Art is Changing

Talked to a couple of artists yesterday who told me their income has taken a big hit over the past 12 months, and then caught up with Ed Winkelman’s blog. Ed is letting artists go as he reorders his priorities. He doesn’t say it is for financial reasons but my guess is galleries will be feeling the pinch.

Spent yesterday morning myself with the bank, asking for their support while we launch This Is Not A Brand. What is This is not a brand - is it capitals or lower case? Clearly I had trouble explaining to them what it is all about. So here is my summary.

“I recently launched a new label - I see it as a cross between what record labels do and a company. Confusing? I mean why can’t we have art labels like record companies have …. record labels? This Is Not A Brand is my art label.”

Our project with Jon Coffelt (see next post up) is the first product/project of This Is Not a Brand, a label for projects and products that move the line separating brand and art, art and design.

This Is Not A Brand’s Brand

Spent the bulk of yesterday making/designing a logo of stunning banality. Here it is:

You can buy anything from T shirts to caps to a tote bag and sweatshirt with this underbranded logo on it, all from Cafepress.com. Come to that you can also buy with an Underbranded logo.

For people who have good syntax there is also the long version of this is not a brand.

This is not a brand makes its debut pretty soon. It is a project of the gallery.

And does it have purpose? Its purpose is to give people the chance to assert their independence of brands. That link again? Here.

I Am Not A Brand

Am I a BMW driver? No. Volkswagen Golf? No siree. Do I drink Yellow Tail or Jacob’s Creek? When I was younger. How about Paul Smith suits? Can’t afford. Versace neither. Wallpaper magazine? I pick it up at airports because in fact I really love design. I’m pretty proud to say, though, I am not a brand. Life has been hell trying to be one, trying to live up to expectations.

It’s only a passing observation but these affiliations with brands seem to go hand in hand with a personal brand mentality, that whole Brand You gig, and with it, the danger of feeling unfulfilled. Yes, under-branded.

If we don’t get a slice of the brand action, if we can’t or won’t talk ourselves up, if we won’t embrace the idea that we are out there selling ourselves there’s a good chance we’re going to feel a little short on the essentials.

On the other hand can we reject branding and all that goes with it? What does go with it? A set of signs and a language of what constitutes success, a short hand for luxury, even if luxury is just your Friday night shot of Standard Vodka.

Branding and design are beautiful and that is why they wield power. But art too can be beautiful, more often than not original, always in search of a difference but never, well nearly never, a brand. A little art in our lives opens up the possibility of a brand-escape route, a road to a brand-free life. Well that would be impossible but to be on the road, that is the thing.

If you are not a brand or want to be a little less branded in your life maybe you could take a look at our first project, the One World Wallet. Heck if you are an artist you might want to suggest our next project. All it takes is a comment.