TOOLS FOR THE FUTURE: RESEARCHING ART MARKET PRACTICES FROM PAST TO PRESENT

An Auction at the Hotel Drouot 1876, Private collection, courtesy of Talabardon & Gautier, Paris

Academic Conference and Workshop
on
The Formation and Development of New Markets
TOOLS FOR THE FUTURE: RESEARCHING ART MARKET PRACTICES FROM PAST TO
PRESENT

Thursday 30 May, Royal Academy
Friday 31 May, Kingston School of Art, Kingston University

As the art market has grown and evolved worldwide, there have been many instances where new areas of
production, trade, collecting and valuation of art have emerged. This academic conference and workshop focuses
on exploring new paradigms and ways that art markets function, whether in the primary or secondary sector.
The aim of this two-day conference and workshop is to evaluate, analyse and explore the range of mechanisms by
which a particular ‘product’ enters the art market, how these markets evolve and who are the key players
whether collectors or dealers,) individuals or institutions as well as the range of other agents. Well document
prior areas of research into art market innovation, emergence and growth include17th century imports of Chinese
and Japanese ceramics, lacquers and textiles; the market for 17th century Dutch and Flemish paintings in Paris and
London during the 18th century; and the rise of the Barbizon school in 19th-century Paris. More recently we have
seen the emergence of photography and street art as important areas of production introducing both
opportunities and risks to existing and new players. New art forms such as digital and video art raise further
questions as to whether existing models of agency are still appropriate and thus, whether new technology is
fundamentally changing the creation, trade, consumption and validation of art.
This conference invites new and existing research around the emergence of art markets, their evolution and
dynamics. Conference topics will include: the role of the state in the development of markets, the role of the artist.
The art fair and the collector the creation of new markets, the dealer and the market, mapping markets, the role o
f new media and impact of social change – with an ongoing focus and discussion on the tools, techniques,
research methods and strategies which enable the study of art markets.
In-depth discussion following each group of papers will allow participants to explore the complex relationships
between the different factors that create, support and sustain the rise or fall of particular markets. The workshop
ends with two round table discussions to explore further the methodologies involved in researching new
markets.
For further information or to register please email adrianaturpin@gmail.com

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