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THE
FREE ART FAIR
The art
fair where all the work is given away
5, 8,
and 21 Seymour Place Open
Monday to Sunday 11am till 6pm (T:07957
136066) The Free
Art Fair is an art fair where all the work is given away at the end. People will
have the chance to own a piece of art by artists from the Saatchi Collection or
who have exhibited at the Tate. For once instead of art going to the
highest bidder or those who can afford it, someone who really loves an artwork
will be able to have it for free. The Free Art Fair will be on show for one week at the same time as the Frieze
Art Fair, one of the world's biggest art fairs. On the Sunday when the show
finishes people will be able to take one piece of art away on a first come first
served basis. "I thought we should do something different from what everyone else is
doing at this time of year and non-commercial, and something that excites people
and values art not selling. This gives anyone the chance to own a serious piece
of art." (Jasper Joffe,
founder The Free Art Fair) Artists
who have confirmed their participation include several artists with work in the
Saatchi Collection and Tate, Britain's best known art critic, a Royal
Academician, and many of Britain's most exciting young artists. "Money talks and it's persuasive BUT the best things in life are free." FAQ Q: How do
I get my hands on a piece of art? A: You
come to the Free Art Fair, look around and decide which piece you would like.
You can then register your name and address (it's one piece per household) and
on Sunday 14th October at 6pm you come back to 21 Seymour Place and tell us
which piece you want (you don't have to register beforehand, it will just make
things quicker). If you are the first in the queue for that piece then it's
yours. If that piece is taken you get one more choice, it that one's taken, then
you've had your chance and it's off to the back of the queue. We won't tell you
what's gone till the end, because we want people to take something they really
want not just anything they can get! All you have to do is take it home that
day. We do not provide transport and all work must be collected on the day (if
not you can't have it!). We recommend you may need to arrive before 6pm to be
first in the queue. Q: Why are
you giving away the art? A: Because it
seems like a nice idea. The people who want it the most, not only those that can
afford it, will be able to own a great piece of contemporary art. It offers an
alternative to the market frenzy which we see at this time of year, and opens a
debate about the value of art. Q: Who are
these artists? A: They
are all artists whose work we love and are include some of Britain's best known
and most promising artists. They include Chantal Joffe, who won the major award
at the 2006 Royal Academy Summer show. Bob and Roberta Smith whose work has been
exhibited at The Tate Britain. Stephen Farthing who is a Royal Academician and
whose work can be seen in The National Portrait Gallery. Artists Anonymous who
will be exhibiting at Haunch of Venison Zurich in 2008. Stuart Cumberland whose
paintings are on show at The Approach in September. Matthew Collings who is an artist and
Britain's best known art critic too. Q: Are
they just giving away a piece of paper they've done a scribble on? A: No, not
unless that's what they do anyway. All the artists are showing a serious piece
of work because we want to put on a great show. Harry Pye, Jasper Joffe, and
Peter Lamb in collaboration with Lee Johnson have confirmed that they will be
giving away large-scale paintings. Bob
and Roberta Smith, in the tradition of Manzoni, will exhibit bottles of his own
urine. He is not taking the piss. Q:
Shouldn't the artists get paid for their hard work? A: Well, we
believe that it is great if artists are well rewarded for their art. Most
artists earn very little money from their work and that is bad. The Free Art
Fair is not saying art is worthless. It is saying art is worth more and about
more. Most artists don't become artists to get rich, though it's nice if it
happens, they do it for various reasons often including that they love art. Press, Images,
Interviews, and Sponsorship Opportunities please contact Jas Calum F. Kerr's One Second Blunders, mistaken actions and sounds, will be given away free on Monday 8th October 6-9pm & Sunday 14th 12-6pm. Local businesses are supporting The Free Art Fair with special giveaways and free samples of food and drink, including snacks from Patisserie Valerie and Sushi from Mura. Potassium Store will be organising performances and a special exhibition. Please see links below. Insurance by Woodgates, experts in providing
insurance for the event and exhibitions industry http://www.woodgates.co.uk
with thanks to:
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