Amidst the swirl of the art fairs, museum shows, private exhibition spaces, parties and flagrant consumption, the rage of discontent finally hit print. Adam Lindemann shouted a boycott of the fairs in his New York Observer article on November 29. Charles Saatchi decried the hideousness of the art world on Friday, Dec 2. In the Art Newspaper, Swiss-based collector, Bijan Kherzi, claimed the art world “has been hijacked by the very same forces that poisoned the world of finance”.While newbies are awed by the splash of the fairs, the seasoned and sophisticated are swearing it’s the last time for them. And yet, the beat goes on. The art world as manifest in Miami is a microcosm of the global art world. The game is being played at many different levels of access, knowledge and complexity. At Art Basel, the most prestigious contemporary galleries in the world vie for the wealthiest and most savvy collectors around the globe. The works on offer are spectacular at breathtaking prices. At the satellite fairs, galleries seek recognition for themselves and their artists, with the hope of enough sales to at least cover  their expenses. Amidst the gaiety and sunshine is an underlying tension for everyone to go, look, see and spend. It’s a big shopping trip. To read more from Art Advisory Dorothy Goldeen’s Blog, click here.

Tags: Art Basel, Dorothy Goldeen