'art' auctions

[visagrunt]

Like many others there are a lot of profit centres on the ship in which I don't participate. But I am perfectly happy to have my cruise fare subsidized by those who do. More power to you, and I hope that your gaming brings you pleasure and your art purchases bring you fond memories.

[hunt182644]

Last year on our cruise I purchased a print of three wolves done by Collins. Only paid $60.00 I saw it, I liked it, it was in my price range. Stated that was probably the last of my art :) purchases. Jump to this years cruise on Oosterdam, done it again a single wolf by a gentleman by the name of McManus. A little over $100.00 in my price range again. We attend the auctions as a way to pass some time on sea days and see what some people are willing to part with, also the free bubbly:D. Did surprise my young bride of fifty two years by purchasing a framed lighthouse that she feel in love with. Spent more than normal buy still consider myself a low roller in the art world. We will continue to attend, just will set on my bid card. Also the cheap $10.00 watch I purchased is still keeping great time.

[Stratheden]

This is a very old thread but I just wondered how many people attend these art auctions?

 

I guess it must be profitable for them or they wouldn't keep running thm.

[dakrewser]

P. T. Barnum was right...

[cabinluvn]

I have a family member who buys a piece almost every cruise she is on. Twice she has been invited to a large city, all expenses paid, for a three day art auction by the people who run the art sales on the ship. She is wined and dined for three days.

 

 

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[dakrewser]

I have a family member who buys a piece almost every cruise she is on. Twice she has been invited to a large city, all expenses paid, for a three day art auction by the people who run the art sales on the ship. She is wined and dined for three days.

 

Like I said....

 

And, I'll add, there's no such thing as a free lunch...

[SeaBands]

and they gave them 2 free cruises as a gift (for being that gullable)

[fourkittys]

There was a time span when Park West was off the ships but they returned at least two years ago.

 

 

That was probably because they were getting A LOT of complaints about them. I have seen their "art" and they look like cheap copies to me in a fancy frame. They are not even real oil paint

ings but "prints" that resemble cheap photographs. I'm amazed people buy them.

[kevingastreich]

I don't care if there are "art" auctions, but do not block off a public room for 4 hours on a sea day. It's not like I have the option of going ashore on those days.

 

I suppose you could have gone to your cabin? Let me guess, your cabin didn't have a window?

[kevingastreich]

I can not complain too much about the art that clutters the passageways. I figure the dupes who buy the art are providing revenue that subsidizes my low cruise fares.

 

What about those rich people that buy multi-million dollar Picaso's that look like a child drew them? Art is definitely subjective. If it brings you joy, and you can afford it, why not?

[chefestelle]

I have some lovely pieces in my home and office that are worth considerably more than I paid and which will fetch my estate a decent amount more if my DD disposes of them when I'm gone. But the three pieces I own that are worth the most to me and which I enjoy the most are the painting a dear friend did for a housewarming, the one another friend painted for an office warming and a very pretty oil my DD painted when she was six. I did look at the paintings in the gallery on board the Veendam. None of them spoke to me but none said hideous either. Buying art starts with why. Is it an investment? Or is it for pleasure? If it's for pleasure, you buy what pleases. If it's for investment, then that's much more difficult. And that's all I've got to say about that.

 

 

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[3rdGenCunarder]

What about those rich people that buy multi-million dollar Picaso's that look like a child drew them? Art is definitely subjective. If it brings you joy, and you can afford it, why not?

 

When I was little, the neighbor next door worked for an advertising agency in NYC. He had a party with a lot of his fancy city friends. They all admired the new abstract that he had acquired. Only my mother, who knew nothing about art beyond what she liked, said "It looks like Peggy drew it." The next day, the neighbor told Mom that Peggy HAD drawn it. He had it framed for fun and to see if anyone would guess.

 

 

I have some lovely pieces in my home and office that are worth considerably more than I paid and which will fetch my estate a decent amount more if my DD disposes of them when I'm gone. But the three pieces I own that are worth the most to me and which I enjoy the most are the painting a dear friend did for a housewarming, the one another friend painted for an office warming and a very pretty oil my DD painted when she was six. I did look at the paintings in the gallery on board the Veendam. None of them spoke to me but none said hideous either. Buying art starts with why. Is it an investment? Or is it for pleasure? If it's for pleasure, you buy what pleases. If it's for investment, then that's much more difficult. And that's all I've got to say about that.

