Artists for Charity, a pre-Christmas idea
Works, Exhibitions & Projects Written by André Wagner
How Art Becomes Concrete Help Without Spilling Money
Donations are great, but everyone knows that every euro donated always sticks a lot somewhere in administration, advertising, etc. The fact that donations completely serve their purpose is rarely given. A lot of money trickles away and never gets to where it should go.
Although this has always disturbed me, I have still donated frequently, even if little arrives, it is even better than nothing.
Still, it has to be better, but also different, right?
Artists for Charity, a pre-Christmas idea
The result of long nights is now reality and my solution.
When I and my programmer Andreas Berghammer (Procon IT) developed ideas for an Advent calendar in the run-up to Christmas 2022, I had an idea that I could not fully foresee what great symbiosis would result from it.
During the preparations for the Digital Art Section at PHOTOPIA Hamburg 2022, I as a curator had a lot to do with Andreas and ultimately achieved a mega success with our exhibition with his help.
For this Advent calendar I was able to win 24 well-known artists, not only from photography, who each give away a digital artwork in the Artists-for-Charity Advent Calendar 2022 with the goal.
But in addition, for every free work of art, there was the non-obligatory possibility of donating any amount for concrete life support for young women in India, because girls and young women in particular are still very disadvantaged in India.
Technology+Art+Charity=real help
Why India?
For years, I have been in India personally and have a lot to thank the people of the country, and not only countless photographs of Indian people, rituals and temples now hanging in living rooms, lounges, museums and boardrooms around the world are the result of my travels.
Likewise, I have been able to meet wonderful people and have made various friendships and connections over the years, but in addition to all the beauty, an attentive visitor will experience at every turn the problems that are more than enough in this huge country. With this action I want to give something back to India, give hope and future, give very concrete help.
That’s why I’m all the more pleased that so many artists were spontaneously willing to be part of Artists for Charity.
Because most donation collections, as already mentioned, part of the money seeps away and I do not like it, I am all the happier to be able to say that this will not be the case with Artists for Charity. All donations go to a dedicated special fund of Lalita e.V., a Berlin association that finances aid projects in India. I have known the people behind it personally for years and since the money is held as a special fund, it really remains.
„One alone does little, but if many people pull in the same direction, significant things can be achieved.“
Further Benefits from Artists for Charity
In addition to the collected donations, Artists for Charity has other positive effects, especially for the artists themselves. Because most of the artists involved have not yet gained any experience in the field of digital art, the action is for them, so to speak, an open gateway to a new world. Because for an artist, awareness is one of the most important benefits for living from art.
Apart from specific actions, artists have the opportunity to display their works in digital galleries in the Metaverses I had already reported on my virtual exhibition at the Penthouse, to be able to become better known, to get in touch with interested parties and collectors and to communicate.
On the other hand, artists who already run exhibitions or galleries themselves have the opportunity to exhibit works by other artists and earn a sales commission as a gallery owner when selling via affiliate links.
With Artists for Charity, I have created a pool of well-known artists who are united by the idea of actually doing good and who, on the other hand, are convinced of the benefit of joint action: a win-win situation for all parties involved. In the end, I have to say honestly that I am surprised how great the cooperation works and am more than excited about what the future will bring. On my trip to India this year, I will personally channel the aid money on the ground and, of course, report on it.
Find out more André Wagner https://www.andrewagner.com Previous