miguelf's review
4.0
A fairly depressing take on the modern art as this really isn’t a documentation of the art itself but the market forces that drive sales and revenue in the market. That said, when you get past the commodification aspects, there are a lot of interesting takes here from highlighting historical aspects like Castelli’s influence as a dealer (rather than being all about Greenberg for once), of course the modern market makers (especially Gagosian and Saatchi) and just learning about the size of the market (i.e., not as large as one might imagine). Though he covers the seedier side of the market, it seems like there was much more to mine (for example, he doesn’t bring up the criminal charges landed against Mary Boone or some of the more nefarious aspects in this world).
realreads's review against another edition
3.0
The book is entirely too long, and to be honest, not all that well written.
Despite this, it deserves 3 stars due to content. I learned so much about the economics of contemporary art dealing. It has already changed both how I look at art and what I can get out of art stories in the media.
Despite this, it deserves 3 stars due to content. I learned so much about the economics of contemporary art dealing. It has already changed both how I look at art and what I can get out of art stories in the media.
maddy_sharp's review against another edition
3.0
I love art and I am fascinated by the contemporary art market, but even with an art history degree, this book was a little over my head. Loved the artist and auction house anecdotes, but the explanations of the economics at play were very hard to understand if you don’t know a lot about investment banking or hedge funds. Interesting read!
mattrohn's review against another edition
3.0
A little narrow and gets repetitive in its central argument but covers a lot of ground and easily accessible to its intended audience
saralynnburnett's review
5.0
LOVED this book. It is non fiction and all about the ridiculous world of contemporary art. Some of the descriptions of the works of art (and their prices) had me laughing for DAYS!
atsundarsingh's review
2.0
I loved the anecdotes in this book. There was acquisition by rock, paper, scissors. There was locking rich people out of a premiere so they could "experience exclusion". Regrettably though, the authors refuses to consider in detail any of the angles he introduces other than the idea that people are motivated by branding and a lack of knowledge. While I was pretty convinced those were huge factors, I was hoping for a little more in terms of interesting connective tissue. Just google the anecdotes instead.
mrjoe's review
3.0
Although there are a few interesting anecdotes and art marketing tidbits of value, the minutiae of the economic strategies used by top auction houses wore me out. I much preferred Seven Days in the Art World over this book.
jjweisman's review
4.0
As clear as its subject can be mystifying. Without rancor or judgment, Thompson lays out the factors leading to such pricey ex-predators, and the questions which their interplay raise.
idyalz's review
2.0
An esoteric and jargon-filled book that describes the contemporary art world in a way that bears no impact whatsoever on society overall. There is no necessity to read this book except for that minuscule minority who wish to purchase $50,000+ worth of paintings as an investment; in other words, this book fails to give meaning to anything truly important and is as fluffy, vapid, and superficial as the practice itself. The pretentiousness that oozes from each page is hard to swallow, and his mid-2000s case studies make the book now seem dated. Moreover, the book is riddled with minor errors on titles of artwork and facts about important people in the art world. Where's a fact checker when you need one?