SW: “I think it’s really good... I think it’s the first piece in this whole show that I really like.” Friend: “You like lithographs?” SW: “I think I’m going to buy this.” Friend: “Are you sure?” SW: “Uh - yeah!... It’s a good price too.... why? Don’t you like it?” (five minutes later) SW: “Do you have a business card?”
The Single Focus Dream Buyer: [Walks straight up to one piece, never looks at the rest of the work in your booth] “I’ll take this” [Me] “Thank you... it’s a very striking charcoal drawing - will be that be a check or charge?” “Charge” [Me] “I can send you more information on this artist...” “That will be great - I love this work - it’s exactly what I’m interested in!” [Me] “I have a few more pieces here, would you like to see them?”
“No, thanks...”
The “I’m glad you’re here guy (IGYHG)”: IGYHG: “Hey! I’ve been looking for you!” [Me]: “Hi, how are you?” IGYHG: “... been walking this whole fair looking for you!” [Me]: “Yeah... lots of dealers this year... glad you found us!” IGYHG: “Howsa been goin’?”
GALLERY BEAT > PAGE 13
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