Ok, here we go. The one star is strictly for one employee.
I was there yesterday 6/6. I just stopped by SF from Oakland and realized the Dali Exhibit, which got me all happy. I stopped in, the place is nice and free...as an exhibit dealing in artwork should be, so this was cool.
The older gentleman was greeting everyone as they walked by his desk, asking them which artworks they have or haven't collected and about their preferences...I mean very friendly and with seemingly excellent service. I was taking pictures of some pieces and when I walked further into the gallery, I had greeted the nice man with a "How are you today?". What I got in return was a cold empty glance. He looked away and ignored me. I was with my brother and mother! All three of us were in shock. 3 minutes later, an old couple walked in and he returned to his excellent customer service.
I have many issues with this, one being that the same customer service should be extended to everyone, regardless of what they appear to be, to have or not have. Everyone he greeted were all older couples. Another one is that this man will only talk to you if you appear to have money to spend and or if your a couple. I understand asking people about what art they like to "buy", especially if the establishment deals in art, but this is another problem. All this man talked about was buy, buy, and what art have you bought lately? Never mind ones views and perceptions of any particular piece or collection.
I'm sorry, but someone dealing in art should have an enhanced perception of what they are dealing with. If one truly loves something, the enthusiasm shows and one becomes very willing to share the passion with everyone. When this is true, excellent customer service follows regardless...theoretically.
This man failed to realize the obvious. Why would someone go into a gallery and spend time admiring the works with absolute enthusiasm? Why would I walk in there with a smile and go "WOW, this is fantastic!"? I'm obviously interested! But he took it upon himself to determine that I was broke...this is what it comes down to.
Pretentious snobbery? No question about it. You can tell by the fake, non-cultural accent that Americans develop as they further lose themselves.
I'm an artist. I'm extremely perceptive and receptive to all things around me. I figured this would happen, but I tried to give him the benefit of the doubt. We didn't even look bad, but I'm not one to play the race card. If I make money off of my art, I spend it to create more art (even to buy pieces) and not to buy fancy clothes and expensive junk. This is where enhanced perception through love the of art comes into play. If one can't spot another's love for the art itself, then one does not love art. It's simple. In my outspoken opinion, this man has no place in an art gallery with works of this magnitude.
There was a young man who asked me if everything was alright. This guy was doing his job very well, by the way. To the young employee, "I didn't mean to come off like a jerk. My intention was to set up a possibility that you might whisper it to the older guy. I had to respect my mother and the gallery by holding my tongue. When I said that he only cares about money and doesn't give a sh.. about the artist, all of the above is what I meant. Thank you for being a nice guy." read more