MARIA KATIA TUFANO - conservazione arte contemporanea

COLLECTING CONTEMPORARY ART

Creating a collection of contemporary art requires more than just a thorough knowledge of the contemporary art market. Understanding its historical and artistic aspects, along with professional understanding of the materials used are what allow for a focused acquisition of a collection. These are the disciplines that the art advisor combines to help guide the collector.

Collecting contemporary art can represent a reliable method of investment, providing it is accurately planned. Three aspects: the Market, the Materials and knowledge of Art History can minimize the margins of risk when buying art. The role of the art advisor combines an understanding in these three distinct areas of interest.

In the past these three aspects were covered by three different professionals: the gallerist, the restorer and the art historian. Collectors had to find trustworthy partners in each of them. Nowadays the art advisor serves as unique point of reference for the three disciplines. The ability to combine knowledge in three distinct fields of interest makes the art advisor invaluable to the potential collector.

The Market in contemporary art is based on a constant research, a regular attendance of international art fairs and exhibitions, and the understanding of the relations between artists, gallerists and collectors. The Art Advisor must be able to detect which works of art have the best potential to increase their value and therefore influence the prestige of a collection.

Knowledge of the Materials allows a clear analysis of the conditions of the art piece and therefore ensure its proper conservation. The materials of which the art piece consists, the way they have aged, the manner in which the art has been stored or displayed play a major role in assessing its value and prospected financial increase. Investing mainly on the name of an artist might present risks that the art advisor will detect and avert.

Art Historical Knowledge means the art advisor understands how the artwork fits into and contextualizes with the overall art market. A thorough understanding of the history of art and its evolution makes it possible to ascertain the originality and relevance of the art piece in historical context.