FAQ_ARTISTI

Who are the artists of Smartarea? How do you select them?

Our young artists are painters, video artists, photographers, performers of great quality: many already have an established presence on the market while others are in the process of making a name for themselves, and others yet prefer a development that is oriented more towards research and experimentation. What unites them is not a common style, current or vision of the world to be imposed. What unites them is bravura, talent and the fact of being fully and increasingly active; this is the only reason we have chosen them. For convenience, we have divided them into two categories: over 30 and under 30. Our critics, themselves young and established professionals, help us to select them.

Why is it a good idea to invest in the work of young artists?

Buying the work of young artists is the best way to invest in art, especially if one has only limited funds available. Why? Because it means buying works that are still relatively cheap and have considerable scope for growth, especially in the case of clear talent. Smartarea does not limit itself to selling: it also provides advice on intelligent investment strategies.

FAQ_WORKS

Can I see the works somewehere before buying them?

Of course! The works can be seen in our space in Via Savona n. 94, Milan, or in your own home, by appointment and in line with availability of Smartarea staff. Click on the link to ask for an appointment.

What guarantees of authenticity and conservation do you offer me?

All the Smartarea works are sold with the artist's declaration of authenticity and this is con-signed with the work or sent a few days after the sale. Smartarea guarantees the authenticity and excellent state of conservation of all the works on sale. Together with the certificate of authenticity, Smartarea will also send its customer the smartsafety, and indispensable document for assisting the police to find a work rapidly in case of loss or theft.

What is the "smartsafety"?

Smartarea looks after its customers even after a sale. For this reason, we give you not just the certificate of authenticity for the work but also a document called the smartsafety. This is the work's 'identity card', a detailed form with a photograph and characteristics of the work (type, medium, dimensions, inscriptions or distinguishing marks, cataloguing, etc). The form we use is exactly that recommended by the police to help them with their investigations should the work be lost or stolen.

What are your general terms of sale?

The general terms of sale are here.

How is the sale finalised?

Purchase by telephone, fax, e-mail.

The sale contract stipulated between purchaser and Smartarea is finalised by telephone, fax or e-mail in the following manner:
1) The customer communicates to Smartarea - by telephone, fax or e-mail - his intention of buying a work;
2) Smartarea sends a confirmation of the order by fax or e-mail to the customer with the specific details of the sale and the price including shipping costs;
3) The customer signs the order confirmation and sends it back to Smartarea by fax.

Purchase following vision of the work.

If the client decides to buy a work after having seen it in our space in Via Savona n. 94 the Milan or in his own home, the sale contract will be finalised there and then by Smar-tarea presenting the order to the customer and the latter's signing it for acceptance.

Direct purchase online using a credit card.

LWorks costing less than Euro 500 can be bought directly on-line from our site. Simply click on the BUY NOW link next to the work you wish to buy and effect the payment using a credit card in accordance with instructions that appear. At the end of the payment process, Smartarea will send you confirmation of the order. Only upon reception of this confir-mation will the sale be completed. Should the order not be completed (for example, should the work be bought by someone else just before you yourself click on the buy link), Smartarea will inform the customer and immediately credit the sum to the credit card.

How, how much and when do I pay?

Payment in the case of purchase by telephone, fax, e-mail, or following vision of the work in the Smartarea space or in the customer's home.

In these cases, the price is that indicated in the order confirmation. For Italy and all EU countries, the price is inclusive of VAT, packaging, shipping and insurance. For non-EU countries, the price includes packaging, shipping and insurance; any tax or duty (e.g. customs or import dues) are not included.
In the case of purchase by telephone, fax or e-mail, payment must arrive before delivery of the work; in the case of purchase following vision of the work, payment will take place there and then.
Payment may be made in the following manner: cash, bank transfer or bankers draft. Payment by personal cheque must be authorised beforehand by Smartarea.

Payment procedure in case of direct purchase on-line.

In this case, the price of the work of art being sold is that indicated on the website, www.smartarea.it and during the on-line payment process. For Italy, the price is inclusive of VAT, packaging, shipping and insurance. For other EU countries, the price includes VAT but not packaging, shipping and insurance, which will be calculated on an individual basis and paid for separately by bank transfer or PayPal. For non-EU countries, the price does not include any tax or duty (e.g. customs or import dues), packaging and shipping, which will be calculated on an individual basis and paid for separately by bank transfer or PayPal. Purchasers can pay on-line using their credit cards via the PayPal system.

Is it safe to pay on-line?

For your security, Smartarea makes use of the PayPal system, a member of the eBay group and an international leader in the on-line payments sector. The PayPal system makes it possible to accept payments in total security using Visa, Visa electron or Master-Card credit cards and prepaid PayPal cards. The system used by PayPal guarantees pro-tection against improper use of the credit card used for payments by computer. A transaction effected via PayPal is more secure than one effected by the cardholder in a restaurant or hotel: PayPal enables you to pay with your credit card without showing the number to the retailer. It also accelerates the payment procedure when you buy on-line. It protects against unauthorised payments from your account. Every purchase is confirmed by e-mail notification. For further information, see www.paypal.it.

