tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19925425.comments2023-08-02T14:37:19.752+01:00RCA Secret Blogpezlowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08124337201801557764noreply@blogger.comBlogger306125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19925425.post-14907059856753163032018-12-24T08:40:03.947+00:002018-12-24T08:40:03.947+00:00I agree with Bunny - it would be so nice to have f...I agree with Bunny - it would be so nice to have feedback from the buyers - or just to know if my cards sold at all . It would be a thrill to know that your cards were giving someone , somewhere lasting pleasure . Janice Ridernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19925425.post-61885021621379898442018-12-13T23:17:32.058+00:002018-12-13T23:17:32.058+00:00Well done Perry, it looks as if you got some wonde...Well done Perry, it looks as if you got some wonderful cards this year. Thanks also for the blog, it builds momentum and excitement for sale day and adds tremendously to the scheme.<br /><br />I’m very happy with my cards – got a very intriguing card - ‘Home of the Brave’ - by Sara Rahbar, an illustration by Charlie Meyer, the Leopard created by the elusive Candra Cassini, and one of the model houses created by Phil Jell. Overall, it was a very eclectic range this year and I did enjoy how they were curated in the gallery.<br /><br />For me, aside from the weather, the main drawback was only one actual day to view in person. I’ve mentioned before that I think having some more viewing days before the sale enables people to appreciate the tremendous creativity and effort that some of the artists have put into their work. I think it also helps build interest in the sale itself and, whilst I appreciate the pressures on space in the RCA, would encourage at least a couple more days along with one late night of viewing before the sale.<br /> <br />You’ve provided a good summary of the positives and I would add that it was nice to be back in Kensington (though a gallery space with better lighting would be very welcome). A really strong plus was for one of the RCA Secret team to come to the queue on the first day of the sale and introduce herself to some of us long-standing fans. It is so nice to have someone proactively asking for feedback and also just to have a bit of communication from the RCA which has been a bit lacking in the last few years. We all want the same thing – a very successful event, and I’m sure a bit of a dialogue will help this. Really hope this continues.<br /><br />Next year is the 25th anniversary and the College says some exciting things are planned. Can’t wait. Here is to Secret 2019!<br />Gerard Darbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04191989366911302977noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19925425.post-23241796517411351852018-09-08T14:00:16.019+01:002018-09-08T14:00:16.019+01:00I agree that it is a good idea to allow people to ...I agree that it is a good idea to allow people to return on the last day of the sale and get more postcards should they wish to. It makes a lot of sense.<br /><br />I guess that we should be grateful for small mercies but only one day to view the postcards in person is insufficient. There was a time when there was at least several days, if not a week, before the exhibition to be able to view the cards, enjoy the art and really appreciate the work that artists have put into the scheme on an entirely unpaid basis. It will be great to catch up with old friends on the viewing day but it is very likely to be crowded and tiring trying to take all the cards in in only a few hours. <br /><br />I still don't understand why you are unable to collect your postcards on the same day that you purchased them. I think it is unlikely that people outside of London will be able to return to collect their postcards and so the college has the additional work and potentially hassle in having to package up and post so many cards out. <br /><br />The raffle seemed to work when it was for the first 50 places (alas I never won) but the college needed to ask for ID from those winning to prevent the blatant cheating that was taking place, particularly from one individual who used multiple names to purchase more tickets than was permissible. It is sad that people behave in this way with a scheme for charity but it needs to be factored in with the organisation and not ignored.