"It's not rubbish, it's ART, dearie..."

rustic

Esteemed Pedelecer
May 31, 2008
288
42
North Essex
'In 2001, a Damien Hirst installation at London's Eyestorm Gallery consisting of a collection of beer bottles, coffee cups and overflowing ashtrays was cleared away. Later, in 2004, a bag of paper and cardboard by German artist Gustav Metzger was also thrown out while on a display at Tate Britain'

Sorry, but I fell off my chair laughing at that.

On a positive note, I have submitted the broken chair pieces to the Tate Modern to display in their upcoming artists exhibition in the turbine hall...
 

flecc

Member
Oct 25, 2006
53,157
30,573
I think we have to face the fact that art at the top of the market today is not about art but investment. It really doesn't matter what the item is, just so long as it has a name attached that commands a high price.

In an unstable financial and commodities world, alternative investment vehicles like property, farmland and art are used as safe havens for money, which might even gain in value but rarely lose.

The "art" works purchased as investments are never seen anyway, they remain just packed away, often in specialised storage locations rather than owners homes. For example there are specialised secure storage locations for all the exotic classic cars bought as investments, few are ever driven.
 
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rustic

Esteemed Pedelecer
May 31, 2008
288
42
North Essex
I think we have to face the fact that art at the top of the market today is not about art but investment. It really doesn't matter what the item is, just so long as it has a name attached that commands a high price.

In an unstable financial and commodities world, alternative investment vehicles like property, farmland and art are used as safe havens for money, which might even gain in value but rarely lose.

The "art" works purchased as investments are never seen anyway, they remain just packed away, often in specialised storage locations rather than owners homes. For example there are specialised secure storage locations for all the exotic classic cars bought as investments, few are ever driven.
I think that's very true Flecc. If I had a few spare thousand and a bit of space to store them, I would be quite tempted to invest in a couple of these:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/last-ever-vw-camper-van-set-to-be-made-in-brazil-9029140.html

They have their faults, I've owned a couple and spent a fortune on them, but their design has captivated many over the past 64 years.
 

flecc

Member
Oct 25, 2006
53,157
30,573
Yes, they are certainly classics, but from an investment point of view I think there are probably far too many of them for them to ever achieve a really high price.

Though most got beaten up, some were well preserved. I knew of one garaged and very little used original model over an eighteen year period for example. That was an unwanted present, hence it's minimal use, but it was faithfully serviced by the VW agent throughout. I know it sat unused for a further decade beyond that, but not what subsequently became if it.
 

flecc

Member
Oct 25, 2006
53,157
30,573
I have seen more and more inaccurate information & spelling mistakes on the BBC website of late.

Or maybe I'm just getting older & notice it more....
No, not just your age, their standards are abysmal now, especially when they were once held up to be the standard for the English language.
 

jdallan

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jan 18, 2013
306
165
During her visit last week we took our grand-daughter to Edinburgh and at her request visited some "art" galleries. We couldn't believe they were serious with some of the stuff on display and the prices attached. Who do they think they are kidding? There was a lot of pretentious cwrap accompanied by equally pretentious claptrap to justify its display. Needless to say we were in and out very quickly and I was pleased that my grand-daughter seemed to recognise the stuff for what it was!

Jim
 

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