Can I pay for the work in instalments?

Payment by instalments is possible only if agreed in writing beforehand with Smartarea.
Where such agreement exists, the payment may be effected in instalments without interest for over a period varying between 3 and 12 months according to the sum to be paid. During this period, Smartarea will remain responsible for the perfect state of conservation of the work. In the highly unlikely event of damage to or theft of the work, the client will be repaid the entire sum paid up till that moment.

When does the work become mine?

Ownership of the work of art passes to the client when Smartarea receives payment of the price or, in the case of payment in instalments, when it receives payment of the last instalment stipulated.

When will the work be delivered to me?

As soon as confirmation of payment due has been received, Smartarea will pack and ship the work of art through its usual courier or shipping company. The work will be delivered together with the certificate of authenticity, the work's 'identity card', invoice and/or receipt. Consignment will take place in approximately 5 (five) working days in Italy and within 2 (two) - 4 (four) weeks abroad. In the case of purchase following vision of the work, consignment takes place at the same time as payment.
In the case of payment by instalments, as soon as confirmation of payment of the first stipulated instalment is received, Smartarea will send its client the certificate of authenticity for the work of art, the work's 'identity card', invoice and/or receipt. Consignment will take place in approximately 5 (five) working days in Italy and within 2 (two) - 4 (four) weeks abroad. In the case of purchase following vision of the work, consignment takes place at the same time as payment.

How do you ship the works and how much does this cost?

Smartarea packs its works with care and arranges shipping through an express courier with insurance. In the case of works to be delivered within Italy, the cost of packing in shipping included in the work’s price. Delivery costs outside Italy are to be met by the purchaser and vary according to destination and size and weight of the work. The average cost of a delivery in Europe for a work of average size is around euro 80. For non-EU countries, costs are higher. At all events, the shipping costs will be clearly communicated to the client during the purchase process.

Is it possible to collect the works personally?

Certainly, it is always possible to collect a work of art personally from our Smartarea space in via Savona n. 94, Milan

What is your returns policy?

The purchaser may change his mind about his purchase, without specifying a reason, within ten (10) working days of the date of delivery of the work of art. Upon returning the work of art received, the price paid will be reimbursed. In order to exercise this right, the customer must send a registered letter with advice of receipt by the set date to the Smartarea address as indicated above. A fax may be sent but this must be followed within 48 hours by the abovementioned registered letter with advice of receipt confirming the intention to return to work of art.
The purchaser must return the work of art within ten (10) days of the above letter, and is responsible for delivering said work to Smartarea at his own cost (including, for example, shipping and customs dues).
The purchaser must return the work of art within ten (10) days of the above letter, and is responsible for delivering said work to Smartarea at his own cost (including, for example, shipping and customs dues). Smartarea will accept the work of art after checking that it has been reconsigned in original condition, whole and intact, in the same packaging or equivalent, within the same frame in which it was delivered, and inclusive of the work of art's certificate of authenticity, 'identity card' and invoice and/or receipt enclosed with the original delivery. Only in this case will Smartarea refund the sum paid within the period of thirty (30) days from reception of notification of the customer's intention to return to work of art in accordance with the procedures set out above.

FAQ_SMARTSHOWS

What are the smartshows?

Smartshows are virtual exhibitions of our young talent, curated and commented by our critics. This is a practical and efficient way to become familiar with works and artists that one can subsequently see in our space at Via Voghera n. 9/A, in Milan.
Smartarea is working on many on-line exhibition projects: in the smartshows, you will find small exhibitions planned exclusively by us for our artists. Every smartshow has a project supporting it, with a critical text, traditional and on-line public relations and press office. And all just a click away!

How can I receive the smartshow catalogues?

It's very simple and doesn't cost anything. Accompanying every virtual show we will be launching on our site will be a smart e-book, a monograph written by one of our critics. Every catalogue will be available free of charge in PDF format from the smartshow section of the site. All it takes is a click. The catalogue will also be sent to all those registered for our newsletter.

FAQ_SMARTSHOP

What is the smartshop?

Art expresses itself in many ways. And not only through canvases. Smartshop gives form to the many forms of art. It constitutes an on-line outlet of affordable objects which in terms of originality and artistic dignity are often on an equal to far more expensive works.

What are the the smartprints?

These are limited edition art prints, produced to the highest standard from designs created ad hoc by our artists. What does this mean? That artists prepare a work to be used solely and exclusively for smartprints. The works are reproduced on paper to the high standard and in limited editions (varying according to the print run); the original plate is not sold. This means that these prints are truly original works of art, planned by artists solely and exclusively for this form of reproduction. A way of making art truly accessible to all.

How do you guarantee the authenticity of the smartprints?