<br /><br />Anyway, here is hoping that the college gives more thought to this years Secret so that it is the success it should be. You never know, the college might one day communicate with us on this blog rather than staying so aloof from its supporters. Gerard Darbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04191989366911302977noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19925425.post-24490567272187807742018-06-24T19:33:05.954+01:002018-06-24T19:33:05.954+01:00On a happier note for 2018 it's back to three ...On a happier note for 2018 it's back to three blank cards so back to normal! bunnymazharihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06760067929698651936noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19925425.post-58051180865170629612018-02-14T14:31:22.184+00:002018-02-14T14:31:22.184+00:00That's exciting. I am sure that the college ha...That's exciting. I am sure that the college has learnt from last year's fiasco and I really hope they will allow us to view the postcards in person beforehand. <br /><br />Although I am very keen for Spring to arrive, I'm now also looking forward to Autumn!Gerard Darbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04191989366911302977noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19925425.post-53831952827796681902017-10-29T10:34:07.608+00:002017-10-29T10:34:07.608+00:00Gosh what a stressful story. So glad it had a hap...Gosh what a stressful story. So glad it had a happy ending.pezlowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08124337201801557764noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19925425.post-7394621029368107282017-10-24T15:54:13.431+01:002017-10-24T15:54:13.431+01:00Having failed ever to win places in the Raffle des...Having failed ever to win places in the Raffle despite numerous attempts, I left this year’s purchase too late (it closed so early), which evidently turned out to be a bit of a blessing. So I didn’t bother to queue and strolled in at midday with no expectations. To my surprise I found no lines and unoccupied sales staff sitting around eating croissants – so civilized, compared with previous memories of stamping frozen feet in interminable queues watching your cards ebb away on the monitors. An even greater surprise was that there were still plenty of really fantastic works available in the afternoon, including a beautifully painted cherub by Amie Flynn, and my top choice still unsold-I was thrilled when it turned out to be by Hurvin Anderson, who is up for the Turner this year. I came, saw and purchased all within 20 minutes, but could not collect till the following week, which was a pain. <br /><br />Unfortunately an unexpected family reunion conspired to prevent me from returning, so I contacted the RCA to see if I could collect on any other day. They said I couldn’t, but kindly offered to post them to me. Carefully giving them my delivery address, I settled back to wait. And wait, and wait. Repeated enquiries were met with generic responses advising of unspecified delays and vague promises of delivery “in the next few weeks”. In the meantime, Frieze week came and went, and the artist’s records went ballistic, and agonisingly, still no clue as to what had become of the cards, despite increasingly desperate messages to the RCA. Finally, 5 weeks after the event, the RCA wrote to inform me that the cards had been sent – 3 weeks previously – and to an old address!<br /><br />I went straight over to find the house now occupied by 6 tenants, none of whom could even remember the delivery, let alone admit to signing for it. Repeated appeals over the next week produced nothing. The RCA apologised, but could only provide the posting details. When I contacted the Post Office they said that their contractual responsibilities ended with delivery to the address, not the addressee. By now I’d given up all hope of seeing the cards – it was soul destroying to think that they had been stolen, or even worse, tossed into the bin.<br /><br />Then amazingly the PO finally dug up a “POD enquiry” which provided a copy of the signature of the recipient. Within an hour of my presenting this to the tenants, one of them rang to say he’d remembered where he’d stuffed the cards-on top of the microwave!<br /><br /> A late night dash to retrieve the cards, safe and uncooked, thank God- brought the thrills of this particular chase to a happy conclusion. However I do not think it is satisfactory that it should take so much stress and a miracle to unite me with my purchases made 6 weeks previously. Given that these are works created by talented and generous alumni and cherished by their purchasers, I feel that useful lessons can be drawn regarding RCA admin and the limited liabilities of Royal Mail, as well as more positive ones – that you don’t have to be in the queue to acquire some really excellent art. Here’s to an even more exciting ( but in a good way) RCA Secret 2018!CNGnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19925425.post-20124807206074761042017-09-29T12:33:46.071+01:002017-09-29T12:33:46.071+01:00I broadly agree with your sum up and I hope they c...I broadly agree with your sum up and I hope they can sort themselves out again. The sale for the last few has definitely felt less...I guess respectful is the best word...toward fans. I'm also disappointed to see the website has missing artists again (I made it 14 unattributed postcards), with a similar number in previous years as well. I guess chaos has always been baked in!