New Artist needs exposure

[motleymdg]

Hi! I have just registered with this site. It looks like a great place to share information. I currently belong to a Yahoo Group "rolling ball sculpture" but the information shared is somewhat limited. My question to everyone here is what, where, how, do I go to get my work shown or to get exposure since I am a new artist? I live in a very small town, and although there are some Craft Markets, and occasional events, it is not enough to reach people out of my geographical area. My product is good enough, but where do I go to sell it on the Internet or what businesses market art? Thanks for your time!
By the way check out my new site. I post New RBS's about every 4-5 days. Here's the address www.rollingballsculpture.com

-Matthew Gaulden

[fritchie]

Matthew - Let me be the first to welcome you on this site, and to say that your work is unconventional, at the least. One problem everyone faces is categorization and locating the right market. Interactive sculpture is very “in” at the moment, and has been more or less since Alexander Calder made his first Mobiles in the 1960's (corrected date, anyone?), which were designed to move naturally, but which certainly invite viewer participation where possible.

That said, my own view of “art” or “sculpture” is that its primary focus is visual and communicative, not participatory. My inclination is to consider your work in the category of “toy’ instead of “art”, as you yourself have hinted. I certainly am open to other views and other comment. Any reaction yourself?

[motleymdg]

Thanks Fritchie for your reply. I value the opinions of other people especially other artists. If you have a web site I would love to see the kind of work that you do. I am VERY new to this whole thing. I started making these on a whim a couple years ago and had some success. I really didn't have the right material then or the motivation to make some $$. Now that they have come into their own, I feel ready to make a go at selling them and making a name for myself in sculpture and art. These sculptures now do look like kid toys but cannot be marketed as such because they are too fragile. The market that I am going to try to target would be corporate, or business. They would be very appropriate on a desk at work to appreciate or inspire or just zone out on. The best part of this art would have to be that they are participatory. That would make the person more connected to their art piece. That said, I must tell you that this is only the start. I have only been making these for about 8 weeks now. My next goal is to have them motorized with a ball lift and would require no participation, just turn them on, and enjoy. Aw well that is where the money would be, I could charge much more and I would feel better about putting 20 hours into one, rather than just 6-8. Thanks for your reply, I hope there are many more nice people here like you.

-Matthew Gaulden

[Araich]

The path of the ball could simply be implied - as in 'the ball has rolled this path and come to rest'. Thereby generating the same result without needing the element of play that fritchie eluded to.

I find the most interesting territory to be in the change created by movement or action. Distortions, damage or marking left by the travel of an element points to an event always just out of reach, one potentially just moments in the past.

Or more, one about to occure, as in an object off balance - about to fall.

These contrast the stable and orderly world we seek to make, and mirror the real world so rich in failure, change and success.

I think you have hit on something interesting. But I suspect you will find it difficult to find your niche, with the transitory pleasure of a rolling ball.

You know, my first metal works were wire frame mannequins.

[motleymdg]

The path of the ball is primary. Depending on the work. I have some ideas about making this more that about the ball, but without it, my work would be lifeless and still. Visually it is appealing, and mentally it is a wonder to imagine its creation, but my real concern is not how I feel about it, it is how a potential customer would receive it. Toy is the byword, but someone's delight and sparkle in their eye cannot be expressed. Their interest cannot be contained in a string of flowery expressions that I think explains what I am to achieve. My market is so nonexistent that when people see what i do, it is immediately new. Their sense of wonder is sparked like a child at the carnival, because it invites their mind to apply something new, and comtemplate how it all works, not even realising that it has captured them.
But these are just words, and my perceptions, and the viewers, are thoughts. All I wanted to know was how and where to market it nationally.

[motleymdg]

The path of the ball is primary. Depending on the work. I have some ideas about making this more that about the ball, but without it, my work would be lifeless and still. Visually it is appealing, and mentally it is a wonder to imagine its creation, but my real concern is not how I feel about it, it is how a potential customer would receive it. Toy is the byword, but someone's delight and sparkle in their eye cannot be expressed. Their interest cannot be contained in a string of flowery expressions that I think explains what I am to achieve. My market is so nonexistent that when people see what i do, it is immediately new. Their sense of wonder is sparked like a child at the carnival, because it invites their mind to apply something new, and comtemplate how it all works, not even realising that it has captured them.
But these are just words, and my perceptions, and the viewers, are thoughts. All I wanted to know was how and where to market it nationally.

