Tag: Art Market

🎨 Introduction: A Shift in Perspective

Over the past week, my curatorial approach has gone through a major transformation. Initially, my project was an extension of last semester’s research, focusing on value construction and symbolic power in the art market 🎭, particularly how auctions shape the perception of cultural value. This was a familiar territory for me, something I had explored during my time at Sotheby’s.

But after diving into this week’s readings 📚—especially on archival studies, decentralization, and participatory curation—I started to realize: my curatorial approach could be bolder, more open, and more experimental.

I found myself increasingly drawn to decentralized curation and the NFT market 🔗💡—especially how they challenge the traditional role of curators and redefine audience participation. This realization pushed me out of my comfort zone , but it also led me to a more dynamic, experimental direction that better connects with my background in the art market. So, I decided to shift my curatorial framework and develop “Fluid Curating: Experimenting with Decentralized Art Ecologies and Archiving” .

💡 What Changed My Thinking?

Throughout my readings, a few key texts and ideas significantly influenced my thought process:

1️⃣ Curation is a Dynamic Process, Not a Static Product

Reading The Curatorial: A Philosophy of Curating by Jean-Paul Martinon (2013) really struck a chord with me. I was particularly drawn to his idea that curating is not just about putting works of art together, but a constantly changing, continuous process of generation. This got me thinking, why can’t the exhibition be more “fluid”? Could it be a space shaped by multiple forces, rather than a framework decided unilaterally by the curators? 🤔

2️⃣ Curation as a “Living Archive” Instead of a Static Record

In Living Archives (Färber, 2007), I saw a new way of curating – that archives could not only be static records but also evolving active ecology. It dawned on me that curation could actually become an open “archival system” in which audiences, artists, and even AI could contribute to its evolution.🏛️➡️💻

3️⃣ NFTs and the Decentralization of Curatorial Power

I used to think of NFTs mainly as digital collectibles, but after reading Issues in Curating Contemporary Art and Performance (Rugg & Sedgwick, 2007), I began to think: Can NFT be a curatorial tool? If the way artworks are displayed can be recorded via blockchain, then the exhibition itself becomes a transparent, traceable process, giving the audience greater decision-making power.🤯

4️⃣ The Potential of AI in Curating

Refik Anadol’s work and Algorithmic Curation (Golding, 2011) made me rethink AI’s role in exhibitions. AI can analyze market trends, generate curatorial texts, recommend artworks, and even predict future artistic movements 🔮. What does that mean for curators? Could AI become a co-curator rather than just a tool?

“Fluid Curation” : My new curatorial concept

“Curating on the Move: Experiments and Archives in Decentralized Art Ecology” is an experiment in future curatorial approaches. This project combines the NFT art market, AI curatorial models and audience co-curation to create an exhibition model that is not restricted by traditional institutions. Its key features include:

🔹 Living archival curation

Every curatorial decision will be recorded on the blockchain, resulting in an open and transparent curatorial history.

The exhibition will not be fixed, but will evolve with the contributions of the artist and the audience.

🔹 Audience as co-curators

Viewers can vote on which works are shown or removed.

Interactive installations allow visitors to generate curatorial texts either on-site or online.

🔹 AI combined with NFT market

AI analyzes NFT market trends and predicts future art genres.

Exhibition works circulate directly on the NFT market, making the exhibition not only a display space, but also a trading space.

🔹 Experimental market curation

Viewers and collectors can trade art directly through smart contracts.

Set up a real-time bidding system to test how the market influences curatorial decisions.

🚀 Next Steps: Making This Vision a Reality

🔍 What’s next?

1️⃣ Deepening my research on blockchain-based curatorial models to refine the decentralization aspects.

2️⃣ Sketching out exhibition layouts and interactive tools to create an immersive experience.(leveraging technology partnerships for implementation 🤝💡)

3️⃣ Sharing my ideas in group discussions to explore potential challenges and refine my approach.

✨ Final Thoughts:

The process of writing this blog has made me more clear about my curatorial direction. I hope my project is an exploration of future curatorial possibilities. Through NFT, AI and audience co-curation, I wanted to see: How can curators work in a more decentralized curatorial model? How does the dynamic nature of the art market fit into the exhibition?