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19925425.post-32946108418524033322017-09-18T23:20:09.852+01:002017-09-18T23:20:09.852+01:00Just back tracking through some your old posts. Bo...Just back tracking through some your old posts. Bought one of Kev's cards in 2013. Ah, those were the days.Stue1967https://www.blogger.com/profile/04787809042526418849noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19925425.post-24004535942729573892017-09-18T23:19:10.867+01:002017-09-18T23:19:10.867+01:00Just back tracking through some of your old posts....Just back tracking through some of your old posts. I actually bought one of Kev's cards in 2013. Ah, those were the days!<br />/Users/stuartedwards/Desktop/602119_597081476987086_745574322_n.jpg<br />Stue1967https://www.blogger.com/profile/04787809042526418849noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19925425.post-24751049398006321882017-09-18T07:30:12.014+01:002017-09-18T07:30:12.014+01:00Good post. My husband and I camp out every year an...Good post. My husband and I camp out every year and this year we didn't win the raffle so didn't see much point in showing up on the day given that there were so many fewer cards than usual and assuming most of the people who won the raffle would buy 4 cards each. But as devoted attendees of previous years, we were very disappointed not to win a place in the queue and to know that other people had won multiple places. We actually knew someone who won three places and who was going to take us as guests, but she ended up not being able to attend the sale on the day, which then meant we couldn't and therefore the three places she won were totally wasted. She did email the RCA a few days before explaining the situation and requesting that we still be allowed to attend without her, but she received no reply whatsoever. Anyway, I did go later in the week and manage to buy 4 cards I liked from those still available, but was generally disappointed with how the sale was run this year. Totally agree that there's no reason for one person to win multiple places, that there should have been more cards and we also should have been able to view the cards in person before the sale. Still love the RCA and the sale and hope to return next year, and hopefully the problems from this year will have been sorted out.PChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01173401945387164542noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19925425.post-25844728113320909532017-09-18T07:23:11.556+01:002017-09-18T07:23:11.556+01:00Thanks for all your thoughtful comments. Hopefull...Thanks for all your thoughtful comments. Hopefully the college will take all of these constructive comments and suggestions on board for next year.pezlowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08124337201801557764noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19925425.post-9625081189297069742017-09-17T23:42:56.364+01:002017-09-17T23:42:56.364+01:00Great post Perry. You are spot on with your commen...Great post Perry. You are spot on with your comments about the organisation.<br /><br />For me it was a disappointing RCA Secret. I hated the fact that you only had one day to review the postcards online and no opportunity to see them in person. It felt very disrespectful to the artists and their work for the public not to be able to view and enjoy them before the sale and, as you point out, it is unclear what the College’s objective was in depriving us of this opportunity. For one of my postcards, I ended up buying a piece of metal rather than the painting I envisaged it was as there was no way of telling what material it was online.<br /><br />In terms of the raffle, the college seemed to make up the rules as they went along and adopted a flippant attitude to their previous assurance that “your place in the queue is guaranteed” and instead facilitated a free for all. Whilst beforehand the college stated “it will not be possible to change your position in line or skip to the front of the queue” many did just that with the RCA enabling this. I imagine that there are quite a few rules and regulations surrounding raffles and lotteries and how they are managed / communicated and the college may have breached some of these. This is something quite ironic given that RCA Secret is sponsored by a law firm. <br /><br />On the plus side there was some great work donated by artists who clearly put a lot of time, effort and creativity into their postcards. Some of the works were very intriguing and I would have loved to know more about them.