Almighty painter

Chapter 885 Gu Weijing's Sales Story

Liu Ziming mentioned to Gu Tongxiang the boat party he was planning.

“To be precise, it is a private art salon. There should be several judges of the Biennale attending in their private capacity. Of course, most of them are relatively young painters in the Southeast Asian circle, some avant-garde artists, and some people in the fashion circle.”

Liu Ziming introduced.

“It’s less formal than the official dinner of the Biennale, and less serious than the interview just now. We all get together to watch sports games or just chat.”

"Oh, Director Elena will also come. She accepted my invitation. Many friends in the circle know about this. It's like the 'Decameron'. Everyone is in an isolated place, on a big ship floating on the ocean, and they take turns to talk about their insights on the art industry."

Liu Ziming casually mentioned the names of several well-known new generation artists, "It would be great if you, Mr. Gu, could come and talk about your creative experience as an elder."

“Everyone should be looking forward to it.”

Liu Ziming was too reserved and modest in using the word "expectation".

Artists often form various circles intentionally or unintentionally.

In ancient times, there was a distinction between southern and northern painting in Dongxia. In Europe, there were the Venetian and Florentine schools of painting in Italy. Those who liked impressionism had the Salon of the Rejected, and those who liked the academic school had the Paris Official Salon. Those who liked to play tennis with a machete and say "How dare you look at me?" or "What can I do if I look at you!" could also join the Caravaggio group, which was suspected to be a gangster group...

Anyway, everyone has a place to go.

Even a mentally ill person like Van Gogh could debut together with Gauguin.

until now.

The distinction between painting schools is not as clear as before, and various art groups have not disappeared but have become more and more numerous.

From the Royal Society of Arts, to the dealer industry alliance composed of various European gallery owners, to the British new generation artist group headed by Damien Hirst, to small ones like finding a random cafe and recording a podcast with a few friends in the same circle... they can all be regarded as circles.

Circles do not exist independently, but are nested within each other, ultimately forming today's art society.

Liu Ziming's own private social circle is not large, but extremely high-end.

High-end does not necessarily mean how incredibly valuable the painters in the circle are, or how wealthy the collectors are.

Sometimes Tang Ning had to force herself to actively participate in social activities that she didn't like, make more friends, get to know a few investors who were interested in the industry, and work hard to build her own network to support her ambitions.

Liu Ziming doesn't need to do that.

Liu Ziming did not have the desire and ambition like Tang Ning to open a top gallery of his own and accomplish some grand undertaking. Therefore, he was qualified to show his noble character that was not affected by vulgar things.

Tang Ning is outgoing while Liu Ziming is reserved.

Tang Ning's arrogance was evident on her face.

Liu Ziming's pride is in his heart.

At least the vast majority of people in the circle did not give Liu Ziming any reason to take the initiative to get to know the other person and integrate his circle with the other person's circle even if he did not like the other person.

Precisely because of this.

It is precisely because even if you are a very successful artist in business, even if you are very, very wealthy, and you are a famous collector who just spent a million dollars at an auction yesterday to buy a Monet painting.

Mr. Liu doesn't like you. He just doesn't like you.

Therefore, being a member of his private circle seems to be a special honor, which means "Congratulations, Liu Ziming thinks you are a special person."

The so-called high-end.

It is something that others do not have but I have.

It means you can't get what you want.

For many artists in the industry, getting his recognition and receiving a party invitation personally sent by Liu Ziming is as surprising as waking up one morning to find a dew-covered rose in the mailbox from a goddess or hero known for their coldness - it is a luxury that truly cannot be bought with money.

Old Yang, who is playing with the feelings of reporters outside the gallery, has been pretending to be cool for so many years.

At the Singapore Biennale’s Artists’ Dinner, he can do whatever he wants. Even at those super-large exhibitions, he is still Mr. Yang and a big shot!

Regrettably.

However, he never had the opportunity to attend Liu Ziming's private parties.

Not even Tang Ning.

