Art Collector Simulator

config.style.page.font: "Iowan Old Style/Constantia/Georgia/serif 18" config.style.page.color: "gray-9 on white" config.style.page.link.font: "underline" config.style.page.link.color: "gray-9" config.style.page.link.lineColor: "blue-8" config.style.page.link.active.color: "cyan-6 on cyan-1" config.style.page.header.font: "16" config.style.page.header.link.font: "small caps" config.style.page.footer.font: "16" config.style.page.footer.link.font: "small caps" -- <Center> Art Collector Simulator [[Welcome|UserGuide]] by Adelaide Blair </center>

<center> {embed image: 'https://adelaide-blair-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/Collector_Simulator/Gallery_Image.jpg'} Welcome to the [[Sparkle]] Gallery! Are you interested in looking at some art today? [[Yes|PreviousCustomer]] | [[No|Sorry]] </center>

<center> {embed image: 'https://adelaide-blair-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/Collector_Simulator/Sparkles_Auctions.jpg'} Welcome to the [[Sparkle's|Christie's]] Auction House! Are you interested in bidding on some art today? [[Yes|Auction1]] | [[No|SorryAuction]] </center>

config.header.left: "{back link, label: 'Back'}" -- The purpose of this simulation is to help you navigate the complexities of buying art in the contemporary market. When you have run through the various scenarios, you will be able to successfully purchase the art of your dreams! A few things: 1. Your browser back button will not work inside the simulator. An in-game button is provided for you on the top left of the page. 2. At any time you may press restart in the lower right corner to take you to the homepage. You may wish to play the simulation more than once to experience all the options. All paths are designed to have very short playing times for the busy user. 3. Occasionally there will be links that do not move the simulation forward, but instead offer information to provide clarity. Please click back to return to the game. Let's Start! Would you like to purchase art at a [[Gallery|GalleryStart]] or at [[Auction|AuctionStart]]?

<center> {embed image: 'https://adelaide-blair-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/Collector_Simulator/PinkTree.jpg'} </center> I see you looking at this amazing [[painting]] by Adelaide Blair. Her work is in demand right now, and we are very pleased by her success. Oh, you are interested in purchasing this? Are you already in our system? [[No|Waitlist]]?

We are so sorry! Please come back next month to see our show of Damien Hirst artificial intelligence generated Spot Painting NFT projections. [[Goodbye|UserGuide]]

I'm sorry this piece is unavailable. We all deeply love this artist's work. In fact, so many people love it there is a waitlist. A very long waitlist. Are you willing to wait indefinitely to possibly receive an opportunity to buy a piece by this artist? [[Yes|WillWait]] | [[No|BuyDonate]]

Welcome to our waitlist! We have another artist we believe has potential. Perhaps you would be willing to buy one of her paintings instead. SUBTEXT: Because we don't really know what your collection contains or how your ownership of this painting will benefit our artist, there are no guarantees you will actually progress up the list. It's not even actually a numbered list that we work our way down. It's more an amorphus blob of names we choose from once we have a better handle on who you are and what you offer. There is a way to move yourself "up" the list though. Show us you are serious and willing to do what it takes. [[Look at Painting|LesserArtist]].

Well, there might be one thing we can do for you. Now, we don't offer this to everyone, but we can let you buy the piece you love. BUT you will also have to buy one of equal value to donate to a museum. This artist is going to be very important, and by making sure she gets institutional placement, we are all going to get exactly what we want. Does this sound acceptable to you? [[Yes|Congratulations]] | [[No|BuyCatalog]]

{embed image: 'https://adelaide-blair-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/Collector_Simulator/abstract.jpg'} UNSPOKEN QUESTION: Will you buy this [[painting]] from another artist in order to ensure better placement on the waitlist? [[Yes|Congratulations]] | [[No|EmailArtist]]

Congratulations on your purchase! There is just one more step. We need you to sign this contract stating you will not sell this painting for at least five years. We must all work together to protect our artists' careers, and having work come too soon to auction can cause the prices of their work to rise too quickly. Will you sign? [[Yes|Finally]] | [[No|GoodDay]]

It's doesn't? Well, I have one more idea to get this painting into your hands today. We have a VERY IMPORTANT retrospective coming up in a couple of months, and we would love to put out a fancy catalog for it. However, printing is a little pricey, and we really need all of our resources pay our artists. Would you be willing to pay for the publishing costs? [[Yes|Congratulations]] | [[No|Fair]]

