Reborn as a great painter, with a system, you can be willful

It was drizzling in New York.

Jiang Zhe drove to Christie's auction house.

Looking at the building through the car window, it's like a distorted impressionist painting.

Today I received a call from the sales manager of the auction company. In addition to discussing the works that were just auctioned, there should be something else.

Jiang Zhe walked into the hall and saw Business Manager Walker already waiting there.

Walker was wearing an Armani suit with the cuffs revealing a blue Patek Philippe watch as he shook hands.

He warmly invited Jiang Zhe to the reception room on the third floor of the auction house.

In the reception room, which was covered with Persian-style carpets, two people were already sitting on antique-style benches.

"Mr. Jiang's works give the American spirit a new form of expression." Rogers, vice president of the auction company, shook hands with Jiang Zhe.

Another woman is gallery owner Deborah.

Both parties knew each other, so when they shook hands, Jiang Zhe guessed what brought them together. Auction companies and galleries compete and cooperate.

His eyes swept across the center of the mahogany conference table, where an auction catalogue was placed, which contained the works he had just sold, depicting Miller's farm and rural life.

The waiter brought the coffee and closed the door.

"The wheat waves you painted have a lyrical musicality," Deborah began to praise Jiang Zhe's work, "especially the piled-up texture of the clouds, which is like feeling the breath and temperature in person."

Rogers took a sip of his coffee cup and said, "Many professional painters have seen your paintings..."

Jiang Zhe listened with a smile, smelling the scent of Blue Mountain, and thinking about Christie's usual tactics.

He waited for the other person to finish speaking, and then said very modestly: "Compared to Sargent's Venice Waves, I am still far behind."

"Mr. Jiang's works continue to break his own records..." Business manager Walker uses data to compare paintings of the same type, painters of the same age, and analyze art with similar influence. "The number of customers who like your work has increased by 87%."

Gallery owner Deborah promptly responded: "These metallic spots remind me of Jeff Koons. But your paintings have a more mysterious oriental feel."

Vice President Rogers suddenly changed his perspective: "Please forgive my directness - the New York Times art critic is more concerned about the symbolic meaning of the farmer and the machinery in the painting."

He read out long passages from news articles and then analyzed art critics' comments on Kang Cheol.

No matter what the other party said, Jiang Zhe responded patiently and politely, without asking if the other party had anything else to say.

Finally, it was Walker who got to the point first: "The headquarters plans to hold a joint exhibition with the theme of 'New Gaze'."

He used a projection screen to show the joint exhibition plan: "We plan to invite twelve artists to create the latest viewing experience in the new gallery. Of course, the main works will be included in the auction list."

“You are cordially invited to attend,” Deborah added. “The curator is Mr. Fisher of the Guggenheim.” The Van Cleef & Arpels bracelet on her wrist rustled. “The paintings will travel to Basel and Venice.”

Jiang Zhe acted interested, but was weighing the options in his mind.

He asked who would be invited.

After hearing Walker mention some names, he had some guesses.

My eyes swept across the three mobile phones on the conference table. It was like a silent electronic hunt.

These painters' fame and the prices of their works are not as high as mine, so they asked me to help raise the prices.

I wanted to refuse, but considering that we will have to cooperate in the future, especially facing the Kassel Documenta, how can I protect my own interests?
Seeing that Jiang Zhe did not respond for a long time, Rogers said, "Mr. Jiang, do you have any special requirements? We can even adjust it."

Jiang Zhe said: "I have an idea. Maybe we can expand the influence of the exhibition. For example, we can invite potential painters from China to participate in the exhibition? And we can add an exhibition in China?"

Rogers and Walker looked at each other and said, "This is not in the plan. If the plan is adjusted, it will be difficult to control costs."

“Shipping and tariffs will eat up 15% of your profit margin!”

"If relevant institutions in China are willing to work together to enhance the influence of the exhibition, then we can study it." Deborah gave her suggestion: "A joint exhibition of different cultures may attract more attention. Some newspapers love this kind of narrative."

The two people from Christie's auction house obviously didn't want to cause any trouble.

Jiang Zhe was not in a hurry. It was difficult for him to refuse the invitation, and he could not get the benefits back immediately, so he had to find a way. I have a suggestion, and it depends on what you choose.

"We need thirty minutes." Walker, Rogers, and Deborah couldn't make a decision immediately, so they could only ask Jiang Zhe to wait.

Jiang Zhe was very patient. He drank his coffee slowly and waited for the results.

The auction house and the gallery both have their own interests and demands. In the shortest possible time, the two sides reported, contacted, and then started arguing.

