Missed Opportunities for Sculptors using Advanced Technologies
The maturing of the digital age has presented literally thousands of new opportunities for 3D digitizing to enhance effectiveness in art, design, forensic investigations, engineering and construction industries. As artists have caught up with these new capabilites, J&L has heard from several sculptors that they missed opportunities for marketing their creations before they were donated to institutions for display.
A study by the Creative Independent * found that financial stabilty is a significant concern for many artists. The median income for respondents was just $20,000 to $30,000, with 60% making less than $30,000 annually. Only 19% of artists make over $50,000 a year. Many artists rely on multiple sources of income to make ends meet. About 61% engage in freelance work, and 42% have other jobs, with an equal number having non-art positions as those related to their studio practice.
How can Sculptors maximizing their art income potential?
Sculptors can use 3D scanning technology to 3D print replicas of a statue that will both preserve the artists work forever and create extra income for the Sculptor using web site marketing.
In one instance, an artist contacted J&L regarding a sculpture they loved but had donated to the University of Notre Dame and requested J&L Dimensional Services to create 3D scans of the work for 3D printing purposes. When we explained the scanning is most effectively done at ground level (on-site or at J&L’s facility), the sculptor was faced with requesting the art be taken down temporarilily for scanning purposes – in order to convert their creation to a 3D rendering of the sculptor’s creation for sculptor manufacturing. In that specific case, the sculpture is displayed high in the air. Because of the challenge of coordinating that scanning event with the University, J&L has not heard from the sculptor again regarding their money-making idea.
What is an example of successfully marketed 3D sculpture?
J&L Dimensional Services was contacted by the family of Sylvia Shaw Johnson (1894 – 1978) requesting that J&L preserve via 3D scanning the original statue of the The Little Gardener (1935), which is currently on display at the White House in the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden. The statue was borrowed back, then shipped to J&L’s facility in La Porte Indiana for scanning.
When the initial scans were complete, there was opportunities to fill in with 3D mesh technology any observed imperfections in the statue that came from wear/age. When the artist’s family was happy with the rendering, the .stl files were delivered to the scultpor’s 3D production house.
The artists’ family was so happy with the scans, they donated to J&L a 3D copy of the sculpture. The Sculptor’s Replicas can be found for sale at the Potina web site at The Little Gardener | Potina | Bird Girl Statue Exclusive Replicas.
How can J&L help you?
Contact J&L to coordinate any on-site or remote 3D digital scanning needs of sculpted art at 219-325-3588 or Contact Us