📌 What are your thoughts on decentralized curation? Feel free to discuss in the comments! 💬

📖 References

Brown, Stephen, and A. Patterson. 2007. Imagining Marketing Art, Aesthetics and the Avant-Garde. Routledge.

Deleuze, Gilles, and Félix Guattari. 1994. What is Philosophy? Columbia University Press.

Deleuze, Gilles, and Félix Guattari. 2004. A Thousand Plateaus. Bloomsbury.

Färber, Alexa. 2007. “Exhibiting ‘Science’ in the Public Realm.” In Exhibition Experiments, edited by Paul Basu and Sharon Macdonald, 211–232. Blackwell Publishing.

Golding, Johnny. 2011. “Fractal Philosophy (And the Small Matter of Learning How to Listen): Attunement as the Task of Art.” In Deleuze and Contemporary Art, edited by Ian Buchanan and Nicholas Thoburn, 37-72. Edinburgh University Press.

Martinon, Jean-Paul. 2013. The Curatorial: A Philosophy of Curating. Bloomsbury Academic.

Rugg, Judith, and Michele Sedgwick. 2007. Issues in Curating Contemporary Art and Performance. Intellect.

Feb 3, 2025

W2-Initial Thoughts on My Curatorial Project

By Hanyun Xue

On 27 January 2025

In ✨ Individual Curatorial Project: Fluid Curating

Title: Speculative Curation: Exploring Symbolic Power in the Art Market 🎨💡

Introduction: My Theme and Background

Lately, I’ve been brainstorming ideas for my curatorial project, and I’ve decided to focus on “Value Construction and Symbolic Power in the Art Market.” This theme was inspired by my personal experiences—working at Sotheby’s made me realize that the value of art isn’t just about the work itself. It’s shaped by a complex interplay of cultural, economic, and social factors. The price tag? That’s just the surface. The real power lies in the narratives and systems behind it.

This theme aligns perfectly with the values of our course, especially the ideas of relational and critical curating. I want my project to explore how auctions construct cultural meanings and challenge viewers to rethink the invisible mechanisms of the art world.

Initial Research and Course Insights

As I began my research, the concept of the “Capitalocene” (thanks to our lectures!) became a key lens for my thinking. It frames capitalism as a force that shapes not just economies but also culture and societal structures. This helped me see the art market as more than a transactional space—it’s a microcosm of modern power dynamics.

One example that stood out during our class discussions was the “24/7” exhibition (2020, Somerset House). This show explored the relationship between time and consumer culture, and it sparked my thinking about how auctions—both brief and performative—are like ritualized spectacles of cultural value.

I’ve also been diving into the work of Andreas Gursky, particularly his piece 99 Cent (1999). His hyperreal depiction of consumerism highlights the tension between the mundane and the symbolic—something I think is deeply relevant to the art market.

📖 References:

•Gursky, A. (1999). 99 Cent. C-Print.

•Bourdieu, P. (1984). Distinction: A Social Critique of the Judgment of Taste. Harvard University Press.

Gursky, A. (1999). 99 Cent. C-Print.

(Source:https://www.andreasgursky.com/en/works/1999/99-cent/zoom:1)

Speculative Curation: My Format and Approach

For my project, I’m envisioning a participatory, interactive exhibition that simulates the experience of an art auction. My goal? To let visitors step into the roles of bidders and experience how value is constructed in real-time. Here’s my current plan:

🎤 Main Exhibition Areas:

1.“The Auction Room”:

•A multimedia installation recreating the atmosphere of a high-profile auction. Participants can bid on artworks using virtual tokens, deciding on their value based on provided backstories.

2.“Behind the Scenes”:

•A display showing how artworks are marketed and their values shaped by institutions, media, and collectors.

🤝 Interactive Elements:

•Visitors will anonymously “bid” on artworks and see how their choices affect the final outcome.

•A live projection of data will show how each piece’s “value” evolves based on audience participation.

