by art dealer and collector alexander salazar
MY LIFE? SEVEN REASONS WHY YOU HAVE NO CHOICE
DO I NEED ART IN
As a youngster I would trade bubble gum with my friends
in elementary school if they would draw me a picture of Mickey Mouse. I think that this might have been the point when I realized I was an art collector…and gay of course. More importantly, it’s what I felt when I received the trade. At the very moment that I had the drawing in my posses- sion, I was filled with joy. I have been asked “Do I need art in my life?” I realize now
that it’s not a question about me but more about you the reader. I cannot totally answer the question for you, but I can offer you some suggestions and seven strong reasons that art (specifically paintings and sculpture) should be part of your life. If they’re not, then you need to get on it!
1) ART BUYING IS DIFFERENT THAN ART COLLECTING: I have two types of buyers in my gallery—a person looking for something to match his or her sofa and someone looking to collect something he or she loves. For business purposes, I love them both because they keep my doors open. Emotionally, I get really excited about the lovers of art. My Harvard degree in theology and art kicks in when I see the reaction in their eyes when they step in front of a painting that speaks to them. For that very reason, only buy art that you love—ALWAYS—if it looks great
over the sofa then think of it as a bonus. Consider that a work of art will be part of your life forever. You may change your sofa like you might change lovers, every three to five years—on average.
54 RAGE monthly | MARCH 2014 RAGE monthly | MARCH 2014
Art collecting usually involves a great deal of time and energy in order to dis- cern what collectors are looking for. If they have seen a painting elsewhere and wish to find it locally then I turn into their advisor for locating the desired works. I also advise them regarding which artists are doing well in the market and why they should acquire now, rather than pay more later. Let me clarify something though; as fancy as this all sounds, everyone can be an art collector. And it does not require loads of cash to buy pieces that you love. Regardless of your budget, you can collect art.
TIP – Ask for payment arrangements and you will be surprised how many gal- leries and artists are willing to work with you.
2) PLACES TO BUY: These days art is everywhere; coffee shops, salons, spas, gyms, restaurants, even taco shops and of course galleries. What is most impor- tant about where you buy is really how you feel about the piece. People like to brag and say, “I bought this fabulous painting while I was in New York or Paris.” That might seem to add value to the art. But in fact it just sounds snobbish. A good art purchase is made when the money exchanged was worth the joy that the art purchase has brought to you. One of the most important pieces in my collection I purchased in a North Park bar for $500. A good deal? Not really, but a damn good investment in my quality of life because of the joy it has brought me.
3) SUPPORT LOCAL ARTISTS:When a local community supports artists by buying their art, they stay local. If they are not supported, they move to com- munities where art is better appreciated. I have seen many great artists move away because of this. Unlike art, it’s plain and simple: buy from local artists!
(continued on page 56)
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80