A Note about Multiples

In my last post, I wrote about Kim Keever‘s photographs, and I just wanted to quickly compare his work to two other artists whose work is similar:

 

Alberto Seveso, photographer and graphic artist:

From the Black Trap in Munich series:

Besides Kim Keever’s photographs, Seveso’s photographs are the most prolific on the internet. However, if you would like a print of one of Seveso’s “ink and water” images, you’ll be spending at most about $500, with most of his prints going for $50.

Not bad if you have empty walls and you want to add some color without breaking the bank.

Keever’s photographs are only available through select galleries, like Waterhouse & Dodd in NYC and sell from about $1500 for the smallest and several more thousand for the larger sizes. Also, his work comes in editions of 5, whereas Seveso’s work is available for purchase at various websites, including Indiewalls!

 

Murray Mitchell, Photographer:

These prints also seem to be available for less than $100 at the largest size.

 

With the number of outlets for purchasing art prints online growing exponentially, it makes you wonder about what it means for the value of the art on sale. It’s probably better for the artist (financially) to have unlimited editions available to the masses at lower prices, and it certainly provides a constant stream of income. However, a more regulated market preserves and (hopefully) augments the value of the art for their patrons beyond the lifespan of the artist.

So I guess the question is: in this increasingly digital, sharing economy, where there is more focus placed on the individual than ever before, what is the future of the art market? Is it time for the gallery model to change?

 

In anticipation of Armory Week  from March 3-6, I’ll be posting each day until then at 5pm.

Stay tuned!