The past year (past 6 months, really) has been a rather incredible run for me in terms of calligraphy, and I have every reason to believe it's going to go on for quite a while. Sukun makes an appropriate ending for the 2011 series; I have a no less fitting word planned for the first day of 2012, which I'll start on the 31st and finish and post on the 1st of January. In the meanwhile I wanted to put down some thoughts of mine regarding the collection so far.
I mentioned before I wasn't selling the originals yet as I don't want to break up the collection before I figure out what to do with. At the very least, I feel an exhibit is in order, because the digital reproductions I've been posting make no justice at all to the originals, their texture and the interplay of light on the gilding.
At first I was hoping for a proper exhibit with a good gallery, for the work to get due respect. Now I'm not so sure I want that. While I respect the way the professional art world and galleries work, entering that arena means removing the work from worldly circles and making it exclusive to the art circles proper. It means doubling the prices of the pieces and being entirely represented by that gallery: no more commissions, at least not without their mediation and the additional fees that incurs. (I may be wrong in how that works, but that's what I know based on artists I'm close to.) While that ensures exposure and a living for artists for who are entirely invested in this way of working, it's not the vision I have for my khatt. Keeping it "close to the people" may be a cliché, but I don't see the point in this area of my work if the average person can't see them, afford them, order a special word or even enjoy wearing them.
The more I think of it, the less interested I am in using the regular channels. I still want an exhibit, but now I'm envisioning an informal exhibit, spread by word of mouth, without media circus (nothing's emptier than being in the mainstream press or TV, I should know), and with nothing to come between the audience and the work. I don't know yet where that might be, I haven't started looking yet, but I'll have an eye on opportunities in 2012. All I really need is a well-lit room I can use for say 3 days
There are other logistics to consider, above all the framing. Aside from the cost of framing 30+ pieces, I would simply have nowhere to store them once they're framed. I would need to use temporary framing (plexiglass, cardboard and clips) for the exhibit, and get sold pieces properly framed afterwards – if the exhibit is to sell and not just to show, which I still have to make up my mind about.
So it's still early to make a move, but I wanted to put these thoughts out there and see what they may generate. Happy New Year!
I mentioned before I wasn't selling the originals yet as I don't want to break up the collection before I figure out what to do with. At the very least, I feel an exhibit is in order, because the digital reproductions I've been posting make no justice at all to the originals, their texture and the interplay of light on the gilding.
At first I was hoping for a proper exhibit with a good gallery, for the work to get due respect. Now I'm not so sure I want that. While I respect the way the professional art world and galleries work, entering that arena means removing the work from worldly circles and making it exclusive to the art circles proper. It means doubling the prices of the pieces and being entirely represented by that gallery: no more commissions, at least not without their mediation and the additional fees that incurs. (I may be wrong in how that works, but that's what I know based on artists I'm close to.) While that ensures exposure and a living for artists for who are entirely invested in this way of working, it's not the vision I have for my khatt. Keeping it "close to the people" may be a cliché, but I don't see the point in this area of my work if the average person can't see them, afford them, order a special word or even enjoy wearing them.
The more I think of it, the less interested I am in using the regular channels. I still want an exhibit, but now I'm envisioning an informal exhibit, spread by word of mouth, without media circus (nothing's emptier than being in the mainstream press or TV, I should know), and with nothing to come between the audience and the work. I don't know yet where that might be, I haven't started looking yet, but I'll have an eye on opportunities in 2012. All I really need is a well-lit room I can use for say 3 days
There are other logistics to consider, above all the framing. Aside from the cost of framing 30+ pieces, I would simply have nowhere to store them once they're framed. I would need to use temporary framing (plexiglass, cardboard and clips) for the exhibit, and get sold pieces properly framed afterwards – if the exhibit is to sell and not just to show, which I still have to make up my mind about.
So it's still early to make a move, but I wanted to put these thoughts out there and see what they may generate. Happy New Year!
