The artwork appears to be a leather goods boutique, designed to attract consumers with its aesthetic appeal and targeted store layout. The interior design is tailored to create a consumer-friendly atmosphere, featuring classic elements and attention to detail. The furniture and displays are custom-made, using various materials that complement the overall aesthetic. Despite using reclaimed wood, the furniture maintains an elegant appearance, aligning with the concept of recycling as a material enhancement.
The uniqueness of this boutique lies in the fact that both the interior design and the leather goods themselves are created by the same artist. The artist’s craftsmanship and design skills converge to create a cohesive work that aims to stimulate consumer desire. The use of high-quality leather, expertly crafted into useful and fashionable accessories, enhances the appeal of the products.
The pricing strategy employed in the boutique deviates from conventional methods. Instead of a fixed price, the total cost of each product is calculated based on the material value and the specific number of hours invested in its creation. However, the hourly rate is not fixed and depends on what the artist would pay if the buyer would work for the artist. This approach raises questions about how the hourly rate is determined for different income categories, such as unemployment, retirement, or capital income.
The artist willingly engages in discussions about these questions and aims to provoke thoughtful reflections. The intention is to prompt individuals to question the value of their own work and the disparities in income across different professions, industries, and socioeconomic circumstances. By exploring the concept of fair pricing, the artist encourages mutual appreciation and respect for one another’s work.
PRICING OF LEATHER GOODS:
The price for these leather goods is made up as follows:
Material value + labour hours = final price.
For the labour hours, enter the hourly rate that the artist would have to pay to the company where the Buyer is employed if the Buyer were to work for the artist for one hour.
If the Buyer is self-employed, enter the hourly rate that the Buyer would charge his or her clients for one hour’s work.
If the buyer derives his/her income from capital assets, the capital income of the previous year, before taxation, is divided by the hours worked by the buyer for the management of the equity capital and this value is taken as the basis.
If the purchaser is retired/unemployed, the hourly rate must be stated which would have been charged in the case of his/her last employment.
If the buyer receives his/her income from a combination of the above categories, the hourly rate is to be determined on the basis of the total income.
If the difference between two or more incomes in a household is more than 10 per cent, the average of all incomes available to the household shall form the basis.
If there are other types of income, the calculation must be clarified with the artist.
CALCULATION EXAMPLE:
Based on a handbag:
Price: 100 euros material + 23 hours
If the buyer is a master car mechanic and the artist would have to pay 130 Euros for his or her working hours, the price for the bag is calculated as follows:
130 Euro x 23 working hours 100 Euro Material Total price:
2.990 Euro 100 Euro 3.090 Euro
Conceptual art/social sculpture/object, 2022, Material: text, leather, wood, fabric, glass, metal Photos: Karin Hackl
