Traveling to the fairs is also more attainable than it was
before. The young can attend TEFAF without breaking
the bank. It is a feast for the eyes after all, and an
opportunity to admire the very best of art.
A DISTINCT OPPORTUNITY
It could well be that the financial gains and stratospheric
prices achieved by Contemporary and Modern Art at
the big auction houses, could substantially reduce their
interest in “old” art. If this proves to be true, the dealing
of “old” art will revert back to the dealerships. This would
mean availability, knowledge and larger exhibitions
through galleries and art fairs.
TEFAF and its exhibitors could embrace these challenges,
and not only shape and maintain the fair’s viability but
grow its popularity worldwide. Education provides is the
key to address this. Dealers must continue to advise,
nourish and cater to their existing clients, but they
should also motivate, share and welcome the untapped
enthusiasm that exists among new and future collectors.
By creating compelling human stories on each piece of
art, it becomes alive and real. It suddenly touches history
and the fascinating journey of the artist, the historical
moment, the meaning behind it and the stories of those
that have enjoyed the piece through the years.
Conferences during and after TEFAF where the public
could participate via the Internet could potentially grow
the amount of tangible interest for this art category.
To those far away and unable to attend the fair, it
could be an important opportunity to hear and learn
from the most knowledgeable practitioners, and to
admire and understand the best pieces. Webcasting
these educational events and maintaining momentum
throughout the year would bring an enormous awareness
of the fair, the dealers and the vast and extraordinary
world of art to all of those searching for knowledge.
There are many more ways to promote, disseminate knowledge, and welcome new and future
collectors. Webcast educational conferences could be used globally for lectures at universities, art
institutions and the public at large. Technology is also bringing to the field of Fine Arts the tools to
discover new elements and correct errors that were impossible to detect in the past. Each object can
be viewed from so many new perspectives through technological advances, and these new discoveries
open new fields of interests for all of us.
Meb3