Art ist As An Entrepreneur
A J AY B A M , 1 s t O c t o b e r, 2 0 1 3
© c o p y r i g h t - A j a y B a m 1
� Background and why me?� Assumptions� The Art ist conundrum� Tactical vs. the Emotional� Open conversat ion� Q & A
AGENDA
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Background
• Mult i -cultural background.• Inf luenced signif icant ly by my travels.• Created Art and now col lect ing Art .• Educator, Innovator, Curator &
Entrepreneur.
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Assumptions
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• Art is ts are so lo curators unl ike a business ent repreneur.
• Art is ts have a v is ion and where they want to go.
• Art is ts don’ t work for the customer unl ike business ent repreneurs whose miss ion is “what customer wants” .
• I t ’s not necessar i ly about so lv ing a problem, f ix ing an exper ience or innovat ion but about
• Emot ions, fee l ings, d isrupt ing a thought process or is about making an in te l lectua l po int .
• Most ar t connoisseurs do not make repeat ART purchases on a f requent bas is .
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Business, Business!!
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A R T S U F F E R S T H E M O M E N T O T H E R P E O P L E S TA R T PAY I N G F O R I T.
H u g h M a c l e o d , c a r t o o n i s t
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We l ive in contradict ions!
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• Science vs . Spi r i tua l i ty
• Creat ive in tegr i ty vs . Commissioned work
• We want to l ive but our ce l ls age every day.
• Evolut ion vs . In te l l igent Design ☺☺☺☺ !
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But why not embrace contradict ion?
• Think of art as complementary to the pursuit of happiness.
• Embrace our inner contradict ions.• Be human.• Be inspirat ional .• Money is not the end. I t ’s the means.• I t ’s the work and not the reward. Reward
wi l l come.
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Inf luences
R.K.Laxman
Hans Wegner
J.R.
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Inf luences
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• J R f r o m P a r i s – h e l p e d m e g a i n m o r e e m p a t h y f o r t h e h a ve - n o t s a n d b r o u g h t a f a c e f o rw a r d t o a c a u s e .
• R . K . L a x m a n – A c a r t o o n i s t , w h o e d u c a t e d m e o n p o l i t i c s , h u m o r a n d g a ve m e a n o p p o r t u n i t y t o l a u g h a t m ys e l f .
• H a n s We g n e r – T h a t s i m p l e i s b e a u t i f u l .10
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An Art ist ’s l i fe
-> loyalty -> growth
Inspiration -> creation -> focus
-> branding -> awareness -> packaging -> pricing -> sale
You cannot influence what’s above the line
but you can influence what’s below
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Building your personal brand!
W h a t d o yo u s t a n d f o r a s a n a r t i s t ?E m o t i o n
C o l o rTy p e o f a r tAu d i e n c eT h e r a p y
H o w d o yo u b r a n d yo u r s e l f ?P h ys i c a l
D r e s sC a r d sVi r t u a l
M e s s a g i n g
What is one th ing that w i l l make you memorable?
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Do you have a mentor?
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Awareness - Building your audience one day at a time
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• To gain more inspiration.
• Build your lists – “Pay forward strategy”.
• Yes your potential customer list.
• Share your story.
• To spread the word about your vision, mission
and voice.
• Persistence and consistent messaging pays off.
• Get others to talk about your art.
• Make an effort to understand the other side
• Gallery owners, curators, patrons. 15
What network do you belong to?
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• Global iza t ion means that ‘Ar t ’ t ranscends borders .
• Your reach is more than you know.• Everyone is watching i f you want to put
on the show.• More have t ime and money to own ar t in BRICS.• Mi l lennium generat ion has l i t t le a t tent ion span.
They get i t in b i ts and b i tes .• 3D pr in t ing w i l l revolut ion ize how people th ink
of ar t .
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Business models are changing!
• Rent vs . Own. We l ive in shared economy.• Networked economy and “ l ikes” mat ter.• I t might not be about your ar t but what
surrounds i t .• People , network , in f luence, po l i t ics and
cul ture • You can copy my ar t but you cannot copy me.• Can you de l iver me fu l l serv ice?• Show them how you made i t . Even passive ar t
can be in teract ive by engaging the audience appropr ia te ly
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Juried Shows, Festivals
Galleries
Prestigious galleries
Corporate
Collection
Museums
Who is watching, how many , where and when matters!
ARTIST FOOD CHAIN
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Have you bothered to check in?
• When was the last t ime you checked in with your patron?
• Do you keep your l ist , patrons, and wel l wishers informed?
• Do you go where they go?• Instagram, Tumblr, Twit ter, Airbnb,
Alma matter
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I bel ieve that “art ists can be an Artepreneurs” by
• Being complimentary.• Listening to what’s around you.• Pull ing your audience into your vision,
inspirat ion & conversat ion.
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What are few things that have kept you from pursuing your entrepreneurial path as
an Art ist?
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Find me – “Ajay Bam” on the networks be lowOr emai l me a [email protected].
© c o p y r i g h t A j a y B a m 23
• Designboom.com
• Dezeen.com
• CoolHunting.com
• Monocle Magazine.
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Resources worth visiting..