The ABC of Art - Collect art with artsation
You are interested in art, and would like to buy something? But you are still standing at the very beginning of your activity as a collector? In this section we have compiled the most important basic FAQ's!
How and where can I find information on art and collect knowledge?
If you are interested in art, you should seize any opportunity to learn more about it. Good sources are magazines and art books, exhibitions in galleries and museums, biennales and art fairs. It is important to keep in mind that exhibitions and biennales have a very different aim than art fairs. The latter are a place to sell art, which means there will be less difficult art than in exhibitions which are a good place to discover new things in a more relaxed atmosphere.
Which are the most renowned museums for contemporary art?
The most important museums in Germany are the Pinakothek der Moderne, Haus der Kunst, Deichtorhallen, Schirn, Städel, Museum Folkwang, Martin-Gropius-Bau, Hamburger Bahnhof and Museum Ludwig. However every museum does crucial work and each exhibition, be it in a museum, an art association or a gallery, can be a good place to find and get to know new and interesting artists.
Which medium is especially good for a new collector to find an entry into art?
This is a difficult question, in general everybody should collect according to his or her interests and preferences. Paintings, smaller objects, prints and drawings are certainly easier to handle than large installations or video art. The space requirements of a growing collection are another issue to keep in mind.
Buying art on the internet – what are the advantages?
At the beginning most innovations meet with a certain scepticism that soon lessens. More and more art fans use the internet to search for and purchase art. The benefits are obvious: Not everybody has the time to roam countless galleries to find the right artwork and many experience an understandable awe of the art market, which seems alien and full of opportunities for embarrassment at the beginning. Most of all, the internet offers an incredibly large variety, opportunity for direct comparison and also tranquility to consider works in peace and quiet. We think those are unbeatable arguments and are confident that any scepticism or awe, should some of it persist here and there, will soon be gone.
What are things to pay attention to when buying art on the internet? Which criteria should be kept in mind when choosing artworks?
Artsation works with renowned galleries in the selection of artists. We attach great importance to these cooperations, as the longstanding work of galleries inspires great trust in the costumers. Furthermore, the galleries' good names ensure authenticity and quality. The older an artwork is, the more proficiency should a collector have. For us it is most important to satisfy the costumer's wish for security and quality as well as to be able to find new, interesting and exciting art for him or her.
What makes contemporary art so popular and desirable?
That is for everybody to decide, but maybe it is the imagination, ingenuity and power of observation that gives artists the ability to find explanations for the world we live in time and again, to instil new meaning into it and make our lives better when we surround ourselves with art. Art is special! It can of course also be a good investment; we see every day how prices soar in auctions! There is no guaranty, yet with good consultation there is little to be done wrong in buying art as an investment.
Which contemporary artist should I know?
This could be a long list! For a first overview yearly rankings of magazines and online vendors are helpful, these are either based on the reputation or the prices reached in auctions. These are artists one should have heard of: Gerhard Richter, Cindy Sherman, Thomas Struth, Andreas Gursky, Ed Ruscha, Georg Baselitz, Diane Arbus, Louise Bourgeois, Yayoi Kusama, Franz West, Mona Hatoum, Martin Kippenberger, Rosemarie Trockel, William Kentridge, Marina Abramovic, Oko Ono, Thomas Demand, Bruce Nauman, Bernd & Hilla Becher Olafur Eliasson, Thomas Ruff, Pipilotti Rist, Anri Sala, Ai Weiwei, Christopher Wool, Paul McCarthy, Francis Alys, Isa Genzken, Thomas Schütte, Douglas Gordon, Nam June Paik, Valie Export, Tino Sehgal, Marlene Dumas, Fischli & Weiss, Maria Lassnig, Yin Xiouzen, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Mike Kelley. With regard to the art market Damien Hirst, Jeff Koons and Takashi Murakami are noteworthy. Older important artists are Andy Warhol, Joseph Beuys, Mark Rothko, Francis Bacon, Roy Lichtenstein, Willem de Kooning, Jackson Pollock, Yves Klein... and many more.
How much can contemporary art cost?
It is impossible to give recommendation here. Art generally costs as much as the buyer is ready to pay for it. Even if art is not just any commodity: The mechanisms of the art market are very similar to other markets.
How can contemporary art be classified with regards to style (such as abstract or figurative), material and technique?
Contemporary art spans are large range of materials, styles and forms. It is difficult to specify a dominant trend.