Luca Poli, Maelström Art Gallery Founder, talks about the new partnership with MyTemplArt® and the importance to attract interest of artists, collectors and gallerists, about cataloging and certification of artworks.
Paola Sacconi: How was the collaboration born with MyTemplArt®?
Luca Poli: Maelström Art Gallery offers several Art Advisory services to its clients, such as, for example, the evaluation of collections and/or single artwork, the loans management to museums, the processing of import/export practices. Having perceived the need for expand our offer with a professional cataloging service, we decided to look for a reliable partner to start this kind of activity and MyTemplArt® platform was right for us, in view of scientific tool for cataloging, the friendly use and the opportunity to share information in real-time.
P.S.: Which services does Maelström Art Gallery offer to clients using MyTemplArt® platform?
Luca Poli: Maelström Art Gallery offers its clients ongoing support during cataloging and, in the case of particularly complex projects, it can also cover the research and/or the review of information such as the bibliography, exhibitions, auction steps, authentications, etc. On request, the Gallery also offers other several services, and/or resulting from cataloging activities, such as the evaluation and the enhancement of archived artworks.
P.S.: Why is it important for artists archive their artworks from the beginning of their career?
Luca Poli: It’s true, at times, as Nietzsche said, “…One must still have chaos in oneself to be able to give birth to a dancing star…”, but this can only refer to the creative moment. The artist, who intends to professionally carry out his activity, must necessarily do a thoroughly cataloging of his artworks (especially if he produces the artworks in several copies, as the case of photography and sculpture), also in order to enstablish credibility, with collectors, gallery owners, critics, etc.
It is also important to consider that a well-organized archive simplifies the preparatory activities for events, exhibitions and publishing catalogs.
P.S.: In the end of April, MyTemplArt® will launch into the art market a digital authentication request procedure and an electronic protection system for paper authentics and geolocation of the artworks in order to fight counterfeiting. But, first of all, the authenticity guarantee arrives from artists. Why is it necessary artists give the certificate of authenticity with the artwork?
Luca Poli: The cataloging of the artworks and the release of the certificate of authenticity are activities closely related among them. It’s important, for an artist, to release the authentication (perhaps through the gallery that represents him), so as to make difficult any counterfeiting attempts. In addition, the release of certificates of authenticity helps to improve the quality of the art market and to facilitate the sale of the artworks.
P.S.: What is Maelström Art Gallery work method about these topics?
Luca Poli: We always give a certificate, signed by the artist and the gallery, with photos and data of sold artwork. We also have our own tracking system and archive of each related certificate. When it will become available, our intention is to use the electronic protection system set up by MyTemplArt® in order to offer our collectors an increasingly efficient and complete service.
P.S.: Why should the collectors catalog?
Luca Poli: Cataloging allows, above all, to maintain a continuous and efficient supervision of your art collection. Full professional archiving of all data, such as that is offered by MyTemplArt®, allows to sell the artworks at any time, and more easily, as well as, for example, to have an easier access to funds, loans, insurance services, etc.
P.S.: Finally we remind from April you will contribute to MyTemplArt® Magazine with articles about legal and financial topics related to art. What can readers expect?
Luca Poli: With articles about the so-called “Art Law”, I will try to explain the legal topics that have always interested the experts. I will analise, therefore, issues such as copyright, resale rights, the authentication value, etc.
However, other articles will be dedicated to the relationship between art and finance. In particular, I will try to analise new ways of direct and/or indirect investment in art, with special attention to artworks securitization processes. Although, they might seem complex matters, I believe it’s important to understand financial tools and investment opportunities, which, if used properly, could increase the art market, also making it more solid and clear.
Paola Sacconi
Communication Manager di MyTemplArt®
Cover Image: Alex Pinna, Waiting for, bronze and iron, 10X15X55, 2015, 6+1
This post is also available in: Italian