Rogers lost his previous gentleness: "Do you know the freight and the daily rental cost?"

"If you decide to send out an invitation, you can pass on the shipping costs," Walker said.

Deborah has a deep understanding of the Chinese market and has been following several Chinese painters, including Jiang Zhe. "I think it is feasible and can attract sponsorship."

"Are you crazy?" Rogers was angry: "Headquarters has expressly prohibited cross-regional cooperation!"

“You did something at Frieze last year.” Deborah twirled her Cartier diamond ring. “Need I remind you?”

Rogers stared at Deborah and fell silent.

Walker said: "Maybe we can give Chinese painters a few booths, but they have to share part of the cost."

"I have to decide on four of them," Deborah said.

Walker looked at the client list and calculated silently.

Rogers said: "It's difficult. Jiang Zhe may have done this to take care of his friends in China."

Deborah shook her head: "He is thinking about his future development."

Walker suggested: "If we decide to cooperate, we can bundle the promotion. For example, East meets West, and classics collide with contemporary."

Rogers was already wavering: "Let's calculate whether we can offset some of the taxes. I need to make a report."

Walker began to calculate the costs. He took out the results and gave a new suggestion: "You can 'suggest' them to use the insurance services we recommend--"

"Agreed." Rogers received a call.

He said to Deborah, “You need to get the editor of Art Review.”

……

Reception room. When the 19th century French-style gilded clock struck the eleventh time, Jiang Zhe looked out the window. The rain was getting heavier, and the rain was washing the window glass.

The discussion between Walker and others took longer than expected.

When they re-entered the meeting room, they first apologized to Jiang Zhe and then proposed a new plan.

“We appreciate the idea of ​​cultural exchange very much.” He deliberately omitted the number. “Christie’s is willing to provide technical support. Of course,” Rogers added, “The specific form of cooperation needs to be discussed with the Art Association of your country.”

Jiang Zhe knew his own strengths and weaknesses, so he suggested that Wang Zhen and the professionals from the Artists Association come to discuss specific matters of cooperation.

Deborah handed over the business card with the inscription: "I personally look forward to working with Ms. Wang Zhen. We have met and I like her very much."

Christie's has been cooperating with Wang Zhen for a long time, so naturally they agreed to let her come to negotiate.

The verbal agreement was reached, and what he could do was basically completed. Jiang Zhe said goodbye and stood up to put his clothes in order.

As he walked out of Christie's revolving door, Jiang Zhe looked back.

I once talked to Wang Zhen about holding an art exhibition, but she didn't bring it up for a long time. I guess she has given up hope.

Jiang Zhe returned to the studio and called Wang Zhen during her office hours.

He held the receiver and drew a circle on the edge of The New Yorker with his index finger. "Jiang Zhe, why are you calling me now? You don't have to go to class?"

"No class today. I kind of missed you."

"Stop kidding and get to the point." There was the sound of shuffling papers from Wang Zhen's place.

"Remember something we talked about?"

"Don't play dumb." Wang Zhen pushed the document away.

"Invite domestic painters to hold exhibitions in the United States," Jiang Zhe reminded.

The pencil in Wang Zhen's hand made a dent in the diary: "What do you mean? There's a chance?" Her voice suddenly rose. It had been so long since we talked about this matter that we almost forgot about it.

Jiang Zhe slowly recounted his experience at Christie's.

"When did it happen?" Wang Zhen became excited.

Jiang Zhe said: "A few hours ago."

"You should have told me sooner."

"I'm afraid it will disturb your rest."

"This kind of thing cannot be delayed. Many departments need to be contacted."

"Don't be in a hurry. You still need to discuss the specific details. Of course, I'm not sure whether it will succeed in the end." Jiang Zhe didn't dare to say too much.

The sound of Wang Zhen putting down the phone startled his assistant who was about to knock on the door.

She was called in by Wang Zhen, recorded some things that needed to be done immediately, and entered a high-speed working state.

Soon, Wang Zhen's fax machine spit out a lot of English documents. After receiving important information from Christie's Auction Company, she immediately started making phone calls.

Old Wang, who works in the duty room of the National Artists Association, has been guarding the building for nearly ten years. Seeing Mr. Wang, who often comes here, he quickly enters the building. Several directors come out to greet him, guessing that there will be another important event.

"Xiao Jiang can play such an important role in New York!" A director warmly received Wang Zhen.

After listening to the report, he smiled and said that he would definitely find an opportunity to thank Jiang Zhe.

