Park West art auctions?

[jlp20]

This "art" is mass produced for pennies in Asia. If they can sell just a few things each "auction" they make money. 

[ldubs]

3 hours ago, trent1k1 said:

 

If you don't like art, don't attend.  No one is forcing you to come drink the free champagne.

 

Does that mean if I do like art I have to attend . . . 

 

Seriously, one of the things I really disliked is how they used high pressure tactics to convince people that their stuff is now or soon will be highly sought after fine art, not to mention the potential investment grade.  I have to admit they are very good at their jobs.  To be fair, I have not listened in to a Park West pitch in many years.  

[MicCanberra]

21 minutes ago, ldubs said:

 

Awww, I was trying to make a joke about removing the word "art".  Guess we have to remove "auction" too.  Haha.   

I got it and agree, about removing both the art and the auctions from the ships.

[jargey3000]

certainly the cruise line staff would NEVER use high pressure tactics...to get you buy say, the upgrade restaurants...or beverage packages....etc. I've NEVER experienced THAT!....

Edited December 2, 2018 by jargey3000

[Missymo]

I bought 3  large signed Brito lithographs back in 1993 or 1994  at a Park West Auction.  Believe I paid approx 300 for the 3 pieces, unframed.  I am not an art connoisseur , but I do love Brito.  Thought the value was there at the time, and still have the artwork on my walls.  

Edited December 2, 2018 by Missymo

[cruising cockroach]

I can't remember where I heard it from but apparently one of the contemporary modern artists has his "work" done by underlings and/or painters in that city in China.  He just adds his few strokes and so that's considered his "work".

 

On the TPAC on Celebrity Millennium (cold and/or wet outside) last year, the art people at least couldn't/didn't occupy the venues that I preferred.

[marco]

It's decorative art, NOT an investment.  If you think it's worth the price for a wall ornament, buy it.  Or just wait until you get home and get something similar at Walmart for $19.99

[Sea Hag]

37 minutes ago, marco said:

It's decorative art, NOT an investment.  If you think it's worth the price for a wall ornament, buy it.  Or just wait until you get home and get something similar at Walmart for $19.99

Well said!

[jargey3000]

52 minutes ago, marco said:

It's decorative art, NOT an investment.  If you think it's worth the price for a wall ornament, buy it.  Or just wait until you get home and get something similar at Walmart for $19.99

 

haha...exactly what we said on our cruise last month.

I've seen Christmas cards with better quality artwork.

[MicCanberra]

Park west have some Xmas art and all you need to do is sit around for a few hours sipping free sparkling wine and then you will have the unique opportunity to purchase some valued art from emerging yet renowned artists that will increase in value the minute you purchase it.

[pacruise804]

On 12/1/2018 at 8:02 PM, trent1k1 said:

snip

Many of you that say they hound you, forget to post that you more than likely signed up for one of their giveaways willingly.  Guess the price of the art for example.  If you are too uneducated to know that if you show interest that sales people may actually speak with you, then perhaps you should stay away.

snip

 

I was surprised on our last Carnival Pride cruise that we weren't hounded.  Their art area is mostly in a smallish room, but they did have a few pieces on display outside in the lounge area.  They had a "guess the weight" which we signed up for - fully expecting that we would start seeing flyers in our cabin, but never did.  

 

I don't mind the galleries too much, they usually give me something to do if there is a wait for open seating in the MDR.  We know we won't purchase anything, but some of it is nice to look at once or twice and is a way to pass the time on bad weather sea days and before or after dinner.

 

 

[jagsfan]

On 12/1/2018 at 8:24 PM, MicCanberra said:

I knew they were a third party, separate from the cruise line. Just like the photographers and salon / spa workers.

And the sales people in the shops. 

[MicCanberra]

2 hours ago, jagsfan said:

And the sales people in the shops. 

And the security in the ports.

[Rob1eddy]

For several cruises we kept seeing a print we really liked. I finally went into an "auction" and was told my opening bid would be $1775.00 Oh, heck no. After I got home, I researched the artist and discovered that these prints were commissioned by a charity. Finally managed to locate the charity and now have a framed print direct from the charity for $525.00

[ldubs]

11 hours ago, Rob1eddy said:

For several cruises we kept seeing a print we really liked. I finally went into an "auction" and was told my opening bid would be $1775.00 Oh, heck no. After I got home, I researched the artist and discovered that these prints were commissioned by a charity. Finally managed to locate the charity and now have a framed print direct from the charity for $525.00

 

Good lesson here for everyone.  A lot of the stuff on sale in the ship stores is not really a good deal either.

[Bookish Angel]

On December 2, 2018 at 3:32 PM, jargey3000 said:

 

I've seen Christmas cards with better quality artwork.

 

Laughing so hard at this apt observation!  I call it the Gallerie de Dollar Store.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 22, 2018 by Bookish Angel

[BruceMuzz]

My previous cruise line received so many complaints about Park West that they got rid of them.

The following month they raised prices on drinks, tours, photos, duty-free, and internet to make up for the lost revenues.

Everybody happy now ???

[Hlitner]

On 12/1/2018 at 7:38 PM, MicCanberra said:

I doubt if the cruise line is getting a commission.

Au Contraire.   The Art Auctions are a huge profit center for the cruise lines which is why you find them on many ships.  When conducted by third party companies (such as Park West) the cruise lines enter into lucrative contracts with guarantees and percentages.  According to a past friend who used to be an art auctioneer on Princess, the art auctions were actually the most profitable business on ships (we have our own doubts because of the profitability of casinos).  

 

As to Park West we suggest that folks Google "giclee" which is how many of the so-called art is produced.  Our old Art Auctioneer friend told us that some of the stuff he sold was actually worth something on the open market while most of the works were near worthless in the art world.  Even the "Champagne" given away at art auctions is phony as it is simply cheap sparkling wine.....not "Champagne."

 

Hank

[MicCanberra]

5 hours ago, BruceMuzz said:

My previous cruise line received so many complaints about Park West that they got rid of them.

The following month they raised prices on drinks, tours, photos, duty-free, and internet to make up for the lost revenues.

Everybody happy now ???

Yep. I would be,

[MicCanberra]

2 hours ago, Hlitner said:

Au Contraire.   The Art Auctions are a huge profit center for the cruise lines which is why you find them on many ships.  When conducted by third party companies (such as Park West) the cruise lines enter into lucrative contracts with guarantees and percentages.  According to a past friend who used to be an art auctioneer on Princess, the art auctions were actually the most profitable business on ships (we have our own doubts because of the profitability of casinos).  

 

As to Park West we suggest that folks Google "giclee" which is how many of the so-called art is produced.  Our old Art Auctioneer friend told us that some of the stuff he sold was actually worth something on the open market while most of the works were near worthless in the art world.  Even the "Champagne" given away at art auctions is phony as it is simply cheap sparkling wine.....not "Champagne."

 

Hank

Yep, that was sorted back a page or so.