REAL VALUE: ABSTRACTLY EXPRESSED

Our current ad ruminates on the issue of artistic merit. Without prejudice to taste, technique, or a multitude of other tangible and intangible factors that can affect the price of a particular objet d'art, we personally would argue strenuously that the disparity in pricing between Mark Rothko's "Untitled #17" and the equally unique, anonymously produced "Handmade Persian Rug" is too broad and, if realistic for the painting, grossly unfair to the rug.
As a suggested "equalizer", we could propose a "Look for Less Challenge", and invite all takers to attempt individually to create a reasonable copy of Mr. Rothko's opus along with the more humbly estimated rug. We suggest that such an effort would confirm the incredible value in the rug -- if the price of the Rothko piece (fetched at auction) is a true estimate of value.

IMAGINE

The following link is to a scan of two articles printed just a few pages apart in the May 14-15 Saturday and Sunday Wall Street Journal.

Page One of the .pdf reviews art auction results totalling $1 billion over two weeks for impressionist and abstract works from various artists. Many new records were set.

Page Two of the .pdf (which actually appeared a few pages prior in the WSJ) is captioned "Not a Millionaire In Sight" and shows an "Untouchable" Indian woman crossing a precarious footbridge over an open sewer filled with human waste to her "home" on the other side. 

Without judgement or prejudice for or against either depiction of fortune, the juxtaposition of extravagant indulgence with abject destitution -- apparently unintended by the WSJ editors -- is poignant.

IMAGINE.pdf

Summer Stock Sale (Reduced Prices) at Brandon Oriental Rugs Means Cool Savings on the Hottest Rugs For Your Home and Office -- COUPON

**** Begin at the beginning with that new home or 
special room you're fixing up this summer.

Let Brandon Oriental Rugs help you
save time, effort, and cost
acquiring the fine handmade rug(s) you'll
need to make it all come together. ****

**** A major rug importer has asked for Brandon's

assistance in selling off part of its

vast rug collection presently in our inventory.

This makes possible the first time ever
"SALE" here at Brandon Oriental Rugs. ****

 **** Significant price reductions on 

in-stock rugs only (those with design

numbers ending in "D" or "X") 

SAVE 20% OFF tag price.
Does not apply to rugs acquired through
Rug-SearchTM service ****

 **** For those who still don't know:

Brandon does NOT falsely mark-up our rugs

to offer discounted "SALE" prices; 

the price on our tags is based on quality;

our prices are complete (everything included);

and our prices are non-negotiable --
same price for all regardless of whether
you drive a Bentley or a Yugo, regardless of whether you live in a one-room-efficiency
or a mansion in the Hamptons. ****

**** This is a REAL SALE ****

**** These are REAL SAVINGS ****

**** It's REALLY for a LIMITED TIME ****

**** That's a REAL OPPORTUNITY for you ****

Brandon Oriental Rugs Helps You Appreciate The Meaning of Magic

DO YOU BELIEVE IN MAGIC?