>Thanks for you feedback,
>I know and this is a
>problem that we present the
>artworks on the way that
>is normal for selling souvenirs...

Not at all! Your site shows a potential for different and promising on-line gallery! and since the site is in development you have a chance to keep it this way. My suggestion was to "show the artist behind the work" implement this into your site's interface as a backbone of the future development -- aesthetically and technically (scripts). Present the artists and their bios, etc in a different way - make the visitor feel like they have spent time with the artist - had dinner, played a game, etc. Make the visitor feel like they knew the artist all along.

>But the things may change
>if only we have no
>urgency achieve immediate sales, thus
>harming the image by the
>greater and greater discounts.

Looking forward to see your development.

How do we
>promote our authors to that
>level? There will be the
>exhibition of Lev Bogomoletz in
>Eurasia centre in Washington DC
>on 27 April. This is
>an achievement of the painter
>of the same level as
>one of those we exhibit
>with, Boris Spornikov (basing of
>their gradation in the former
>soviet time). So where is
>the solution?

This is a tough one! In Soviet Russia most of the art was political and the selection of the leading artists happened to reflect that. Political correctness of the artist and art was the main reference. This provided a little space for variations in style and presentation consequently it was easier to promote the artist. Artists with clear talent and academic skills would shine in the official limelight as long as they would comply with the "political code". There was one style (with variations) and Government was forcing it onto everyone being the ultimate art dealer with offers that no one could refuse.

Here, in the West, the situation is quite the opposite - Artists success is measured by the number of sales and publicity. Politics here dictate the artist through the money.

All the efforts that went into maintaining the political correctness and "OBKOM", "GORKOM", "PARTKOM" (abbreviations for party offices in soviet Russia) should be focused on achieving public exposure for the artists which would lead to sales and recognition.

I only expressed my thoughts about ranks and "chairs" in the domain of the "official" (showcased in the museums and other public venues) art answering the direct question.

>I experienced seeing plenty of the
>galleries online and it looks
>like the prominent way is
>to have the well-known artist
>included along...
>Thank you once again for expressing
>opinion...

This definitely helps with "clicks" - people like heroes, however quality of the art represented and professionalism do the "closing". Prominent artist also means dramatically larger numbers in commissions from each piece of art. These artists are hard to get - it might be more efficient and definitely more honorable to develop one of your own.

Ilia Anossov
fresco painter, sculptor