He asked Wang Zhen to wait for news and then report according to work procedures.

Soon, Wang Zhen received a notice that the American Association agreed to promote cooperation in the name of academic exchanges and had selected staff specifically responsible for the project.

As the work progressed, news spread quickly.

At Binhai Academy of Arts, Professor Qin received a call from Jiang Zhe.

Knowing that Jiang Zhe had reserved a spot for him, he felt both relieved and embarrassed.

The American painters participating in the exhibition are all young and middle-aged painters. Would it be embarrassing for me to go there?

"What are you considering?" His wife said decisively, "This kind of opportunity requires multiple rounds of selection, and you are still hesitating?!"

Professor Qin finally made up his mind.

In a studio converted from an old factory, several painters are having a gathering.

Zhou Ye received a text message and found an excuse to leave.

Soon, others left one after another.

The last person who received the message looked unhappy when he saw the news about the joint exhibition in the text message.

The meeting between Binhai Cultural Department and Binhai Artists Association ended. A deputy circled the exhibition plan with red and blue pencils, and suddenly drew a wavy line under the "consciousness review" clause: "This clause must be implemented in place..."

Xiao Liu, a newly graduated clerk, was taking notes quickly.

Jiang Zhe's friends and classmates received the news one after another.

Many people wanted to participate, and everyone tried to find ways to do so. Some even called Jiang Zhe directly.

The fax machine spit out Christie's supplementary agreement. Wang Zhen took the paper and read the terms carefully. Then he asked several professionals to review and discuss them separately, and then sent the suggested changes to the other party.

The two sides had several telephone exchanges, but they were always controversial.

When Wang Zhen called overseas for the third time, he heard the creaking sound of canvas being stretched tight in the receiver: "Provincial Artists Association, we want to add three booths."

Jiang Zheyong put down the work in his hands. "Will it be useful to tell me? Let's agree on the total quantity first, then we can talk about this. When will you come over?"

"We'll leave tomorrow. There are many things that need to be discussed in person."

"Okay, I'll pick you up." Putting down the phone, Jiang Zhe felt that Wang Zhen and others were moving faster than he expected.

JFK Airport.

Jiang Zhe leaned on the cast iron railing at the exit and glanced at the group of people pushing suitcases.

"Jiang Zhe!" The familiar call pierced the noise.

Wang Zhen walked quickly towards them, his dark grey windbreaker fluttering, followed by three people carrying briefcases, two men and one woman.

Jiang Zhe took the luggage from Wang Zhen.

Wang Zhen introduced three companions to him, including staff members from the National Artists Association and the Binhai Artists Association.

Several people were very enthusiastic towards Jiang Zhe and kept expressing their gratitude.

Jiang Zhe took them to get on the bus.

Amid the sound of luggage wheels rubbing against floor tiles, Wang Zhen lowered his voice and said, "There is a problem with the agreement Christie's gave us."

When curatorial consultant Xiao Lin heard Wang Zhen talking about the specific things, he also pointed out a series of problems such as transportation insurance.

Jiang Zhe drove an SUV and took the four people to the hotel.

He doesn't understand the specific issues, but he can give some references, such as the preferences of Deborah, Rogers and others.

Wang Zhen also showed Jiang Zhe a photo and asked about the identity of a man in the corner.

"He is the Asia consultant of the auction house and was promoted last week." Jiang Zhe said, "He is familiarizing himself with the business."

Arriving at the hotel, Wang Zhen and his friends settled in and immediately held a meeting, with Jiang Zhe also participating.

"Deborah objected to the addition of booths on the grounds of 'spatial conflict.'"

“Is it necessary to get the main booth?”

Several people discussed the details of the negotiation for tomorrow's meeting, and repeatedly discussed Christie's latest supplementary terms.

"This is an insurance clause from three years ago." Jiang Zhe looked at the agreement and pointed out some problems: "The dispute was directed to a third-party arbitration institution."

After some information was confirmed, the meeting finally came to an end.

Several staff members of the Artists Association wanted to treat Jiang Zhe to a meal to express their gratitude.

Jiang Zhe insisted on his own arrangement. "If the cooperation is reached, you can treat us again. Today, I will be the host."

The few people who came to the United States were entrusted with important tasks. However, no matter how important the work was, they still had to rest and eat.

Jiang Zhe arranged the invitation to a restaurant with excellent food and environment. Looking at the beautiful night view and tasting delicious food, Wang Zhen and his friends relaxed.

At the same time, several people in charge of negotiations at Christie's auction company were also making preparations. (End of this chapter)