Vicente Wolf Blog

Vicente,
I like your sense of humour
I think any designer standing naked anywhere would also find competition, and probably better at it than us. On this side of the planet things are gloomy still. The ups and downs are felt daily, and it is tiring. One day people are happy and up and the second they are down and dont want to spend anymore. Clients are bargaining like never before, and not only expect better deals on everything, they now demand it. They are shopping aournd more. Yet I also go to these parties where the caterers charge more than a designer, yet it is justified somehow !!!
I hope we get out of this gloom soon because the long term damage it could can be huge.

As a middle class 51 year old in the mid-west trying to reinvent herself as a furniture maker and designer, I hope things are turning around but things still don’t look promising here. I hope the upper class keeps spending because taht’s the only thing keeping me going, the middle class I deal with either doesn’t have the money or feels that going and buying cheap cardboard furniture is great design. I am also realistic in the thought that it took a long time to get to this point and it won’t be an overnight fix to get us out. So I am trying to watch my pennies and indulge every once in a while to do my part in keeping the economy going.

Ah Vincente, you are posing the big question. Indeed we now have a two-tiered, have/have-not economy. Our government did a brilliant job of saving the banks and restoring credit through TARP, now being paid back with interest, but can the government save itself, let alone us? The public wants all its benefits while someone else pays the taxes. So the government borrows and prints money to make up the difference, which causes inflation that hurts individuals and businesses, who economize by laying off workers, which shrinks the economy and tax revenues, then cycle begins again. Pogo said: “ We have met the enemy and he is us.” We need an informed and involved electorate pressing the government for both socially AND fiscally responsible choices, so the Tea Party folks, who vent their anger at individuals instead problems, don’t set the agenda. And we need again to “Ask not what your country can do for you…”

I’ve seen economic hope around the world, though more through reading than walking the streets like you. BRIC and other emerging world countries are experiencing economic freedom and growth that will eventually help us all. But in the short run it has produced job loss here, which we should counteract with energy and technology innovations. Natural gas (with half the carbon emissions of oil), wind, solar and nuclear projects would produce millions of jobs. I don’t believe in Armageddon or other pre-ordained outcomes. God, if there is one, has a better sense of humor and has given us free will.

You should not feel guilty working for wealthy clients, who have re-built some of their wealth and are spending again. That’s what artists do. Remember the story of Peter Paul Rubens (the only artist to have a folk group and a candy bar named after him) in “Master of Shadows”? His patrons were the royalty of Europe, but his diplomatic efforts helped achieve peace between Spain and his beloved Flanders. We aren’t all like Rubens, but can do what we can through political and charitable acts.

I am glad that we weren’t reduced to standing in Times Square naked with tin cups. Didn’t Rudy Giuliani outlaw that anyway? You would have received smiles and tips, and I would have received the tip to get back to the gym! – Gary

I am seeing glimmers of hope, but turnaround of the economic dismal state-no. I do not work with wealthy, but more the stable and a few well off. Even the smallest scale projects employ others, besides the designer. So, from my view I think that anytime someone can spend money, it reaches the table of so many others by putting them to work.

Vicente, I still say be true to your dream, be passionate, love what you do, buy original fine art!!
Karena,
Art by Karena

Vicente, I am an antiques dealer and interior designer living and working Atlanta and greatly appreciate your candor. The following are some of the particular issues confronting the trade here.
Atlanta is unique situation relative to the financial crises. It is a transient city where young people came to begin a career along with the upwardly-mobile executive looking be promoted to the B ig Apple. People are now ‘stuck in place”. Few new jobs and even less promotions. In addition, the greatly deflated housing market means that folks who built the hundreds of McMansions (and kept the trade flourishing) cannot sell the houses and contents for cost.
This leaves a much smaller pool of potential buyers/client. They’re nervous and are asking smarter questions about pricing structure, value and longevity. In addition, they are better informed and far more discerning then ten years ago. As a dealer/designer, how can I assure them the value of a designer bergere will remain the same as that of a fine 18th century, especially when they share the same price points? What does one honestly answer when they tell me they can purchase a quality, made-in-America wing chair from Ethan Allen et al for one-third the price of a similar product by a name designer… which will probably be discontinued when the ‘new, latest’ design is introduced?
Our jobs have changed and so have our customers. Give them what they want: good design, quality products and value for their hard-earned dollar. Despite the vicissitudes of the market, we can then all go to bed knowing we’ve done our best

I am amused by your description of the crowd at the Armory…any event where one can see a De Kooning is worth a visit, regardless of your company I’d say! Janell