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Lol, I was going to say maybe it's an East Coast thing, all of the cons I have been to are in the Mid to North East (along with Nan Desu Kan in CO) and I've always seen a majority of double-sided displays. I just did Neko Con a couple of months ago, my most recent one, and there were about 30 artists with PVC display and about 20-25 of them had double-sided displays. Of course this is an estimate, not exact numbers, but I certainly did notice a majority of double-sided displays. Some artists in the same block as me even told me it was a clever idea and that they would be doing it at their next con!

It's not Mid west cons or North East cons either. I live in Chicago and my main cons are here in Chicago, so.... nope. I've been to these cons you both are talking about and the numbers just aren't adding up... I really don't feel like arguing numbers anymore, because I'll say it's not a majority and you'll say it is. I know from my experience and my own eyes that it's not a majority. And go to a good Comic con someday and see if any of the artists there do that kind of thing -- they don't. They don't think it's clever, they don't think it's good business, they think it is unprofessional.

So let us agree to disagree and wait for input from the staff.

The numbers don't add up.  If you have a room of 30 artists, most of those artists will be against the perimeter wall of the room because most cons with smaller art alleys do that sort of layout.  Why would anyone do double sided displays if there's just a wall behind you?  So how could 20-25 of them have double sided displays?

Actually, if you read my post you'll see that I said 30 artists with PVC displays. There were more artists total. I'm only talking about the types with PVC. Also, the layout included very few tables against the wall- maybe about 10 total. Nearly all of the tables were in blocks. I saw it with my own eyes so you can choose to believe me or not- I have no reason to lie though.

Alright, I looked it up.  Here is a pan shot of the artist alley of Nekocon 2011.

http://yolapeoples.deviantart.com/art/Greece-and-Turkey-Face-Off-268040535

You can clearly see that the backs of those tables with PVC displays are white.  No backwards facing displays there.  In the top picture, the display behind the one with the green signs, all white.  The display with the green signs clearing nothing on the back of those.  The one behind the man in the green shirt, all white.  The two further back to the right of the man with the green shirt, also all white.  In the bottom picture, right in the center of the picture, the back of that display is also all white.

We can argue this all you like, but as I've said above, I'm done and I will allow the art alley staff to enforce it however they want.  But I agree with KikaiSaigono, if the person behind me does try to put up a backwards facing display, I will request them to take it down and bring it to the attention of the staff if they refuse.  As Laggy has stated, the head of the artist alley said the artists were 2-1 against backwards facing displays.

You can be done arguing but I just want to point out that in that photo you can only see a handful of the backs of tables. That's a very small portion of the Artist Alley. Just because you happened to find a particular shot that shows a couple of single-sided displays does not disprove that there were many double-sided displays there. I was there and I have no reason to lie about it. But if you want to agree to disagree, cool.

Lol, I was going to say maybe it's an East Coast thing, all of the cons I have been to are in the Mid to North East (along with Nan Desu Kan in CO) and I've always seen a majority of double-sided displays. I just did Neko Con a couple of months ago, my most recent one, and there were about 30 artists with PVC display and about 20-25 of them had double-sided displays. Of course this is an estimate, not exact numbers, but I certainly did notice a majority of double-sided displays. Some artists in the same block as me even told me it was a clever idea and that they would be doing it at their next con!

It's not Mid west cons or North East cons either. I live in Chicago and my main cons are here in Chicago, so.... nope. I've been to these cons you both are talking about and the numbers just aren't adding up... I really don't feel like arguing numbers anymore, because I'll say it's not a majority and you'll say it is. I know from my experience and my own eyes that it's not a majority. And go to a good Comic con someday and see if any of the artists there do that kind of thing -- they don't. They don't think it's clever, they don't think it's good business, they think it is unprofessional.

So let us agree to disagree and wait for input from the staff.

The numbers don't add up.  If you have a room of 30 artists, most of those artists will be against the perimeter wall of the room because most cons with smaller art alleys do that sort of layout.  Why would anyone do double sided displays if there's just a wall behind you?  So how could 20-25 of them have double sided displays?

Actually, if you read my post you'll see that I said 30 artists with PVC displays. There were more artists total. I'm only talking about the types with PVC. Also, the layout included very few tables against the wall- maybe about 10 total. Nearly all of the tables were in blocks. I saw it with my own eyes so you can choose to believe me or not- I have no reason to lie though.

I have been to conventions all over CA and Sakura-Con 1 time.  Unfortunately working full time limits me from traveling further.

I can say I have been to the following and all of them had a majority of artists that did double-sided displays with no complaints from other artists (to my knowledge):

Anime LA, SacAnime, SacCon, AOD, JTAF, Ani-Jam, Pacific Media Expo, Anime Expo, Sakura-Con

I'm just going to go ahead and say that it must be a west coast thing, because on the eastern seaboard you don't see any of that.