That's too bad. I'm sure this painting would have fit perfectly in your collection. What is that? Oh yes. We will be going to the BIG FANCY ART FAIR in Miami next month, and we will have some work by this artist. I'm so sorry. We have already sold all the inventory we are bringing. The market is very hot right now. Thanks for stopping by today. Are you sure you don't want to be added to the waitlist? [[Yes|WillWait]] | [[No|AuctionDirect]]

Once again, we extend a hearty congratulations. Will you be 1. [[Taking it home?|TakeItHome]] 2. [[Putting it in a freeport?|Freeport]] 3. [[Loaning it to the Portland Art Museum in Oregon?|PAM]]

I am so sorry. We really cannot let this painting go without your signature indicating you will delay resale. Will you reconsider? [[Yes|Finally]] | [[No|Sorry]]

This is going to look lovely in your home. You will be subject to the appropriate sales or use tax for your state, but it will be worth it to hang this beauty on your wall. [[Goodbye|UserGuide]].

We can direct delivery to your chosen [[freeport|FreeportExplainer]] immediately. I'm sorry, you cannot take it home for a "bit" if you wish to avoid paying sales tax. However, the freeport warehouse has a viewing room where you can look at your art any time you wish. (With advance notice.) [[Have a great day|UserGuide]]!

We are happy to arrange delivery to the Portland Art Museum. Oregon has no sales or use tax, so you can send your painting there, let it hang out for a bit, and then take it home tax free! You will need to check your state's tax code to determine if this is a legal strategy and for the length of time it needs to reside in Oregon. [[Thank you so much|UserGuide]]

This is actually a picture of the Gagosian Gallery in New York.

This isn't actually a painting; it's a risograph print. But I like it, so it's staying in the simulation.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RO3PdPc_ZO-k-MEUKP9WFuAnIVVbj-3RwbVfmETPt60/edit

Yeah, this is acutally Christie's.

{embed image: 'https://adelaide-blair-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/Collector_Simulator/OrangeTree.jpg'} Our first piece up for auction is this lovely [[painting]] by Adelaide Blair. She is very in demand right now, and it is next to impossible to buy anything from her gallery. Are you interested in bidding on this piece? [[Yes|AuctionSetUp]] | [[No|SorryAuction]]

We are so sorry! Please come back next month to bid on Damien Hirst's artificial intelligence generated butterfly NFT ink jet prints. [[Goodbye|UserGuide]]

Let's get you set up. Before we issue you a paddle number and a seat assignment, we need to make sure you have enough money to actually purchase this painting. We expect it to sell well above its estimated value. Do you consent to a credit check? [[Yes|SeatAssignment]] | [[No|SorryAuction]]

It looks like you have enough money to take part in tonight's event. Welcome. Oh, I am very sad to hear about your grandmother. I am pleased, however, that you have chosen to spend your inheritance on something as sublime and enriching as art. We offer a variety of services to help manage your collection, please do not hesitate to ask. Unfortunately, because you are registering at the last minute, we cannot offer you one of the [[best]] seats, you will need to stand at the back of the room with observers and the press, but do not worry, we never miss a bid! Not only is the auctioneer eagle-eyed, we have assistants spread throughout the room to bring things to her attention. Please raise your paddle vigorously. For future reference, you may also choose to bid online or one of our highly skilled associates can assist with phone bidding. [[Please follow me.|Introduction]]

To be honest, the best seats are reserved for the best customers. Repeat bidders often like to sit in certain seats, and auction houses are more than happy to oblige. A newcomer is never going to get one of those chairs unless they have been vetted well in advance and are guaranteed to bid.

I would like to introduce you to [[Katya Halperin]], a reporter from Art Report News Daily Digest. I am sure she will be more than [[happy]] to divide her attention between you and the action. Please, enjoy the evening, and best of luck to you! [[The auction starts.|Bidding starts]]

She absolutely is not happy, but as a new reporter on the art beat, she does not want to do anything that will decrease her access to sources, so she nods and smiles at you. She does not, however, make eye contact.

The auctioneer introduces herself and the works being offered up. She also explains some of the most importanat [[terms and conditions]]. 1. The buyer pays the [[hammer]] amount, a buyer's premium of 15 to 25%, and any [[applicable]] sales taxes. 2. The auctioneer may open below the reserve by bidding on behalf of the seller, and may keep [[bidding on behalf of the seller]] until the reserve is met. 3. There is a notice on the website for any lot that has a guarantee fully or partially financed by a third party. The guarantor may bid on the lot and may recieve a fee from the auction house. [[HUH]]?

