ArtTactic

Spencer Hyman – Artfinder

5 August 2012

In this edition of the ArtTactic Podcast, we speak with Spencer Hyman, founder and CEO of Artfinder, the world’s largest online art catalogue. First, Spencer familiarizes us with Artfinder and details the different services his online company provides its users. Having worked at Amazon and Last.fm, Spencer has been a part of two different transformations that changed how books and music were consumed online. Given these experiences, we asked him what is it about the art world that makes him feel a similar online metamorphisis is possible. Also, Spencer shares his thoughts on why online art sales haven’t taken off thus far and if there is potential for it too going forward.

Paul Aitken – Borro

23 July 2012

In this episode of the ArtTactic Podcast, we’re joined by Paul Aitken, founder and CEO of Borro, a new lending company who provides short-term personal asset loans against luxury goods such as fine art. First, Paul elaborates on the potential for growth within the art finanicng industry and explains how different entities within the art world are borrowing against their art. Then, he discusses how Borro has differentiated itself from other art lenders by creating a niche for themselves by offering loans even at the lower end of the market. Lastly, Paul details to what extent current economic conditions are influencing his valuations for different luxury goods.

Meg Maggio – Pekin Fine Arts

17 July 2012

In this edition of the ArtTactic Podcast, we’re joined by Meg Maggio, Director of Pekin Fine Arts, a Beijing-based contemporary art gallery, to talk about the state of the Chinese contemporary art market. First, Meg elaborates on the excitement currently in China to identify the next generation of rising artist stars and how similar this validation system is to the process in the US and Europe. Then, she describes to what extent her gallery’s Asian clients have embraced collecting US and European art. Also, Meg offers offers some advice to international galleries trying to sell their artworks to Asian collectors at Asian art fairs. Lastly, Meg talks about how much the Chinese art market has changed in the last two decades.

Kelly Crow – Wall Street Journal

10 July 2012

In this episode of the ArtTactic Podcast, Kelly Crow, art market reporter for the Wall Street Journal, joins us to recap the London June Contemporary auctions. First, Kelly breaks down the results of the auctions, while noting buying trends that emerged from the sales. Then, she discusses to what effect the European economic crisis impacted the sales. Also, dissecting the day sales, Kelly notes the softening lower end of the market as buyers become more selective.

David Arendt – Natural Le Coultre SA

29 June 2012

In this edition of the ArtTactic Podcast, David Arendt, General Manager of Natural Le Coultre SA, joins us to talk about the future Luxembourg Freeport which is expected to be complete in 2014. First, David analyzes the tax benefits of storing artwork and other goods within a freeport. Then, he walks us through a hypothetical scenario describing the process in which a dealer brings a work into the freeport, sells the work within the freeport and the new owner of the work leaves with the artwork. Additionally, David discusses the important of the freeport being located within the airport, while also detailing the different services offered within the freeport. Lastly, David describes the Luxembourg government’s role throughout the development of the freeport.

US and Europe Art Market Confidence Survey – June 2012 Video Preview

28 June 2012

In this video episode of the ArtTactic Podcast, we preview our June 2012 US and Europe Art Market Confidence Survey. The overall Contemporary Art Market Confidence Indicator came in at 48 down from 56, a decrease of 8.6% since January 2012. The latest results from the ArtTactic US & European Art Market Confidence survey this month show that respondents continue to feel confident about the post-war and contemporary art market, although the economic crisis in Europe and slowing Asian economies have started to weigh in negatively on the general art market sentiment.

Judd Tully – Art + Auction

21 June 2012

In this episode of the ArtTactic Podcast, Judd Tully, Editor at large of Art + Auction magazine, returns to the podcast to recap this year’s edition of Art Basel. With the global markets on edge throughout the duration of the fair, Judd shares with us to what extent collectors and dealers at the fair believe this economic uncertainty will impact the art market. Then, Judd compares the present contemporary art market to the marketplace just before the last market downturn. Also, he touches on pricing and aesthetic trends at this year’s fair.

Mauro Herlitzka – PINTA

30 May 2012

In this edition of the ArtTactic Podcast, Mauro Herlitzka, Institutional Director of PINTA, joins us to preview PINTA London and provide us with an update on the state of the Latin American art market. First, Mauro identifies some of the trends in the contemporary Latin American art scene that will be manifested at this year’s edition of the fair. With PINTA hosting fairs in both New York and London, Mauro then compares the development of the Latin American art scenes in these two cultural capitals. Lastly, he discusses the shifting tastes in the Latin American art market towards contemporary art.

Katya Kazakina – Bloomberg News

28 May 2012

In this edition of the ArtTactic Podcast, Katya Kazakina, art market reporter for Bloomberg News, joins us to recap the May New York Contemporary auctions. First, Katya shares with us the market’s reaction to Mark Rothko’s “Orange, Red, Yellow” selling for a record $86.9 million. Then, she speculates on the reasons why the art market continues to thrive despite significant economic uncertainty, especially in Europe. Lastly, Katya details how the market responded to the plethora of works at auction by Gerhard Richter and Cindy Sherman, both of whom are the subject of recent major retrospectives.

Magnus Renfrew – ART HK

20 May 2012

In this episode of the ArtTactic Podcast, we’re here with Magnus Renfrew, fair director of ART HK, to recap this year’s edition of the fair. First, Magnus touches on the level of sales this year as well as the type of artists exhibited compared to past years at the fair. Then, he discusses the evolving strategies implemented by US & European galleries to attract Asian collectors. Magnus also shares his thoughts on the increasing trend of blue chip galleries establishing posts in Hong Kong. Lastly, now that Art Basel has acquired ART HK, he reveals any changes we can expect in future years at the fair.