"The Fair"

          For my grad seminar class we have been reading "Seven Days in the Art World." This weeks' focus was on "The Fair" and "The Prize."Author Sarah Thorton gives up a "day in the life of" each of these major arteries of the larger, elite, financed arenas of the art world. For the chapter on the fair, she visits Art Basel in Switzerland. This is one of the premier contemporary art fairs in the world and has also inspired many other fairs internationally. With humble beginnings in the 70's, it has metamorphosed into a sophisticated institution that plays match maker to many of the most powerful art dealers and collectors (and speculators) in the world. Galleries that normally have thousands of square feet to exhibit large scale contemporary or emerging works tightly knit their creme de la creme in 800 square feet. Sarah describes a frenzied scrum waiting in the early hours of the morning for the opening hours for VIP who have mostly arrived on private jets. This is where the big bets, investments and trades are made in the Art industry. This isn't a place for artist's themselves necessarily, as the atmosphere tends to get into their heads in ways that could be detrimental to all involved. They essentially could be contaminated. It was likened to (in two separate instances) as walking into someones or your parents bedroom while they are having sex.
          One thing that really stood out to me was that the collectors and dealers often see themselves as playing a vital role in the life of the artist. Some described it as mentoring them. I also found it curious that collectors espoused a value in the integrity of the artist. It was important to them that the artist really believe in something. They really want a stake in something defined and yet they want to influence and shape it as well.
          Though I am sure that many are well meaning and do much sincere good for the artist, I was reminded of the ancient proverb from the Hebrew Scriptures:

"When you sit to dine with a ruler,

note well what is before you,

and put a knife to your throat

if you are given to gluttony. 

Do not crave his delicacies,

for that food is deceptive.

Do not wear yourself out to get rich;

have the wisdom to show restraint. 

Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone,

for they will surely sprout wings

and fly off to the sky like an eagle

.

Do not eat the food of a stingy man,

do not crave his delicacies;

for he is the kind of man 

who is always thinking about the cost.

“Eat and drink,” he says to you,

but his heart is not with you.

You will vomit up the little you have eaten

and will have wasted your compliments"

 

Ultimately, it is good to be aware of these practices. It is not inherently bad to be involved with them. However, personally to chase after this kind of exposure or potential financial gain is like chasing the wind. Few artists will find their work in these places and those who do must be careful not to lose themselves in the process.