About Ben Mahmoud Expertise Questions regarding "the business of the arts (ie.artist/dealer relations).
Questions regarding the collecting of contemporary art.
Please keep in mind that I am not a professional appraiser, however, I can direct interested parties to sources of information.
Experience 40 years as professor of art, Northern Illinois University
Curator of University Art Collection (responsible for purchase and care).
Member of the board of directors, Illinois Arts Council.
Juror of many competitions.
See vitae: http://benmahmoud.com/resume.html
Publications Many conference proceedings.
"Advice to Young Artists in a Postmodern Era" with William Dunning, Syracuse University Press, 2000.
Education/Credentials MFA, Ohio University, 1960
Awards and Honors See vitae: http://http://benmahmoud.com/resume.html
Question Thank you for your time. I have a piece of art that appears to be laser cut into a piece of marble. It is dated 1983 and says it is 123/1000. Artist name is Al Kennedy. It depicts several (7) Mercedes Benz automobiles of various makes and models. It is about 15" x 19". It also features the Mercedes Benz Logo. Can you offer any information on this piece?
Thanks,
Craig
Answer This does not really fall into the realm of contemporary art, and I have never seen seen such a piece. However, based on what you tell me, I can give you some information.
I suspect that the work was mechanically done. Not only by a laser but by an automated process. What leads me to this conclusion is that it has an edition mark. Yours is number 123 of an edition of a 1,000. This is a very, very large edition, and it must have been automated.
My guess is that this is something the Dailmer Benz people had made for dealers or customers.
I have found a similar piece that is offered for sale. It is described as "acid etched," which is more likely for your piece as well. Again, this piece I have found is from an edition of 1,000. Maybe it is the same as yours?
They are asking $300 obo for the piece. As I suspected, the owner of this piece got it at an international exotic car auction in Arizona. This simply confirms my feeling that this piece could be called a work of art by only a stretch of the term. This piece is 80/1000. In such an edition, the number of the edition has no impact on the value of the work. Number 1 would command the same price as number 1000.
Here is the link to the piece I have found. You can assess if it is, indeed, like the one you have.
