Full Version: Framed Tile Murals are not Art
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#1]
1 Oct 2006
To: ALL
I found that an interesting observation.
What she was referring to was the pricing of a framed tile mural.
The lady said she could justify paying hundreds of dollars for a framed photograph, but the tile murals, even if they consisted of the same image, were more of a home decor item and in her opinion, probably not worth more than $90.
That could explain why, in my experience, although framed murals are unusual and fun to make, and they've inspired some people to ask about architectural applications, big sellers, they're not. :S
From: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#2]
1 Oct 2006
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#1] 1 Oct 2006
EDITED: 1 Oct 2006 by HARVEY-ONLY
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#3]
1 Oct 2006
To: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#2] 2 Oct 2006
The fact that there is more expense and time involved, in creating a ceramic mural, didn't seem to phase this person.
I said, "At $90, I wouldn't bother making them."
She said, "Something is better than nothing."
Everyone is entitled to their opinion. :-)
From: UncleSteve [#4]
1 Oct 2006
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#3] 2 Oct 2006
Sure! And customers are better than critics!
From: Dave Jones (DAVERJ) [#5]
1 Oct 2006
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#3] 2 Oct 2006
Art collectors, dealers and curators are all fairly snobbish when it comes to drawing a line between what is "art" and what is "craft".
Remember that it's only been a few decades that photography has even been considered potentialy fine art. And much of it is still considered a collectable rather than as fine art.
Once you put a photo on something other than photographic paper, the art collectors categorize it based on that material rather than as a photograph. If it's something you might buy as a commercial product, it's judged as commercial design rather than fine art. Print a fine art photo on a t-shirt, and it's just considered a t-shirt. (unless you are already a famous artist, in which case anything you touch turns to gold).
From: Doug (JDOUG5170) [#6]
2 Oct 2006
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#1] 2 Oct 2006
I'm sure glad that the people that have purchased my multi tile frames have not heard such a thing. I've made and sold 1000's of these frames over the last 4 years.
Doug
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#7]
2 Oct 2006
To: Doug (JDOUG5170) [#6] 2 Oct 2006
Do you know what the murals sold for?
Of course, prices would vary, based on the size of the tiles and how many are used in the piece.
Just wondering what the average might be.
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#8]
2 Oct 2006
To: Dave Jones (DAVERJ) [#5] 2 Oct 2006
It's still a bit of a struggle to have photography recognized as art by many galleries.
My wife has entered art shows, which featured predominantly paintings and sculpture. In the instances, she had pieces accepted for the show, it felt like a major accomplishment.
We have two framed tile murals that hang in our house. They occasionally end up in art shows and make quite a conversation piece..
Looks like we'll be enjoying them for some time to come, which is fine. :-)
From: Doug (JDOUG5170) [#9]
2 Oct 2006
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#7] 2 Oct 2006
David, I have asked over the years, and it seems that about $80 per sq. ft. is the norm, plus the frame with markup.
When I was pressing tile 5-6 years ago, this is pretty much what I was able to ask also. I did sell many "multi-tile picture's" (happy Hula!) which is what drove me to the business of making the frames originaly. The one advantage I had was the frames had more variety than I was able to bring to market due to constraints in manufacturing mode and distribution. Had to have continuity in types of wood used and profiles.
Doug
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#10]
2 Oct 2006
To: Doug (JDOUG5170) [#9] 3 Oct 2006
Going by that, the lady is an astute shopper. :-)
The piece she was referring to, was a 9-piece 4.25" tile mural; roughly over a square foot.
It has a nice frame and with the unique image, we had it priced at $250, which the gallery would have gotten a percentage of, if it sold.
From: BobT [#11]
2 Oct 2006
To: ALL
Some of those artists are looney. I am a woodcarver. Wonderful hobby to get rid of stress. A couple of years ago we tried to display our work in an Art Show. They denied us display space, saying it is NOT ART!
Go figure.
From: UncleSteve [#12]
2 Oct 2006
To: BobT [#11] 2 Oct 2006
From: BobT [#13]
2 Oct 2006
To: ALL
From: Doug (JDOUG5170) [#14]
3 Oct 2006
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#10] 3 Oct 2006
David...thinking about the diffs....I'm not an "artist". I use images provided by customers, free art, or something that I accidently took a half decent picture of...therefore, I was not having to charge a great deal for the image itself...could well be why your price is higher...Robin is an accomplished photographer :-) Also, I was not working with a gallery so I did not have to cough up 30,40,50% to the owner.
Doug
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#15]
3 Oct 2006
To: Doug (JDOUG5170) [#14] 3 Oct 2006
Excellent points Doug.
A contractor friend of mine attended the opening. Up to that point, he'd only heard of the tile murals. He was impressed!
He requested pictures of the murals, so he could show them to some of his clients, who consist of many on the "best side" of the tracks. :-)
I did caution him that the murals would be strictly for indoor use.
We'll see.
EDITED: 3 Oct 2006 by DGL