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What happens when you die
Rob Sigafoos -
Wednesday, March 18, 2009 - 8:43am
So, do you ever wonder what happens to the stuff you make once you die? I mean, where will it be 150 years from now. On my better days I fantasize my stuff finds its way to the Antiques Road Show (or the contemporary equivalent). However, my reality is that it probably ends up in a garage sale somewhere ("Uncle Rob made that? Well, put it on the five dollar table."). Not trying to be morose here, but it is an interesting way to think about the intrinsic and enduring value of something.  You started another good one Rob!!!!
SteelyJan -
Wednesday, March 18, 2009 - 10:33am
Some days I think to myself, why am I making all this sculpture???? That will most likely end up in some similar situation as you spoke of or at the scrap metal yard... » reply  Thanks Bob and Janet- I
Rob Sigafoos -
Wednesday, March 18, 2009 - 11:16am
Thanks Bob and Janet- » reply  Just don't die
warren -
Wednesday, March 18, 2009 - 11:50pm
It is a good subject and has been brought up here and there. Like I told the wife do what you want with it, it will not matter to me. www Metalrecipes -- heat and beat to the desired shape, repeat as necessary. » reply  I figure with enough grinder
R L Sidebottom -
Thursday, March 19, 2009 - 8:57am
I figure with enough grinder dust and welding fumes, one day I'll just stiffen up and become my own tribute to Me. (wishful thinking) I'll be satisfied if the expectant grand daughter looks at some of the work I have done and says "cool, I'll keep that one. Put the rest on the $10 table :) Rick Sidebottom » reply  Keep telling my kids that
Paula -
Thursday, March 19, 2009 - 9:19am
Keep telling my kids that when I die, they will benefit from my work....assuming that it's worth anything.....and we all know what happens when we assume....'ass out of U and me'..... ;) keep on dream'en » reply  Hi Rob and great topic. I
eligius1427 -
Thursday, March 19, 2009 - 10:54am
Hi Rob and great topic. I think I'm leaning towards Bob's formula, but instead of 40% going to the buyer, I would change that to the viewer. I think the great thing about art is the affect it has on those looking at it, both good and bad. The piece doesn't physically need to be in the hands of someone to be appreciated, so where it ends up doesn't seem to bother me as much as did it affect people. I have a small postcard picture from a sculpture garden in South Carolina of a sculpture depicting a man chiseling himself out of marble(it's called "Man Carving His Own Destiny"). Although I will never own this sculpture I will never forget it, it made such a huge impact on me, so whether it ends up in a scrap heap or not, it has already had and keeps on having an affect on me. It has become immortalized in my mind, but maybe not yours, and i continually tell people about it. Thats what makes art so great. It connects with some people and not others and it's those connections that make it live on forever. At a certain point of fame or having your work desired by the multitude of the masses, your work starts to lose it's original impact for most people. People want to have it because it's valuable or famous, not because they could look at it for hours on end and never tire of it. So which is better, to have a piece live on forever as an investment on someone's wall or in the mind of a person you touched? Ideally that person would be one and the same. No matter where your work finally ends up Rob, it will always be immortalized by the people it touched, including me and the rest of the artmetal group. Jake Jake Balcom » reply  dead'n gone
visitor -
Thursday, March 26, 2009 - 12:58pm
I agree, great topic. I still occasionally run across one of my dead'n gone mentors crafted slag hammer, and think to my self...what a ripoff, that stupid piece of crap, outlasted...and quite honestly is probably going to outlast me....anyway,...I get it...hmmm...what were we talkin about?well it's 4:20, gotta go, tah,tah,..Krasy » reply  Hi Rob, I have to agree
Jamie Santellano -
Thursday, March 19, 2009 - 8:14pm
Hi Rob, I have to agree totally with Jake on this one...I don't think I could have said it better. To add..."dreaming" about where I would like it to end up, I would hope that my pieces would be of enough value (whatever that could possibly be) that they could possibly be a collection in someone's home, or a collection in a Museum. Again, I think Jake hit this one dead on! Jamie Santellano » reply  How about the reincarnation
Jim Cotter -
Friday, March 20, 2009 - 12:33pm
How about the reincarnation model...Sometime in the distant future you go to a house and see a table you made in the previous incarnation and are strangely drawn to it with feelings like "damn this thing is familiar" LOL » reply My husband's favorite saying
visitor -
Sunday, March 22, 2009 - 11:33am
My husband's favorite saying is "he who dies with the most stuuf wins!" We just hope the kids will get some use from all the tools and stones and such that have taken over our house. If they don't lets hope at least we have taught them somewhat on the value and they will either give it all to a club or sell it for something they will enjoy using ! » reply |
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ArtMetal
mortality
Artist continuously debate the value of art. Is it in the creation, the object, the eye of the artist, the customer or those darn judges? Maybe we should come up with a formula. At least half goes the joy of creation and what you think its worth.
Another 40% to the buyer, of course you want to sell it before you die so that hopefully it avoids a family condemning it to the $5 table at the garage sale.
Finally, we'll leave 10% for the judges at the various shows and of course those wonderful Gallery owners. I like the formula because if your love what you do and then market it decently you get a 90%. I always loved A's (anything above 90%)in school because they meant my dad would be happy, not to mention that i wouldn't get grounded and loose my car privileges. Just can't seem to shake those adolescent values.