The winning bid amount.

This will be zero if you immediately put your piece in an offshore storage facilty not subject to the tax laws of the country it resides in. (AKA a freeport.) You can also avoid sales tax if you immediately loan the piece to an institution in a state like Oregon that has no sales or use tax.

This is also known as chandelier bidding, because the auctioneer is plucking the bid out of the chandelier in the middle of the ceiling.

Katya takes pity on you and explains a few things. 1. There is no way out of paying the buyer's premium. Auction houses will sometimes waive or lower the seller's premium in order to get them to consign their artwork for auction, but buyers always pay. 2. Another thing auction houses do to attract sellers is let them set a reserve. If the hammer price is not at or above the reserve, the piece does not sell and returns to the owner. Auctioneers are allowed to juice the bidding by creating fictional bids until they reach the reserve. 3. Sometimes (and by sometimes I mean often), buyers are found for lots before the auction even starts. They guarantee that they will buy a piece at a certain price no matter what. If the price goes above the guarantee, they have to bid like every one else and pay the buyer's premium if they win. HOWEVER, some auction houses pay the guarantors a fee for doing this, which can function like a discount on their final price. This is all very shocking news to you! Do you wish to continue? [[Yes|ContinueAuction]] | [[No|SorryAuction]]

Katya shakes her head. "You have no idea." She then informs you that sometimes galleries bid on their own artist's work in order to keep the prices high. Collectors may also bid on work to drive prices up. They'll take the piece home if they have to, but that is not their main goal. They don't want the art they own by that artist to depreciate in value. Knowing all that you do now, do you wish to continue? [[Yes|PlaceABid]] | [[No|SorryAuction]]

Katya Kazakina and Julia Halperin are two of my favorite art news writers.

The auctioneer gives details on the opening lot. It is the painting you love and would like to take home with you. Accoring to Katya, the first item is carefully chosen to excite the audience for the rest of the auction. THE BIDDING OPENS! You immediately lift your paddle, but someone else has beat you to it. Currently the price is 1/2 your inheritance. You tell yourself you are only willing to spend 3/4 of it on this painting. You know it will be worth more in the near future. This is an investment! You decide to wait a bit to see what happens. No need to push the price higher than it has to be. Eventually the bidding slows down, and you see an opportunity to get in on the action. You are pretty excited, but not so much you forget your limit. This bid will put you right at 3/4 of your inheritance. Do you continue? [[Yes|KeepBidding]] | [[No|StopBidding]]

The following terms and condition were taken not quite verbatim from this <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4B62L9x1jmU">Christie's auction</a>

You raise your paddle and the auctioneer immediately takes note of your bid. Someone on the phone places another bid. You have to decide how far you are going to take this. Do you place another bid? [[Yes|BidAgain]] | [[No|StopBiddingAgain]]

Are you sure? This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Works by this artist are hard to find. Do you want to keep bidding? [[Yes|KeepBidding]] | [[No|SorryAuction]]

You raise your paddle again. Another bid is promptly placed from the phone bank. The next bid amount will be the entirety of your inheritence. Do you bid? [[Yes|LastBid]] | [[No|LastRejection]]

Are you sure? This is your last chance! [[Yes|BidAgain]] | [[No|SorryAuction]]

You raise your paddle. Again, another bid is placed from the phone bank. You are crushed. You have no more money. No other bids are placed, and the painting goes to the anonymous buyer on the other end of the phone line. You do not bother to stay for the rest of the auction, and a week later you read an article on Bloomberg.com detailing how the person who bought the painting was the guarantor, and the fee they were paid by the auction house put their final price well below your last bid. You are dispirited and vow to give up on the art game. Until you walk past Sparkle Gallery. Do you want to buy a painting? [[Yes|GalleryStart]] | [[No|UserGuide]]

THIS IS IT! ARE YOU SURE???????????? One last bid? [[Yes|LastBid]] | [[No|AuctionWaitlist]]

You do not bid further, and while the rest of the auction is exciting, you regret not trying one last time to get that piece. However, after the auction, Adelaide Blair's gallerist approaches you and asks if you would like to be on the waitlist for one of her new works. [[Yes|WillWait]] | [[No|SorryAuction]]

Ok. Well just so you know, one of Adelaide's pieces is going up for auction tonight. You never know, you might get [[lucky|AuctionStart]].

A freeport is a giant warehouse that is not subject to the tax laws of the country in which it exists in. "Offshoring" doesn't really take place offshore anymore.