What Are Artist Trading Cards (ATCs)?
In 1996-97 a new art culture sprang up which rejected the tradition of critiquing and pricing art. Swiss artist Vanci Stirnemann is hailed as the father of the movement that started when, inspired by sports trading cards, he created and showcased over a thousand Artist Trading Cards in a gallery in Zurich, Switzerland. He refused to sell the cards but offered to swap with anyone who brought in a card. A movement was born which eventually circled the globe. Quoted from Emu’s Zine There are only 2 rules with ATC’s: they must be 2.5″ x 3.5″ (64 x 89 mm) and they cannot be sold – they must be traded! They are the same size as baseball and hockey trading cards but much more fun. On the back of your cards it’s nice if you write: your name, location, ATC title and number (if it’s part of an edition). Unique ATC’s are one of a kind. If you make several exactly the same they are editions (1/8, 2/8, etc). Series are several made in the same theme. But this isn’t the important part – the importan
