December 02, 2011

The damage to the frame of "Falling Down Man" is clearly visible in this photo of Studtmann holding it.

Can damage actually increase the value of a piece of art? A Davidson College philosophy professor believes that it can, and will put the theory to the test in a benefit auction on Friday evening, December 9. It begins at 8 p.m. at Summit Coffee in downtown Davidson, and the public is invited.

Davidson College Professor of Philosophy Paul Studtmann will auction a two-by-three-foot painting complete with its badly bowed steel frame, which was damaged somewhere in transit from the studio of artist Charlie Spear of Indianapolis to Studtmann in Davidson.

The acrylic-on-wood image titled "Falling Down Man" depicts a marionette heaped on the ground, which Spear intended as a statement about the plight of the homeless.

Though a local appraiser in Davidson declared the work "valueless," because of its damage, Studtmann and Spear contend that the damage makes the painting more symbolically complete.

Studtmann explained, "There's a weird category of art in which damage is an integral part of the work. Think of Venus de Milo with no arms, or the Liberty Bell with its crack."

One of the most famous examples is a painting, "The Large Glass," by surrealist French painter Marcel Duchamp. It was created on a glass panel that was broken during installation in a museum, then carefully repaired by the artist.

"Fallling Down Man" photographed from directly in front.

Studtmann said, "Sometimes an accident can complete a work of art, and that's what I believe happened with Falling Down Man. It's beautifully ironic that the unexpected damage to the frame reinforces and completes this image of downtrodden members of our society. I actually think this painting is the purest form of ‘improved by damage' art I can imagine."

The December 9 auction will be the concluding event in a two-year experiment by Studtmann concerning the value of art. He initially embarked on a quest to acquire a painting by Van Gogh by trading pieces of artwork on the Internet. He had hoped to emulate the online "One Red Paperclip" project, in which a person bartered his way up from a paperclip to ownership of a house. Studtmann began with a drawing by his eight-year-old nephew, and hoped to execute trades of increasing value until he could acquire a Van Gogh. He documented his journey on his blog, www.thevangoghproject.blogspot.com.

Studtmann eventually executed nine trades. But the unexpected damage to his ninth trade, "Falling Down Man," prompted him to turn in a different direction and ponder the issues surrounding damaged art. It was then a short step from intellectual rumination to an actual physical auction to test the question.

Studtmann has been creating his own artworks for the past three years, and has exhibited and sold some pieces locally. This piece, based on a drawing by Egon Schielle, was created via a means he frequently employs -- hammering nails dipped into paint into a board and moving the board so the paint will flow where he wants it to be.

What will be the ultimate value of "Falling Down Man"? Studtmann believes not only the damage, but also the project beneficiary, will boost bids at the auction. He will be donating all proceeds to the ArtWorks945 program of the Urban Ministry Center in Charlotte, which helps homeless people find proper shelter.

Studtmann's first step in the auction has been to post a picture of "Falling Down Man" online and invite visitors to make a donation to ArtWorks945 on behalf of the painting. That initiative has thus far attracted $582 in donations, which Studtmann will set as the opening bid in the December 9 live auction.

There is no charge to attend the "Falling Down Man" auction, which will include a brief presentation by Studtmann about the project, and auctions for several pieces of art from ArtWorks945 clients.

For information on ArtWorks 945, contact director Tyler Helfrich at 704-926-0618 or artworks945@urbanministrycenter.org For information about the Van Gogh Project, contact Studtmann at pstudtmann@gmail.com.

Davidson is a highly selective independent liberal arts college for 1,900 students located 20 minutes north of Charlotte in Davidson, N.C. Since its establishment in 1837 by Presbyterians, the college has graduated 23 Rhodes Scholars and is consistently regarded as one of the top liberal arts colleges in the country. Through The Davidson Trust, the college became the first liberal arts institution in the nation to replace loans with grants in all financial aid packages, giving all students the opportunity to graduate debt-free. Davidson competes in NCAA athletics at the Division I level, and a longstanding Honor Code is central to student life at the college.
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