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Q: How do artists make money in China?
I've had this question on my mind for quite a while. I'm a bit at a loss as to how they make money when the majority of the country pirates everything... from books, to movies, etc. How are they making a profit here?!
11 years 14 weeks ago in Arts & Entertainment - China
They probably have to make up for all that lost revenue by taking part in some small gigs at the local bar or at the clubs. I did go see one of those bands perform and it was really incredible. I had won a pair of tickets along with a copy of their cd. The club that I went to was selling items from the band such as cd's and also clothing.
I'm sure that's how they make a certain percentage of their earnings..
Keep in mind that there is quite a lot of piracy taking place all over the world. Most Chinese artists perform a mix of original and non-original content. They are earning a profit in much the same way artists worldwide make a profit; they are paid for performances, appearances, and may be salaried under a contract.
Hope this helps!
Hugh.G.Rection:
Hulk, it's only illegal i.e. counterfeiting if they sign it as original and try and pass it off as original. Most don't.
I see why you wonder this, but remember, being an artist in China is that much easier. You don't have to make a girl called Mona Lisa sit still for long enough for you to paint her, you just have to copy existing pieces to avoid challenging your own imagination.
when that is said. I do think there is a market for original art, doesn't have to be original as such, but at least real oil paintings. you stick a face painted with oil paint on your wall, you gain face because you can dish out the same BS story about the painting that the person who sold it to you, used to con you into thinking you were buying something awesome. (pretty similar to the rest of the world)
I remember an article on TV (BBC I think) about artists in China, maybe Shanghai, but they copy famous paintings and sell them, (this isn't illegal so long as they don't sign them as originals), they churn out 3 or 4 copies a day, and they are of incredible quality. There was a follow-up on this story a couple of years ago that said the copy market was drying up as due to the recession there weren't enough foreigners to buy them so many of the artists were being forced into 'normal' work or to paint original Chinese style art for the domestic market.
Most of them rely on their spouses or parents to pay the bills. Others find day jobs that pay the bills.
