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the art of self-promotion

updated sat 19 may 01

 

David Hendley on thu 17 may 01


This is an interesting article in Forbes Magazine about how
Dale Chihuly made his name a household word.
http://www.forbes.com/global/2001/0514/066.html

The tag line is 'Dale Chihuly's greatest masterpiece isn't a
sculpture. It's the infomercial about himself.'
I agree with this premise; if you want to become a well-
know artist, the art takes a back seat to the promotion.

According to the article, Chihuly has not actually made a piece
of art since 1976. 20 assistants do the making. He has
180 other employees: engineers, lighting experts, installers,
and sales reps, while he spends most of his time on the road
promoting himself.
He has made 9 commercial videos and several DVDs, and
has self-published 25 coffee-table books about himself
and his glass works.

Look for the first 'Chihuly Store' to open soon. It will sell
small $2,500 to $6,000 replicas of his work.
--
David Hendley
Maydelle, Texas
hendley@tyler.net
http://www.farmpots.com/

vince pitelka on fri 18 may 01


> This is an interesting article in Forbes Magazine about how
> Dale Chihuly made his name a household word.
> http://www.forbes.com/global/2001/0514/066.html

David -
I have been saying for years that Chihuly is highly accomplished in three
areas. He is certainly accomplished at glass, but he is more accomplished
at managing people so that THEY make his art for him, and most accomplished
in image building and self-promotion.
Best wishes -
- Vince

Vince Pitelka
Appalachian Center for Crafts
Tennessee Technological University
1560 Craft Center Drive, Smithville TN 37166
Home - vpitelka@dtccom.net
615/597-5376
Work - wpitelka@tntech.edu
615/597-6801 ext. 111, fax 615/597-6803
http://www.craftcenter.tntech.edu/