This article describes the need for art in businesses, even in this economy. First we see the new mural at the Dallas Cowboy Stadium entitled Unexpected Variable Configurations: A Work in Situ. Brett Daniels, a Dallas Cowboy spokesman says that, "It has exposed the sports fan to art, whether they like it or not." Another work that we visit is Hugh Heffner’s love for his Andy Warhol print of the January 1986 issue designed by the famous artist.
Many businesses throughout history and today have used art collections to give the impression that they are high-end, sophisticated, and cultural companies. Another reason for company art collections is that the CEO enjoys artwork, or possibly that the CEO or boss’s spouse collects the artwork. In these hard times, few people can afford to buy high-end art and so regardless of the reason for the collection, businesses who support the art world, are the ones who are simultaneously keeping it alive.
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_37/b4194072964990.htm?chan=magazine+channel_etc.
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_37/b4194072964990.htm?chan=magazine+channel_etc.
I do think that the corporate world helps sustain the art world, but commissioning or collecting pieces which gives the money and drive to create more. Sometimes though, the commissioned artwork is not always as great of an art piece, and may not truly represent the designer. It is nice though to have revenue coming into the art world and making art stay alive. Thanks to the big companies and also to art collectors.
ReplyDeleteThis is a really interesting concept. I often hear self-proclaimed "artists" who happen to also be those super philanthropists talk about the horrors and corruption of corporate America. Yet, if we did not have these big businesses and rich CEOs who do have an authentic appreciation for art, most of us would be reconsidering our major choice. There is a fine line between creating art from passion and choosing it as a career and a primary means of financial stability. Evil AND good seems to reside in all things.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, creating a commissioned piece is very similar to doing a class assignment. This can often exercise a special part of the creative mind that challenges the artist to not only give the customer what they want, but to also give a little something extra through the artist's point of view. I hope that the big companies that support artists will inspire others to do the same.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Anna, it is very much like a class assignment. Also, artistic approaches in business are what keep companies relevant and "hip". Both of these things help companies sell their product or service to consumers regardless of actual value.
ReplyDeleteI like this discussion! We are going to keep talking about these themes in class--nearly everything we will see this semester was commissioned as opposed to modern concepts of artistic self-expression.
ReplyDeleteI tend to agree more with Anna and Tristan on this concept. I think being commissioned forces an artist to often go outside their limitations and comfort zone and with therefore expand their skill and better their experience. I think the art world and the business world kind of rely on each other. The art world certainly needs the big business not only to buy their work and sustain the art industry financially, but also by bringing it to the community and to a wider more diverse audience. Likewise, the businesses need art to give their company a more human approach to it. Art serves as a type of advertisement for customers because it will catch their eye and draw them in to the business where they might have overlooked it before.
ReplyDeleteI think the concept of corporate art is less important for the business' sake and more so for the survival of the art world. Especially in times of financial crisis, like several of us have illustrated in our article choices, less and less of the total population is able to keep up with art (commission, purchase, make, etc.) whether it is contemporary, local, classical, whatever. The interesting thing about this particular topic is that we are a primarily corporate and consumer-driven nation. So, as such, being exposed to artwork in our less-artsy everyday environments is really a great plus for all sides of the equation. The corporations' images are fueled by their artwork and the artwork is, in turn, fueled by the corporations' ready disposal of mass audiences.
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