www.leonardcohenart.com

[margaret]

I could understand an original hand painted piece being sold at such prices, but these prints are copies regardless of the quality of the "paper" they are copied onto and regardless of numbers being limited. Most galleries sell prints of different sizes of the famous works on display at poster prices for us mere mortals

Margaret

[kaczor47]

Well, IMO, if these were originals then they would be worth much more... and i would buy a few in an instant.

But I agree with you. The bottom line is that each of the 100 pigment prints is absolutely identical. Personally, my view would be different if these were, say, lithographs, where although similar, each is unique. It is this uniqueness what that appeals to me, and what I appreciate when looking at the lithograph on my wall. If I were to buy this limited edition print, I would enjoy looking at it, perhaps admire the science behind such high quality printing process, but it would not be my unique copy of it. Indeed, "acceptable decoration", albeit a beautiful and a thought provoking one.

But hey, enough whining from me. I am off to Toronto. Can't wait for the Opera and the exhibition!

Pawel

[Tchocolatl]

Those are ordinary prices for an artist with a name. The fact that he made a name in another field before does not matter much.

When you think that Matisse's Harmony in Yellow was sold once for 14.5 million, the prices you are talking about are not scandalous at all.

Art market is marked by a great deal of poetic license. Everything in art business is fueled by a great amount of subjectivity. Emotions.

Besides, all of you (or almost) have bought Book of Longing, so you already have a lot of the art work. Now imagine the value of the book you have in your library compared to the value it had before.

I'm not sure he did not do it in purpose to surprise again. He is always full of suprises. His work is like a Matryoshka doll.

As for me I am very pleased with all this. The pictural art and tutti quanti.

P.S. : After all, I am the one here who suggested to fix the price of the post in this forum to 100 $ US/unity to keep it clean from trolls

[medicinejar]

I am not mad at anyone even in the slightest. We live in a capitalist system and this is the game. Something is worth what someone is willing to pay for it. I am, as I said, a little disappointed. I was hoping there would be some smaller hand signed pieces of art that would be more affordable say in the $300 range. I have seen similar items in that range by other musical artists. Something like that I would have bought and framed and proudly had on my wall.

Perhaps the hand signed catalogue will suffice for me.

Given the financial situation LC is in, I have no problem with him trying to find ways to rebuild his estate. If I never get the opportunity to meet Leonard, or to get something signed by him it will be far from the end of the world. I still have his music and his poems, More importantly, the sun will still rise, I will still breath, and my daughter's smile will continue to bring me great joy.

Cheers!

[Kush]

I am reminded of the caveat emptor towards the end of Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr. Leonard Cohen.

[kaczor47]

I feel like I should apologize for fueling this debate. Talking about the monetary value of Leonard's work, where we all know how personal and intimate it is to him, seems to me to be rather disrespectful. I doubt that the ritual of putting on paper what the mirror shows includes any consideration of its market value. Same for the poetry and the music. .

Much better to just enjoy Mr. Cohen's work and stop giving a shit about the the curator, the dealer, or whoever.

Peace,
Pawel

[osmachar]

Who do they think is going to buy these prints? Art collectors, fans, companies....?

If they'd sell the originals, I would understand the price, but for a print it's really not worth it no matter how good they are.

When I first heard about the exhibition, I seriously thought I might buy a small picture - but I didn't think a small one would cost more than a few hundred dollars. But no way I will buy one now, firstly I couldn't afford them, and secondly, I think I wouldn't want to pay that much even if I could. And I am sure a lot of people feel the same.

[kaczor47]

Last night I returned from Toronto, where among other activities, I spent almost 4 hrs at the Drabinsky gallery (partly because I met a lot of the wonderful people from this forum).

As is always the case with seeing art 'in the flesh', it makes all the difference being able to see it first hand as opposed to a JPEG on the website. The quality of the 'prints' is superb, and a close inspection reveals a nice subtle texture. This is more noticeable on the more vibrant numbers such as the Parc du Portugal set. Very nice indeed.

For some reason at least two pieces were not shown: 'early self portrait' and 'he was kind' (or am I forgetting them?). Also, at least one piece was different from what is shown on leonardcohenart.com: 'my house in the winter', which was black and white.

From what I could gather, by far the biggest seller was 'it was the hat', which sold 15+ copies in the first 2 hrs after opening.

Overall, I would really like to go back another day where the gallery is a bit less crowded. I recommend anyone to visit one of the exhibitions, even if you don't intend to purchase any of the prints.

pawel

p.s. this is off topic, but I just have to point out that the opera was absolutely phenomenal. I was lucky to witness Saturday's performance from the 5th row. So very moving, and interesting to see another persons take on Leonard's work. Oh, and hearing (the recording of) Leonard reciting the 'The Book of Longing' to open the show gave me goosebumps and almost brought me to tears. I am sure there will be more accounts from other fans on the appropriate subforum.

[playwithfire]

I bought a copy of “The Hat” I am certainly not rich but I do okay -perhaps I have extra cash because I bought and own a house in Northern Ontario were my land and house would cost about 2 million plus in Toronto I paid like 175k so I extra have disposal income. Honestly the way I looked at it was this -I love the piece and as soon as I saw it I said I need that to live (internal thought process of mine to determine whether or not to buy something)! I am like who cares –what it costs - I love it -It will make me think of his smile -Mr. Cohen’s work helps me get through my gym workouts, I play it in my car etc… I never worried about the price that is what Visa is for -hell I will pay it off next month I just wont buy anything else for a few months. That is how I do it! This is really not that expensive if you look at the fact that Hermes gets 15k for a freaking purse. When I buy something expensive I do it one item at a time and pay it off.

