BUSINESS IDEA: "DigArt Gallery" YOUR COMMENTS PLEASE?
I have wanted to own or run a gallery for some time now mainly to display and sell local artist’s work, but because of the economics of my home town, the fierce competition of the larger cities around me, and the fact that I am a poor photography student with a family and no money, It has never been practical.
The other day I was walking through Wal-Mart (American retail super-center run by under paid needy workers) and I noticed they had new lcd monitors set up at the end of the isles for POS (Point of Sale) demonstrations. These POS screens also had speakers which I had not seen before in a POS.
What I saw in my head was this; A gallery that caters to the artist and the customer by offering an experience I know I have never had at a gallery: You walk in to the gallery and it looks much like a normal gallery, 10 or so 19 inch digital picture frames, each with sound so that the artist can display their work with their interpretation in their voice, or their choice of music, poem, noise, etc. (some of these I know you would be dealing with copyrights).
Depending on technology you might also be able to place your order for what ever size print you like right there at the frame. Preferably printing would be done in house so that the artist could see that the prints are what they need to be, but that would only be if there was enough demand to pay for it. I think that artist control of finished product is a must if this idea is going to work. In a conventional gallery the artist brings the finished piece into the gallery, so there is nothing that can really go wrong. With my idea the artist is letting a third party print their work, and I would want it to be exactly how they want it.
Please let me know what you think of this idea. If you don’t like it, please tell me why or what you would change. If you do like it, please tell me why and what you would change. Thank you for your time and comments, Shaun
Stephen Colquitt
Shaun – its sounds like a clever idea, as people are really warming to the idea of digital photography displays. My advice is to focus on a small number of themes in your gallery, rather than just shot gun a wide range of art.
Paul Louis Vil...
Great idea Shaun!
Foward thinking is needed when dealing with a new”ish” medium.
You may get more knockers than backers but i think your on a winner.
Keep us informed mate! :D
Belinda Leopold
Excellent idea-bring it :)
Chris Clark
Love the idea, we also have Asda Walmart here in Scotland.
Brilliant thinking!
Sarah Matthews
Hey Shaun,
Interesting idea, but I’m afraid I am not too keen…
Mainly because I think art should ideally be seen ‘in the flesh’ so to speak. Digital technology offers a whole world of new concepts for making art. However, my personal opinion on photography and most types of art, is that it should be seen in print, or how the artist invisioned the final piece.
I feel it cheapens it to a certain extent. By having work on a site like this, I hope I do not sound like a hypocrit! An artist has to make a buck whilst they promote their work as much as possible, to get into the realm of art amongst the public.
To me, it would be a good way to sell commercial art in a place like wall mart, but for the type of art that I believe we are trying to make (something with meaning/depth) I just feel it isn’t fitting..for want of a better word!
I hope this makes sense.
terrifoster
Hi Shaun
I love the idea. Since I am an IT gal, I love when the marriage of art and technology are brought together. I believe that there are many ways to experience art and reach your intended audience. Some people may not identify with a technological art experience and so they would need to see the art in print. I deal with many people on a daily basis who have problems migrating their comfortable and familiar ways of performing business processes to technological methods. But then there are a lot of people I deal with who welcome it with open arms and great enthusiasm. The wonderful thing about technology is that it gives you a choice where there previously wasn’t one. Not everyone will want to go there but it provides a different way to experience the art and I think that is a good thing.
Terri