INTERACTING WITH ARTISTS - Ethics of Collecting

Ethics of Collecting

Collectors interact with artists with integrity and transparency, respecting their views, honoring their independence, recognizing and compensating their work. Collectors never use their power or influence to obtain any undue advantage from the artists, for financial or personal interests.

1

COMPENSATING ARTISTS FAIRLY AND PROMPTLY

Collector Ameena invites artist Paula to present the five drawings that she recently purchased from Paula’s gallery to a group of fellow collectors. Ameena is very fond of Paula’s work and hopes to support her as much as possible. The presentation will last about one hour and will place the new drawings in the context of Paula’s decade-long career. Paula will undoubtedly need a few hours to prepare a presentation, select images, etc. Should Ameena offer to compensate Paula for her preparation work and the presentation?

A No. Ameena is already doing a lot for Paula and it is expected that Paula will return the favor by preparing the presentation. As a result, more collectors will appreciate Paula’s work, which may lead to further sales for her.

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B Yes. Ameena should offer her a bouquet of flowers as a token of appreciation.

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C Yes. Ameena should offer to financially compensate Paula for the preparation and the presentation at the industry standard rate. Paula has spent a few hours preparing and it is fair to compensate such effort. If Ameena wants to support Paula, that should start with acknowledging the value of her time and work.

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2

ADVOCATING FOR FAIR AND PROMPT COMPENSATION FOR ARTISTS

Collector Jeong-Hoon has been contacted by the ARMO Museum to loan four installations by artist Olga for a forthcoming solo show at ARMO. Jeong-Hoon is happy to hear about the solo show as he believes Olga’s work is very interesting and deserves to be shown to a larger public. He is very keen to accept the loan request, but then he receives a phone call from Olga about the forthcoming show. While Olga is thrilled at the idea of a solo show, she confesses to Jeong-Hoon that she is very disappointed at the fact that ARMO will not pay her any artist fees at all. What should Jeong-Hoon do?

A Jeong-Hoon should contact ARMO and advocate for Olga to receive appropriate artist fees. He should make it clear that he’s ready not to lend the four installations if Olga is not compensated. If ARMO refuses to accept Jeong-Hoon’s proposal, he should contact Olga again and they should decide together whether the loan should take place.

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B Jeong-Hoon should accept the loan request without hesitation. It is in Olga’s interest to hold a solo show and the rest is between the artist and the museum.

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C Jeong-Hoon should accept the loan request. A solo show at ARMO will make Olga’s prices, and the value of Olga’s works in his collection, go up.

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3

NOT SOLICITING GIFTS FROM ARTISTS

Artist Aitor has just opened his first solo show at ARMO Museum. Collector Zendaya was instrumental in making the introductions that allowed Aitor’s work to be noticed and selected for the show. Zendaya has devoted quite a lot of time and effort into making this show happen for Aitor. Now that the opening has taken place, should Zendaya ask Aitor for a free or highly discounted artwork as a gesture of gratitude for her role?

A Yes. Zendaya has spent a significant amount of time and effort on this show, the least Aitor could do is give her a free or highly discounted artwork as a token of his appreciation.

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B No. Zendaya should not request a free or highly discounted artwork. The work that she put into this exhibition was entirely her choice to support Aitor’s work, and not a transaction for which she should expect something in return. If Aitor chooses of his own accord to offer her an artwork she may consider accepting it.

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C Yes. In addition to securing him a solo show, Zendaya is also member of the acquisition committee for ARMO and plans to present one of Aitor’s performances for the museum to acquire. Aitor should be grateful and give Zendaya a free artwork.

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4

ADVISING ARTISTS IN THEIR INTEREST

Collector Dewi owns several works from artist Jan. She hears that Jan has recently left his first gallery due to a disagreement over the works to be displayed in his second show at the gallery. Dewi immediately calls Jan in order to persuade him to join Gallery Hype, the largest gallery in town with a strong set of expensive artists and a very extensive network of collectors. She says she can help with the introductions. Thinking that this will make Jan’s career explode and his prices skyrocket, she picks up the phone. Is Dewi acting appropriately?

A Yes. It is in Jan’s interest to join a solid commercial gallery that would make him sell a lot more work, faster, and for higher prices. This is a no-brainer and a win-win situation for everyone.

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B Yes. Collectors have the right to proactively advise artists on what they think is best for them. (We’ve had this benevolent role since the beginning of time!)

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C No. Dewi should only provide advice if she is asked by Jan. Her motivation appears to be driven by selfinterest, in the hope that the prices of Jan’s works in her collection will grow. Dewi should also be aware of the fact that joining a large and best-selling gallery may not be in the best interest of all artists or may not necessarily be their desired trajectory.

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5

COMMUNICATING RESPECTFULLY WITH ARTISTS

Collector Georges joins a studio visit organized by the Friends of ARMO Museum at artist Ileana’s studio downtown. Over a glass of wine, Georges tells Ileana that she should look at stepping up the scale of her work, think bigger, and be more ambitious. He tells Ileana he has a collection of over 300 works and that he knows everyone at ARMO in case she needs anything. Ileana is quite upset by the situation as she finds Georges’ behavior borderline flirtatious, and she can’t even finish her answers before he talks over her with more information about himself and his collection. Is Georges behaving appropriately?

A Yes. Georges is only trying to offer his help and advice to Ileana. He is genuinely sharing the information with her so she can gauge his credibility. He likes her work and thinks she is also a charming young woman.

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B Unsure. Maybe he is being a little too chatty, but collectors have their personalities like everyone else, and the wine played its part. His heart is in a good place.

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C No. Georges should be aware of his position of power and privilege and should not use this to brag in front of Ileana. While he may not intend to harass Ileana, he should be more aware of the impact of his actions and words. His advice to scale up the work may be viewed as condescending and his statement about his network at ARMO may be perceived as overpromising. In addition, he should be self-aware of the fact that he is talking over Ileana, which is potentially sexist and rude.

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6

SUSTAINING FAIR AND BALANCED RELATIONSHIPS WITH ARTISTS

Artist Somchai and collector Jiàn Yì met at an opening at ARMO Museum last year. Since then, they have met again and again at dinners, performances, and other events and both are always genuinely happy to see each other and spend time talking. Jiàn Yì is very fond of Somchai and has tactfully shown his romantic interest to him. Jiàn Yì was only thrilled to find out that Somchai reciprocated his romantic interest, as Somchai invited Jiàn Yì for dinner and opened up about his feelings too. Has Jiàn Yì behaved appropriately?

A No. Jiàn Yì should have been very aware of the fact that Somchai may have felt obliged to enter a relationship because of Jiàn Yì’s position as collector.

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B No. Jiàn Yì should have never shown his romantic interest to Somchai in the first place.

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C Yes. Jiàn Yì progressively and respectfully showed his interest in Somchai who always responded positively and was happy to see and spend time with him. Both parties appear to have granted free and informed consent to this relationship.

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