I'm Chia Wald and this is my blog. Here is where I share my thoughts and my art. Sometimes it is good, sometimes it isn't. That's life... and that's me. I woke up to a not so friendly email today. I want to talk about the writer’s issues so I am reprinting it here:
“I was at your site and came across the contest concerning ATC cards. I’m not sure if you are familiar with the concept of ATC cards, but as the name implies, they are “trading” cards, and since you aren’t trading them but rather collecting them as entries into a contest, you are not representing these small works of art for what they were intended to be used for. As an artist, I’m sure you’d want to maintain the integrity of the craft and use these in the way they were intended. While I enjoyed your site, I am disappointed that you chose to use ACT cards as the entry into a contest. A greeting card would be a better choice, if you wish to eliminate the obligation on your part to exchange a card for every one sent to you.
Please use ATC cards in the manner as they were intended. “
I see where the writer is coming from but I differ from her on a couple of the finer points. I agree that ATCs are meant to be given freely and never sold. I disagree that they have to be strictly “traded”. I’ve given away dozens of them without asking for or receiving anything in return. I also think we differ on a second point. I don’t think that she sees the free will aspect of this contest like I do. You see, you don’t HAVE to enter the contest. It is your choice if you want to play along in my little game. No one who visits my site HAS to give me an ATC card. I don’t see this as being all that different from people sending an ATC to a magazine in the hopes that it will be published. It is totally their choice. If there really has to be something in trade don’t my 37 galleries, 15 tutorials and 52 templates count for something? I’ve been offering these freely for years and my stat counters tell me they have been received by many viewers.
Bottom line: this isn’t a commercial site. I lose money every day that I publish this blog and the accompanying website. I lose money every time that I host a contest here. And I don’t mind. I’m sharing because I enjoy doing so. I’m not looking for any kind of profit. Asking for the ATC wasn’t an attempt to profit. I enjoy having an excuse to make an ATC and I just thought some of my readers might see this in the same way.Here is my advice: If you are uncomfortable with the request for an ATC and think of it as an entrance fee, then don’t join the contest. If the request doesn’t bother you and you are able to relax and enjoy the little bit of fun that the contest is meant to share, then join us… and good luck!
Edited to add: “fussybird”*, I have attempted to reply to your emails but the return address you have provided is flawed. My replies are being returned to me. Thank you for your continued interest in my enlightenment. I am familiar with many websites detailing the origins of ATCs, including the one you so graciously provided the link to. You’ve made your point that the art world is comprised of ridged rules. Go forth and enjoy that world, I prefer to exist in a more fluid and forgiving world.
* This is the name provided in the emails. Considering the fact that my replies have bounced back at me I am unsure if this is a real name or should be confused with anyone real that is known by that name.
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1 response so far ↓
1 chia // May 28, 2007 at 9:56 pm
Comments lost in migration reposted below
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Anonymous said…
Okay, that is just plain ridiculous. You are not buying, or selling them. They are trading cards, but not specifically made for trading. They are like business cards with a piece of your own art work included. When people hand out business cards they don’t expect one in return, and I have been to many places where I have heard one person ask another if they have cards to trade. That person was very sad and explained that they didn’t because they didn’t know about the trade so the first person gave them a card anyway.
Oooohhhhh, acording to who ever wrote you that message that person should not have given away that card. Ridiculous hogwash is what I say.
C.
5/22/07 11:54 AM
Anonymous said…
It’s art people choose to enter into a contest. In trade for a place in the contest, they send you a card..
that simple.
5/22/07 11:56 AM
Anonymous said…
To each his own. If you want to live in your rigid world of rules then so be it. But, to criticize someone for inspiring and encouraging people to create through a contest is absurd. Sounds like some sour grapes to me. Chia, I’m with you, I prefer a fluid and forgiving world, especially in the art world.
Kim
5/22/07 7:24 PM
Anonymous said…
Hmmmmmm. I’m someone who prefers to see both sides of the story. I didn’t see the e-mail you posted as “not so friendly”. If the person wanted to be unfriendly they could post a reply to you here. The fact that they did this in e-mail shows consideration. Just my take on it.
The e-mail you copy/pasted doesn’t imply any rigid rules. I googled ATC cards and after reading more about them I see they are meant for trade, so I understand why this person might have let you know about that. I don’t make them, so I’m not an expert, I’m just going by the information based on what I read, for what that is worth.
I’m sure you’re free to do as you wish. I’d just take the e-mail as information and leave it at that. I don’t think the person meant to be friendly or not. Why would they?
Now I’m thinking I might try making some of these, but then, where do you trade them?
