I was in san fran a couple months ago and had this conversation one night, at a bar with art on the walls we were talking about how much it was to buy and if it was worth it. The conversation revolved around the idea "do i really want this on my wall forever?".

Then someone said they'd pay to have it on their wall for like 2 weeks, but probably wouldn't want it much longer than that. So we started to figure out a business of rental art just like people put their art up in galleries or bars, it would be nice to be able to join a group of art fans (but people who aren't otherwise comfortable with buying art) who basically pooled money to have a sampling of paintings go through them.

You find artists that you like and start moving their art through people's places.. they get paid for rentals and then, if you have a piece of art you like that you're renting, you can buy it. You actually get the chance to have it in your home and see how it makes you feel for a long period.

So then how do you finally buy it? In an auction? Or how is the buying price decided? Well, maybe the Artist puts a price on it when it goes into circulation you get to buy it when you have it, but if you pass it on, the next person gets first dibs. But the rental price should be good enough that the artist is also OK if nobody buys it. $100 per month per painting? $20? Or multiple levels for major/minor works. TBD

You can still make an offer at any time, but really, if someone has it and is trying it out, it's probably best if they do get right of first refusal for that time but then if some old renter decides they want it, they get to buy it if and when the current renter wants to pass it on.

I'm currently looking to try a first round in the NYC area, though I know some folks in SF and Delhi thinking about it too. For here, I have a couple of artists in mind, and a couple of friends interested in being an audience, but maybe need a couple more of each. Let me know if you're interested. pablo.mayrgundter@gmail.com