Well, Sunday our beloved Cleveland Museum of Art reopened its doors after three years of renovation and more on the way. The reviews are mixed so far (at least from my nutty art obsessed friends who were there for the ribbon cutting and musical introduction.)
Now I wanted to be there, participate in this monumental occasion but alas, with two little kids it's hard and a husband who although likes art, still has not forgiven me for making him walk Rome for 8 hours carrying his Armani shopping bag (I told him to wait to shop but he didn't listen) as I basically acted as the "expert" for the day talking his ear off about the significance of what was around him and the profound impact it had on me growing up just hours away. I do believe at one point he fell asleep while walking.
So back to CMA's opening, yes I wanted to go but couldn't. So I had my friends give me all the details about the changes. From what I'm hearing, bring your walking shoes and grab a map because you'll need it.
Visitors entering from the parking garage have to follow a yellow arrow path cleverly titled "Art detour". However you can still get in at the main entrance from the south if you park on the street. As you walk in, the Guelph Treasures that decorated the main rotunda are gone and the area has been cleared out to allow visitors the opportunity to orient themselves. The renowned Armor Court is right where it has always been since 1916 and they don't dare touch it except to add a few pieces to spice it up a bit but the cloister garden to the east of the rotunda is gone along with the Museum cafeteria with its lovely outdoor eating area. The cafeteria has been moved to the north entrance where the special exhibitions use to be. However no mention has been made as to what will happen to the outdoor eating area.
I can explain the whole layout but here is the gist of what my friends and colleagues think...it is their understanding the goal was to make the layout flow better for the visitor, to have things in their appropriate sequence and easier to follow therefore easier to enjoy. The verdict is mixed as to whether or not they've succeeded in doing that but as I said in the beginning, I haven't been there yet so I can't make my final conclusion yet.
But I will say this, I have always enjoyed this museum, it is a spectacular collection and in my opinion the one of the very limited things that prevents Cleveland from being referred to by the rest of the nation as America's toilet (these are not my words but a friend of mine from England, and needless to say a few words exchanged but I think I changed his mind just a bit after a few pints)
Also, it's FREE people!!! FREE..........nothing is free anymore yet you can spend as long as you want, come as often as you want, sit, think, daydream, do nothing, but absorb the creative air that surrounds you. That is one of the greatest things about this place, having visited quite a few museums and I love them all, our own CMA has some of the best examples of art in the world and it costs nothing to be up close to it. In my opinion, it doesn't matter what they do to it so long as I can go and see it.
The complete renovation isn't done yet and won't be for awhile but I definitely plan to go, construction and all, the doors have reopened, it's a great day for me.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Insurance appraisal
Okay, I swear I will get better at posting things. I'm just getting use to blogging. Anyway, last week, I was interviewed by photographer Mark Quinn from Artist Review Today about the necessity of appraisals and art authentication.
I thought I would expand on that conversation here in my blog. So here goes:
If you collect art, or you inherit artwork, your standard home owners policy may not cover it. You may want to have your artwork appraised so you know exactly how much it's worth in the event of a loss. In fact, some policies will not cover artwork unless it is specifically mentioned in the insurance contract. One can do this either by identifying the artwork as a class within the clause that specifies the items covered or by itemizing the pieces in the insured collection. This may mean a higher premium but it may avoid serious monetary loss or litigation down the road.
Now if you want to sell the items, that is a Fair Market Value Appraisal, it is a document that describes what the item would sell for in the open market. Please keep in mind people that just because it could sell for a listed price, doesn't mean it always will. Ultimately it is worth what someone is willing to pay for it. In the case of extremely high end pieces, i.e. artists with incredible sales record and you have an original, the likelihood of it selling at the going rate are very good. If there is a flood in the market of your particular piece, you may not get it's full value- at least not right now. Later down the line that may change.
What everyone has to remember is that the art market, just like the stock market fluctuates, albeit not every second of every day, but every few years some art depreciates while others appreciate significantly. If you want to know for sure what your items are worth, get them appraised. Even if it's not by me :) get someone to look at them at some point in time. There really has never been a better time to sell. No I'm not talking about millions of dollars as the norm, though some art is bringing that in and then some. I'm talking about how there is a very good chance that what you paid 5 dollars for could be worth $1,000.00.
And finally, art appraisals and art authentication are not the same. Yes as an art historian I use common sense in my abilities to recognize if something has potential, but to authenticate work takes more than a good guess and it involves more than establishing a value which sometimes cannot be done accurately if the item isn't authenticated. It take in depth research and scientific approaches at times are necessary and most important, it takes time. In the end, it is worth it because there is no value in not knowing. At least that is my take on it.
That's it for today, I welcome questions or comments if you have any. Otherwise, enjoy the day, what started out as cold, cloudy and rainy here in Cleveland, even though it is June has ended up to be a sunny, yet cool day. I'll take the sun any day.
I thought I would expand on that conversation here in my blog. So here goes:
If you collect art, or you inherit artwork, your standard home owners policy may not cover it. You may want to have your artwork appraised so you know exactly how much it's worth in the event of a loss. In fact, some policies will not cover artwork unless it is specifically mentioned in the insurance contract. One can do this either by identifying the artwork as a class within the clause that specifies the items covered or by itemizing the pieces in the insured collection. This may mean a higher premium but it may avoid serious monetary loss or litigation down the road.
Now if you want to sell the items, that is a Fair Market Value Appraisal, it is a document that describes what the item would sell for in the open market. Please keep in mind people that just because it could sell for a listed price, doesn't mean it always will. Ultimately it is worth what someone is willing to pay for it. In the case of extremely high end pieces, i.e. artists with incredible sales record and you have an original, the likelihood of it selling at the going rate are very good. If there is a flood in the market of your particular piece, you may not get it's full value- at least not right now. Later down the line that may change.
What everyone has to remember is that the art market, just like the stock market fluctuates, albeit not every second of every day, but every few years some art depreciates while others appreciate significantly. If you want to know for sure what your items are worth, get them appraised. Even if it's not by me :) get someone to look at them at some point in time. There really has never been a better time to sell. No I'm not talking about millions of dollars as the norm, though some art is bringing that in and then some. I'm talking about how there is a very good chance that what you paid 5 dollars for could be worth $1,000.00.
And finally, art appraisals and art authentication are not the same. Yes as an art historian I use common sense in my abilities to recognize if something has potential, but to authenticate work takes more than a good guess and it involves more than establishing a value which sometimes cannot be done accurately if the item isn't authenticated. It take in depth research and scientific approaches at times are necessary and most important, it takes time. In the end, it is worth it because there is no value in not knowing. At least that is my take on it.
That's it for today, I welcome questions or comments if you have any. Otherwise, enjoy the day, what started out as cold, cloudy and rainy here in Cleveland, even though it is June has ended up to be a sunny, yet cool day. I'll take the sun any day.
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