Buyer's Guide - Art on demand

Buying art must be a pleasure. Generally you can trust your gut reaction. This is usually the best decision. For anyone interested in art this should be an easy thing to do. However, for anyone not too familiar with this subject it can be helpful to think about a few points when deciding for a piece of art. Don't just buy something pretty, buy art!

The piece of art

You can look at a piece of art from different perspectives to decide for or against buying. This way you gain confidence in making the right decision.

• Does the piece of art get my attention? Does it motivate me to explore its meaning? Does it move my feelings? Does it irritate me? Is there a mystery inside? Or is it just the colours screaming off the canvas?
• Is there a dialogue arising when looking at the piece of art? Does it set you thinking? Does it leave several possibilities open and is it capable of many interpretations in order to communicate with the viewer? Or is the artist simply trying to impose his or her opinion on you? Or is its gist plain and obvious?
• Is the artist able to express his or her ideas? Does the piece of art bear knowledge or is it an adaptation of an existing idea? Is it authentic and honest in its message or does it seem implausible?
• Is it innovative? Does it bear something new in its form or content? Does it result in new experiences in terms of vision and perception?
• Does the artist know how to handle his working material? Does he master form, technique, colour, composition, creation and content? Does he make use of new techniques or does he stick to the old?
• Remember to check copies and prints for authorisation and signature.

Art for a certain place

Have you got an empty wall and are looking for the perfect piece of art? Remember to think about the following:

• Is there enough space for the piece of art and does enough space remain for the painting to not get cramped?
• Does it match the colours of the surroundings?
• How do I fit it or set it up? What do I need to make it stable.

Price

For some buying art is peanuts, and for the others it's always too expensive. However much you want to pay for art is your decision. Art is not essential for life. Art is luxury and luxury pleases our senses. (Whoever said money doesn't make happy simply never bought art). Art can move and tranquillise the viewer. On the other hand can art be seen as an investment that can result in profit.

Experience

Finding true art isn't always easy, and opinions and tastes can differ greatly. How do we know what art is? With experience you easily develop a feeling for looking at a certain type of art that speaks its own language and differs from the rest. Use the many museums, exhibitions and studios to talk to artists personally; visit art fairs to find out about the latest trends in international art; read books about contemporary art. In this way you will soon develop a feeling and a good eye for good art. It will soon be easy for you to recognise imitations and unimaginative trends.