h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I'm asking you because you've got art connections and because you're in London. I got this email today which I found a little unexpected. I've removed the email and `phone number so the `post won't be moderated:

'I saw your work on www.artistsincanada.com and was very impressed I particularly enjoyed Apellean Sketch.

We are an exciting New Media Company that due to the success of our events and feedback we have adopted a physical Gallery space and are looking for quality artists to be represented at the gallery.

As usual all works must be original. We are able to give a Limited number of artists exclusive exposure at the Gallery for 1 Whole Year!

Here is what you get (Only a limited number of artists will be accepted):

1. 1 year access to our Real World Gallery to display works of your choice.
2. Up to two inclusive solo exhibitions a year.
3. Placement in the Gallery to Sell your work in London for 52 Weeks Guaranteed.
And more...

If you want to take up this amazing opportunity please contact me Today to reserve your place.


Many Thanks




Pratik'

Now, nobody would have seen my work on www.artistsincanada.com -- that's just a directory site. It has my name and a link to my web`page. Now, the front `page of my site does have on of the 24 A`pellean sketches, but it looks sus`piciously like they've just glommed (inaccurately) onto the first title they saw.

The web `page of this outfit http://www.newartoriginals.com/ is `painful to look at. The web `page of their 'real world' gallery http://www.newartoriginals.com/rwg/ is equally ugly. The view of the address of this gallery on Streetview is of a shuttered sho`p in a narrow, dark street filled with kabob sho`ps and halal tailors.

So, do you think it's worth re`plying to them?

anhaga I shall give your post some proper attention later..and get back to you.

It looks well dodgy. Brick Lane is now part of an incredibly trendy area for art..it's really close to Hoxton which exploded when 'White Cube' relocated there. I used to love Brick Lane area..but now its getting more and more 'disney'. Probably that company have set the thing up in that area to give the impression of something exciting and postmodern..

When I read,

'If you want to take up this amazing opportunity please contact me Today to reserve your place.'

Well.. you know...And when I looked at the web stuff it seems a bit like 'vanity publishing' for visual artists..this thing of paying them to hire the space, conferring something like 'contemporary London allure' because of the location.

That's my strong impression.

Yeah, that was my impression too, but thanks for the info. I think I'll ignore the offer.

Actually I'm relieved you think similarly. I suddenly worried that you might think I was just dissing it without much real thought.

I'd be more than happy to be wrong. But yes I just gave you my honest opinion.

Please let us know when your piece is put on the net for that show.

Hey,
I agree Brick Lane is a very trendy area.
I go to Brick Lane a lot I often go to an arts supply shop on Hanbury Street and I have actually visited the gallery mentioned a few times. It is a very nice gallery with all kinds of quirky works by up and coming artists. I got an invite to a private view by a Royal portrait artist who painted Princess Diana, Zohar. I couldn't make it but went to see the exhibition the following week and it was amazing! I am an artist myself and want to get exposure in as many places as possible and have registered with them for the 1 year project can't wait! For me the website is great with lots of works on display and a great physical space and loads of content.

Hi JON279,

Welcome.

Thanks for your input

It's a lovely sunny day here today.

Thanks, JON279.

A couple of questions:

Do they charge you for this contract? If so, how much?

I have never in my life paid to be in a gallery show. Certainly I've accepted the idea of a commission on works sold, but the closest thing I've ever come to an exchange of cash simply for the privilege of hanging art is when a gallery pays me cash for the privilege of hanging my art or simply buys a few pieces outright to have in their collection-.

If this company charges a fee, and if you factor in shipping costs from western Canada to London (and back again for any unsold works), plus travel expenses if I actually would like to visit the place, I'd have to get a helluva price for my work to make it worthwhile.

Sure, exposure in London would be nice, but apparently I've already had that since somebody in London found my dinky little home-made web-page and thought my stuff was worth making this offer on.

Again, after a lot of thought, the offer would have to be pretty darn sweet to be worth the expense involved.

Hello mate
I paid £3.25 a week for 52 weeks exposure in the gallery and 1 year online. Less than a packet of cigarettes here in England! For me it's worthwhile as I am getting no joy with other galleries as I am not established enough yet. So just want to get my work 'out there' and build my profile . An exhibition in Brick Lane will look good on my CV. I get two solo shows included in the package. I want to give up smoking so I'm putting the money from that into this project. Even if I don't sell I'll be healthier and more eyeballs would have seen my work!

Well, good luck with that.

For me, however, it would cost substantially more, as I mentioned.

Effers, they've `put one `piece u`p today: http://visualartsalberta.blogspot.com/


And it's still snowing heavily.

Hey superb

BTW I sent you a message on Youtube with my email address.