Good Things Come to Those Who Wait
Or so they say.
Actually it takes paying attention and rattling a few cages sometimes.
I first started working with Al-Tiba9 Contemporary Art a couple of years ago. They are a gallery and publisher out of Barcelona. I was intrigued with their exhibition program as well as their design work.
[su_image_carousel source=”media: 10520,10521,10522″ limit=”40″ slides_style=”photo” crop=”none” columns=”4″ captions=”yes” link=”image” target=”self” autoplay=”7″ image_size=”medium”]
[su_pullquote]”Al-Tiba9 gallery takes a new approach to contemporary art in a digital space. Based on the ideology of the Al-Tiba9 Platform, the Al-Tiba9 art gallery emphasizes emerging international artists, and addresses the moment of the contemporary experience through the eyes of these particular visual artists. It holds a strong vision of the future through visual arts, digital and experimental art, virtual art, music and architecture. Founded by Mohamed Benhadj, curator and art advisor with decade long experience in working with established artists, galleries, museums, and collectors, AL-Tiba9 gallery runs several programs to promote international artists and invites art professionals through online exhibitions, collector publications, participation in art fairs, and digital events via social media, and much more.”[/su_pullquote]
I looked at their prior publications and exhibitions and liked what I saw. They interviewed me and published online…it was competition, requiring a small fee. It was an online opportunity in Europe, so I did not have to ship to Spain in order to have my work be seen in Europe. So I bet on it.
This year they decided to make a hardcover book of their interviews. I don’t normally participate in things like this. They did ask for a fee. But I knew they were taking the publication to the Barcelona Art Book Fair. So I decided to participate. It was still cheaper than shipping artwork to Barcelona and more people got to see my work in Europe. So it seemed like a good bet to me.
It took forever for the book to arrive! I had to rattle a few cages. I suspect it spent some time in the mailroom at my post office, soaking up the ambience. (We still have intermittent delivery problems here in Minneapolis.) But it finally arrived yesterday. It is as pretty as promised.
Will that bet pay off? I don’t know, but I did get a 3 page spread in a well designed book out of it!
PS About betting on your career? Only spend what you can afford and don’t expect obvious pay offs right away. In my experience, it takes a couple of years to sink in, germinate and turn into a sale.
