Le Soir · 1990-04-11 · Jean-François Walhain (text)

Art Pool Fraction: become a collector and patron for 500 francs a month!

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Article by Jean-François Walhain presenting Art Pool Fraction, the instalment-based artwork acquisition scheme launched by the Art Pool artists' group, chaired by Jean-Charles d'Alcantara. Each artist has a "fraction" (maximum 100 members); the member pays a monthly "share" (300 to 3,000 F, e.g. 500 F) over five years, enjoys the work from the first year and becomes its owner at the end, at the fixed starting price even if the artist's value rises. The share entitles members to a profit participation (~0.5%) on the artist's sales, and the artist opens the studio to the fraction at least one day a month. The Art Pool Fraction exhibition room is the very house of the sculptor behind the project, Mon De Rijck, at 80 rue Gaucheret; four artists are presented each month, together with the monthly magazine "Ateliers". Art Pool had existed for five months and more than 40 artists had already applied. Until 15 April: Mon De Rijck and abstract painter Thomas Van Gindertael; from 19 to 24 April: Charline Mahy and Peter Van Gheluwe. To make an impression, the founders had mailed the 250 journalists a cobblestone stamped with the logo - "a nod to '68: Art Pool is a small revolution". Open daily from 2 to 7 p.m.