So, Im sitting here inside my hotel room after having visited Art Chicago 2009. I managed to make it on this very last day of the fair. Who would ever think someone would actually look forward to Monday?
As you undoubtedly know by now, art fairs are great excursions for me. Theres something about them that allows me to feel that Im putting reality on hold. As I wander the clinical, pristine aisles of art, I feel almost as if Im floating amid the clouds. Theres something about being in the presence of art that elevates you. After only a few short moments alone with art, you enter this state of meditation, followed by communion and then, your senses are heightened, your spirits lifted and its almost as if youre in some virtual reality place. Its a treasured space and a good gig if you can get it.
I sort of have that feeling right now here in my modern, hotel room at the Aloft Hotel where outside this very window, planes are busily landing at and departing OHare Airport as you might expect on the first business day of the week.
As I look back on my art-filled day, images of things charming, edgy and profound come to mind. This is where I could describe contemporary art galore. Yet what hangs above my head like a bright, white light bulb is something an art dealer said to me. The dealer told me that things just werent selling. This individual also said this was indeed the case with many of the other dealers as well. For folks in sales, acknowledging reality can sometimes be like admitting defeat.
Anyway, the dealer joked and told me this story about how many well-heeled people in New York are now shopping at a very high end retailer (hint: it begins with an H) and theyre refusing to walk out with their purchases inside the stores logo-splashed shopping bags. Many of them are supposedly using plain, unmarked bags instead.
Clearly, the long-extended, shop til you drop days of Dallas and Dynasty have come to a screeching halt. In this troubling economy, flash and conspicuous consumption are a BIG NO-NO. Designer labels, or at least the appearance of them has been given the heave-ho. Few people want to be spotted doing something so seemingly frivolous. Isnt this what folks used to live for? Conspicuous consumption used to be the name of the game. It was the sport of choice. If you had a Prada suit or whatever and no one knew it then what was the point? It seemed as if our collective self-esteem depended on labels and shopping sprees.
What happened? Ill tell you what happened. We got a Saturday Night Smackdown. Thats what happened. We were flying high and living on Cloud Nine, but it was all on credit. Our grip on status was about as secure as the self-esteem we thought came with it.
The more we consumed, the more we needed to grab to keep the whole charade going. That pressure has fallen by the wayside, hasnt it?
As I sit here and stare out the window at a gigantic KLM jet taking off, I can only think about art and something else the dealer said to me.
I feel really bad for the contemporary artists, the dealer said, pointing at one of the spectacular paintings the gallery had displayed (Heres where I would normally describe the painting and name the artist, but that might give away the gallery now wouldnt it?).
Hes only 27! the dealer said. All he wants to do is create art!
But thats unrealistic right now, I said, completing the dealers sentence. Yes, said the dealer. Its so sad.
You know, emerging artists always have and probably always will have it tough. Why? I think its because of conspicuous consumption. Art is always seen as a frill an unnecessary expense. If you buy art, many people still think youre being fancy or vain or youre trying to be something youre not. But what if you just LOVE art and must have it? What if you see it as an expression of your soul? Is THAT conspicuous consumption? In this tough economic time, should art lovers scurry into galleries wearing dark sunglasses and hoods over their heads and run back out with their beloved purchases hidden in brown, paper bags like cans of illicit liquor (or apparently high-end, designer merchandise)?
My short answer is a resounding NO! When you buy art, youre creating a ripple effect that impacts so many other people. Unfortunately, artists tend to come at the bottom of that chain, but they benefit nonetheless. Whenever I buy art from an artist I know, I always feel so good about it. Yes, in this current economic climate, I havent been buying as much, but when I do, I always feel GREAT about it. For me, its NOT ABOUT conspicuous consumption or trying to be fancy. ITS ABOUT THE ARTIST AND THE ART.
I cant believe Im about to say this, but buying things isnt just about the money, its also about the psychological impact on both sides of the deal. If you like something and can afford it, it feels great to buy it and if you create something, it feels fantastic to get paid for your work. Looking at art is great, but buying art puts me on a natural high. Its not about shopping, but rather finding a way to make your soul feel nurtured so that you can soar.
As Im typing these words, Im thinking about that 27-year-old artist who just wants to paint full time. Nothing like rough reality to bring you back down to earth. The dealer told me that hes working as an art handler. With that, we exchanged business cards and began to part ways. Our chat about the artist and his day job left me deflated yet elated. Well, you gotta eat, I said to the dealer. Yes, you gotta eat! the dealer replied philosophically.
Speaking of which, its time for me to go out and grab a bite myself. Itll be conspicuous consumption for sure. At least the meal I buy will put money in someone elses pocket maybe even food on THEIR table. Spending money with social awareness can put you on a high. Im good with that. If youre not, shoot me from the sky.
MICHAEL CORBIN IS AN AVID ART COLLECTOR AND AUTHOR OF THE MULTI AWARD-WINNING BOOK, THE ART OF EVERYDAY JOE: A COLLECTORS JOURNAL. HES CURRENTLY WORKING ON A BRAND NEW WEBSITE TO BE UNVEILED SOON.
Created by Michael Corbin On 05/18/09 At 09:23 AM