...Obviously I'm joking, I'm not going to judge a region as a whole :P But really, having been to cons in all regions of the US and some Canadian ones, this is not generally a well accepted thing. You have say 200-300 tables in the AA and maybe 10 or 20 people have double sided displays. It's not a majority. I mean, whether or not Fanime allows double sided displays or not, my final word on the issue is that if you sit behind me and you do it I will ask for you to take it down. I will also ask an administrator if that fails.

To the director and staff -- would you be willing to ask artists to take back displays down at the request of the artist sitting behind them if they do not like it?

Lol, I was going to say maybe it's an East Coast thing, all of the cons I have been to are in the Mid to North East (along with Nan Desu Kan in CO) and I've always seen a majority of double-sided displays. I just did Neko Con a couple of months ago, my most recent one, and there were about 30 artists with PVC display and about 20-25 of them had double-sided displays. Of course this is an estimate, not exact numbers, but I certainly did notice a majority of double-sided displays. Some artists in the same block as me even told me it was a clever idea and that they would be doing it at their next con!

If your work is good, it is *going* to sell. c: If people cluster in front of your table taking photos, looking at the tables to either side, looking at the table behind you, tell them not (I have had to do this frequently. ^^)

I agree with this so much as well c:

Though I've never had someone block my table to look at the artist behind me, I've had many people block my table to look at the artist next to me! Usually they aren't there for too long so I just let them be. But like you said, if your art is good it will sell! When I was 14 and just starting out in Alleys, my art wasn't very good. At one con, I had an absolutely fantastic artist next to me, and her booth was constantly crowded with fans. I even had many people mistake her table for mine and be like "I love your work, can I have that one?!" only for me to awkwardly tell them it wasn't mine.

But I'm not going to be mad at the artist for the ignorance or confusion of attendees. It's not her fault she was a great artist, in fact, I applaud her for her success in the Alley. In my opinion, what happened in that situation is no different than what happens with double-sided displays as well. It's bound to happen and it's not really the artists fault for simply making good use of their display in the space they paid for.

Also, to the other poster who said that people would stop in front of their table to stare at another artists display (I would quote it but I don't know how to quote twice in one post sorry!) I think that's more rude of the attendees than the artist. They should have some common courtesy not to do so.

And artists should have the common courtesy not to put up advertising in a place that would prompt shoppers to stop and acknowledge that advertisement.  Because people will stop and look, it's human nature.  Something attracts our attention, such as good artwork we might desire to own, and we will stop to look at it.  Those who glance at it and continue walking are likely not going to buy the print.  So what is the point of rear facing displays if you think it's common courtesy for people to act like they don't want your art?  Just don't put it up, then.

No..? If someone sees the print from the opposite side and likes it, they would walk over to my table to get a closer look and/or purchase it. What I'm saying is, standing in front of the opposite artist's table to look at the display behind theirs is 1) rude and 2) doesn't make sense. They might as well go around to the actual table to get a look.
I don't have a double-sided display in order to have people stand there and stare at the opposite side. I have it so when they're on the other side they might see it and be like "hey that print looks cool! Let me go check out that table"
It's more to catch their attention than anything else. So no, I don't put up double-sided prints for them to "see it and walk away" that doesn't make any sense.

Regardless of what you say makes sense, I have actually had it happen to me.  And it wasn't just a handful of people, that I can handle, but a LOT of people did that to me, hence why I was so frustrated.

And what I had forgotten to mention in my original post - I don't go to just artist alley, I attend professional trade shows as well for my business (which isn't art) and the norm for every trade show I've participated in is when you buy the table space, you also buy the air space around it.  You are only allowed to show your displays inward.  Granted, I know artist alleys are far from professional trade shows.  However, it IS common practice and it IS common courtesy in the professional business world.  Backwards facing displays are advertising in your neighbors' air space, hence encroaching on another artist's space and should not be allowed.

You may feel free to disagree and continue to defend your position, but I do consider it very rude and I hope the art alley staff firmly continues to enforce the rules against backwards facing displays.

I know it's different in every Artist Alley, but many I have been in, the rules will say something along the lines of "your table space includes your table plus 3 feet of space behind your table. You can put anything within this space that adheres to the other rules" etc.
Which is why I believe that as long as my art is hanging ON my display INSIDE that allotted space, it doesn't matter if it's forwards, backwards, upside down, whichever. I can do whatever I want with it within the space I paid for.
I apologize if that comes off as rude but it just seems logical, especially if the rules say so.

As for people blocking your table a LOT, like I said earlier, sounds more rude of the attendees for not having manners, as opposed to anyone else.

Considering it's been done for YEARS (10+ at least) and only recently has it become an issue; doesn't anyone find it odd that it was never an issue before the last year or so? I also find it strange that it's not the veteran artists (5+ years) complaining about it, but the newer ones to the AA that are.  If I'm mistaken in that statement someone please let me know.

I absolutely agree with this! I've been doing Artist Alleys since I was 14 (I'm nearly 19 now, so lets say 5 years) and I've never heard a single complaint about myself or another artist doing it! In fact, so many artists do it, it seems that it's the minority who don't. In my opinion, it's just a smart way to advertise within your own table space.

