Change in kami marks

[beoram]

Originally posted by firkin
Beo, from what I've been able to gather from previous posts on the signature marks, amusing is probably a overly generous and polite rendition of what they'd really think (but they might not say so). "Inconceivable waste of time, go use the damn knife to cut/chop something--that's what its for" is probably a courteous translation of what their true thoughts might be.

If only most stuff that I have to use was designed and prodcuced with similiar sentiments.

that said - has anyone got any photos/drawing of Sher's old mar (full sun?). b.

 

[Bill Martino]

If the kamis saw how much we make over these marks they'd fall down laughing.

 

[Nick7]

Once upon a time I owned a small import/export business in Thailand and a similar issue came up. The psychology was the same....I remember sitting on a white plastic bucket near the Burmese border, drinking an ice cold coca-cola (with a translator), arguing with my manager. He could not see my point that Europeans and Americans will generally pay more for a signed art object and that this mindset was part of our culture at this point. I even tried to explain that the same object available as signed and unsigned is more desireable signed. I had examples of this from recent art auctions. He wanted to laugh, but politely covered his mouth from my view. I was getting a little steamed and the translator started to explain to me that the manager did not understand what I was saying. He actually thought it silly that the items were looked at as "art objects".....even though they were beautiful and very unique. I was trying to market this item and getting the full "set" was a goal of some collectors. When a new artist would come on board, I would get e-mails requesting that artist's work. It was a nightmare. Half of the items would come in unsigned. One guy who always signed became famous and began to command 10X my price for his work. He even got Robinson's Dept. Store to carry his product at some point.

A little further on, I obtained other sources for the wood carvings,
now in Indonesia and Central America. My orders to Thailand became less and less. Voila.....now all the carvings from Thailand were signed in some way. These people are very pragmatic......they laugh at the art aspect....but not at the financial aspect when it affects them. Since we are not willing to hurt the Kami financially because of compassion issues, the "art" issue will be a very difficult one to win on. The key might be the manager, but then maybe he too believes "signing" to be a folly. Good luck on this one!

 

[Bill Martino]

Thanks for support, Nick. As I said, East is East -- always has been and always will be.

 

[beoram]

Originally posted by Bill Martino
Thanks for support, Nick. As I said, East is East -- always has been and always will be.

Except that Indians in general love any clothing with Western writing on it! Not so different.... Watch any Bollywood movie featuring high-school students (e.g. Kuch kuch hota hai) and you'll see this.

All the NRIs know always stock up on GAP & DKNY shirts, shirts promoting US films (which their receipents will love even if they have no idea what that film is about), &c. - anything from the West with writing on, it seems.

Dunno if Nepalese are like this. Of course, as anywhere, the Indian phenomenon really only applies in those areas where people can afford to like things like clothing with writing on.

B.

 

[Bill Martino]

The "City" Nepalis are exactly like this -- especially the kids. Village folks are just happy to have anything that keeps the body warm and many, like the Sherpas, stick to traditional garb.