Piggy-backing off my earlier post about a couple simple ideas that can spread art to those who want/need it and how we can really get the culture in our cities up...here is an interesting idea being implemented to get art from the west coast across the country. Check it out...
http://artinabox.net/about/
It's a cool idea...a really simple way of getting art out there and directly to the people...I suppose the only drawback is that it really isn't feasible for that lower-income art lover. Subscriptions are 50$ per month, with a minimum of three months, and even for me, being someone who loves art, that is a steep price when it comes down to internet, electric, heat, AC (especially this summer), or Art In A Box.
Another question I have is about the presentation and the altered meaning. Does the artist prepare the package or a group who works at the headquarters? Is there any thought given to the arrangement or organization other than the "three adjectives to describe your art taste"? Does the meaning of the piece change or get lost because it is delivered with other objects, in the mail?
I think the idea is great and it opens the door to a lot of people to see new work by artists they may have never been introduced otherwise, but, from an artists side, how does the meaning, connection, and reaction change when the presentation is so different than usual? Does that matter? Are you taking advantage of that?
I'd be interested to see if the organizers would be interested in "art in an envelope" at a lower price point...and then this idea could really reach a great number of people...
Thanks for your interest in Art in a Box! Even though our subscriptions are $50/month, people can spread out the boxes and receive them every other month, or even quarterly. The price also includes shipping, which is a huge expense. Locals in the area can subscribe for $40/a month and pick up their box at The Compound Gallery. We only include one piece in each box, although there are often additional surprises inside. Most of our artists use Art in a Box as a way to experiment and try out new things and we also have exhibitions at the gallery that showcase full sized work by our artists. Thank you for taking the time to write about Art in a Box!
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