Follow Up Friday
A little summary of the week that’s just been!
Including art history news, DIY tips, exhibition & literature reviews, auction announcements, etc.
Email me with your ideas. I’d love to hear from you.
1. 20 Innovative Collectors
A new generation of collectors is beginning to blossom in the art world. It’s not just about being a patron anymore. Young collectors have began to collect in new and innovative ways such as Leonardo DiCaprio’s 11th Hour sale at Christie’s (see above), or the video and media arts collection of Ingvild Goetz, which is set to be the largest in the world. Themes emerge in celebrity collections, such as the YBA art amassed by The Beckham’s around love. See the full list on artnet here.
2. Vogue’s Guide to Toronto
Vogue starts off it’s piece:
After years of being described as “just like New York but smaller,” Toronto has some legitimate reasons for newfound bravado.
West Queen West was named the world’s second coolest street by the magazine earlier this year, Toronto now has a title to uphold. The fashion bible has curated a list of where to shop, what to eat, how to culture yourself whilst visiting one of Canada’s culture capitals. The list includes The Art Gallery of Ontario, Bar Isabel, and the TIFF Bell Lightbox among other desirable destinations. Click here to see the full list. See any glaring omissions?
3. Assistant Magazine Makes It’s Debut
Fashion assistants Brais Vilasó and Xim Ramonell have taken their experience in the industry and turned it into a self funded venture called Assistant. Fashionista interviewed the pair on the eve of the publications launch. In the world of Fashion, everyone starts out as an assistant, working their way up through the ranks.
We wanted to know where they came from, if they want to do their own work, if they want to stay as assistants — you could have a very good life if you’re assisting someone big,” Vilasó, who currently works as a fashion assistant and has held stints at major houses like Balenciaga, told Fashionistaover the phone from Paris.
The pair found it a challenge to find subjects to write on as many brands and houses were hesitant to allow their employees to speak of events that happen behind closed doors. Even with these challenges they managed to get some fairly high profile interviews, such as Jennifer Csengody, the head executive assistant to Bergdorf’s Linda Fargo and Maisie Williams from Game of Thrones fame graces the cover. Read more on Fashionista here.
4. How Easy Is It To Get An Art-Backed Loan?
This has long been the question: buying art as an investment, rather than for enjoyment. Forbes delves into the idea of art-secured loans and lending against fine art assets. Only some banks offer these types of loans, and at very low rate (of around 2.5% to 3%) but only to ultra high-net-worth collectors. Read more about this fascinating element of the art market that is usually only accessible to top end collectors on the Forbes site here.
5. Caravaggio Masterpiece Found!
I first saw this mentioned on Art History News here, with a link to Italian publication La Repubblica but then it was later picked up by the English press in The Guardian. Phewf! because I don’t speak Italian. Discovered in a private collection, the picture has been missing from the knowledge of academics for years. Here’s the gist of the details on the discovery of Penitent Magdalene by Neapolitan master Caravaggio via The Guardian:
Mina Gregori, 90, president of the Roberto Longhi foundation of art history studies in Florence and author of several books on the baroque painter, said she was 100% sure she had found the original Mary Magdalene in Ecstasy. “I have become a connoisseur,” she said. “And I know a Caravaggio when I see one.”
Read all the details on this little find here.