Every smartprint is a limited edition that is clearly indicated on the site at the moment of purchase. The guarantee of the smartprint lies in the certificate of authenticity indicating all the details concerning the print (artist, title, year, dimensions, print run) and the serial number of the print purchased.

What can I find in the smartshop other than smartprints?

You will find books about art and gadgets, but also cool fashion items, objects of design and collectors' art toys. Many of them are produced or personalised by Smartarea artists. Unique works of art made for us by some of the best italian artists, all in limited editions, and available only through our website. But more is coming in 2009: be sure to check back.

How can I buy the art products I see in the smartshop? What's their price?

All works of art offered in the smartshop can be bought directly on-line. The price of the object is that indicated on the www.smartarea.it website and during the on-line payment process. For Italy, the price is inclusive of VAT, packaging, shipping and insurance. For purchases totalling less than Euro 200, Euro 9.10 will be payable for packaging, delivery and insurance throughout Italy, islands included. For purchases over Euro 200, no extra sum will be payable. For EU countries other than Italy, the price is inclusive of VAT, but excludes packaging, shipping and insurance, which will be evaluated and paid separately by bank draft or PayPal. For non-EU countries, the price excludes packaging, shipping and insurance, tax and duties (e.g. customs or import dues). These will be evaluated and paid for separately by bank transfer or PayPal.
Purchasers will effect the payment on-line using a credit card by the PayPal system.

How and when will you send the art products I have bought in the smart shop?

As soon as we have received confirmation of payment, Smartarea will pack and ship the object using an insured courier or shipper. The work will be delivered together with the invoice and/or purchase receipt. Consignment will take place in approximately 5 (five) working days in Italy and within 2 (two) - 4 (four) weeks abroad.

FAQ_FORUM

Why do I need to register for the forum?

In order to talk freely about emerging art with artists, our critics and enthusiasts of young art. You can talk about the works on sale, projects in arrival, and in general about the creative development of our artists. The forum is also the ideal medium for your suggestions and comments.
It is in our opinion a democratic instrument of discussion that is useful for an art gallery as long as it is possible - and we guarantee this - to distinguish and promote the voices of art professionals: critics, journalists and artists are invited to participate with their comments which can help everybody to learn, compare, discover.

How do I register for the forum?

Everybody can participate in the Smartarea community by registering here for the forum. .

FAQ – TAX BENEFITS FOR INVESTING IN ART

I am a private individual. What tax benefits can I have if I invest in art?

The Italian legislation is one of the most generous in terms of incentives for investments in art.
For private individuals, the capital gains generated from the sale of works of art are not subject to taxation whatever the gains accrued. For example: if you buy a work of art today for Euro 3000 and sell it at some point in the future for 5000, you will not have to pay the tax authorities anything for the profit made of Euro 2000.
Moreover, even extremely valuable works of art do not need to be declared in a tax return as they do not constitute earnings but personal assets. Owning them does not require the payment of any form of tax unlike the case, for example, of property (for which we pay local rates and a rubbish disposal tax) and some other kinds of assets (cars, for example). And finally, no death duty is payable on art, even when the capital inherited exceeds the threshold of tax liability.

I have a company. What tax benefits can I have if I invest in art?

In order to understand the tax benefits available for a company acquiring works of art (excluding historic works of art over 50 years of age and antiques), we need to examine two principles.
The first is the contribution made to the production of earnings: if the work contributes to the production of earnings, or helps improve the company image because used for furnishing and/or advertising, then no VAT is payable. The second principle is that of depreciation over time: in this case, the tax savings depend on the depreciation plan attributable. According to market expectations, the work does not depreciate in value; indeed it gains in value. However, there are no specific indications about works of art in tax law, and every company can follow the indications of its tax consultants. Thus, it is a common practice for work to be categorised as furniture and thus depreciated over a period of five years (for example, exposure to light or dust could result in the need for restoration). If instead, the work is a true investment, then no depreciation is possible; in this case, the work contributes to incrementing the company’s assets.
There are other forms of tax breaks. First of all, a company can entirely deduct the cost of the work of art purchased. The tax break totals 35% in 5 years (7% per annum), so long as the work is put on display in an area accessible to non-employees. Moreover, if 'notified' (considered a part of Italian heritage and hence registered with the state), works of art can be considered as items of exchange with the state in lieu of payment of death duty (articles 4 and 5, Law no 512 / 1982). Since January 2002, companies donating works of art or sponsoring cultural initiatives benefit from a deduction of 37% if they have been operating in the sector for at least three years (art. 38 of the tax enclosure to the 2000 budget - Law no. 342 of 8/11/2000).

I am self-employed. What tax benefits can I have if I invest in art?

Self-employed individuals can deduct sums deriving from the purchase of works of art up to a maximum of 1% of their turnover, said purchase being itemised as publicity. Self-employed individuals buying works of art up to this ceiling can save a percentage up to their taxation bracket, which can vary from about 25% up to about 40%.