I really do love it. We travel all over the place with a big focus on going to museums*, we go to art fairs, we’re members at both the MFA and the ICA and I have had some small success myself as an artist.
Then I see something like this:
Hirst Sells Skull for $100 Million, Manager Says
Don’t get me wrong. While I think it’s a ridiculous thing, that Hirst skull is really a remarkable object* and is as instantly famous a piece of art as I can remember (ignoring some more controversial works that were famous for being infamous.) The price tag and the gaudiness of the thing made for irresistible press. So the idea of it selling for his asking price is something I can definitely live with. After chewing it over for a few months, I actually applaud him for the whole thing. The real problem I have is that Hirst’s record price is now greater than every single old master. As I often mention when talking about these things, the true Old Master masterpieces are all locked up in very permanent collections and haven’t traded hands (in most cases) since Europe was dominated by monarchies.* Still, being an Old Master geek of the highest order and someone comletely fascinated by the market for art, antiques and collectibles, there’s something about the fact that Hirst has jumped ahead (even under these circumstances) of Leonard Da Vinci, Vermeer, Caravaggio, Rembrandt, etc. makes me slightly mental.
*I forget where I read it, but someone commented that if it were found in a tomb it would instantly be hailed as one of the most precious objects in history
**For a primary example, La Gioconda (The Mona Lisa) has been in the hands of the French government since 1516 when it was purchased by King Francis I.
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By Artinthepicture.com blog 2007/08/30 - 13:57
Art has become fashion, very very exclusive fashion. And looking at the price tag of an artwork will never be the correct way to value it. I don’t feel you should even think of it as a popularity contest.
By rob 2007/08/30 - 15:04
You make an excellent point about fashion. I’m not really thinking of it as a popularity contest, though. I’ve seen the crowds in front of The mona Lisa, etc. I know that people really do appreciate those great old paintings, it’s just one of those trivial things that bugs me.