It would be nice to have so much money that investing in non-visible art seems like a great idea. Yes, non-visible art, as in art that you cannot see, because the artwork itself does not exist. The Museum of Non-Visible Art is a project endorsed by actor James Franco that promotes artwork that is imagined by the artist. So, when new media producer Aimee Davison recently shelled out $10,000 for a piece of non-visible artwork, what she was really getting was a card to hang on her wall that describes the invisible, non-existent piece of art.
Davison says she bought the non-visible artwork, called “Fresh Air,” because her job as a new media producer helped her identify with the ideology of the project. By new media, Davison is referring to social media, which she says is integral to how artists create, promote and sell their art online. She told the Huffington Post:
“I felt that the act of purchasing “Fresh Air” supported my thesis about a concept I term “you-commerce,” which is the marketing and monetization of one’s persona, skills, and products via the use of social media and self-broadcasting platforms, like Franco’s use of the crowd funding platform Kickstarter to fund the Museum of Non-Visible Art. Essentially, I wanted to put my money where my mouth is.”
The piece Davison bought was described by Paste Magazine as:
“A unique piece, only this one is for sale. The air you are purchasing is like buying an endless tank of oxygen. No matter where you are, you always have the ability to take a breath of the most delicious, clean-smelling air that the earth can produce. Every breath you take gives you endless peace and health. This artwork is something to carry with you if you own it. Because wherever you are, you can imagine yourself getting the most beautiful taste of air that is from the mountain tops or fields or from the ocean side; it is an endless supply.”
Well, that’s just great. Here’s to hoping that Davison very much enjoys basking in the timeless beauty of her description of a piece of art that doesn’t exist. But, we’d still like to point out that staring at a blank wall pretending to have artwork is an activity that can be enjoyed for free, just about everywhere.
(via NPR)
