BAGART Q&A

The following questions were raised by local artists, curators, and dealers and answered by Song Tao (Birdhead member) during BAGART’s 2009 research residency in Toronto. This section is constantly developing and open to your questions, comments and discussions. Leave comments below or feel free to email us at info@gendaigallery.org and insert “BAGART” in the subject line.

Production/Contract

Who designs the frame? Is the frame included?
Birdhead designs the frame, but sometimes there are exceptions where the artist and Birdhead collaborate on the frame. The frame is included in the selling price.

What medium should the original work be?
Any medium is accepted as long as it can be printed on BAGART paper. (For works not conducive to printing, the Artist will work with Birdhead to find solutions.)

What is the quality of the paper being used? What will be the quality of the printing?
The work will be printed on inexpensive, thin newsprint, using high-quality printing techniques. (Colours will be reproduced as close to the original as possible)

How does the contract work between the Artist and Birdhead? How does the collaboration work?
Artist and Birdhead will decide upon the work to be produced for the collaboration and they will sign a one-year contract for the sale of the work. At the end of the year, they have the option to renew the contract by creating a new piece together. (Please see a sample jpeg of the contract for further details in the slideshow at the top of this page.)

For the 1-year contract period, unlimited versions can be sold. After 1 year, the work will no longer be available for sale on the BAGART website.

If I don’t find a local representative, but would like to buy your work, is it possible to purchase it somewhere else?
Refer to BAGART website to find available local representatives. (Or you can wait for, find, or become a local representative in your city!) Currently, local representatives are located in Shanghai, Manchester and Toronto.

As an Artist, can I contribute a frame instead of the work inside?
You are stealing my job, we have to talk separately. Or you can be part of the Birdhead team. We are open to new ideas. For example, a conceptual artist from China came up with a stencil instead of printing a reproduction of work.

How does Birdhead choose the artists they will collaborate with?
Either we like your work or we like you.

How can I, as an artist, get involved with BAGART?
Contact your local representative to get you in direct contact with Birdhead. If BAGART has not reached your city, you can contact Birdhead directly from the BAGART website. (www.bagart.org)

As a participating artist, is my contribution to the collaboration limited only to BAGART projects?
NO NO NO NO NO NO!

Is Birdhead’s dealer, ShanghART involved in any way?
No, this is an independent Birdhead project, but if you are interested, the installer user manual is available through ShanghART. (www.shanghartgallery.com/galleryarchive/artists/name/birdhead)

Sales

How are the Artists’ works priced? How much does it cost in Canadian dollars?
We use the BIG MAC index to determine the price. All works cost 88 BIG MACS. How much does a BIG MAC cost here in Toronto? (http://www.economist.com/markets/bigmac/)

Why are you using the BIG MAC index? This is the only thing that I don’t like. You are advertising for them. I don’t like the franchise.
The BIG MAC index is a good measurement to standardize the price in the global market, since McDonald’s are everywhere. The effect of McDonald’s around the world is an undeniable part of your life. There is no point trying to resist it; but this, of course, also depends on your perspective.

Is it possible to receive volume discounts?
NO… but if we do, the discount would come from Birdhead’s cut of the profit.

How do artists know how many pieces of their work are sold in one year?
Each work will be sold with a label and version code, which will be tracked by Birdhead and will be reported to the Artist at the end of each month.

Can you promise the price never changes? Suggestions: Are the prices fixed? Can you guarantee the price?
No. The goal for BAGART is to make these works more and more accessible and affordable.

Installation

Who will install the work on my wall?
Professional installers will be commissioned by your local representative.

What is included in the installation?
The artwork; a certificate signed by Birdhead, the Artist and the Customer, which is only valid for one installation; a copy of the contract between the Artist and Birdhead; a Polaroid photograph documenting the artwork at the installation location.

What is the definition of the wall?
Only one address can be associated with the work, so the wall needs to be permanent enough to have an address. The address will be written on the certificate. In other words, the wall must be NON-moveable!

What if I made a moveable wall that can fool you?!?!
We will be proud of you if you spend that much effort to build such a nice wall, and may grant you the exception to keep the piece!

Can the person install the work somewhere outdoors?
This brings up a quality concern, so, not really.
But…if you really want to as an Artist, this can be negotiated with Birdhead.

After Installation

Can the work be resold?
NO!

What if I, as a buyer, move within a year? Can I reinstall the piece in my new home?
NO!

Can I destroy it so the next person moving in cannot enjoy it?
YES!

Can I include your works as part of a gallery exhibition?
Of course! But the gallery will still have to pay for the work as a regular customer. The cost to invite BAGART to participate in an exhibition is 88 BIG MACS per work.