 

 

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Like you, I'm fortunate to have paintings done by friends. I don't know what they're worth--certainly worth more to me than to an art collector.

 

As for the onboard auctions, not knowing prices/value doesn't matter, since I've never seen anything I wanted to bid on. I haven't been to one of the auctions in years--my "preview" is just if I happen to walk by when they're setting up. I doubt the Metropolitan Museum of Art or a serious collector would want any of it, but if you see something you like, that's what matters in an auction like this.

[galensgrl]

Last year on our cruise I purchased a print of three wolves done by Collins. Only paid $60.00 I saw it, I liked it, it was in my price range. Stated that was probably the last of my art :) purchases. Jump to this years cruise on Oosterdam, done it again a single wolf by a gentleman by the name of McManus. A little over $100.00 in my price range again. We attend the auctions as a way to pass some time on sea days and see what some people are willing to part with, also the free bubbly:D. Did surprise my young bride of fifty two years by purchasing a framed lighthouse that she feel in love with. Spent more than normal buy still consider myself a low roller in the art world. We will continue to attend, just will set on my bid card. Also the cheap $10.00 watch I purchased is still keeping great time.

 

You did well if you spent what you thought was reasonable for art that you and your wife personally enjoy looking at. I have a degree in fine art (not an expert, more like I just have an inkling about the subject lol) and I can honestly say I would never buy art at one of these auctions as an "investment" that supposedly will reap a fortune in the future. The nature of an investment is one of varying risk, after all, especially so with art. I feel that thinking about Park West art as an investment is unrealistic, but if people find something they truly like and they feel it's reasonably priced, they should go for it.

[SeaBands]

the selection in the auction area was the worst I have ever seen on a HAL ship. They seem to be digging out anything regardless of how good or bad it is. Saw very few people at the auctions or in the gallery.

[ski ww]

On our recent Maasdam Rio / Amazon cruise they also had art auctions three if memory serves. Not our taste to each their own. They also took over the Ocean Bar & served free champagne which is what a lot of people went for.

[donaldsc]

 

SeaSick, here are a few general observations. If you have any specific question or concerns, will do my best to respond accordingly.

 

This cruise was a culmination of a life-long dream. Had always wanted to visit the Amazon river. Some folks cruise and seem to enjoy 'shopping' at the various ports. We have always enjoyed visiting and interacting with the local peoples, cultures etc. We did get plenty of this on the Amazon :) Everything about the Amazon river was just stunning!

 

General impressions of the ship: Very nice. Our favorite HAL ship. About 800 or fewer passengers. Ship very well laid out...dining venues were quite good. Lido had a very wide selection of foods. Quality of food was always very good. Happy to report the coffee in the Lido was the best we had on any HAL ship.

 

Cruise Director, entertainment, was equally very good. Well done production shows and an unobtrusive C.D. Ships staff, master, crew were all very professional and courteous. Photo staff were also very good...never 'in your face'...but low keyed and there if you wanted them.

 

Three religious services were available...Catholic, Protestant, and Jewish.

 

Pinnacle and Canaletto were fabulous. Food was great at both venues.

 

Ports of call in the Amazon.....Make sure you take a wide brimmed hat!! The equatorial sun is OPPRESSIVE (and everywhere). Lightweight long-sleeved shirt would be a plus as well. We did not see or feel any mosquitoes...so despite everyone telling you to lather up with insect repellent, we did not find this necessary.

 

One port in particular, Boca Da Valeria (Brazil) is a must. This is a tender port. Many pax did not get off here because someone said 'there wasn’t much to do'. They were correct: there was NO SHOPPING. Which, IMHO, made it the best port of all. Also, if you do this one, do take the private canoe trip with a local fellow (their boats and signs are everywhere). Cost was $5.00 per person. Consisted of a 1-2 hour canoe ride up the little river to inland habitations. Lotsa wildlife, pink dolphins etc. GET A CANOE WITH A TARP ROOF!!

 

Most of the ports we were in did accept the US dollar.

 

Shore excursions: Best to arrange private 'excursions' at the pier. We did several excursions and did the EXACT same thing as the ships excursion, for 70% less! (this applies more so for the Caribbean ports than the Amazon ports)

 

INTERNET ACCESS: Non-existent. Although most ports offered internet access, once you were able to 'access' the internet, you couldn’t 'DO' anything. The signal strengths were good...just could not do the usual e-mail checking etc. (this was a problem which was experienced by everyone we saw. Felt so sorry for the crewmen who looked forward to communicating with families and could not). We did have decent access in the Caribbean ports most of the time. While I did not use the ships 'internet service', many pax I spoke with complained about the very SLOW speeds etc.

