The Next Web

After Twit2art, here comes Auction Art

Written on September 22, 2008 – 2:57 pm
Robin Wauters, Next web enthusiast & Plugg organizer

Belgian artist Jan Leenders seems to have more tricks up his sleeve than just his recently introduced Twit2art project, which Ernst-Jan wrote about. He has set up the website AuctionArt.be, where his new painted creations will be put up for auction, always opening at 1€.

Today, he painted his dog.

Bidding is done by e-mail, and the auction ends after exactly 5 days since the last bid is made (the buyer does have to confirm the sale by e-mail within another 24 hours). Every new painting put up for auction will be announced with a blog post, and the time of publication is the starting point for the 5-day window. There’s a handy ticking clock at the bottom of each post to keep you informed of the timeframe.

You can track auctions via Twitter, Flickr, RSS feed and/or by subscribing to an e-mail list.

I hope you like that post!

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art, art project, Auction Art, jan leenders, twit2art, twitter

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Twit2art: reward early adopters with affordable art

Written on July 8, 2008 – 12:12 pm
Ernst-Jan Pfauth, editor in chief

Belgian artist Jan Leenders is one of those artists who uses new technology to create an exciting art project. He started @twit2art, an idea that revolves around people sending him messages, which he turns into a 18 x 12 cm art piece. Like this one:

That’s an interesting idea, but it’s getting more exciting - as Leenders rewards the people who reacted the fastest, have to pay less. He writes:

“If you’re fast, it’s cheap. The first twit (thus the first painting) costs € 1. The second € 2, the third € 3 and so on. The price includes everything. Material, packaging, shipping, taxes. Everything.

So the people who made Twitter big - the ones who have the guts and the curiosity to try new things - are the ones who have the opportunity to buy a real Leenders for an affordable price. The piece featured in this article for example, was sold for 11 euros. And this one for only 1 euro.

Eventually, Leenders will make some money out of the project. Making him, says Paul Bradshaw, a true punk capitalist. More and more D.I.Y entrepreneurs find new and unconventional ways of making money, some even by making beautiful things.

Here’s my Twit2art. Update: Leenders has sent me a confirmation, it will cost me 45 euros.

art, Belgium, jan leenders, punk capitalism, twit2art, twitter

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