A post by Wendy Rosen yesterday identified VIZ art glass as flooding America with artists copies: Google Viz--Alibaba.com arrives which is everything from China. Antitrust, and copyright lawsuits are being filed as we speak.. BUT IT IS UP TO THE GALLERY OWNERS AND ART FAIR DIRECTORS TO ALSO HELP STOP THIS RIP-OFF;; JUST SAY NO;;SIMPLE--AND A BOOTH SLIDE WON'T STOP THIS- THE ONLY WAY THE BOOTH SLIDE WORKS IS IF THE PERSON IS KNOWLEDGABLE -NOT AN OVEREMPOWERED VOLUNTEER-
By the way in Winter Park there were 5 2-d artists with very similar work-they removed the $39.99 artist from what I heard;; and are researching the possible chinese supplier--reminds me of the string painters-
Let us all stay on our toes and protect our industry. Most of us all know who is real and not; it is time to police (I hate this word,but) your specific mediums. There is no way any art fair director will look down on anyone for making their show better (quality) and integrity wise. This issue is just beginning for us in all mediums- beware the ides of march-- Fair Winds
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We have gotten a little off-track here- (1) these are copyrighted, published artists works being knocked-off in China ; (2) These items have invaded the wholesale markets ; NOW; (3) Noone knows if they have invaded art festivals yet with their sales agents or whatever means; but it is coming; (4)If we are not vigilant (festival rules,etc) in this fight they will be right next to you at a show; sellin ripoffs and killing your business,and the integrety of any art festival.
With the power behind Wendy Rosen's many organizations; and hopefully also American Craft Council;and the NAIA ( on their conference agenda); and now various trade organizations (our Government-) maybe these illegal actions will be curtailed. FIRST OFF IT IS UP TO THE RETAIL MERCHANTS TO JUST SAY NO--NO MATTER THE PRICEPOINTS; RECENTLY AFTER ABC DID IT'S STORY ON AMERICAN MADE THE ROSEN ORG. QUESTIONED WHY NO AMERICAN ART WAS FOR SALE AT THE SMITHSONIAN-- THIS POLICY HAS JUST BEEN CHANGED (according to a recent e-mail) ; One small step foward in a long battle; Please be vigilant-- and MAKE SURE YOU ARE CORRECT FOR ONE'S OWN PROTECTION// FALSE ACCUSATIONS DO NO ONE ANY GOOD.
Larry- no one would want to jepordize Connie; Artfairinsiders,or you (as co-moderator) by posting erroneous info; as you know phanthom forums can be posted from anywhere on anything (even cells) and totally untraceable (buy a Trac-phone & toss it), libraries, cafes, internet access like anything can be faked with a illegal I.D. whatever) ; You seem to have this Lawyer fear- With all your past customers, or my past customers that support what we do a few must have been lawyers that are significant--Sidney Rossoff comes to mind as we speak- Our Laws do not favor theft,copy right infringement, etc; and all the other things associated with these crimes-- they can rush to hire and spend- but they will not win- not with the powerful influences; laws; and $$ powers ( just consider Chihuly's assets alone) behind this charge . BTW maybe u missed my comment on the guy who popped up next to me ( 2 northern shows) with his 2 propanels- 4 images- and 5 brouse bins with 6x 8 pictures for $7.99 top price-- The vampire is knocking on all mediums ;even yours;; protect your back and your fellow photographers . We all need tobe very vigilant in our specific mediums;;
This issue has just begun and we all need to protect what we have built since the early Rhinebeck days; Our own independent industry. Fair Winds, and I am not running for any political office.
Perhaps. But several years ago, when those "wooden barking frogs" from China were all the rage in way too many art shows, a prestigious museum had a member of their staff buy a bunch of the frogs for their museum store.
And the shows that let those eastern Europeans in with about two tons of poorly cast and badly finished "pewter ware," won't toss them, even when they can't prove they make them. They get into the "Metal" category and show up with jewelry, candlesticks, toys, flatware, plates, and so on. They literally fill a double booth and ooze out behind them or to their side(s). And the shows don't do anything about them. Their booth looks fake, but then, the public buys a lot of their product.
Or the plastic flowers that are labeled "flexible clay."
Or the little clay castles and manor homes that are shipped in from Romania. But the booths all look genuine, until you realize that no one artist can make all of that product and do 40-50 shows a year.
But even the implication that any of those booths might have fake art would be tantamount to slander. I'll have to hand this one to Larry; he is right about this: it could be a potential case for defamation of character, slanderous accusations, etc. I definitely would not want a picture of my booth mixed in with the "guess which booth has fake art." Would any of you?
If you want to post the pictures on a public forum, start a forum or web site to publish them instead of jeopardizing Connie's forum.
<Any photograph taken from a public access venue is free of liability. (I checked on this with my lawyer regarding reference photos of landscapes or structures where I was unable to ask for permission.)>
Larry Berman
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100
At the recent jurying for the Great Lakes Art Fair one of the jurors tipped me off to another source for goods. There is a 200 acre retail destination boasting 32 buildings and over 120,000 unique products gathered from all over the world in Virginia where you can buy pottery and lots of other goods, www.Williamsburgpottery.com.
Now, I'm not saying exhibitors at the art fairs are going there to buy their goods...but it makes you stop and consider, doesn't it?
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