The Art of Risk, Invisible Exports

Selling art is hard during an economic downturn. Some groups are getting quite creative. Invisible Exports offers an Artist of the Month Club which is a nontraditional endeavor. The young, Lower East Side gallery offers a program in which members of the club get a dozen original, exclusive pieces for $2,400 a year. You can sign up for a year’s subscription, and every month you get a new work. The catch? Collectors won’t lay eyes on the purchased pieces until they arrive in their homes. “The club involves a wonderful element of chance," says Risa Needleman, the gallery’s co-owner. "When you sign up, you know all the curators but none of the artists. You make a leap of faith, and a 12-piece collection is curated for you and dropped at your front door.” Essentially, subscribers have professionals begin their collection for them, with each piece costing only $200 (shipping and handling is included in the price of membership).

Here are a few pieces from Mickey Smith, a recent exhibitor at the Invisible Export's gallery. His photos of books are archival prints on Hahnemuhle Matte Photo Rag or canvas.