If you were at the last Artelligence conference, you’ll know first hand that Adam Lindemann is remarkably frank about the art market.
During his presentation, an audience member asked about the amount of control a relatively small group of dealers, collectors and museum officials has over which artists receive attention and acclaim. Many might have ducked that question or deflected it, Lindemann’s response was to simply acknowledge that the art world is not a democracy.
The same can be said of Lindemann’s Observer columns which are often quoted on this site.
Now, Lindemann has launched his own website as a place to gather his art market writing in one place. The site also offers him the opportunity to be more accessible to the curious.
Lindemann has a Q&A section on the site which will allow readers to send him queries. Given his previous track record as a no-question-can-discomfit-him interlocutor, this could be a lot of fun.
Here’s a sample of what Lindemann envisions:
Joseph Duveen, NYC. September 5, 2011
Q: Art is easy to buy, but how do I know when to sell?
A: Several people ask this simple question, but the answer is complex. I can’t help you because you haven’t defined your collecting goals. Do you want to preserve art, use art for power, a show of wealth, do you LOVE art or is it just a “game”? If you are solely interested in making money, buy a financial instrument, not a painting.
Betty Draper, Rye, NY. September 5, 2011
Q: I want to collect art but I just don’t know where to begin, and I’m afraid it’s too expensive, what to do?
A: Art is available at every price point, and don’t forget even the top artists in the World started selling for almost nothing. Research is your first key, buy my book, read every art magazine, see the shows, and buy the books on artists you respond to. Then find someone you can trust, a dealer or an art advisor and find your way. You’ll have to start somewhere, so jump in, fear is your enemy, great collectors take great chances, you can start by taking small ones.
