Big Bucks
The Explosion of the Art Market in the 21st Century
Published on 28. June 2014
Book
Paperback/Softback
208 pages
978-1-84822-138-3 (ISBN)
Description
This highly readable and timely book explores the transformation of the modern and contemporary art market in the 21st century from a niche trade to a globalised operation worth an estimated $50 billion a year.
Drawing on her personal experience, the author describes in fascinating detail the contributions made by a range of actors and institutions to these recent developments. The book focuses on the development of auction houses into globalised, often cutthroat 'art business' firms; the emergence and modi operandi of 'mega-dealers' and middlemen; the 'new frontier' of selling art on the internet; the radical changes in the profile of art collectors; the phenomenon of the 'branded' artist and the explosion of art fairs. It addresses the negative side to the art market's expansion, particularly its lack of transparency and light regulation.
The author's engaging style makes this informative text ideal for collectors, students, and anyone interested in learning more about the evolution of the unprecedented market for art which exists today.
Drawing on her personal experience, the author describes in fascinating detail the contributions made by a range of actors and institutions to these recent developments. The book focuses on the development of auction houses into globalised, often cutthroat 'art business' firms; the emergence and modi operandi of 'mega-dealers' and middlemen; the 'new frontier' of selling art on the internet; the radical changes in the profile of art collectors; the phenomenon of the 'branded' artist and the explosion of art fairs. It addresses the negative side to the art market's expansion, particularly its lack of transparency and light regulation.
The author's engaging style makes this informative text ideal for collectors, students, and anyone interested in learning more about the evolution of the unprecedented market for art which exists today.
Reviews / Votes
'Georgina Adam expertly unpicks the oblique machinations of the art market with a deft hand and a clear voice to reveal an intoxicating world of glamour, greed and fine art.' Will Gompertz, BBC Arts EditorMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
Thickness: 25 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-84822-138-3 (9781848221383)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Georgina Adam is a journalist who has covered the global art market for the last 30 years. She writes a weekly column for the Financial Times and a fortnightly one for BBC WorldWide, as well as contributing to The Art Newspaper, where formerly she was Art Market Editor. She also lectures at Sotheby's Institute of Art and Christie's Education and participates in panels at art fairs in the UK and abroad.
Content
Contents: Introduction; Acknowledgements; Prologue: Gagosian throws a party; Part one: The players: 1. Auction houses: From dusty booksellers to The Art People; 2. Dealers: The emergence of the mega-gallery; 3. Artists: From starving in a garret to founding their own museums; 4. The new tastemakers: Collectors, curators, advisors; Part two: A changing market: 5. Art fairs: An event-driven lifestyle; 6. Clicks vs bricks: Selling art online; 7. Emerging economies: New worlds, new money; 8. The dark side of the moon: an unregulated and opaque market; Epilogue; Notes; Bibliography; Index.