5/24/07 4:43 AM
Anonymous said…
I’m curious, do you allow people to enter the contest without an ATC? If they send you an ATC and request one in return, do you send one or decline? I’ve never used one to enter a contest before, but I have given some away. I’ve traded more than given only because it’s usually done that way.
If I sent one in, would you be willing to return one in exchange?
TIA
Terry
5/24/07 7:48 AM
Anonymous said…
I wouldn’t send u a e-mail, but I kinda agree with what they said. It’s a trading card, so y not trade them? If u just want a contest entry, then y not ask for that? Just be honest and say you want the cards without giving any back.
D.
5/24/07 8:25 AM
Chia said…
Both Sides, Terry and D, I’ll try to answer you all in one reply so as to keep this a bit shorter.
What I see as unfriendly is the act of writing to a stranger and telling them they are doing things wrong and then suggesting that they stop that and do things the way you see as right. I didn’t call the message mean, just unfriendly.
BTW, I think chopsticks were intended for eating but I’ve used them as art objects and I haven’t said a word when I’ve seen them used as hair ornaments, even though that just doesn’t seem right to ME.
Do I allow people to enter the contest without an ATC, No. Why? Because that isn’t the way I wrote the rules for this contest. I wanted to encourage my regular readers to try ATCs as I know many of them haven’t jumped in yet. My regular readers know that my contests usually require noting more than a post saying “I’m in”,”hello” or whatever else comes to mind. This one was meant to be different and will remain that way. I was very up front about how I intended to run this swap and anyone who isn’t comfortable with the rules is free to pass on the contest.
Will I trade with people who send cards to me? That’s a yes/no answer. Just this week I have done 5 mail trades so obviously I do trade cards, but, I may or may not send out cards in return for unexpected cards. I don’t think the receipt of art ever obligates a person to give art in return. Giving is a stand alone activity in my book. A agreement to trade is a different matter and will always be honored.
My comment on rigid rules comes from a second email I received from the same person. She informed me that my views on ATCs were a “misinterpretation” and that I was “misrepresenting the purpose of these cards”. That sounds pretty rigid to me if there can only be one interpretation.
Where do you trade them? Well, I’d suggest through the mail with some of your online friends but if you go back to some of the earliest websites discussing rules for these miniature cards you will find that anything other than a face to face trade is a no-no. That leaves you looking for local friends or art stores that might host events in your areas. If you live out in the sticks that might mean that you aren’t allowed to enjoy this style of art.
Long before m.vänçi stirnemann held his first trade in 1997 people were making miniature works of art. Quite often they were sold or given away. Other times they were traded for services, supplies or other non-art items. Does that mean that m.vänçi stirnemann was misrepresenting the art form when he said they should only be traded for other cards? I don’t think so. I think he took an idea, added some of his own and ran with it. Good for him! Does that mean that everyone has to share every one of his ideas when it comes to miniature art? Again, I don’t think so. I think it is wonderful that from his face to face idea sprang the freedom to make contacts via email and follow up with a mailed card. More art in more hands is always a good thing.
I thank you all for writing to share your views. I posted the original message and my views because I respect the fact that this, like so many other topics, will have a variety of interpretations. I always listen to different views and continually re-evaluate my own in the process. Sometimes that means reshaping my own and other times it doesn’t.
5/24/07 11:10 AM
Anonymous said…
I googled m.vanci and the webpage I got didn’t say you had to exchange them in a face to face exchange only. I also didn’t see where this ‘person’ you say e-mailed you said you were doing anything wrong. He/she stated what ATC cards were used for. If I got that e-mail I’d see it as information. What were you expecting, warm hugs and cute smiley’s? I think maybe you need to lighten up a little.
I don’t know, just seems to me you are having a debate with yourself. Self-promotion perhaps?
Whatever your issue, have a good day despite your view of people trying to be unfriendly with you.
Amber
5/24/07 1:00 PM
Anonymous said…
I can’t believe that people are accusing Chia of self promotion and being greedy and just wanting the cards. She has been hosting swaps on her sight for years and has never asked for anything in return. She is one of the few people who doesn’t require a hostess card and who really returns the unused postage stamps. She made her own cards to swap and then when she had a lot of them offered them free to any newbie who wanted them. People who don’t know her shouldn’t be so quick to judge her. She was just trying to have some fun.
Karen
5/24/07 1:06 PM
Anonymous said…
After viewing your site and seeing your work, I don’t think this person realizes they aren’t missing anything. Who would want to exchange a card with you. kwim?
5/24/07 1:07 PM
5/31/07 7:40 AM
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