If you really want one you can find a way -I am a fan, a mortal, a nobody and I did it -I am certainly not elite -nor super rich -I just do not have any kids and have worked my butt off paying my house ASAP so I have extra cash to spend on special items. Also if it helps Mr. Cohen in any way to regain his fortune for himself and his family then hell ya I am buying one -the man is way too special to me for me to worry about other crazy shopping in the next few months. But overall the piece makes me laugh and I LOVE IT. So even I a mere mortal got one.

[linda_lakeside]

It's my assertion, that if you love it, buy it. Myself, I'm of the 'thinner wallet' variety - I could/would probably make do with the catalogue and a poster. Just as a keepsake - why not? I have some other minor trinkets which I'm very glad I acquired. The colours here are so vibrant and the designs so beautifully unique - I def. would buy big (if I could).

To see the entire collection at once, in a gallery setting, must be an explosion of colour and energy. It would be awfully tempting.

As Robert Kory, Cohen's Los Angeles lawyer, explained: "It all came about because of Philip Glass, who had proposed setting Leonard's poems to music."

Please tell me that guy is not still on the payroll.

Yep. The first thing I thought when I read that.

[lizzytysh]

Leonard's art exhibition was magnificent. Deeply satisfying to see his works in person.

If I could afford to buy, I would; however, at this point in my life, I have to prioritize travel and it would have to be an exclusionary choice for me, if I opted for the art. Regardless of their means of creation, these pieces were transformed into framed prints in penultimate, first-class rendering and will garner much favour and admiration on the walls of their purchasers.

As it is, I'll content myself with a signed poster for framing with an unsigned catalogue of the art exhibit, both very beautiful in themselves, if you're tempted in either of those directions.

The Gallery was of exactly the right size and ambience for Leonard's work. It was relatively small and very intimate with bright, natural lighting on the top floor, with the large windows crossing the front. I believe the wood flooring would be considered a light golden oak. If not, I'm open to correction by anyone who can accurately identify its colour. That's all that's coming to me at the moment. It's basically the colour of the table that Leonard is using to sign the print at the beginning of this thread. Downstairs, the pieces enjoyed bright, gallery lighting; and there were more pieces there than upstairs, due to the gallery's space allocation.

To see the entire collection at once, in a gallery setting, must be an explosion of colour and energy. It would be awfully tempting.

You're so right, Linda. An explosion of colour and energy. If I could afford it, I'd have left temptation in the wake and signed on the dotted line.

Even though the green chair was dubbed awful by Kush, the sense of comfort that it evokes and its green vibrance would have made it one of my choices. I've always loved overstuffed chairs and I love that colour of green, so it was a bit of shoe-in for me. The intentional distortion is not a concern for me.

In fact, I'd have bought 5 or 6 pieces, if I lived in that financial realm. Each had its own appeal. The quality of the prints [was it Kaczor who mentioned that?? Oh... and let's talk about his own purchases ] was, indeed, a pleasure. The gallery woman said something about a new process of colouring that has the colour penetrating the paper vs. just lying on top of it. The quality of the paper and the colour were amazing. They all but sparkled. Another very special treat was the beauty and subtlety of Leonard's varying insignias on each print. As Leonard might appreciate, the words precise and bright and pristine kept coming to mind as I took in each one's quality as a print. I would love to own one and applaud those who have made it so in their own lives. I, too, wished for smaller and more affordable prints that I could frame myself, but that was not to be. As it moves on, if you're anywhere near this exhibit, it's worth the time and petrol to go see it for yourself. Pure pleasure.


~ Lizzy

The conversation and this exhibit were more than enough to justify my trip to Toronto. The Glass production I'll comment on elsewhere, later. One of the major highlights of the Glass production for me was seeing the stationary display of some of Leonard's work as a backdrop, with the ever-changing projection of the remainder.

[Young dr. Freud]

I believe the wood flooring would be considered a light golden oak. If not, I'm open to correction by anyone who can accurately identify its colour.

Pistachio.

This bright art gallery was precisely chosen by Leonard because of it's pristine floor coloring.

I am, however, deeply shocked by your description of Leonard's first class work being next-to-last.

YdF

[Birdonawire]

I read that there are signed copies of catalogues and posters from the exhibition. How can i get one of these? Are they only available from the Drabinsky Gallery? I'm going to the exhibition in Manchester, will they be available to buy there or do i have to order them online? If so, can someone post a direct link so i can order one please???

Eric.

[linda_lakeside]

I just emailed w/the gallery today. There are no more signed posters, but there are signed catalogues. Just google the pertinent info, and you shall be directed to the right place. I'm such an idjit when it comes to 'lovin' that man of mine', but I must do something - $.... Oh, yes, there are unsigned posters. Just don't move 'too' fast. I want to get my request in first.

[linda_lakeside]

[*]Linda Book
Linda Book, Director
Drabinsky Gallery
122 Scollard Street

416 324 5766
416 324 5770 (f)
http://www.drabinskygallery.com
[*]