Is this what happens when creative people die?

[gwpriester]

My wife and I went to Santa Fe yesterday to celebrate her birthday and to take in some galleries and to look in Mary's favorite consignment shop for furniture upon which to paint (http://www.handsofanartist.com/).

Stephen's, the consignment shop was having a 40% off sale on everything in the store and so we popped in for a look.

On a table in the back was a collection of some of the most prestigious advertising industry awards. The award winner was a creative person from Los Angeles who had worked for Chiat/Day, the ad agency for Apple, and the agency who did the iconic 1984 Macintosh commercial. From the late 60's when it was founded, Chiat Day has been one of the most respected, creative advertising agencies in the country and around the world. When I was in advertising, I always hoped to work some day for this group. And as a creative person, I know how much these awards meant to the winner.

I am guessing the the creative person had retired to Santa Fe and had recently died. But it was so damned incredibly sad to see his collection of advertising trophies, representing his finest achievements in his advertising career, on this table, marked down, for a quick sale.

I guess this is what happens to creative people when we die.

It is all too sad.

[Rik]

I wish I had the words to express what I mean but at the very least, I agree with what you say Gary.
Sad indeed.

[Soquili]

It is very sad. Perhaps it is a sign of these hard economic times...

[handrawn]

oh heck I just got into enough grief elsewhere but what the heck I'll risk another possible misunderstanding - an award is not the piece of hardware for sale in the shop that's just a representation - if the work of the person is well remembered, that's good, if not, that's sad - harbouring the symbols is not healthy, better to have copies of the work...

just my opinion of course

[Scotty]

Hi,
Well I guess if the person was able to be awarded the recognitions before there demise and get to show them off is a consolation, it is when the recognition is forthcoming after the demise of the artist etc is given which to me isn't good.
Jim

[pauland]

Smile when you think of the person that won the awards. Think how happy/pleased they were to receive them. Remember that whatever someone pays for them, they can never get what they represent - recognition for a job well done. The low ticket price reflects their value for someone else, not the value for the person that won them, nor is it a surrogate for the value of their life. Smile. Whoever won them did.

[wizard509]

Well said Paul. I can't add anything to that.

[gwpriester]

OK I did some research.

The art director died in 1999 at age 45. As someone said recently, a very short straw. http://www.nytimes.com/1999/07/25/cl...michael-c.html

Thanks Paul. That really puts it in perspective.

[avalon]

That's a very touching story. How young too! Sad, to say the least...hopefully someone will buy all the awards and trophy collection and treat it with much respect. I'd have to say that I am familiar with why those items might be in the consignment shop.

I buy old collections of photographs and scrap books that end up in old crumpled up boxes at all the antique/collectible shops here where I live (I get them from 7 counties). I have a couple of connections that actually call me ASAP when they find a collection.

Just cannot imagine why families don't pass them down! I do know that several of the collections I bought came from those big national storage companies. After failing to pay, they cut the lock (like Storage Wars) and out go the contents.

It seems that when families take in an ailing Mom or Dad or put them in assisted living facilities they then put their belongings in storage. Often the folks are in different states than their parents. When their parents pass on they no longer care about their belongings down in Florida or wherever when they reside in a far away state. The caregivers default on the storage units since it's easier for some than sorting through or disposing of the belongings. So belongings end up sold/auctioned or donated to the shops that I frequent year round. I also make altered books.

I often get the impression that some do not know what they are leaving behind, auctioning off, or just disposing of...not forgetting to mention that another scenario is thinking that some other family member has all the belongings of value or sentimental value. I really wonder how many people think that only to find out that Uncle Bill and Aunt Fay in Wisconsin, or whoever in another state does not have what you thought was left to them to look after and pass down.

This all led me to a year round very successful, growing business. I recently picked up an amazing collection of over 2000 postcards, from the last 70 years, of bridges from all over the world. Coincidentally my Dad left me a collection of over 1000 postcards from around the world sent to him by his customers in the NY Metro area. All are in great condition too.

And by the way, Gary...your wife does absolutely wonderful work.

I worked in creative way back in the 80's in some of the big agencies in NYC. Those were some good times!

Just sharing a few stirring thoughts with you all...provoked by the awards and trophies...

RA

[handrawn]

well put Paul