Marija MB’s Reviews > Collecting Contemporary > Status Update

Next you will encounter the hardcore primary dealers. They dont really have time for you, they are too busy being serious about art, or they have to run off to deal with an artist, an installation or some other excuese. Some of these gallerist are virtually artists in their own right, and can be more exciting and creative then the artists they represent

You will first of all find the slick secondary-market dealers. They look good in Prada suits, they are entertaining and international, and they can help secure dinners at hot restaurants and private parties. They make sure you're having fun

With auction preview parties, countless gallery openings and dinners, as well as the festivities in Venice, London, Basel and Miami, the art scene will fill your calendar if you let it, and introduce you to lots of new people, places and ideas. The social scene is made up of different layers of insiders and outsiders, and before you schooze it is best to distinguish the various characters you will meet.

Why are they all here? The Contemporary Art world is fast becoming a major social event, and people are there to see and be seen, as much to look at and perhaps buy art.

The number of people showing up at auction previews and art fairs grows and grows. Most of them have money but buy nothing. Why? Because they are lacking knowledge of art or connoisseurship, so therefore are afraid to buy. They know little and are afraid to rebeal their ignorance, so they feign indifference.

Read magazines: Artforum, frieze, Art in America, Parkett, Art + Auction, The Art Newspaper, Flash Art.. and research the galleries and the museums that show works by the artist.

The internet can provide a lot of interesting information on an artist and his or her career and market.

Artnet features an extensive Price Database, which you can consult to sea auction prices and images from worldwide auction results.

Next, read the essays. You dont have to agree with everything that's said about an artist, but you need to know what the artist is about, and how the work is discussed and presented in the museum and critical contexts.

First of all, buy whatever books or museum catalogues of the artist that you can find. Carefully, examine every image and pay attention to who owns which pieces.

If you just want to buy art only because you like it, or you are decorating your home, or you're looking for the right colour painting to match your wallpaper, stop reading here. If, on the other hand you want to collect seriously you will have to do your homework before you buy.

Art was always a part of my life, but I didn't really look at works as collectibles or investments, it was just another part of my upbringing.