After just one year of being an “Upcoming Collector”, I’m now preparing to part with one of the most loved pieces in my collection. It’s not easy, believe me. The urge is strong to call my own bluff. Then again, it isn’t a bluff.

Despite the possibility that no one might be willing to trade with us, I see this as a chance to be exposed to new artists and new works, to make contact with other collectors. I’m an information and experience junkie. This duel is perfect for that, since, by the rules of the duel, I have to talk about what’s happening and I have to dig in deep for information about the artists and their works.

A Piece of Paper Folded Until Now, Jonathan Monk, 2008 (section)

Naturally, the first thing I have to do, is dig in deep regarding Jonathan Monk. Christian has an advantage here, because he has been collecting Monk for a long time. Still, while we both like Monk’s works, we are bound to have slightly different reasons for it. And I can always use Christian as a source as well. I’m expecting extended conversations about artists and art on Christian’s roof terrace this summer …

If you are interested in making me an offer on the “Piece of paper folded until now” by Jonathan Monk, you can do so using the comment function, or by writing me an e-mail (brem@independent-collectors.com). Members of Independent Collectors can also drop a message in my “in-box” there.

But please, have a look at my collection over at Independent Collectors to find out what sort of thing I like and own. If what you offer me ties in with it or will enhance and evolve my collection, it would be highly appreciated.

Following a spontaneous idea over lunch one day, it suddenly became crystal clear what the “Upcoming Collector’s” blog could evolve into. From a monologue, it will turn into a dialogue. From the quest of one person to try and understand the art world from a collectors’s point of view, it will turn into two fellow collectors trying to develop their collections and to actively engage in an enthusiastic discussion about art.

To spice things things up, we made it into a challenge of sorts. And, in memory of days gone by, we called it:

“The Collectors’ Duel”

This duel was secretly started on June 4th 2009 and it will last until June 3rd, 2010.
(Left: Christian Schwarm; right: Tommi Brem; photo: Manuel Wagner)

How the duel works:

The idea is to offer one of the artworks in our collection for trade. And, in the tradition of the “one red paperclip”, continue to trade the new work for another work and so on.

This is the artwork each of us reluctantly offers for trading:

Title: “A piece of paper folded until now”
Artist: Jonathan Monk
Source: An edition that was available from art metropole.

Is the goal “bigger and better”?

No, it is not. Christian and me want to enter the personal dialog with other collectors. If an artwork is offered for trade, we want to get to know the backgrounds of both artist and work in depth. In trading, each of us will have to consider how the artwork would fit into or develop our individual collections, since each trade could be the final one. To start with, we have both selected the same work, “A piece of paper folded until now” by Jonathan Monk. Not because we don’t like it anymore, but because it is an equal starting ground. Giving it away will hurt, both of us.

During the course of the duel, Christian and I will be exposed to many new artists and work. We will have to learn a lot. We will have to make decisions. We will experience joy and pain. We might make other collectors happy. We might be heavily criticized for what they are doing. 

This duel is, most and foremost, a factory of possibilities.

The rules:

1. You may only trade with other collectors.
2. You may only trade works of contemporary art.
3. All activities must be documented publicly.

It promises to be an interesting 12 months …