FAQ Atfu
Atfu, the artist-to-artist art swapp application, is now available to the general public and art professionals alike. In addition to bartering works, you can offer to exchange services, skills or even to buy the work you're interested in.
How does it work for non-artists ?
The principle:
On Atfu, explore over 9,000 works by promising artists. The works appear anonymously, guaranteeing a selection based on “crush” rather than speculation. If your offer is accepted by the artist, you'll find out who he or she is, and we'll help you get in touch.
How to use :
1. Swiping anonymous works
- **Swipe right** : the work is added to your favorites library.
- **Swipe left** : the work does not interest you at the moment.
- **Click on the work** : access more details about the work.
- **Handshake icon** : offer a swap, competence or purchase.
2. Discover catalogs
When you like a work, click on it. At the bottom of the screen, a button will redirect you to the artist's catalog to discover other works from her or his production.
Rules for users on Atfu :
- Make respectful proposals, taking into account the artist's work.
- Honor your commitments.
- Interact with respect and kindness.
- Report behavior only if it is abusive or in violation of Atfu's TOS.
How does it work for artists?
The principle:
Atfu enables artists to meet and swap works, enriching their personal collections.
How to use :
1. Swiping anonymous works
- **Swipe right**: the work is added to your favorites.
- **Swipe left**: the work does not interest you at the moment.
- **Click on the work**: more details on the work.
- **Handshake icon**: propose a swap.
**Note**: artists' identities remain hidden until an exchange is accepted, ensuring equality and transparency.
2. Discover catalogs
Explore other artists' catalogs to set up a swap.
Tip: to swap, add a work with a full description (title, technique, dimensions, etc.), a quality photo and, ideally, additional elements (note of intent, additional photos).
3. Messaging: where artists meet
Once the swap has been accepted, find out who the artist behind the work is and exchange to agree on the terms of the exchange in an integrated messaging system.
The benefits:
- Circulate your works of art, helping to enhance their value.
- Free up space in your studio while enriching your collection.
- Expand your network by meeting artists from all over the world.
- Contribute to your own rating.
Rules for artists on Atfu :
- Only post works of which you are the author.
- Limit yourself to a single account on Atfu.
- Post quality photos (avoid blurred, dark or poorly lit images).
- Provide complete and truthful information about each work.
- Respect and interact with kindness.
- Only report abusive behavior.
Why swap?
A piece is not a one-off! After having exhibited a work several times that hasn't been sold, it allows us to circulate it, enhance its value, and gain recognition from our peers. It's also a way to meet artists whose work we like, and to relieve the congestion in our studios.
What can you swap?
Anything you think might be of interest for us to discover and understand your work: a piece, of course, a piece of installation, but also what's on its periphery. In the studio, we have lots of tests, sketches, prototypes, documentation and notations; raw elements, evidence of reflection, which are as important to us as a finished piece. As an artist, you might want to possess these indeterminate things that justify production.
What is swipe?
The place where you discover anonymous artworks by the artists featured on the app. When you swipe left, the work doesn't interest you. When you swipe right, it enters your favorites library. You can also swipe back once to make sure you don't miss any nuggets.
Why are swipe parts anonymous?
There are many isolated artists who are far from privileged circles and networks. By placing anonymity at the start of the process, we want to create equal opportunities: the chance to be discovered.
What information do I have access to?
When you click on the house icon, you have access to all the pieces offered for swap. You can obtain more information about a piece by clicking on it: title, creation date, techniques and a presentation cartel. You also have access to additional photos of the piece, and you can visit the artist's anonymous profile to discover all his available artworks, as well as those already acquired in their ATFU collection.
What is the purpose of the + icon at the bottom of the screen?
The “+” icon in the navigation bar is used to add a work of art for swapping. You can delete it at any time by going to your catalog and clicking on artwork details, edit then delete.
What's the purpose of the handshake icon?
This icon takes you directly to the “ Swap ” tab. Here you'll find: access to your profile with your swaps and your collection acquired thanks to ATFU; swap proposals received; those you've sent and your matches.
What is a match?
When two artists are ready to swap a work from their catalog, they receive a notification alerting them to a match. Anonymity is then lifted, and discussion can begin on the terms of the exchange.
How to make a proposal?
Click on the handshake icon in the swipe or in the work details. For this coveted piece, the artist-owner receives a notification in his or her “received proposals” section. They have direct access to your swap artworks, can view them and choose one in return. Once they've made their choice, you'll both receive a notification in your inboxes, where you'll find out who the artist behind the piece is. You can then chat, discover each other's work and agree on the terms of the exchange.
How adding to favorites works?
When you swipe a work you like, it appears in your favorites library (heart icon). The artist receives a notification to alert her/him that her/his piece has been added to your favorites library, and a message is sent to invite her/him to discover your pieces, again anonymously. In this way, you'll have more opportunities to swap by discovering each other's pieces.
What's the difference between adding to favorites and proposing a swap?
When you like a work, you may need a certain amount of time to think before proposing a swap. In order to get away from a consumerist logic where you have to make up your mind quickly so as not to miss your chance, we're giving you the opportunity to “file” them away in your favorites and familiarize yourself with them. Adopting a work of art is for life; we want to give you the chance to be sure of your choice.
How to send your work?
Initially, we'll let you use standard platforms if you're far from the artist you're bartering with. In the near future, we plan to offer delivery by a professional carrier via ATFU.
Who is behind ATFU?
Clara Citron and Sirine Ammar, visual artists, and Clémentine Tissot, formerly artist-liaison.
How to contact us?
The hotline button is there to receive your positive or negative feedback, report bugs, abusive behavior (an artist posting a copy of your work, for example) or any questions you may have.
By e-mail: [email protected]