Yes, But Is It Art?

Ever throw a party and no one came?

Sad, but unlikely because surely you'd only invite people you knew and liked and who liked you in return.

Sometimes business can be like that - you have a really good idea or skill, throw open your doors and wonder why no one is knocking down in the rush.

It doesn't take too long to realise that you have to market your business to people who are wanting to buy and, in order to do that, you have to spend time finding out who, if any actually want what you have to sell.

A Melbourne sculptor today is learning the costly lesson of producing something people don't appear to want:

A BRONZE statue of Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin could end up overseas because no one in Australia wants to buy it.
Controversial sculptor Mitch Mitchell has now approached TV queen Oprah Winfrey and the Discovery Channel to see if they are interested.

Mitchell, who is at the centre of an Easter row over his sculpture of a naked young woman on a crucifix, is stunned at the rejection of his Irwin tribute...

...The larger-than-life sculpture, with an asking price of $85,000, is stored at a Richmond studio. Once a buyer is found Mitchell will make the finishing touches before having it cast in bronze.

Hmm, after reading the comments in The Courier Mail, perhaps Mitch "Squared" really doesn't want to know what potential purchasers might think:

Why pay $85,000 to some artist just cause it's Steve Irwin - no one asked him to make the statue. Let the market prevail.
Posted by: Seadrift 8:27am today

It hardly looks like Steve. Very junky, if some mug overseas wants to buy let them, but lets not have it hanging around here.
Posted by: Ian Holthouse of Woombye 8:16am today

Donate it. You will get more business. Its sad you want money for it. Art is now greedy too. Try boxing academy's they might want it.
Posted by: Wild Child of City of whingers Brisbane 8:06am today

Ouch!

Those who attended the Executive Alliance marketing presentation last Wednesday got plenty of good ideas and tips from speakers about how to effectively target your audience. If you weren't able to make it, you can find the notes right here.