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[iloilo]

I have long refused to accept grants, stipends, or even purchases when I can identify that the money is stolen goods - money taken by force from people -taxation is theft - to redistribute according to the whims of the armed robbers and their gang leaders.

I do art: porcelain, pottery, water colours, sumi-e, oils, prints, other art forms.  I do a lot of art.  I am proud that to the best of my knowledge, I do not receive any stolen goods in exchange for my art.

Not perfect at this practice yet, as I may miss a few FRNs that come to me from purchasers, but I am working on the concept of not taking stolen goods. 

Has anyone else out there given this concept any thought?

[velojym]

I've seen a lot of "Fair Trade" stuff around Little Rock, and have to wonder *who* exactly determines what is "fair" at the other end.
This has more to do with art imported from poor countries, and of course these outfits aren't going to send the full value of the art to the
artist. That would be a bloody fortune in these places, and I don't see the nanny organization allowing that sort of thing to happen.
Besides, I'm sure they have plenty of... 'administrative' costs...

As for government funding, as I recall, they've taken  money from us by force to hang feces in a room. If it was really considered good art,
people would have paid to see it.

[iloilo]

I've seen a lot of "Fair Trade" stuff around Little Rock, and have to wonder *who* exactly determines what is "fair" at the other end.
This has more to do with art imported from poor countries, and of course these outfits aren't going to send the full value of the art to the
artist. That would be a bloody fortune in these places, and I don't see the nanny organization allowing that sort of thing to happen.
Besides, I'm sure they have plenty of... 'administrative' costs...

As for government funding, as I recall, they've taken  money from us by force to hang feces in a room. If it was really considered good art,
people would have paid to see it.

Exactly!  If I cannot sell my art to individuals in the free, private market, I'd better improve fast or give my art away!  Just because someone cannot sell their art is no reason to go whine for a government subsidy: any self-respecting artist would shudder to receive stolen goods, in my book.
There are several art markets which reputedly send the proceeds to the artists in LDCs, but how much is sent after "administrative costs is sure a good question to raise.
I have traveled a lot, and have purchased art in Africa, S. America and Asia, and always try to buy directly from the artist who made the work!  One way to almost guarantee that the artist gets the money.  I say "almost" because I know the gummit may step in and steal from the artist, of course.

[velojym]

Yeah. Every time I see a bumper sticker promoting 'public support of the Arts', I'm thinking this is probably a failed artist who wants
some sort of welfare, not-so-cleverly disguised as a grant, for the Common Good, of course.

[Claire]

feralfae,

First of all, I hope you'll please let us see more of your art online. I've seen a piece or two, I believe, but ... more, more, more!

Also ... I just saw your message for the first time today, but you bet I've given the subject much thought. I don't take stolen money, either. Not for my writing, not for the little bit of art I do. And thank you for doing (or not doing) the same.

I made an exception only once, nearly 20 years ago, for a state agency that was really extraordinarily well-run and purposeful. But even then, my conscience bothered me and I was glad when that contract ended.

It's always hard to be "pure," because where does one draw the line? I used to write for big corporations, and every one of them is hand-in-pocket with government at various levels. So in each case, I tried to use judgment: Does this businss exist for some other purpose than filling government requirements? Does most of its money come from honest trade? Does it cooperate with government only to the extent that it has to to survive?

Claire

[iloilo]

Hi Claire,
Yes, thank you, I hope to get some more art on line.
Of course, the FIJA brochures -- the new ones, are also my art.
The new body ownership brochure is on the www.fija.org web site now.

I just unloaded a bisque kiln a couple of days ago - now it is the final sanding, washing and prepping all the pieces, then the fun of glazing and then a glaze firing.  I am also in the middle of gathering materials for and designing a small tribe of stone fairies for the back forest -- they will be strolling down toward the Kiva garden, with the smaller fairies in the back to give more depth to the installation.  These stone fairies look a lot like circumpolar stone people, except that I am going for a few sets of stone wings, if you can imagine such a thing.  I also found some cool rocks in Wyoming to make a couple of stone fairy houses.  I will post pix when I get some to post 

Thank you for the nice words.  I am glad you are still here.

[slidemansailor]

It is moments like this when I really want to physically move to live in a village with people like you. To be neighbors with such creative people on top of the political/cultural home... oh, to dream... mine would be one of 20 woodshop/metalshops on Main Street, but feralfae would never be left wanting for handyman stuff.

[iloilo]

Thank you SMS.
The closest I have found to this sense of community and creativity you describe is in Fairbanks, AK.
Here in Montana, we are a bit more scattered.  
I love Fairbanks for that sense of creative, free, anarchist people all around you.