Art Collectors at the "Contemporary Cuban Art in Malaysia" Opening

I had attended quite a few exhibition openings and each and every time I attend, I ask myself - who are the other people at the opening? I was at the above opening last week. Gosh, time really flies. A week had gone by already?!

Anyway, I was in this opening at the invitation of the Cuban Embassy, interestingly, not our national art gallery. Maybe I still do not cause any blips on their radar screen.

Back to my subject. Who are the attendees? I spoke with a few of those, when I was not taking photographs. Yes, will someday upload those taken. They are:

- art lovers (will never buy)
- art collectors (big word, collectors)
- gallery owners (like me)
- artists (very few)
- embassy personnel (in this particular exhibition, not normally in others)
- free fooders (those who want a bite or two, free)
- media (collect some gifts?!)
- fresh collectors - this is one type that I will give my opinion on.

In fact, I saw one of these fresh collectors. He has not collected any, and asked for my input a couple of months ago. Recommended some really good paintings for him. Those that will look very nice at his practise, and will likely appreciate in value over time. This particular artist I represent has works auctioned by Christie's, which normally mean that he is rather good.

Anyway, invitation after invitation, he did not turn up.

At the exhibition, he was all over the place, and actually appeared to want to buy one at RM42,000. Yeah, a whopping RM42,000 from an artist who is not known. No doubt the painting is good, but to pay that price, I don't know.

Dealing with rude customers........ courtesy of Eddie Lim

The following came through the email:

For all Who Work With Rude Customers, shame WE can't actually do this! An award should go to the Virgin Airlines desk attendant in Sydney some months ago for being smart and funny, while making her point, when confronted with a passenger who probably deserved to fly as cargo.

A crowded Virgin flight was cancelled after Virgin's 767s had been withdrawn from service. A single attendant was rebooking a long line of inconvenienced travellers. Suddenly an angry passenger pushed his way to the desk. He slapped his ticket down on the counter and said, "I HAVE to be on this flight and it HAS to be FIRST CLASS." The attendant replied, "I'm sorry, sir. I'll be happy to try to help you, but I've got to help these people first, and I'm sure we'll be able to work something out." The passenger was unimpressed. He asked loudly, so that the passengers behind him could hear, "DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHO I AM?"

Without hesitating, the attendant smiled and grabbed her public address microphone: "May I have your attention please, may I have your attention please," she began - her voice heard clearly throughout the terminal. "We have a passenger here at Desk 14 WHO DOES NOT KNOW WHO HE IS. If anyone can help him find his identity, please come to Desk 14." With the folks behind him in line laughing hysterically, the man glared at the Virgin attendant, gritted his teeth and said, "F... You!" Without flinching, she smiled and said, (I love this) "I'm sorry, sir, but you'll have to get in line for that too."

Shut out of the apartment?

Was visiting a friend at Sentral KL when I saw these protruding legs. Upon closer examination, the person was comfortably seated in a sofa placed right outside his front door - SMOKING a cigarette. Guess there is a no-smoking zone behind his door.

What is 'close proximity'?

This was spotted at one of the parks in Selangor. The authorities are more concerned about sex than containing corruption (if not totally eradicate them).

anyway, how close is close? 1mm, 1cm, 1m?

Manglish (Malaysian English)???

This signage is found at one of the busiest road in Kuala Lumpur (the sg besi highway).

I wonder why a beauty centre would put up a "Are you Desired for a Baby" sign.

Our former/current education minister must be very proud of their achievements, messing up our education system!!!!

Photography equipments

Went to Pertama Complex in Jln TAR, Kuala Lumpur to buy a remote trigger. A cheap one that we bought earlier just stopped working in the midst of my assignment - taking photographs of the interior of a hospitality business.

First stop was at Selangor Photo which is situated on the ground floor. They only sell cameras and do not sell accessories. All staff at the shop was really unhelpful. They would not even point me to the shop that does not compete with them - located only a floor above them. I normally stop shopping at such un-neighbourly shop.

Anyway, found what I wanted at International Camera Service, located at Lot 1.99. Recommended. If you wish to check it out, the phone number is 03-26986610. By the way, the trigger works. Managed to complete my assignment late that night.

Photographers on assignment

Took a couple of days to decide to put this in writing, in the hope that I can have your views about this topic.

Was given an assignment by a corporation a couple of days ago. Never liked working alone. Almost always work with at least one of my photographer friend. This particular photographer's skills are good. Some would say better than mine. He definitely think so himself. And as a result of that, there were some uncomfortable moments on issues that I will definitely spell out to anyone whom I invite to work with me in future.

Let me get to the point.

First, if someone, let's say, A, has an assignment and invites me to participate as a photographer, these are a few caveats that I observe:

- no marketing. ie no personal business card to be given. Any request or questions with regards to contact, pricing, etc, will be directed to A

- no showing off. I will direct any unique requirements as request by client to A. I will not pander to client's request without first getting clearance from A.

- no act of sabotage. e.g. not turning up at client's place or shooting location without A. I will normally meet up with A and proceed to client's place, even though the rendezvous may only be 50 metres away.

- always in the 'assist' A mode. I will not tell A that I am independently shooting some scenes/objects after discussion with client. I will always tell client to discuss together with A if he/she wants to add some special flavour to the photographs they want.

This photographer friend of mine wanted to be at site, probably earlier than I. Prevented that.
Showed client some of the images taken (on the camera screen), but reluctant to show me. (Bad).
Wanted him to take a shot from a different position. He ignored my request. (Bad)
Wanted him to shoot a scene he was preparing. He disrespectfully told me that he has set up his tripod for another scene. (Bad)
Was moving studio lights into position. He just sat there. (Bad)

Am I too demanding? Well, I hope to invite comments from you.