[chaz-abstracts]

Hiya Matt,
Saw the site very interesting,I have a philosophy that one can take dog poo,paint it green and sell it. if only he or she knew the secret to where to market and how,but on the flip side I also beleive there is an ass for every seat,so with that said I have done alot of major gift shows across the states and Euorpe when I was in the (New Age)music business. Looking at your product it would pay for you to apporach that sector your only problem would be can you produce enough of product.If they are one of kind that would still be okay,because you will still find a store who will take them and it would work for corporate also.Before that you may consider printing a card as a mailer and buying a list of names and do your own mailing. Checkoutwww.modernpostcard.com but paya little more for list when you buy them an tarket your market.
I will assume you are doing all the other artist stuff you are suppose to do like your local Chamber of Commerce and any and all of your state and local Art organizations. Get on there slide
regestry which is usally free. And just because you have a web site do not think everybody is looking you have advertise it the
old saying still applies you have to spend money to make money,
and if you throw enough sh-- against the wall sooner or later
something will stick.
Best of Luck to You,
CHAZ

[nero]

a good question, meybe you can find out who the most important and influential art dealer is in your country and give them your best sculpture. If they like it and want to represent you you are made!
if not try the next best and so on till you find some one who loves your work and will devote themselves to the distribution of you work ( product? what business scchool are you from?).
then you can concentrate on the business of sculptur in the studio
hooray.

cheers nero

[motleymdg]

-Nero

Thanks, that is a great idea. I know i've said that I live in a small community, but only an hour away is the "big" city. I think that your idea has great merit and I will definately look into who, what and where. The last reply offered having a card mailer, and buy some addresses, which is also another good idea, but I don't think I could churn out the quantity needed for a mass mailing. I also need to get off my behind and make one that is motorized so the sell would be much more worth the money. I appreciate your time in replying and your idea. I would very much like to see any work that you do as well. I am new at this, but hey I'm a friendly guy, and it is pretty cool meeting new people, albeit only through the digital media.

thanks again!

-Matthew

[Guruhans]

Your queries into how to sell the work is every artists question. I would say better photographs to give your work a professional look is the first step in showing people what you do. Solid back ground, good lighting, proper exposure, should help. Your pieces are probably hard to shot because wire is not very visible, you'll have to experiment I suppose. Good luck.

Guruhans

[icreate]

So glad to meet you. I am new as well. I have a lot of suggestions about how to market your work, much too many to say here. So keep an eye on my posts and maybe it will be helpful.

Here is one suggestion.

I actually love the photo of the children. Your work is very different. Start out by writing a press release about your work. write up the who what where when and why. Or better yet take some of your creations to a children's center ( human interst tie-in) and take photos. Send this in to your local paper and television stations. it may take some time, but i believe they will do a story on you. Where are you located? You can start with the small papers and build from there. Be sure to save all of your clips and video.

If you need help with any of this let me know, I'll see if I can push you along the path.

Bridgette

[adambradley]

Matt,

I like your interactive sculpture. It seems to me that your deigns might have a market on a monumental scale. There are many private and public commissions available. To find the right one is the trick. Check out Sculpture magazine in the "insider section", but first you must become a ISC member and this will come with the magazine.

Also your design could be used as a model for a monumental project. Are the designs structural? I think it would be great to see one of these creations (in perpetual motion) in one of our great urban centrals.


Araich- Being a metal sculptor, do you know if there is market for this kind of work?

[Araich]

Originally posted by adambradley
Araich - Being a metal sculptor, do you know if there is market for this kind of work? I'm sure there is, but I'm the wrong one to ask. Whilst we both work with metal, our audience and intent appears different. Leaving my own experiences of little use.

[WBK]

but someone's delight and sparkle in their eye cannot be expressed....

Their sense of wonder is sparked like a child at the carnival, because it invites their mind to apply something new, and comtemplate how it all works, not even realising that it has captured them.



I think you expressed it quite well, actually. I love how it appeals to my inner child, my true self. I love how it inspires me to let go an get into the adventure of where the ball will go in it's little journey. Your work inspires me to play and learn and experience a new adventure.

My teenage self misses pinball. :D

Lots of good suggestions above. Anyone wanting to celebrate the child in all of us would be a likely candidate for your work. Children's discovery type museums and exhibits for instance would be a great venue for a really large motorized work that might capture a hold the imagination of a large group.

Good luck.
Bill