Post #563284 by THOR's on Wed, Nov 3, 2010 3:59 PM

OK, here's my two "sense"..for what it's worth. I was one of the artist there at Halloween and also was disappointed in the turn out, and also have mixed feelings about what works when combining "entertainment" with an Art Show where participants intend to profit from their art.

I am sure you were speaking in jest, "Ron-tiki" so I won't take the artists comment you made seriously, being an artist. If anyone truly believed that..you would have no creativity in any aspect of your life to wallow in...films would be a test screen with white spot, buildings would all be colorless cubes and your car would be a four wheeled cart with a stick to lead it in the desired direction...artists and creative minds are what you want to foster unless you can, yourself "color your world" all by your self. You know this..so again, I won't spend time on such a thing.

An art event where any "artist"..be it a musician or carver or painter or mug maker spends their time to bring custom made, one of a kind, original creations to the Tiki Ohana should be generating results for these people. Period! There is a lot of great talent out here...many travel impressive distances and lot's expend heart into these things. When the mix of art and craft selling to idol entertainment get's confusing, something suffers I have noticed. I have observed this in Hawaii with the galleries that show my work over the years.

I have done shows where we have live music and booze and anything to create draw off of Waikiki's main strip...and often this format generated the least sales. People ate our pu pu's, drank our wine and chewed my brain off talking about their lives...and bought little or nothing to support the artists. Other times we did nothing but say.."meet the artist night". Nothing else. It was clear that it was about art and potentially attracting those interested in owning the art and getting to know the artist. We would often make great sales and attract a collector of greatest appreciation for the art and coming back regularly to own a new piece. I dunno... Wondering if there is a parallel here. The mix..? What people are comming for...etc.

I am not sure of the complete answer. I do know that I can also support the notion, as an artist that I enjoy showing art just for the Ohana. However, I also know that it takes a lot of effort to pull together work and get it to an event billed as an "art show" and at any art show, short of open house in High School for your Mom and dad, It's there so artists can generate apreciation in both observatio and selling their work. I heard numerous comments on Halloween as well from the other artist saying things like.." Geesh..Like NO ONE is buying anything!" Most were around the bar..or talking in the middle of the dance floor or breaking a leg to leap in to the free giant pizza. Sure, these were some sales that night..but no proportionate to the title of the event. So, yah have to take the observation to heart as an artist and say...Is this the best place for me to be focusing my efforts to sell and show my work again?

Ernie deserves a huge amount of praise for his passion for art and coordinating many great events at Tonga...and artists. This issue should really be more of a heads up as to seeing what triggers what in regards to expectations when art is showcased. I have a ton of respect for the fellow artists on here and would really like to explore ideas as to how to generate greater results for all. I also think we need to look at how to expose More of the general public to this little world we all create so well too, cus that could bring in more exposure for talent.

Anyway, I threw in my thoughts. I don't want this to turn into fruit fight over who's mint sprig and umbrella has more fruit on it. Observations and good intent are the objective. NO one is wining...these are valid issues and just a matter of looking at cause and affect so, for those thirsty for a heated debate, sit down and count your mugs. Let's work together and keep the magic going and the art flowing~~

[ Edited by: THOR's 2010-11-03 16:02 ]