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Artist trading cards, also known as ATCs, are 2 ½ x 3 ½ inch (64 x 89 mm) miniature works of art which artists trade with one another, similar to the way people trade sports cards. ATCs are a relatively new art form which formally began in September 1996. The concept was created by Swiss artist M. Vänçi Stirnemann. * They can be any medium: pencil, watercolor, acrylic, oil, collage, scratch board, mixed media - anything the creative mind of the artist can think up. Artist Trading Cards are produced as originals, as limited editions, or as a series.
Conceptually ATCs are about exchanging art without the interface of the art world and without money being involved. Artists trade their cards in face-to-face trading sessions as well as via mail. Artists who trade by mail often make their arrangements online and/or through e-mail. In some ATC artists' opinions, trading cards by mail is a diminished experience when compared to an ATC Trading Session.
Rules of ATCs
There are only two true rules applied to modern Artist Trading Cards:
- The dimensions of the card must be 2.5 x 3.5 inches (64 x 89 mm).
- The cards must be traded - never bought or sold.
Artist Trading Cards are typically made on a base of card stock, although this is not mandatory. ATCs have been created on metal, stiffened fabric, plastic, clay, balsa wood, leather, embroidery canvas, acetate, heavy watercolor paper, and many other materials. Various techniques are then applied to the chosen canvas: collage, assemblage, digital art, calligraphy, beadwork, watercolors, rubber stamps, carved soft block stamps, pen and ink, colored pencil, airbrush, and many others. The back of the card typically includes the artist's signature, the date, and sometimes the number (if the card is part of an edition or series), and title. If part of an organized swap, it is common for people to add the name of the swap and sometimes the name of the swap host.
ACEO
A highly debated adjunct of the ATC is the ACEO - Art Card, Editions and Originals. ACEOs were founded when some artists began to create cards to sell on eBay as well as to trade among themselves. The selling of these cards is a sore point with some ATC purists; however some Trading Cards have also been sold as well as traded in other areas, such as Sports Trading Cards. The ACEO movement was founded on eBay and continues to supplement many of eBay artists by drawing new buyers to their work.
External links
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