For whom are art fairs intended?
A debate at the Saatchi Gallery on October 7th, it was issued that whether the art market is the best judge of good art or not. According to the introduction of this event, even though Picasso’s Nude, Green Leaves and Bust sold for £65 million, the high prices are not always reflect artistic merit.
It is generally concerned that some of contemporary arts are over-priced. However, I believe that its bubble might be bursted and it will vitalise the art market as one of the biggest creative industries.
When it comes to the art markets, I think we MACE(and MAIBME) members might more concern about the money, as we see the arts from standpoint of the Creative economy. Before visiting Frieze Art Fair this coming Friday, I would like to think about this issue together and share some ideas.
ART FAIRS ARE ABOUT MONEY NOT ART
The debate ‘Art fairs are about money not art’ took place at the Saatchi Gallery on March 29th 2010.
Speakers: Matthew Slotover, Simon de Pury, Sir Norman Rosenthal, Jasper Joffe, Matthew Collings, Louisa Buck
Saatchi Gallery Debate: Art Fairs Are About Money Not Art from Saatchi Gallery on Vimeo.
Ways of Seeing 
Hey Kyungwon,
nice you started some discussion about the art market and fairs! Concerning your question “For whom are art fairs intended” I found some interesting interviews giving additional and diverse opinions on that complex topic depending on the person you ask:
http://www.mrporter.com/intl/journal.mrp?feature=journal_issue34feature3&pageField=Page%206#1
I think Mr Oliver Hogan, artist showing at FRIEZE this week, merges the two main points in one sentence by saying that “Art fairs are the spaces where galleries do a large part of their commercial business but they also provide a congregation point for international art-world players to come together in one place at the same time, and that’s a fertile place for the exchange of ideas.” So,Yes, art fairs play an important role for the arts business market, but they are also a
networking space for artists and art lovers. Thus it should be a win win situation and the question is if this can still be warranted or if it essentially are the “rich people” like Jasper Joffe said during the debate at Saatchi Gallery, availing themselves of todays art fairs. I have never been to such an important and huge art fair like FRIEZE, so I am very excited how it influences my thoughts about this specific topic.
Personally I has thought the art fairs are always relate to money as it is a kinds of market. However, on the other hand, it could be interesting for people who like to see arts, like we enjoy window shopping in the markets!!
A thoughts-rpovoking discussion on art, value and consumerism. Thank you for sharing it!
I think it is quite controversial issue as we can not see the art market just as economic sense.