Answers to questions ARTinvestment.RU and gives tips for beginning collectors and investors Natalya Grigoryeva, Gallery director named Lumière

Interest in investment in the work of photographer - and the older generation, and our contemporaries - notably the rise in the world. But for novice collectors and investors' ignorance of features photographs of the object collection and /or investing the money can be a psychological barrier to the work of this interesting kind of art.

answers to the questions ARTinvestment.RU and gives tips for beginning collectors and investors Natalya Grigoryeva, the director of Lumière Gallery, located at the Central House of Artists on the Crimean Val (until 18 January last in the gallery exhibition Vladimir Lagrange «So we lived» ).

ARTinvestment.RU : What issues need to ask the seller when buying investment?

Natalya Grigoryeva : Any investment in a business, in my opinion, involves an examination of the market in which you decide to invest. You can rely on their own experience or ask the dealer (the gallery), who find undervalued products, based on your wishes to the style of photography, the author, the time of its creation. With all the growth markets in recent years, the market does not rise pictures as fast as the markets of other forms of art. I think this factor allows us to consider it as a good investment area with great potential. The reasons for this somewhat. Needless to study the history of Russian photography is quite difficult. Sources are very few, and the photographic funds are not always in good condition, even among well-known authors and their heirs. Thus, the supply of photo collection is limited. In addition, the newcomer should be well understood that the investment value is not just one, albeit a very good picture, namely the collection, for the creation of which requires years.

You should be interested in the author's reputation or fund exhibitions artist. If this is already an established author, most likely, his work appeared at auction, museum sites, are in the collections of the people believe that you trust. Gallery always has information as to the passage of time has changed the price for a job.

Interestingly, many images have a whole list of awards. In the Soviet Union, was taken to nominate and award photos. Unfortunately, it is not always adequate to reward the artistic level of things, but today and this sometimes affects the price. A history that is often accompanied by the existence of a Soviet photos, so give a further impetus to increasing prices.

AI : The higher the circulation of prints from the same negative, the lower the cost each of them and the lower its investment potential. Control the circulation of prints - one of the most important points about which market participants should be aware of collection and investment of photography. How, in practice, controlled circulation?

NG : The question of the planned number of prints from a certain negative arises primarily from the author to himself. For the artist-photographer is precisely the moment when he leaves the audience ready to hear the price for its share in the art of photography. Gallery or art dealer may act as an adviser, but, of course, the final decision is taken by the artist. Consequently, the control exercised by him.

AI : Who is responsible for the circulation of untrue statement? To rely on market participants?

NG : Compliance with the claimed circulation - honor the author. Failure - a serious blow to their reputation. Gallery has a relevant agreement with the authors or the heirs of the copyright to assure compliance with the circulation. In the event of a breach of these agreements in the gallery there is always an opportunity to part with the author and the author remains a bad reputation, which will be difficult to move forward on the art market and sell their work with dignity. If the author is not confident in yourself, or not ready to make a decision, he may declare «unlimited» Circulation. His work will be affordable to many, and they will not be a highlight of your collection. But that is another way.

AI : Which documents supplied purchased in the gallery picture?

NG : In addition to the contract, which is between the gallery and the buyer, the Photo is issued a certificate which indicates the entire photo attribution: Title, Author circulation, the year of printing and the year of shooting, the type of press, a description of all available photos of the signatures - the author, heir to the fund or, if the signature is. Preventing legitimate question about the negative, saying that the certificate does not indicate his whereabouts.

AI : Collectors interested in themselves negative or location?

NG : These are the questions. Many do not understand why, together with the fingerprint can not be sold, negative. Negatives are always the author, they are protected by copyright. He now sells that particular print, and a collector to buy this particular picture. Not negative, but a picture. Let's hope for the author's honesty and decency gallery. But as a rule, it is observed - at least in our gallery.

AI : Are there any methods for determining the authenticity of this photo?

NG : The notion of «authenticity» in the art of photography is simple with respect to all other types of art. Few who come to mind repeating the moment of life, which was accessible and visible to a particular master. You can try to copy the «style» photographer, his photographic methods, but the identity can not be achieved.

Authorship print edition and reaffirms the author's signature or his heir. Good sign - it is a passport photo and guarantee of the authenticity of its origin.

AI : Since the same negative prints can be produced at different times - sometimes decades after the establishment of a negative. Can the experts to determine the age of print?

NG : Of course.

AI : What are the «pitfalls» for novice collector and investor?

NG : First of all, the quality of prints. High-quality handmade photo rarity today. This situation in the world and in Russia. If you buy the work in the gallery, and look at things the other authors represented in it for sale, I recommend to ask how these authors have published 3-5 years ago, look like they are working today. For black-and-white photographs used in the paper barite basis. This is a worldwide practice that with the formation of the market and moved to Russia.

It should look like are stored and displayed photos. Photography recognizes only a very cautious attitude, then you can watch and show it indefinitely. And this is the attitude of the starts in the laboratory professional printers, continues in the gallery, where you came from. Archive paper, mats, display boxes - all this allows photos to live. Otherwise, you can meet with unallowable deformation (related to peresyhaniem) or damage to the upper layers of the emulsion (color spots).

the number, the reputation of the funds I have said before. But my advice: if you are not familiar with this work and this artist, that is no reason not to buy a favorite in the collection. Obtaining a certificate to work in an organization that helps you a lot of years in this hobby, you feel comfortable. Buying a first job in the circulation is not yet open other author - it is always the best investment.

interview was conducted by Marina Bondarenko, ARTinvestment.RU