tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19925425.post3494264762796999514..comments2023-08-02T14:37:19.752+01:00Comments on RCA Secret Blog: A few thoughts about the new sale processpezlowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08124337201801557764noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19925425.post-24503486059794111232017-01-30T11:59:24.184+00:002017-01-30T11:59:24.184+00:00Like some of your other commenters, the changes la...Like some of your other commenters, the changes last year weren't great for me. In the past I have been able to travel from the North on the Saturday, queue (not great, but over the years I made plenty of interesting and entertaining 'queue buddies'), purchase and then return home. It made for an exciting trip and, although I never got first pick, I always went home with some great postcards. Last year this all changed and I couldn't attend at all (trains on Sundays start later and take an hour longer). I understand why RCA would want to make changes but for us provincials it's yet another example of Londoncentricity. Ah well! Meanwhile, thanks for keeping us informed!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19925425.post-77479865772874160872016-04-21T18:16:07.478+01:002016-04-21T18:16:07.478+01:00Yes I echo Neil's point and it was remiss of m...Yes I echo Neil's point and it was remiss of me not to say how useful this blog has been and how it adds to the excitement of the event. Gerard Darbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04191989366911302977noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19925425.post-3775787168255374572016-04-20T09:02:27.147+01:002016-04-20T09:02:27.147+01:00I felt that the collection date wasn't great f...I felt that the collection date wasn't great for me as I was coming from Glasgow and now have to hope that my postcards are treated well by Royal Mail. I was very happy about not putting postcards up during the week as that would have, for me, partly ruined the RCA secret event as I would be unable to attend for more than one day. I personally didn't too mind the cost of the raffle going up and I think this was a better way of raising money rather than a full week of exhibition and sale together. I'd personally prefer going back to exhibition for a week then sale with collections, then a further day of sales for unsold cards then a final day of sales whereby all buyers, even those who have previously purchased cards, could purchase four. <br /><br />On an unrelated note I'd just like to thank the RCA Secret Blog for the excellent work! Reading it in the run up to the RCA Secret is for me part of the fun of the build up and then then seeing what comes up in the aftermath of the sale and I'd just like to extend my thanks!Neilnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19925425.post-84516705440277363112016-04-18T10:23:13.742+01:002016-04-18T10:23:13.742+01:00I am glad they didn't add cards during the wee...<br />I am glad they didn't add cards during the week, that would have been a disaster for people who don't live in London like myself. It was a very expensive event for me , cost of train tickets for both days 120.00, cost of accommodation 140.00 , 40 on raffle tickets ! so together with my cards and food it was best part of 500 ! beginning to wonder if it's worth it when i could spend that on one artist which i love. It was not enjoyable either having to go through all the cards and make a list the day before the journey to London. Another negative was the lack of information and the way it was only given in dribs and drabs , again not good for those having to travel and plan their journeys, it feels very much like a "London only" event to me. Having said all that I will be back next year and was very happy with my cards. I probably wont bother wasting money on the raffle though there were a few there that had also won it last year, that cannot be fair. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15919235924968730860noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19925425.post-3109754782834323042016-04-17T19:40:40.615+01:002016-04-17T19:40:40.615+01:00You've made a very good and balanced review of...You've made a very good and balanced review of the positives and drawbacks of the changes. It was really tiring having to review all the cards on one day (I couldn't make the Friday as I was working) and I just couldn't take them all in properly in just a few hours. It was also a hassle to collect them the following Saturday despite the staff being helpful and the service efficient. I would much rather see funds spent on student bursaries rather than on posting out cards or administering an additional collection day. <br /><br />I would add as a positive was having the sale back at the Kensington Campus - it is far better than Battersea and the vibe the night before the sale is one of excitement and fun.<br /><br />I would add as something to improve is just how Secret is marketed - very little on the official website that the sale is for student bursaries and how they help the individual students. I would also like to see a rule in the raffle that asks for some ID from those winning. I am appalled that people are stooping so low as to use false names to purchase additional tickets - surely it would be easy for the college to mark everyone's number when they purchase their maximum number of tickets and ask that people show some form of ID when they win a place in the top 50. It is sad that a charitable event has to do something like this but it really does leave a bad taste in the mouth that people are blatantly cheating.<br /><br />Anyway, looking forward to seeing what cards you got!! Gerard Darbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04191989366911302977noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19925425.post-54455383457755603532016-04-17T19:27:46.501+01:002016-04-17T19:27:46.501+01:00Thanks for both your comments. Lovely to hear abo...Thanks for both your comments. Lovely to hear about acquisitions people are happy with, do tell me the names and numbers of the cards you got if you would like to, I find it fascinating how different people fall in love with different things.pezlowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08124337201801557764noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19925425.post-25468578638499273502016-04-17T18:16:50.148+01:002016-04-17T18:16:50.148+01:00I went to the sale this year after giving it a mis...I went to the sale this year after giving it a miss for a few years and overall I really liked the changes. I didn't queue up in the morning but went along with my daughter on Sunday afternoon partly because of the twitter encouragement that things would be left to buy. I would estimate about a tenth or maybe twelfth of the cards were still there and I was able to find three cards I really liked to purchase. I'm never looking for big names (not that I would turn down a Rego or Shonibare but I expect they go to the lottery winners or those who camp for a week), but want things that I think are appealing and this year there was an added plus when I discovered two of my artists have works in permanent collections (like the V&A.) So for me much better than my last visit when I queued from 7 a.m. and none of my top 80 choices were available so I ended up choosing a random available number and getting something that I've kept in a drawer ever since. The atmosphere in the afternoon was pleasant and unhurried. But I agree, the picking up was a bit flat and for some people probably a bit of hassle. And I also agree that more cards, even some added late, would have been good. Certainly it seems like the RCA are trying to find a way of letting more people take part in the sale, including people who can't, for any one of a variety of reasons - childcare, disability, jobs - queue for hours or even days. Enjoying your blog, by the way!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19925425.post-41703956013411605002016-04-17T11:51:52.460+01:002016-04-17T11:51:52.460+01:00I wonder if, in addition to fewer cards being sent...I wonder if, in addition to fewer cards being sent out to artists, the smaller number of cards reflected a shorter time period for completion (three weeks instead of six as indicated here https://angilambart.wordpress.com/2016/04/14/rca-secret-2016/)Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09216800078323884886noreply@blogger.com