Up to speed

I have recently undergone a couple of those major life changing events and have been rather occupied over the last couple of months. Commodities has been neglected in that time. However, things have calmed down a bit and new listings are to follow shortly. But to get the blog up to speed, a past critic and a new one emailed me during the Polaroid Type 55 auction:

Dear *commodities*,
I read your blog, I prefer excitement/bidding on actual items, thank you. As expected you're already canceling bids from those duped. Wasting other's time with misleading ads, I doubt that's your intent. But like the self-indulgent who tag an overpass, forcing their work upon anyone who drives that road, this kind of thing robs the viewer of the ability to be a WILLFUL participant in the art process. What of those who do not want to participate, isn't that abuse? In the end you may excite select friends and associates, teachers, whomever you made privy to what you are up to. As for the rest, you will simply reinforce in MOST minds the notion that art is stupid, mundane, and an irritant to be avoided. No wonder the arts are under attack financially and their place questioned. FYI, I use polaroid 55..with my art background your message is lost on me because its forced + the distraction merely ads to my day's clutter. *When art has nothing to say at what point does it become meaningless?
- tios_corner

Dear *commodities*, (later that same day)
Maybe this is more a problem of venue. This may be more successful in a different setting, perhaps a private auction where participants can willingly elect to participate. It just evokes a negative reaction in me as you have this structured currently. Especially at a time in our post-modern society where so much about the arts is being attacked in our centers of government and the courts, I think we need to be careful not to alienate. So many voices all vying to be heard, if the message has the appearance of being forced it can be enough to turn the heart and mind against it.
- tios_corner

and

Dear *commodities*,
Hi
You seem to be getting a lot of negative comments from ignorant people, so thought I'd email you to say that this is a really interesting project, very nicely thought out. I particularly liked your CV style list of previous and current exhibitions.
all the best
Adam
- manic_narcolept