<br /><br />Anyway, let’s hope the college does start to talk to us and that it gives a lot more thought before instigating changes. RCA Secret is a great initiative for a very important cause and its artists and supporters deserve better. <br />Gerard Darbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04191989366911302977noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19925425.post-31394438771547757132017-09-17T22:09:42.290+01:002017-09-17T22:09:42.290+01:00I would like to add... I was left with a strong fe...I would like to add... I was left with a strong feeling that we were unwanted and had not been considered in any of the arrangements. A prime example : not being allowed to view the cards when collecting. Living on the south coast means that I am unable to just pop by to view the cards and I was very disappointed being denied this on Saturday. <br /><br />I totally agree with the suggestion that raffle winners should only be allowed one queue position, this rule would likely see me buy a ticket for the first time ever! <br /><br />My biggest gripe is the refusal to allow a viewing before the purchase (unless you wanted to loose your queue position on the purchase Saturday). I would have chosen different cards had I been able to view in advance. (I am not disappointed with my selections)<br /><br />I would also like to propose that the RCA remove the 4 card limit on the last day of viewing. I certainly would have taken a day off work if I had been able to view on the last day and purchase one or two more cards. I'm sure the extra revenue would be appreciated. Apparently a few hundred cards remained unsold - such a waste.Ian Bradburyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10683500779346632687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19925425.post-34753997738048362782017-09-17T20:39:27.670+01:002017-09-17T20:39:27.670+01:00Glad you have such success. I understand you feel...Glad you have such success. I understand you feel it is London centric but believe me people travel many miles to attend the first sales day, including from France and Germany.<br /><br />The pictures have always been online, just that people also want the chance to look at them in the flesh.<br /><br />And if the college had told people that they could go and queue as they entered then everyone would have gone upstairs to queue. It was the lack of that information that caused such upset.<br /><br />Anyway very pleased you got such a lovely card and hope you go again next year.pezlowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08124337201801557764noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19925425.post-34279267418081991672017-09-17T18:52:46.705+01:002017-09-17T18:52:46.705+01:00I enoyed reading this and your earlier posts about...I enoyed reading this and your earlier posts about this year's RCA Secrets. Your comments about the whole raffle and queuing 'kerfuffle' was echoed elsewhere on Twitter etc. It made me rather relieved that I could not have attended on the first day anyway. Though as someone who lives in the shires it does all come across as a bit London-centric crybaby. (Apologies to those non-Londoners who did manage to attend the first day scrum).<br /><br />As an out of London resident, I found it really useful to be able to preview the cards online and choose a (very) longlist of my favourites. I do agree that it is essential to view the actual cards before making a final choice, especially regarding the three-dimensional ones. However I imagine that the first day will always be a bit of a bunfight, though perhaps if the raffle had been managed better ( restricted to one person per ticket, and a more ordered entry) then perhaps it would be fairer for all, including out of towners. If I had purchased a raffle ticket and made the journey I would have expected to have been given a decent chance at getting one of my choices. From all the complaints I am assuming that the first people through the doors went straight to the tills with their online choices, avoiding the actual exhibition, to snap up the obvious 'stars'. That does rather negate the concept of an real art exhibition and reduce it to a virtual one. Seems a pity.<br /><br />Well this was the first time I have ever attended and couldn't get there until the Wednesday morning. I was totally alone. Well apart from the charming and funny security guards who helpfully pointed out the Tracey Emins and Peter Blakes. All sold out of course! I went steadily through every row - marking all the unsold ones and comparing them with my list. Apparently there were still 300 left unsold. I could only afford one so was extra careful to choose with my heart not my head. <br /><br />My final choice was not really difficult - it was not a painting but a design with a piece of old printed textile and the most beautifully handwritten ( with a couple of mispellings) description. I am a textile collector and love vintage fabrics, tailoring, couture and all the associated tools ( scissors particularly). In fact I went straight from the RCA to the V&A for the Balenciaga exhibition. <br /><br />So what did I choose? Number 1299. Now revealed as submitted by Christopher Bailey, creative director of Burberry. I am almost speechless with delight. I had already researched the fabric scrap and knew it was a textile rarity. So even if you can't make the first headlong rush, and even if you can only buy one, you can still find a special 'treasure' for youself.elegancemaisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10043236515999573762noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19925425.post-54535623253941950262017-09-17T12:55:38.187+01:002017-09-17T12:55:38.187+01:00Yes, "corporate", that's what we tho...Yes, "corporate", that's what we thought. People really shouldn't try to organise things if they don't have the experience to do so. We even thought one of artist's names was recorded wrongly... "Kassi Hambling's" postcards bear a surprising similarity to the famous "Maggi Hambling" who donates work most years. Did they get the name wrong?!