If Tang Ning asked, she would definitely go. If Old Yang really asked him, he would probably be able to go too.

But Tang Ning was a very proud person, she would never ask this question, just like Liu Ziming would never ask this question to her.

In some competitions, whoever speaks first loses.

Yang Dekang is a very smart person, he would not ask this question, just like Liu Ziming would not ask this question to him.

Some melons are forced to be not sweet.

some things.

If I really say it out loud, it would be meaningless.

Old Yang had been trying to get the invitation letter in front of Liu Ziming for so many years, but he never got it. However, during their first meeting, the invitation letter was handed to Gu Tongxiang with both hands.

If the old man was a well-informed person, he should have realized the importance of such an invitation.

A week ago, Anna mentioned on her social account that she was interested in such a cultural salon and would be there.

"Mr. Liu Ziming told me that this is a ten-day talk that only lasts one night. In this isolated place, you can drink, party, chat, watch games, or listen to people you are interested in telling stories that interest you. It is not limited to art, and it doesn't matter if you go off topic."

“I like the idea of ​​this.”

“Art is a serious job for me. Once it gets off topic, it becomes part of my daily life.”

——This was the message posted on the official work account of the art director of Oil Painting magazine.

For many artists, following Oil Painting magazine is both work and life.

After someone noticed this information, the value of the party organized by Liu Ziming immediately reached another different dimension.

Any younger artist would hardly give up the opportunity to be recognized as a unique person by a big shot like Liu Ziming.

Even those big guys, even the most mature and successful oil painting artists in the industry, who are the objects of recognition that young people yearn for, almost no one will give up the great opportunity to become the art director of "Oil Painting" and be interested in it.

Who doesn’t desire to be a good horse like Bole?

Even if it is a real steed, if it is noticed by Oil Painting magazine, the director can turn it into a golden Pegasus with wings on its back with a flick of her magic wand.

Before the news that "Old Church in a Thunderstorm" was probably the work of Ms. K. was released, the artists who came to Singapore, including the judges and guests, paid much more attention to Liu Ziming's private gathering than to Gu Weijing's interview.

The only requirement for entry is Liu Ziming’s approval.

It is much more difficult than getting a ticket to listen to an art talk.

Lao Yang is not the only one who is interested in this.

Several fellow students and brothers were eating durian in the yard of his home in Singapore. Lin Tao regretted that he was too busy with work to go to Liu Ziming's private botanical garden to appreciate it.

Before leaving, Tangning suddenly said to Wei Yunxian as if nothing had happened. She was also very busy at work, but since her teacher asked her to come to Singapore to see the exhibition these days, she had no choice but to take some time off.

"Besides accompanying the teacher, I'm a bit bored at other times. It's nice to go see the sea when I have nothing to do. Does Senior Sister have any better suggestions?"

These words seemed to be addressed to Wei Yunxian.

Liu Ziming understood that the person was probably talking to him, hinting that he could invite her to be a guest at the party, and that she, a great painter, "wouldn't mind" coming to show her support and talk about future artistic plans or something.

Maybe Senior Sister Wei understood it too?

She knew Tangning wasn't asking for her opinion, so she smiled and said nothing.

Given Tang Ning's personality, it was not easy for her to say such things in such a roundabout way. Liu Ziming recalled the previous discussion between him and Tang Ning about planning to build a large art gallery.

Tang Ning is short of money now. She is not short of small amounts of money, but of large sums of tens of millions. She is also very short of resources. She is not short of cats and dogs cheering for her, but she is short of top-notch marketing and publicity channels.

After breaking up with CDX, the new gallery was still named "Tang Ning & CDX". Liu Ziming understood that it was more like a product of mutual compromise due to the contract.

Many of CDX's media resources used to be centered around Tang Ning, the gallery's most important asset. Now that she is leaving, she will become a leader of her own.

Then she will have to find a way to start the stove herself.

It was hard for the old boss to sincerely work hard for her. It would be great if he could not be like other competitors and hope that she would go bankrupt quickly.

