I've found that it's very important to be there when my art needs me. Recently, I hung the grouping below at Bell Financial Services in Ishpeming, MI. The poor lady who had to sit next to the paintings was uncomfortable, because she thought the two faces on the sides were demons.
The title of the grouping together is called "Ein Sof", which is a Kabbalist term for God, meaning 'Infinite', 'Unending' or 'Endless One'. The large picture which anchors the grouping is called simply 'Trinity'. It depicts God in mysterious terms, the Son, and the Holy Spirit which surrounds and envelopes the figures in warm, glowing real gold leaf! It's an abstract representation of an abstract idea. The tree represents the tree of life, also a Kabbalah term, or simply life on Earth.
The two small portraits are simply called 'Female', and 'Male'. They represent balance, more Kaballah, as well as humanity and Adam and Eve.
No Demons! It's spiritual art( not religious art), meant for contemplation, not discomfort. After I explained the paintings to her, she was fine sitting by them.
Just to be clear; the lady sitting next to 'Ein Sof' didn't buy it (it's still for sale). But there is NO way she was going to buy it as long as she misunderstood it.
So you see, not only will my art NOT sell itself, it will often lose its own sale.
Interesting post, John. I wonder whether having to explain it means it's not successful, or whether she is simply not your audience. I think my novels are self-explanatory, yet I still find I have to explain to people that they are fiction - that the characters are not real - I think your art will sell itself when it finds its audience. Perhaps the question, which we authors always have to ask ourselves, is who is our audience, and how do we have to tweak the work so the audience will want it (without cheapening our artistic talents).
ReplyDeleteSometimes we have to convince an audience that they are OUR audience. Art is subjective, and in this case the viewer saw something I didn't intend. Maybe she brought her own demons? I prefer not to call it 'explaining', but rather 'selling'!
ReplyDeleteBy the way...
ReplyDeleteIf this had been a book illustration, and people didn't understand, then I would consider it unsuccessful.
Thanks for reading and commenting, Tyler!