Web 2 Meet Up Entertainment

I knew I was going to Projekt Revolution for my birthday. I had a goal to rock out and rock hard, but then came this thing. I found out I’d also be interviewing Placebo at Projekt Revolution in Camden, NJ. It started out as a phone interview but somehow by some miracle, I got to do a face to face interview. My birthday just got better. I’d been a Placebo fan for a few years and in fact, they happen to be one of my favourite bands. Happy Birthday to me!

Placebo, for those of you in the dark or on substances that don’t allow you to remember anything, is a three piece (Brian Molko, Stefan Olsdal and Steve Hewitt), British rock band that have been doing their thing internationally for a little over ten years. In 1996, their self-titled debut album brought the world a sound unlike any other sound out there at the time. It was raw, untamed and uncensored honesty about sex, drugs, love and life backed by grinding guitars, heavy basslines and solid beats. Their latest album, Meds, has brought the band full circle and back to that same honesty. This summer they joined the Projekt Revolution tour and alongside bands like HIM, Taking Back Sunday and My Chemical Romance (lets not forget the reason for the season Linkin Park), they have sufficiently unleashed a Revolution upon the people of North America. I got to spend some time in a very hot and humid Camden, NJ talking to bassist/guitarist Stefan Olsdal.

If you are investing in artwork, rather than buying it solely for its aesthetic value, then there is nothing more important than its provenance. A work of art without provenance can be impossible to sell when it comes time for you to realize its price appreciation, and can even land you in hot water. In fact, without a satisfactory provenance, it can be difficult to be satisfied that you even have title to the work, despite the fact that you may have paid good money for it.

Provenance is important for two reasons: theft and forgery. The art world is rife with both, particularly with art works that are sought after and therefore valuable.

If the piece of art you buy has been stolen, you will not acquire title in it when you purchase it. This is because a thief cannot pass on title to an art work, not having acquired title at the time of taking. Even if there exists a chain of bona fide purchasers in between you and the thief, you still are not immune to a claim from the work’s rightful owner should that person appear. And, if your art work is to be sold at auction, it is quite likely that the owner – or their insurance company – will find out about it. You will lose your artwork, together with the money you paid for it. As well, your reputation in the art community will certainly not be enhanced.

In addition to the problem of theft of legitimate artwork, provenance is also important because of the large number of forgeries. Forgeries may be modern, or of some antiquity, and there is no way for you – or even for an expert – to be absolutely certain that a work is not a forgery, in the absence of a satisfactory provenance.

At one time I had a small antique business in an antique mall. I was always on the lookout for finding bargains at garage sales, thrift shops and flea markets. Flea markets seemed to have more to offer. For one reason, there are usually more choices and also vendors who specialize in everything from Delft pottery to wall art. They are quite willing to come down in their prices, hard cash is difficult to refuse, especially if you’ve been standing in the hot sun all day and thinking about having to load up all your stock and haul it home again. Usually you can find a price that both of you feel good about.

Arrive very early. Most flea markets open as early as seven in the morning. But to get the best stuff’ or art, you will be more successful if you arrive a half hour before that. I’m not a morning person, so have rarely have done this, but I have seen artwork that other shoppers purchased that early and it is amazing and makes me try to get there earlier next time.

Take cash. Vendors rarely accept credit or debit cards and aren’t very accepting of personal checks. Too many of them have been burned by checks, so I don’t blame them.

Dress comfortably with good, comfy shoes. I avoid carrying a purse and wear cargo pants or a vest with many pockets so my hands will be free for handling and looking over items for sale. I also take a tape measure and a small magnifying glass to look for peeling or cracking of the paint from the canvas. Some crackling is OK in very old and excellent paintings, but you don’t want to take a painting home and have all the painting peel and fall off a week later.