DAY 1: Today is Tuesday January 3rd - An INTRODUCTIONS AND IDEAS day. Scroll down the page to view clips from two films that direct our attention to the art
market through the real life example of artist and art market entrepreneur, Jean Michel Basquiat (1960-1988). The first film, Basquiat (Julian Schnabel, dir. 1996)
is a fiction film about the artist's life starring Jeffry Wright as Basquiat, Benecio del Toro as the artist's friend and David Bowie as Andy Warhol. The second film,
Downtown 81 stars Basquiat as himself. The selected clips highlight different aspects of the art market, including how artist's market themselves, how they
'become famous,' the relationship between artists, dealers and galleries, and so on. Take note of these and other aspects you glean from these clips to write
your own definition of the art market in 250 words or less in the space next to your name provided below. Comment on each other's definition in the comment box.
On the last day of class, you will be asked to rewrite your definition of the art market based on what you have learned in this class.
Basquiat
Chapter 6: Fame, Integrity And the Beating machine
Chapter 14: A Primal Impressionist
Chapter 15: Philosophy and Caviar With Warhol
Downtown 81
Chapter 4: Eviction
Chapter 8: Mrs. Cavalcanti
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Individual Contributions
Christina Chaplin
Dalanda Jalloh
Charles Saunders
Lipei Yu
H Hunt Bradley III
Daniel Chazen
Money, power, and people using each other to get what they want are the first words that come to mind in defining the art market. Artists know that their work can have value and that there are customers willing to pay for it. The money is as important to the artist as it is to the customer; it is what fuels the relationship between the two. For example, while Mrs. Cavalcanti in the Downtown 81 film may have a physical attraction to Basquiat, the money is what moves their relationship. As much as Basquiat may be a talented artist and as much as Mrs. Cavalcanti may be seducing him and interested in his work, the money is the key to the art market transaction in which they engage on the couch in her apartment. And I think they both know that money is essential to the deal, but go through their encounter without talking much about it, as that would kind of distract from his value as an artist and her status as a rich person.
Power is probably as important as money in the art market. The artists have the goods that are in demand. And they can use their product to secure what they want. As depicted in the film Basquiat, an artist can use his art to "trade." Warhol tells Basquiat he should not be giving "away" his work. Warhol's relationship with Basquiat is a perfect example of how power defines the art market. Warhol wants to befriend Basquiat for his artistic ability, while Basquiat seems to befriend Warhol for his fame.
Kwame Nana-Atoo
Joo Shin
McKenzie Sullivan
Elena Cestero
Kelly Zona
Consider & comment:
Please use this space to respond to your classmates' work and to engage in lively discussions on the day's topic. Keep your comments concise and conversational by responding to others, rebutting or supporting their ideas. Use the comment box below for these observations.