Nice concept. I definitely feel tempted--I otherwise only buy art at the local street fairs. FYI filters don't seem to to do anything for me (Brave, desktop)
same for me on firefox. filters reload the page but nothing changes
Launch HN: Art in Res (YC W20) – Buy art directly from artists
201–210 of 235 posts
Re: Launch HN: Art in Res (YC W20) – Buy art directly from artists
#202I really like it! I am a millennial with a lot of disposal income because of SWE and companies like FAANG. I've been to art galleries and openings but never purchased, and always feel like there's some low grade grift going on. I don't know.
This is the first Show HN I've sent the link to friends! Found several things already, like it.
One word of caution, we launched things years ago with a Show HN and took all the suggestions into account and total failure. HN isn't the average crowd and their preferences aren't the usual preferences. It's like how the whole internet seemed to support Bernie Sanders but he ended up flopping bad (not getting political, just am observation). HN, Reddit, Twitter aren't the real world, take all advice and popularity from said sources with a grain of salt.
That said, my partner and I are looking at art on your site now and will likely be spending thousands this week via the site. Love it!
Re: Launch HN: Art in Res (YC W20) – Buy art directly from artists
#203The "Tap below to copy your invite link:" on your invite page does not appear to work? (Google Chrome on macOS)
Re: Launch HN: Art in Res (YC W20) – Buy art directly from artists
#204John, this is an industry with a huge graveyard of failed startups doing the same thing. And the only ones left - Artsy, just went through a huge firing and recapping and I wouldnt give them long. Leaf group is trying to get rid of Saatchi in a fire sale and ArtFinder is barely break even with a team less than a dozen and making money from charging artists. So given this idea does not seem different than the many bef…
Tagging onto this reply.. As someone with particular domain knowledge (I worked in the art world for years and have many professional artist and gallerist friends), I don't I've ever seen an online art sales platform that actually understand the purpose of an art gallery--for both collectors and artists. Galleries are not simply point of sale vendors for art. They establish a scene, they contextualize the art and the…
This just seems like a justification of what the art gallery does for the art industry as it exists _now_, perhaps this isn't the best model anyway? I can totally see myself buying a painting from this site if it resonates with me, Im not particularly worried about how the single piece I buy forms a story with other pieces that I'm not going to buy, all I care is what it says in my room. In that regard the single biggest impediment is that I can see myself buying art I want in my home without ever seeing it in person!
Also nothing here says that I represent a viable customer segment either so there's that.
Re: Launch HN: Art in Res (YC W20) – Buy art directly from artists
#205Through friends, I've become a little acquainted with the art industry and how collections happen and get shown in the most general terms. I feel like Etsy used to be a place where individual creators created things… and now it's mostly used by industry professionals with a specific vibe or aesthetic feel. Is the thing that distinguishes Art in Res from something like Artsy that you're buying directly from the artist…
Etsy used to be full of actual creators, now it is full of drop-shippers who sell premade junk.
There are outliers, but it's not unusual to see art being churned out by factories, or shops full of stuff from AliExpress.
Re: Launch HN: Art in Res (YC W20) – Buy art directly from artists
#206Earlier quoted context omitted.
> So I love the idea, but to me it seems the challenge you face is how to present the art. Sorry I don't really have any great suggestions -- more views of each piece that allow for examining the technique? More careful lighting of the photos in a way the best complements the art? It is a big challenge and I don't have any great ideas. I agree with you on this! We're planning to roll out detail shots and installation…
John, I think this is a great idea! This is probably not a core competency in your platform, but I can imagine a lot of artists don’t have a resource to get decent photos taken ( not good camera, or understanding of composition, etc). Would there be some way to partner with local photographers to have them come out using your platform to either connect or maybe even pay for it? For example, $50 for the trip out and t…
I used to photograph large-pieces for a local gallery. I wouldn't even attempt such a job for $50 + $20/piece.
Photographing large canvasses, color-balancing, processing, & etc. Is not a quick process and requires both patience, experience, and a decent camera/lens/lighting setup.
I've seen artists list their canvasses on websites using iphone photos, and that does nothing to advertise their work.
Re: Launch HN: Art in Res (YC W20) – Buy art directly from artists
#207This looks really great, I hope you are psyched this post hit the first page. Everyone is fixated on pricing, I think the pricing is fine. Here are my notes:
Vectorizing - I don't see anyway to share these creations with the world. Why not have a Pinterest share button? The looky-loos who will never buy anything can share these creations for you and generate free traffic for you. Put them to work. Also, encourage artists to put their store URL as their Instagram bio link.
Authority - You kind of have a Kickstarter problem. They launched with thoughtful projects to fund so half the two sided marketplace was done. What happens when you get a few customers who then want to become sellers? When Aunt Marie wants to put her crappy poodle paintings on your site? How do you let her down gracefully? If you don't, why would I as a customer stay on site and sift through garbage?
Elitism - You are disrupting the gallery system but you are also accidentally creating a gallery. How do you reconcile that contradiction? Galleries don't make their money on selling out stock from the current show (this sometimes happens), they make money from generating press, becoming authoritative, and the wealthy go to the back room, where the great stuff is. Sometimes the gallerist will say, no, a museum is considering buying this. Are you going to do that? Say no to make more money later?
Lastly, you couldn't have picked a better time to launch. I would have to imagine the gallery system is getting flattened right now.
Re: Launch HN: Art in Res (YC W20) – Buy art directly from artists
#208Congrats on a very cool idea that seems well executed. I rarely buy anything on an installment plan (never done it for a phone, etc) but for art it's for some reason very appealing to me. I think I will buy something from here.
If I am paying $XXXX for my apartment each month, $XXXX + $50 to have a beatiful piece of art in it seems like a good idea.
I bought my first piece of real art last year from a gallery and it was a good and bad experience. Good because I was able to see the art in person next to other pieces and actually meet the artist. Bad because the gallery owner was somewhat rushing me and even when I pulled the trigger I didn't get the piece until a few weeks later when the show ended.
Re: Launch HN: Art in Res (YC W20) – Buy art directly from artists
#209I have painter friends. They do not want to sell me their art an any price. They would rather pay to have it in the right gallery show.
In other words, artists who are trying to build their career are demand, not supply.
Re: Launch HN: Art in Res (YC W20) – Buy art directly from artists
#210To be fair, the art market is just as flooded as the apps market these days. Moreover, art as a social endeavor still works as a ladder, so that you need to build credibility and authority day after day, before getting any pricetag on your works. The problem is not works collecting dust in studios, it is serious artists not being recognized because of the great great number of more vocal, self-aware and extrovert amateurs making all the noise. So my question is: are you just offering just another platform to everybody or are you aiming at a novel social discourse or movement while promoting your own artists in a coherent manner?