As an Art History major I took all the classes that I could on Ancient and Medieval Art and Architecture. The most interesting classes to me were the ones that began in 3200 BC. For me the older the subject the better. Needless to say, though I was and still am interested in Contemporary art, I didn’t understand the fascination. What’s the appeal of a canvas painted solid blue, when there are Boticellis and Michelangelos?
The $12 Million Stuffed Shark by Don Thompson explains the process as well as the high demand of contemporary art. Most works done by these artists are meant to be conceptual and controversial. Damien Hirst and Andy Warhol are two contemporary artists whose art is known for being unique yet criticized. Warhol’s whole purpose was that by making silk screens anyone was able to copy them. Many conservators now can’t tell between an authentic or a replica, which was the idea. Damien Hirst didn’t catch, stuff or install the shark that he sold for $12 million, he just had the idea.
The business for these artists is all fueled by the wealthy collectors. People who are looking for huge investments buy art. Someone purchases a Francis Bacon and ten years later it’s worth ten times the amount. The reason that contemporary art is so popular is because of branding. Anyone can have a nice car or a sea side Villa, but not everyone can own an original Jasper Johns. It’s like carrying a Prada purse. The label or logo on the bag automatically shows your wealth.
Thompson touches on all of the angles of contemporary art and what makes it so interesting in our world today. Some of the most interesting points covered are the mixed media used, which ranges from paint, elephant dung, the artist’s own blood, and stuffed sharks. Other fun facts cover the most expensive paintings sold privately and at auctions as well as the most expensive painting sold per square inch: Madonna of the Pinks, an 11in x 14in Raphael, sold for £35 million to the Getty Museum.
-Sarah Clinton
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