Seeing Tang Ning was willing to say a few soft words to him just to meet Anna in private and gain more media resources from Oil Painting magazine.

Liu Ziming couldn't help but sigh that his junior sister was indeed living a hard life now.

Almost overwhelmed by her new gallery.

“Living in London is really not easy.”

He sighed in his heart and sympathized with Tang Ning from the bottom of his heart.

Then he pretended not to understand.

Under the shade of the tree, Tang Ning was distractedly playing with the pipe in his arms. Finally, he stomped his feet and turned away angrily.

However, her steps were steady and powerful.

Listening to Junior Sister Tang Ning's sound footsteps, Liu Ziming silently wished her success in his heart.

……

“That’s a great suggestion.”

Gu Tongxiang sat very straight with his lips tightly pursed.

"Mr. Liu..."

"Just call me Ziming, Mr. Gu, you are the elder." Liu Ziming said immediately.

"I am honored to receive such an invitation. It's really an honor." Gu Tongxiang paused and seemed to be in thought for a moment.

"But..." Liu Ziming opened his mouth. He noticed the implicit turn in the other party's tone.

"But, I'm sorry, I may have to refuse your request. I'm really too old to handle such an occasion full of beer and laughter. I hope you can understand me, Ziming."

Gu Tongxiang said in a deep voice.

Oh, I can’t go there, Gu Tongxiang said to himself.

Old man Gu only pretended to be able to hold his own. As soon as he heard Liu Ziming's description, he knew what kind of occasion it was.

High-end people gather here.

Old man Gu likes to show off in front of his peers, and he acts very pretentiously in front of the Artists Association, because he only needs to talk about what he knows.

When presenting a POSE, the most frightening thing is to go into the specific details of the content.

It's like Gu Tongxiang is a Mr. Nan Guo, climbing among the icebergs pretending to be deep, mixing in the crowd and posing and playing musical instruments. As a result, his pose is too cool, too stylish, and too deep, and the king saw him and invited him to come up and have an impromptu solo with him, or watch from afar as the Titanic really hits him with the air whistle.

Then what are you waiting for?

If it's not moist, it'll be exposed.

This kind of private salon is not something that Gu Tongxiang can fool people by just posing.

"Ziming, I am not a very successful painter. Your achievements in art may be beyond my reach in my lifetime. You are a true master, but I am not. If you have seen my paintings, you will understand that I am just an unsuccessful painter."

Gu Tongxiang told the truth.

"No, no, no, art is never just about technique, it's more about thinking. Thinking is more important than technique."

Gu Tongxiang is more modest and prudent.

The more Liu Ziming showed his admiration.

Look at people.

Look at Tang Ning again.

This is the difference, and the difference is never just in the painting itself.

"Even outside the screen, you can tell us about your life experience, in any aspect." Liu Ziming said stubbornly.

Gu Tongxiang shook his head.

He looked at Liu Ziming calmly.

"You are wrong. The best thing I have done in my life is just sitting here and reading books silently. I am not a good communicator."

"Since it's a gathering of young people, why not invite Wei Jing? You are all much younger than me, and you all have much more promising future than me."

Gu Tongxiang calmly promoted his beloved grandson.

"Young people are not afraid of making mistakes, nor are they afraid of saying something that may seem silly. I think that on an occasion like today, although the performance was a little lacking in passion, it does have a youthful spirit, doesn't it?"

"Of course, of course."

Liu Ziming nodded immediately.

"I originally wanted to invite Gu Weijing. I am waiting here just to meet him. I saw his works, which are really extraordinary."

Gu Tongxiang showed a satisfied look.

He shook his head again.

"Weijing is a sensitive child. I used to think he might be a little fragile, but now I feel more and more that he has a tough heart. He looks very quiet, but he is a person who gets stronger as he gets stronger."

"It's the right thing to do. He's a better thinker than I am. See, he's the kind of guy who can make sparks with the art director of Oil Painting. He can make sparks with a lot of people."

"That is a privilege only for young lions."

(End of this chapter)