[TheForge] Disgusting Ironwork

[John Husvar]

Ries Niemi wrote:
> 
> I dont think this is disgusting- its actually pretty honest about what 
> it is- indonesian folk art. And it is very clear on the auction page 
> that you are helping to support an individual craftsman in Bali, rather 
> than some conglomerate. I have spent some time in Bali, and the usual 
> marketing there is much more disgusting- you have these ex-hippie 
> gentlemen and ladies of leisure from europe, the us, or australia, who 
> pay the locals 10% of wholesale to make the stuff, then export it to 
> europe and the us. Because these leeches are white and speak english, 
> they are able to hustle the actual craftsmen, and as a result they live 
> in handcarved balinese houses in paradise, with their feet up, claiming 
> to be "artists", while real Balinese artists do all the work.
> 

That's pretty much how I see it too, Ries.

NOVICA may exploit the artisans somewhat less than the others, but 
they're still getting the stuff cheap and marketing it at a good 
(probably very damn good!) return on their investment.

Admittedly any single artisan couldn't reach the US, etc. markets on his 
own, but this stuff to me isn't art, it's high-production crafting, 
decently well done, but not artistic or finished.

What I call art, and maybe I'm alone in it, is fully finished work, 
showing thed craftsman's touch in all its parts and details. It just 
doesn't take all that long to finish scroll ends, etc. I have no 
particular objection to arc welding the pieces together if it's done 
well. I do it myself unless I'm trying for a demonstration piece.

Finished off work is more attractive and the artisans might well be able 
to command a better price to boot.

I guess I shouldn't gripe: It's a time-honored tradition to get 
something made in a poorer country and sell it for a handsome profit in 
a richer one. Just look at where all the Wally World merchandise comes 
from.