The Journal of Australian Ceramics Vol 49 No 3 November 2010
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Ceramic Spaces<br />
Right: Ingo Svendsen, Twilight Series, <strong>2010</strong>, slab-built<br />
porcelain, metal oxides, ceramic stains<br />
Ross Longmuir, Dalsace Desk in Spotted Gum<br />
Dorothy Napangardi, etching<br />
Below: Walter Auer, Spa/Ja<br />
Photos: Ernest Fratczak<br />
Increasingly I am aware <strong>of</strong> clients using the resources <strong>of</strong> planet to research an item before buying<br />
direct from a maker. I know so, because clients tell me so . Unfortunately, showrooms cost money to<br />
operate and I feel that clients using this resource should pay. And when there are no more galleries<br />
left. how will cl ients insped work? If items are sold on trestle tables at markets, can prices still be<br />
maintained? As more and more galleries close, are we selling more? Are we really making the sedor<br />
more viable or just making work cheap?<br />
A web facility backs up the real, in-store experience and is another level <strong>of</strong> service for time-poor<br />
shoppers who know and trust us, just as in computer retailing, or the art world, or fashion . <strong>The</strong> client<br />
who buys quickly online will do so if they have had experience <strong>of</strong> the object in the showroom and know<br />
and trust the relationship. But my current dilemma is that without the sophisticated representation<br />
systems <strong>of</strong>, say, art or fashion, will our planned ecommerce website become just another tool for<br />
bargain-hunting clients to by-pass paying for service, to buy at a discount, dired? Do I have to consider<br />
not identifying makers, to make sales viable?<br />
At planet, as always, we show ceramics to support this fantastically creative sedor; however, we can<br />
only do so much. <strong>The</strong> sector needs to quickly reconsider its diredion and I hope that you, the reader,<br />
consider this the start <strong>of</strong> a discussion and a call to action .<br />
www.planetfurniture.com .au<br />
Artists featured on pages 82 and 83<br />
Murray Topham, liz Stops, Inga Svendsen, Shannon Garson, Vanessa Owens. Bridget Bodenham, Mollie Bosworth, Sophie<br />
Milne, Catherine Fogarty, Szitvia Gyorgy, Avi Amesbury, Claystone Pottery, Sandy lockwood, Kris Coad. Andrew Widdis, Walter<br />
Auer, Stephanie James-Manttan, Phil Elson; Ross Langmuir furniture; Deb Jones glass; Dorothy Napangardi etching<br />
Photos: Ernest Fratczak.<br />
86 THE JOURNAL OF AUSTRALIAN CERAMICS NOVEMBER <strong>2010</strong>
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