why artists are poor?

the title of the book is so intriguing that i checked it out immediately upon seeing this at the university library.

its their new acquisition. i saw the price

(ha!) there was yet the receipt inserted--its php 2,700.00 about $34.on amazon.

--ahhh one of few the perks of being in the business of molding minds, is that--you can get to borrow books i.e, new acquisitions for three weeks and renew it again for several more times,aint that greyyyt? and then its a noble job-- thats the other perks. darn!hahaha...

notice the the title--it ends with a question mark.not a statement, but more likely a probability. because not all artists are poor--uhh count me out--i'm poor. and scroll up again, there's my educated guess...meanwhile, this book is presented in an erudite manner. social science effect. the author is a social scientist, economist, and a visual artist. and i think he's not poor (anymore). hey ho! this/his book is expensive.(according to my wallet)

here's some excerpts from the book--for i know you too are intrigued... here it goes:

table 1. the mythology of the arts

1. art is sacred

2. through art,artists and art consumers relate to a sacred world

3. art is remote and superfluous

4. art is a gift

5. artists are gifted

6. art serves the general interest

7. art is good for people

8. artists are autonomous; other professionals are not autonomous

9. there is freedom of expression in the arts

10.the work of art is authentic and the artist is the unique creator

11.creating authentic works gives one endless private satisfaction

12.artists are selfless

ly devoted to art

13.artists are only intrinsically motivated

14.money and commerce devalue art

15.artistic quality can only exist if it is independent of costs and demand

16.artists have to suffer

17.talent is natural or God-given

18.everybody has the same chance of being gifted or talented

19.certain talents in the arts only appear later in someone's career

20.because extraordinary talent is rare, only in large pool of artists can provide society with a few extremely talented artists

21.success in the arts depend on talent and commitment exclusively

22.the arts are free. the barriers that exists in other professions are absent in the arts

23.successful artists are often self-taught

24.given the talent and commitment, equal chances exists in the arts;the best is the victorious

25.because the best win,the arts are democratic and righteous

26.the high incomes earned by the artists are fair

"the myths or persistent beliefs about art and artists make the economy of the arts exceptional"

and here's some

more..

"the most striking aspect in these pattern is the 2 faced character economy of the arts. the contrast is visible from outward signs.

-the world of splendor, of magnificent opera houses, chic openings, of artist earning very high incomes and of rich donors whose status is enhanced by their association with the arts. on the other hand there is the large majority of artists earning little or nothing; often they lose money by working in the arts and make up for the losses by working in second jobs or accepting support from their partners. moreover large sums of social security and other allowances not intended for the arts flow in it.

the contrast also shows from attitudes in the arts that are intrinsically 2 faced. on the other hand money and commerce are rejected. on the other hand trade is very present in the temple of sacred art, as it was in the temple of the Jews. the temple of art cannot exist without trade. moreover, the trade in art profits from the belief that art is sacred and beyond commerce. for art dealers denying the economy is profitable: it is commercial to be anti-commercial. such denial and simultaneous embrace of money is present

in almost any transactions in the arts. does this double moral standard contribute to the strong contrast

between wealth and poverty in the arts?"

brothers and sisters :-) if you still want to continue with the readings,heres the info about the book:

why artists are poor?

the exceptional economy of the arts

by: hans abbing

amsterdam university press

or to the amazon.com