Art-money
is an
international movement that began in 1997 when a contemporary Danish
artist, Larse Kraemmer, wanted control over his financial security.
Inasmuch as he was not making a living with his paintings (he
couldn�t depend upon promotion by galleries or purchases by
collectors), he came up with the idea of creating his own money with
his artwork!
He produced
small pieces of art, signed and assigned serial numbers, then went
to several shops where he found acceptance for his concept of
bartered art � recognizing the art work as a currency. He priced
each work at 20 Euros; if the value of his purchase was less than 20
Euros, Larse got back change.
Initially,
artists were skeptical about this mode of earning. However, Larse
successfully approached galleries in New York and Vancouver to
exhibit art-money, and was able to interest 20 others in it.
Since his first
exhibition in 1998, he has interacted with artists from around the
world. Many of them have used art-money to pay for their travel,
accommodations, spa treatments and beauty salons, as well as buying
art materials.
The retailers
view this as an opportunity to buy original art work at affordable
prices, and collectors of art-money can exchange it with others for
larger works. Registered artists with the movement are required to
accept up to 50% as payment for work in art-money.
Larse
Kraemmer�s idea has lead to the establishment of the Bank of
International Art Money, and offers artists worldwide the chance for
financial freedom and global exposure. For more details see
http://www.art-money.org.
