Yesterday, Munch’s Scream sold for a record for a piece of artwork, $119.9 million dollars. That seems like an incredible amount of money on one hand and really not that much on the other. Money is just like trading beads, or whatever, for something more desired. It is a way that humans have come up with to put a value on different items. Sometimes someone gets way too many beads and uses them for silly purposes. (Not saying this was a silly purpose.) For me it is hard to believe that this piece of art sold for more than any other piece of art in all history. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Munch actually painted 4 different screams over the years – this one was the most desirable since it came from a family in Norway that knew the artist directly and it has never been available on the art market – I believe he painted this version in 1904 – 1st one was done in the 1890’s.
The person that sold it wants to build a museum where the artist lived with the proceeds.
The screaming man just needed a long bike ride in the country! That should solve all his existential problems.
Yes, beauty is in the eye of the beerholder.
Art is a form of currency amongst the filthy rich:
“Hirst’s spot paintings, for example, are made by employees and untouched by the artist, a fact that did not prevent them becoming status symbols for the rich and famous.
The artist has come to embody the spirit of 1990s London where his works, often given intriguing titles, appealed to hedge fund managers and oligarchs as well as an art world clamoring for new ideas.
Championed early on by collector Charles Saatchi, Bristol-born Hirst personifies conspicuous consumption, yet the 46-year-old, with a fortune estimated at over 200 million pounds, insisted that the art came first.
“I’m one of those lucky artists that makes money in their lifetime, and makes lots of money,” he said. “I’m not afraid of that but I think the goal’s always been to make art and not money. Making money is a by-product, a very happy by-product.
“I think art’s the greatest currency in the world. Gold, diamonds, art — I think they are equal … I think it’s a great thing to invest in.”
http://news.yahoo.com/art-worlds-greatest-currency-says-hirst-164252195.html
The pity is that this painting’s now destined to live in the vault as someone’s investment tool rather than on the wall as art.
Money is a social status symbol.
Scarcity is a requirement for a symbol like money or art to become a proxy for social status.
Though, not all things scarce are a proxy for social power. Right?
Turn that concept on it’s head and use Linux as your personal computer OS! It mostly powers the Internets already.