Architecture of the Contemporary Art Market

Interior of front space of Chelsea art gallery exhibiting Andy Warhol prints.

DAY 7 Today is Thursday, June 9^th and we begin our study of the contemporary art market with Olav Velthuis'

Talking Prices: the Symbolic Meaning of Prices on the Market for Contemporary Art. Read the introduction,

chapters one and two. What are some of the factors that support the architecture of the art market? Consider

the spaces for the sale and exhibition of art; the cultural value of art; the symbolic value of art and the players

and/or playing fields involved in setting the prices for contemporary art. In your response, choose a specific

example of a particular aspect of the architecture of the art market (i.e. the gallery spaces used for selling art

that the author discusses – front room, back room, etc.; the auction house; or the different kinds of galleries –

traditional, contemporary, etc.) or a theoretical aspect of the market and/or pricing and valuation (i.e. "hostile

worlds" viewpoint) to further elucidate your point. Include images or links to support your response.

Readings

Selected chapters from Olav Velthius, Talking Prices: Symbolic Meanings of Prices on the Market for Contemporary Art (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2007

Introduction and Chapter 1: TalkingPricesIntroCh1.pdf

Chapter 2: TalkingPricesCh2.pdf

Highly Recommended, Erica Coslor, "Hostile Worlds and Questionable Speculation: Recognizing the Plurality of Views about Art and the Market," Research in Economic Anthropology, 2010.

EricaCoslor_Hostile_worlds.pdf

Individual Contributions

 
 
Consider & comment:
What did you think of today's readings and wiki features? What issues if any did they raise for you? How did the audio visual material provided support your understanding of this topic? Comment on your classmates' posts. Leave your comments in the box below.