And to the person who posted above about it being easier for attendees to find an artist- also very true! I've had so many attendees tell me they saw my display from across the room because it's double-sided.

Also, to the other poster who said that people would stop in front of their table to stare at another artists display (I would quote it but I don't know how to quote twice in one post sorry!) I think that's more rude of the attendees than the artist. They should have some common courtesy not to do so.

And artists should have the common courtesy not to put up advertising in a place that would prompt shoppers to stop and acknowledge that advertisement.  Because people will stop and look, it's human nature.  Something attracts our attention, such as good artwork we might desire to own, and we will stop to look at it.  Those who glance at it and continue walking are likely not going to buy the print.  So what is the point of rear facing displays if you think it's common courtesy for people to act like they don't want your art?  Just don't put it up, then.

No..? If someone sees the print from the opposite side and likes it, they would walk over to my table to get a closer look and/or purchase it. What I'm saying is, standing in front of the opposite artist's table to look at the display behind theirs is 1) rude and 2) doesn't make sense. They might as well go around to the actual table to get a look.
I don't have a double-sided display in order to have people stand there and stare at the opposite side. I have it so when they're on the other side they might see it and be like "hey that print looks cool! Let me go check out that table"
It's more to catch their attention than anything else. So no, I don't put up double-sided prints for them to "see it and walk away" that doesn't make any sense.

Overall, I have never heard any artists complain about double-sided displays until I saw this thread. I know tons of artists who do it and I have never had anyone say anything bad about it. In fact, all the artists I know agree that it is great for business. I don't find it rude in any way, shape, or form.

Great for your business. Great for business for those who do it and encroach on others' territory. Bad business for those who get their art confused with yours. Don't you think that you have never had a problem with it... because you do it? You don't find it rude, but you can tell by the responses in this thread that while you are doing at a con, others' will most definitely find it rude and generally not like you for it. I know I don't find very much respect when I see people doing it at cons. I just can't see how this is oh so shocking, that advertising behind someone else's table is rude.

I wish cons would just ban it already. There are already some that do.


Edit: I should add that when someone has displays facing backwords behind me, I tell the director about it. Usually they will ask the person to take it down. If this happens to you at *any* con and it is not outright banned, don't hesitate to ask an administrator. It's not right for them to get free advertising from the booth you paid good money for. I am usually way too shy to ask the artist outright to remove it, so  I got straight for those in charge who are generally understanding.

But how is it "Free advertising from the booth you paid good money for" when the art is on their own booth? As long as the art or banner is within the space that the artist themselves paid for, they can do what they want with it unless otherwise stated in the rules.
And no, it's not just because I do it. I've had plenty of artists sitting behind me do it too. I've never had someone confuse their work for mine or have it bother me in any way.
Also, roughly 90% of the artists I see with PVC displays have double-sided displays. So I wouldn't jump to the conclusion that everyone agrees with you. It's shocking to me because I've never heard of it being "rude" before until just now in this thread.
In fact, I've actually had a couple of artists tell me it's very smart of me to double my display and they mention that they will use the idea in the future. They are genuine and not spiteful about it, jftr. If anyone commented about my display intruding on their space (which it does not) that would be much different.

Also, to the other poster who said that people would stop in front of their table to stare at another artists display (I would quote it but I don't know how to quote twice in one post sorry!) I think that's more rude of the attendees than the artist. They should have some common courtesy not to do so.

I am so shocked and confused by this issue. Since when is having a double-sided display rude? I'm so baffled I don't even know how to respond to this.
I've never sold at Fanime but I have sold at many different Artist Alleys over the years. My first couple of cons I only had a one-sided display, but I noticed over artists using double-sided displays and I thought it was a fantastic idea! So I started doing it and have been ever since.
Just to clarify, by double sided display I'm referring to having a PVC display on top of my table and hanging prints on both sides. I would never put art or a banner directly behind my neighbor in a way that would intrude on their personal space and disrupt them.

And in the many years and many cons I have sold at, I have never, ever had someone confuse the work of the artist behind me for my own, or vice versa. I mean, the other artist's table is at least 3-6 feet behind me! At a table facing the opposite way! Who would even be able to get that confused? I have, however, had many people want to buy the work of the artist next to me, or vice versa, but I have never been offended by it. Why would I? I just politely tell them it's not mine and refer them to the correct artist.

I've also had many people tell me "I saw your ___ print from behind on the other side of the room and I had to come over!" meaning that my double-sided display is certainly doing good things for business. However, I don't see how that would mean I'm taking business away from other artists. If they were browsing another artist's table, saw my work from across the room, and came over, that's not my fault. It just means I have better work that they were more interested in. (Not to sound cocky, I'm not saying I have the best work. I'm just saying that if someone sees it and is more interested in it, that's their choice!).

Overall, I have never heard any artists complain about double-sided displays until I saw this thread. I know tons of artists who do it and I have never had anyone say anything bad about it. In fact, all the artists I know agree that it is great for business. I don't find it rude in any way, shape, or form.