 

That's about it. If ya have anything specific, don't hesitate to ask.

 

What does this reply have to do with the topic of this thread which is art auctions??

 

DON

[iancal]

We don't care about the art auctions. They do not really bother us. We view them as a necessary evil on some cruise lines. We just avoid them. Sure, sometimes the art is in the foyers. Not a big deal for us to get around it.

 

For us it is similar to formal nights/dress code in the MDR. Fine for some but we choose to skip the whole meal deal. Same with bingo and those wonderful $10 sale bins that impede the public areas from time to time.

[emaoffive]

My husband and I were on the Nieuw Amsterdam three weeks ago with my sister and brother-in-law. We were always at dance classes, cooking demonstrations and the casino, but my sister and brother-in-law went to every single auction.

They bought several prints including one for me for my birthday! I love the print but it's not the one they showed to me in the dining room. Park West sent the wrong print to my home. There is a happy ending because I like the new print even more than the first one.

But my point is "different strokes for different folks". It's wonderful that Holland America has so many fun activities! I wish I was back on that Dam ship!

[iancal]

We place the art auctions and Bingo in the same category.

 

We have no interest in either so we give them a wide berth. No issue.

Edited April 8, 2016 by iancal

[dakrewser]

We place the art auctions and Bingo in the same category.

 

We have no interest in either so we give them a wide berth. No issue.

 

Especially as they do help to pay for the things we do enjoy...

[TakesNotes]

Especially as they do help to pay for the things we do enjoy...

+1 on this comment. If the on board revenue outlets are humming (bars, casino, art sales, shops, spa) the revenue to HAL helps make the cruise prices lower. So, do what you like on the cruise, and remember that the slight inconvenience of "sale tables" etc. are saving you money. They also meet the needs of travelers who like bingo, art, etc.

[avian777]

the selection in the auction area was the worst I have ever seen on a HAL ship...

 

Isn't this like saying, "That is the best smelling pig farm in this County"?

 

Seriously, I am more than willing to "put up" with the art auctions if they put money in the HAL coffers to either enable Carnival Corp to pay higher dividends (which it just announced) or reduce cruise fares or both!

[iancal]

If I am really bored I might attend for a little while.

 

I find that there is more entertainment value watching the staff and the bidders than there is at many of the entertainment venues.

[rockdoctor]

I if you have never been to an art auction, make sure you go to one. I have never seen people bid on the backs of painting before. They are great fun.

[Topsham]

Twenty years ago in London I went to a maritime auction at Christies. I heard about one painting because the caption in the catalogue was completely wrong! Anyhow, I went along for the fun and thus mis-captioned painting was coming up. I had seen works from the artist and was just interesting to see what ight happened. It started off at 100 pounds. Then at 150, 200, 250m 350 and then stalled. At the last second I shouted , "Three hundred fifty!". Bang. Got it. With hammer fee I got the piece for about 425 pounds. I got him home and put it up. Completely satisfied. I had see this artist before and this painting worth at least $8000 in a Us gallery. Later I took home to Bermuda. Newly framed, I put it up in a gallery here. Put the price up to $10,000. There were a few nibbles. Almost a week later I withdraw the painting from the gallery. It hangs in my front room still.

 

The point is. Think about what you buy. It MIGHT be worth a lot, it MIGHT not. If you are like it, keep it. If you want to make it a investment, do more work into this work before buying. The auctioneers on board are not fine art sellers, usually casino dealers. Be aware! The pieces they are showing are almost all giclee, or screen prints etc. There are another two hundred of the same piece back at Park West. The chance of turning an investment is practically NIL. If you like the piece and enjoy it, well that is your choice. Just be careful what the auctioneer tells .

 

If you want to have real fun with auctions, go straight to REAL auctions. You will find good paintings and can get at prices even as low as what you paid for a print on board.

 

About five year a new art gallery opening on board VEENDAM. Small company. They were not doing auctions. Instead they were hanging mostly originals and some prints. Everything was priced. Good stuff and the manager knew his stuff. Sadly the company could not compete and Park West.