FYI ~ even more Cinemascape fever
Wednesday, September 12, 2007 at 11:11AM On Monday, Aaron sent me an email stating, "so it's wonderful that people in Russia think I'm famous, and a chinese magazine wants to show my work and that I get random emails from people simply just to proclaim their admiration, etc...but why hasn't a single teenie tiny print been sold? is that a concern? are the "right" people just not seeing this?
10k unique visits in 3 weeks. 24k pageloads. 34+ blogs and e-zines from every continent, except africa.
??? I'm beginning to worry that it is just imagery that is extremely interesting to view and experience, but not something people want to hang on their walls? which begs the question, who the hell hangs Witkin on their walls? I know he makes sales other than books?
arghhh..."
Ahhh, welcome to one of the many wonderful forms artist's angst. My response? For crying out loud, you haven't even had your show yet. Patience, my son. Remember, patience is a virtue.
And that's all it would have been, except ...
I get a call from Aaron around 8:30pm last evening, and guess what? He sold 4 of his 40×20 limited edition (15) prints to member of the Board of Directors of the Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston.
So, here's a suggestion - NO MORE WHINING FROM YOU
gravitas et nugalis
Featured Comment: Carol wrote; "I didn't know who Witkin was - and thought it was interesting that you hadn't linked it. So, I Googled his name - and now wished I hadn't. I came up with Joel-Peter Witkin.... and can't believe that sells. It's my fervent hope that I came up with the wrong Witkin. In any event, I have to go look at something else and get it out of my head."
Carol, you found the right guy. I don't know if I should tell you this but, he's been a Hobson household favorite for over 20 years. I have all his books - just got a new one last week. Feel free to borrow one anytime.
When Aaron was a high school sophomore, in biology class they were discussing hermaphrodites in the animal kingdom and the teacher (Catholic school) opined that they didn't exist in the human species - where upon Aaron raised his hand and said, "Yes they do. My dad has pictures." The teacher always looked at me kinda funny like after that.
Birth of Venus ~ Joel Peter-Witkin • click to embiggen
The teacher challenged him to write his term paper about the subject. Aaron spent quite a few hours in the Univ. of Pittsburgh's medical library doing research and discovered all the medical research to prove his point. He used this Witkin photograph on the cover of his biology term paper. He got an A+++ on the paper but the teacher wouldn't show it to the class.
FYI, Witkin's prints, which are considered to be very collectible, sell for beaucoup bucks - $15,000 and up (why I don't have any). One of his prints recently sold for $40,800 at auction. And BTW, Richard Gere is one of his most avid collectors.
Reader Comments (3)
I didn't know who Witkin was - and thought it was interesting that you hadn't linked it. So, I Googled his name - and now wished I hadn't. I came up with Joel-Peter Witkin.... and can't believe that sells. It's my fervent hope that I came up with the wrong Witkin. In any event, I have to go look at something else and get it out of my head.
I did the same thing Carol...only I somehow missed the link and googled him myself and was also a bit shocked.
What's interesting to me (back to the artist's soul debate for a moment) is that those people I know who have the most uninhibited view of the world (or simply could care less about what is taboo to others) tend to make the best art. My good friend/roommate from college (a published poet and one hell of a writer/teacher) always felt that the best art left him "fantastically uncomfortable" as it comments on culture and sort of creates it at the same time. I've heard him at readings and thought to myself: "Man, how does he read his poem about THAT in front of all these people?!" He does it because it's somehow uniquely him and he doesn't care who knows and has this need to present it. He’s an artist.
Now I'm not saying I dig on Witkin. I haven't spent enough time with his work to say much really, but what is he doing if not commenting on/challenging us on topics we normally don't talk about in Catholic school (unless you had Aaron in your class) or anywhere else really? He definitely makes me "fantastically uncomfortable"...
not only does it sell, but it sells well. Look at the below auction price for a 14"x14" print. I saved you from the image, but you can get the gist by the title.
"Testicle Stretch with Possibility of a Crushed Face", New Mexico, 1982
gelatin silver print
signed, titled, dated and numbered '5/15' in pencil on verso; Guggenheim exhibition label on backing board
14 3/4 x 14 7/8in. (37.3 x 37.8cm.)
Estimate : £2,000 - £3,000
Realized : $6,982 £ 3,840
Christie's : United Kingdom
Auction Date : Jun 29, 2006