WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT? - Predicting the Art Market

BIG IDEA:

Predicting what new buyers of art will want surfaces if you pay attention to what their new new is; what is their new luxury or representation of it? What do they want to feel connected to?

(Was street art so suddenly in high-demand by fucking art buyers because today's new modern buyer identifies the ability to break rules and freedom as the a sign of success and power?Above, work by street artist Banksy.)

Inspiration:

"The enlightened modern man and woman would want to acquire art that reflected their exciting new world, not stodgy brown paitings full of acient religious iconography." (pg 41)

Example in Practice:

As Gompertz explains it in "WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT?", art dealer Paul Durand-Ruel predicted that during a post-revolutionary time in Paris and London (mid 1800's) the new social class to note was the bourgeoisie, and, for them, "Leisure was the new thing... and that, he predicted, was what the punters would buy: images of people similar to themselves..."(pg 41). Cue in impressionism, and turns out The Fucker was right.

How to Use It:

This approach isn't for everyone, but certainly for those who find it hard to break in and connect to the traditional, regular, seasoned buyer. Fucking forget them, and hone in on a group that could...or will...connect with your work. Whether through them looking up to its subject(s) and therefore wanting to associate with it, or having it reflect their views.

The flip side is to change your artistic approach to have this type of connection with a more desirable buying group, or market. But, that miiiiight lead to a dirty, dark, create-for-them path. You've been fucking warned.