Description
Book SynopsisIn just half a century of growth, the art fair industry has transformed the art market. Now, for the first time, art market journalist Melanie Gerlis tells the story of art fairs' rapid ascent and reflects on their uncertain future. From the first post-war European art fairs built on the imperial 19th-century model of the International Exhibitions, to the global art fairs of the 21st century and their new online manifestations, it's a tale of many twists and turns.
The book brings to life the people, places and philosophies that enabled art fairs to take root, examines the pivotal market periods when they flourished, and maps where they might go in a much-changed world.
Trade Review 'a scintillating read’ –
Artnet News'could not have been better timed' –
Country LifeTable of ContentsSeries Editors' Foreword; 1. Introduction: The art fair phenomenon; 2. Early Days: Europe, 1966 to 1976; 3. Markets new and old: The US and Maastricht, 1976 to 1995; 4. Golden Age: London, 1995 to 2008; 5. Brave new worlds: Asia and the Middle East, 2008 to 2011; 6. Everywhere: 2011 to 2020; 7. Nowhere: 2020 to 2021; Notes; Bibliography; Acknowledgments; Index