apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

that's a wonderful idea. art on loan -- not exactly art swap -- is a common practice on the business level, but I think the idea is similar.

Wow, as long as the trust is there, this is great! BTW, I think MIT has an art loan program.

No way - My choices in art are very personal, and I never tire of looking at them.

If someone is tired of looking at the art on their walls - chances are there's no emotional connection and they should just get rid of it completely.

I have some pieces I would loan, but others are too special, and I would be crushed if something happened to them.

Never! My treasures are MINE! If I ever felt they were something I'd be willing to lend, I'd take them to the consignment shop, sell them, and move on. And I'd never borrow something either, unless maybe to test it in my environment before agreeing to pay for it. And THAT wouldn't be worthwhile unless I was uncertain it would fit or it cost a lot of money.

I'd happily trade *some* of my art. Other pieces are much to precious to me to loan, I get far too much joy out of seeing them daily.

Never. my collection is very personal and contains some rare and valuable pieces. I agree with bepsf - if you don't have a relationship with your art, then time to sell and move on....

I currently have a few pieces from my collection on loan to my mother - not because I don't like them but more because she had a new office for a short time (while she filled in for someone at work) and wanted the place brightened up. I would think twice about lending art to many other people though and if I was happy to part with it for too long then I guess I don't love it as much and would sell it or give it away.

We're in a space where wall art is just stuff to make your walls less boring, and art is stuff that goes on the wall but it's in frames, so there's a big difference. I hardly ever seem to find that anyone is talking about valuable or cherished pieces that find a place in the home forever. Making your home about you and your life in the now, or within the next two months, is what we're mostly discussing on this site, art you might find at a bargain or won't worry about if something happened to it, that strikes your mood or goes with your overall scheme.

Some people make great investments in their homes, and love everything in it like a child, and some people are just trying to make their space a more pleasant and functional place to be than it was. So, yeah, would you take your time and only buy things that are speaking to your soul that you will love and light correctly and hang at the correct height, or are you just filling space with stuff that's nice to look at? People should trade the latter, and I think that's what you should assume any article on this site pertains to when discussing "art." Not all commenters will agree with the assessment, or plan to trade anything important just to "change it up," but that's what I believe we're talking about here.

If there's no commitment to the art - particularly in a commercial space - then by all means - trade or sell. It's a great way to modernize or, at least, freshen the space.

But for those of us who hang beloved works sometimes before we place out furniture, then no way. I have pieces that technically belong to my brother that I am loathe to part with!

I find no problem trading art with friends or family you trust. I really do cherish my art too! (my husband is an artist tho, so we are in no short supply)

We own several pieces that have been borrowed by the artist who made them so that the pieces can go on tour. Someday we will get them back!

In Halifax the AGNS has a program where you can rent artwork, for a month or so. If you decide you love the work you can buy it outright or try something new! I know some businesses get new artwork for their offices every month. It's nice because a percent of the rental fee goes to the artist, so by renting an artist can potentially make more money

If you don't have a strong personal connection to the art on your wall, maybe you're not buying the right art.

That said, I know a couple of people with whom I'd LOVE to do a swap, but it's because their taste is similar to mine, and their wallet is bigger.

No way.

I worked with a woman who swapped suits and jackets with a friend. (they were both news anchors in small markets - cruddy income but with the same expectations to be fashionable) So every few months they would pack up a few suits and ship them back and forth.

I do that with a friend - swapping out trendy clothes.... but neither of us have enough art to extend it to that realm.

The idea just reminded me of the clothing swap - and to be honest - I'm more attached to my clothing finds, only because I have more clothes than I do art.

I can't get enough art, so I can totally see myself doing this, and can totally see my mom becoming my partner. Both of us paint and draw, and she does sculpture and ceramics and is a teacher, and occasionally buys her students' work. She has three pieces on long-term loan from me... maybe I should hit her up? Wellll, she did throw some pots for me... maybe later...

Obviously it's not for everyone, but I'd rather move pictures around than furniture.