Signs

Gillian Wearing looks at the psychological impact of modern society. Her first major work is titled, “Signs that say what you want them to say and not Signs that say what someone else wants you to say” (1992-93). This series portrays psychology involved within different classes and cultures. Wearing takes pictures of various members of society. The people photographed include a policeman, a man in a suit, and an older looking couple. Wearing spontaneously stopped people on the street and had them write down a phrase then she took a photograph. Some of these pictures are actually very comedic, because it’s exactly what the viewer would not expect to be written. For example, a well shaven man in a suit is not expected to admit that he’s desperate. However, that’s exactly what his sign says. Another photograph has a man with messy hair holding a sign with a very insightful message. When looking at these pictures, the viewer suddenly becomes connected to modern society and culture.

Why You Should Buy Art

“I don’t begrudge the wealth or values, but I do believe that art is made freely and for more than those who can afford to own it,” says artist William Powhida, who created this absolute masterpiece. This artwork was selling for $20 for an edition of 200 on 20x200’s website. A college student first being exposed to this couldn’t get more out of it. It is moving! A business major sitting in an Intro to Visual Arts class on the first day is thinking, “Am I ever really going to buy art? For what reasons?” A college student is worrying about how much cash is on hand for the Keystone Lights and Crystal Palace this weekend. Now those are cheap and give you a good experience! However, access to great contemporary art is not always limited to high prices. In other words, all great art will not cost the same as your college tuition. People should buy art if they are looking for an experience. And if you don’t think you could come up with a motive, read through the 26 reasons and you will find something!

Art for Aesthetic or Investment Purposes?

The idea of collecting art is different to many people. Some people collect art for aesthetic purposes. Others collect art strictly for investment purposes. Alberto Mugrabi is a prime example of an art collector solely looking for a high return on his investments, or art. To him, art for aesthetic reasons and art as an investment seem like interchangeable phrases. The Mugrabis do not own a gallery or represent artists. According to the 2009 New York Times article linked below, the Mugrabis are private dealers who sell works in about 100 art auctions annually, or about one auction every three days. Alberto Mugrabi states, “We’re market makers. You can’t have an impact buying one or two pictures per artist. We’re not buying art like Ron Lauder – just to put it on a wall. We want inventory.” When he describes art like this, he is describing it in the way a hedge fund manager invests in commodities. A hedge fund manager will have a large holding in say, copper, to manipulate the price to appreciate.

Art has been a hot commodity on Wall-Street. The Bloomberg terminal, which Wall Street tycoons use for stock picking and economic analysis, actually has an art function where you could look up information on exhibits and artists. Finance majors use the Bloomberg Terminal in Siena College’s trading room to conduct analyses on various companies, commodities, economies, etc. The image below shows a snapshot of the computer image from the Bloomberg Terminal, showing recent information on the economic impact of art. Some people believe that the concept of art as an investment has gone too far. Others see it as an investment opportunity.

NY Times, Is Anybody Buying Art These Days?

Money Finds a Way

            Art has taken a long and twisted road to its place in the world today. The road has always been filled with greed however never as overtly as during the recent era of consumerism. The relocation and display of art works began as the spoils of war. It was a way for the victorious country to display the works taken from a nation defeated in battle. Museums were first constructed in the late 1800s. As can been seen by the MET and other museums they were often very impressive structures. The daunting and powerful appearances of these museums contributed to the art viewing experience. When one enters one of these structures it gives the feel of entering a very important area equivalent to that of a government building.

            Later came the growth of galleries which differed in many ways from museums. First galleries are often much smaller structures and rather unimpressive from the outside. The inside differs as well; it often highlights the more contemporary works of art. There are many critics of galleries however they are important in providing access to the public and a venue for art that otherwise would not be deemed worthy of museum space.
            Galleries and museums in fact complement each other. Galleries provide the access and place for “newer art”. While, museums continue to provide a standard and “weed out” fads and place the proper emphasis on movement and works as well as provide proper historical context. Simply put the gallery is about access the museum is about status. Despite complementing each other they also compete.

            Galleries breed collection, greed and according to many art critics the improper spike in the art market. While muesuems struggle to afford new works of art as a result. Art for some has lost its true soul and became about making money. Major works are now purchased by the independently wealthy and major shows sponsored by corporations. However, in the world today it is in no way unique to art. Take for example, college football’s bowl games. The Rose Bowl which is in its 97^th year is no longer the Rose Bowl but rather the Rose Bowl presented by Vizio. The best seats for the Rose Bowl? They don’t go to the most devoted and intense fans but rather expensive corporations that reward costumers and try to land new clients.

            Whether art or sports or some other genre it is an unfortunate reality of today’s world that money will always find a way to take precedent.