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19925425.post-44815459459058946092017-09-17T08:28:28.365+01:002017-09-17T08:28:28.365+01:00Nice post. We didn't take part this year for a...Nice post. We didn't take part this year for a variety of reasons but it has felt that the sale format has been becoming less fun and more corporate. Perhaps we are seeing the outworking of austerity and a reduction in government funding hitting the arts but if that's the case then the more limited number of cards doesn't serve the purpose. Confusion reigns.<br />Hopefully the RCA are genuinely listening and 2018 will be better.Stue1967https://www.blogger.com/profile/04787809042526418849noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19925425.post-83006026696615803732017-09-09T11:09:26.193+01:002017-09-09T11:09:26.193+01:00I was trying to work out when I first showed in th...I was trying to work out when I first showed in the RCA Secret last night... <br /><br />Is there a list somewhere??? <br /><br />Thanks! :) Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19925425.post-27759850589522142322017-09-01T23:31:14.660+01:002017-09-01T23:31:14.660+01:00Well, I am 198th in the queue so can't seem me...Well, I am 198th in the queue so can't seem me snatching up a Tracey Emin or Peter Blake. It is quite a bit further back than in the 'Good Old Days' when we could camp out to secure a decent place. But really pleased to see the college is finally asking for ID from raffle winners.Gerard Darbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04191989366911302977noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19925425.post-39367178627025503332017-09-01T08:38:28.973+01:002017-09-01T08:38:28.973+01:00I share your concerns Gerard but it is what it is....I share your concerns Gerard but it is what it is. Good luck to you in the raffle draw today and thanks for your continued engagement with the blog.pezlowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08124337201801557764noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19925425.post-16534131569056022862017-08-29T20:57:23.835+01:002017-08-29T20:57:23.835+01:00I'm still trying to work out how it is all goi...I'm still trying to work out how it is all going to work. I feel that viewing cards online is a poor substitute for actually seeing them in a gallery - I have often looked at Secret postcards online, got pretty excited about some but they haven't been so good when viewed up close at the gallery. I can't understand why there is no opportunity to view them at the college beforehand.Gerard Darbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04191989366911302977noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19925425.post-72750350171576156372017-06-28T17:20:41.562+01:002017-06-28T17:20:41.562+01:00Ummm, what?! So no chance to actually view the car...Ummm, what?! So no chance to actually view the cards in person before the sale? Or am I reading the website wrong? I'm not keen on that to be honest, some of my favourites have been ones which don't necessarily come across well on screen.<br /><br />Camping outside now banned too? Presumably it won't stop people queuing though. Think I might be giving it a miss this year.Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09216800078323884886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19925425.post-17969387627543037082017-02-27T11:00:00.177+00:002017-02-27T11:00:00.177+00:00Great to have the dates and to say I am looking fo...Great to have the dates and to say I am looking forward to September is well, a massive understatement. Not sure how the start of the exhibition and start of the sale on the same day is going to work (??!!?) but I am trusting that the college has worked out a careful plan. 28 weeks to go!Gerard Darbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04191989366911302977noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19925425.post-5342826538403582042017-01-30T18:05:06.684+00:002017-01-30T18:05:06.684+00:00Got it, thanks!
As for warmer, remember when we ...Got it, thanks! <br /><br />As for warmer, remember when we all thought that when it moved from November to March?Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09216800078323884886noreply@blogger.com