Florence Biennal Art Exhibition - Biennale di Firence 2003

You're spot on. The Belle Epoque was about projecting joy and well-being (among other things). This new work is a derivative of some of her previous work which incorporated this imagery. As a stand-alone on a metallic wash background it becomes something like 'New Age Cave painting meets 'La Belle Epoque''. But is the world ready for such 'high concept' art ??

But more importantly. Is the Biennale di Firenze worth exhibiting in?

If you can get someone to buy it they are ready for it - there is always a niche market somewhere.

I have a book of the prince's water colours - got it real cheep - the prince is correct his water colours are not that great.

If you think $1800.00 US will increase your sales go for it but you have to get back more than your investment. You have to do your own market research - you know that.

You know the stuff is a revamping of art nouveau and it may be a hard sell. The general market wants landscapes with some buildings - In my area wintry canal scapes filled with skaters is in big demand. k

Tell me about it! Maxine spent years in Suffolk and Norfolk painting just that: Rural bliss with a touch of winter thrown in. http://maxart0.tripod.com/maxinecameron/id2.html

My feeling is the European art market is far more flexible and receptive to new takes on old themes, or something truly 'new' than the UK market which is remarkably pedestrian and boring. Either totally full of itself on a wave of hype from PR gurus who took over one end of it turning 'concept' into art (and some would say 'art' into trash filled rooms). Every gallery you visit is a refelction of others. Few have the courage and bankroll (nor clients) to promote new exciting work - of any genre. Just endless Victorian etchings, twee landscapes or botched abstracts. Tons of Vietnamese and Chinese imports by artists who have low cost bases and the dealers and galleries can happily mark up their work 100-300% and still sell for less than $2,000.

But generally my jaundiced opinion is that most of the buyers are hip terrified young mortgagees, waiting for the housing boom to bust, the only talking point in their kitchens being one limited edition Dali tile and a few minimalist prints on the living room walls.

Personally I'd prefer a Breugel winter scene anytime.

This is an art fair - nothing more, nothing less. I get invited to it every year - along with a dozen others - i don't do any of them. You always have to pay to be in art fairs. In terms of credibility, it isn't a good one nor a bad one. It's very expensive and those I klnow who have participated have given mixed reports. The most common complaint is that you have to adjust your prices to suit the market over there and that the market is quite limited - abstract artists generally doing better than others. I have heard people say they have sold but have not heard anyone say they have made a profit at the end of the day. Most artist I know who have participated used it as an excuse for a vacation and have enjoyed the experience. And of course, it is great for those artists who live in areas of the world where there is no art market to give them a chance for some exposure. If you have the money, go for it. Alison A Raimes