EVENTS FOR CONTEMPORARY COLLECTORS

Gerard Traquandi, XXLH0405, 2005, oil on canvas. The work of this French-born artist will be shown at Art Basel.

Contemporary art enrages many people. Not necessarily because of the subject matter (although that can be a reason) but because they feel it doesn't take any skill. I value art based on what it has sold for in the past so my job isn't to defend it. What I will say is that there are a lot of collectors who love contemporary art and go out of their way to collect it. These are smart people, people who have done their research and understand why a particular piece or artist is important. Contemporary art is new and exciting. For art collectors it is exciting in the same way that the Apple iphone was exciting to people who are fascinated by new technology. If you want to learn more about contemporary art then you must attend or follow the happenings of these events.

ART BASEL - June 4-8, 2008
Art Basel. Just the words make collectors heave a collective sigh. Like lovesick teenagers, contemporary collectors plan their life around attending this event and reveling in the art. Art Basel hosts 300 galleries from North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and Africa. Ranging from rising stars to contemporary masters most of the who's who of the contemporary art world attend. But Art Basel isn't just about the paintings. Everything including lectures, books, art shows on stage, and art exhibits will be displayed during the event.
THE TURNER PRIZE - Sept. 30, 2008- Jan. 1, 2009
The Turner Prize was developed in 1984 to "celebrate new developments in contemporary art." Since that time, the publicity surrounding the prize has become just as famous as the prize itself. Known for promoting outrageous art the prize has brought more than praise and criticism to the host museum, Tate Britain. It has raised the profile and the budget of the museum as well as being recognized as the giver of the most prestigious art award in Europe. The Turner prize is judged by an annually changing jury. This year the nominees are Runa Islam, Mark Leckey, Goshka Macuga, and Cathy Wilkes.

Cathy Wilkes: 'Non-Verbal' (installation view), 2005