Studio spy allows art collectors to watch artists at their work
Mar 15 2010 by David Whetstone, The Journal
But Don is a businessman as well as an art lover and has always been aware of the possibilities of the internet.
“I’ve always been fascinated in the use of technology to make art accessible,” he said.
“Since 2005 I’ve been constantly looking at technology and how it can help me increase access to artists, enabling collectors to meet them.”
Working with Newcastle web development company Orange Bus, he came up with KounterKulture – www.kounterkulture.org – which went online at the weekend.
Don said some 80% of Opus sales are made online, but there is also evidence that many potential buyers don’t like to purchase sight unseen.
One of the artists you can see working via the website is Josie McCoy, based in Spain. We touched base with Josie via the wonders of the website and asked how she felt about the spy in the studio. “It seemed kind of strange at first but I’ve done a lot of teaching and I like the idea of showing people how to paint,” she said.
“It’s a matter of getting used to the camera being in the studio. I was a bit self-conscious at first but after a while I forgot about it and was singing away as I worked.
“I think it could help people to realise that painting takes an incredibly long time and is not just about previews and standing around looking glamorous.”
An Opus graffiti-inspired artist called Hush, who trained at Newcastle College, enthused: “It’s like having an invisible documentary film crew following me as I do my work. No more trips to the galleries, the galleries have come to me.”
KounterKulture has a collectors’ forum and an artists’ blog section for social networking.
There’s also a section called ArtTactic which offers analysis of the latest auctions and buying trends.
Don called up some pretty detailed looking research into the contemporary art scene in China. “We get about 120 submissions every week from artists who want to get involved with us,” said Don.
As many details as possible about the artist will be requested before a decision is made. Not all will be accepted, but those that are range from the very experienced to the talented newcomer seeking a breakthrough.
At Friday’s launch we also spied upon Wallsend-based Teresa Duck, who graduated from Northumbria University in 2008, and is trying to support herself as an artist while bringing up a child. Her work looked interesting, but she was painting away oblivious to our watching eyes.
KounterKulture, an interesting innovation, could be the future.