This participatory model reflects the “relational curating” we discussed in class. By involving the audience, I hope to transform them from passive viewers into active participants in the symbolic power dynamics of the art world.

Critical Reflection: Challenges and Next Steps

Of course, the complexity of this theme presents challenges:

1.Simplifying Complexity:

•The art market involves multiple layers (economic, cultural, political). How do I simplify this for my audience without oversimplifying the meaning?

2.Engaging Participation:

•How do I ensure visitors engage meaningfully with the auction simulation, rather than seeing it as just a “game”?

To tackle these, I plan to:

•Research case studies of famous auctions (e.g., record-breaking Sotheby’s sales) to find accessible yet impactful examples.

•Get feedback from peers and tutors to refine the interactive elements and ensure they resonate with viewers.

Next Steps and What I’m Looking Forward To

🔍 What’s next?

1.I’ll dive deeper into auction case studies and symbolic capital theories.

2.Begin drafting initial sketches of the exhibition layout and interactive elements.

3.Share my ideas in group discussions to get feedback and refine my approach.

✨ What I hope to gain:

•Insights from my classmates on how to make the interactive elements more impactful.

•Suggestions on how to balance the educational and participatory aspects of the project.

Closing Thoughts

Writing this blog has helped me organize my thoughts and refine my project focus. I’m excited to explore how art auctions are not just about selling artworks but about constructing entire systems of meaning and power. I look forward to getting feedback from everyone—every perspective helps me improve! 😊

(P.S. If you’ve been to an art auction or have thoughts about symbolic power in art, I’d love to hear your insights in the comments! 💬)

Jan 27, 2025

W1-Welcome to Hanyun Xue’s Curatorial Universe

By Hanyun Xue

On 27 January 2025

In ✨ Individual Curatorial Project: Fluid Curating

Hello everyone! 🎨

Welcome to my curatorial blog.✨

My name is Hanyun Xue, but you can also call me Vivien. I’m a girl born in northern China but grew up in the south. Having lived in many different cities during my childhood, I developed a habit of observing human behaviors across diverse communities and cultural environments. This experience shaped my keen sense of perception and sparked my fascination with the intersection of art, sociology, and anthropology.

My Background: The Making of an Art Player

If curating is an adventure, then my journey has been all about exploring on different fascinating paths. Here’s my “starter pack” of experiences:

•🎨 Dual-degree player: During university, I simultaneously pursued degrees in Fine Arts (Painting) and Management. 🎨📊 Days were spent painting, and nights were filled with report writing. This interdisciplinary learning allowed me to delve deeply into the charm of art creation while also understanding the operational side of the art industry. 🖌️💼

•🏛️ Local art curation: In 2023, during my internships at the Powerlong Art Center in Shanghai and the Liaoning Museum, I got hands-on experience in exhibition planning, public education programs, and artwork display. From installation art to regional culture, I began to truly understand the effort and joy behind curatorial work.

•🖼️ Apprentice in the auction house: In 2024, I had the privilege of interning at Sotheby’s, where I witnessed how the high-end art market operates. 💎 From preparing artworks for display to executing pre-auction previews, I learned how to assign market value to art pieces and understood the cultural symbolism and social power hidden behind the art world.

•👩‍🎨 Collaboration with an artist’s family: I also assisted my father—an artist—in managing his personal art museum. From curating exhibitions to engaging with collectors, I learned how to tell the story of his artworks through curatorial practices. This experience deepened my understanding of managing cultural resources.

This journey, from theory to practice, not only gave me a profound understanding of the art market and curatorial field but also solidified my belief that art is a language of social and cultural interaction.

Why Start This Blog?

Good question!

🤔

I want to use this platform to document the growth of my curatorial projects and share the “sweet and sour” moments behind the scenes. In the upcoming posts, you’ll see:

•My research and reflections on curatorial themes (still to be decided); 💡📚

•Fieldwork and eye-opening exhibitions and artworks; 🖼️✨

•Unexpected challenges and lessons learned during the curatorial process (believe me, there will be plenty of “trial and error” stories). 😅💭

Adding a Visual Touch

To make your reading experience more engaging, I’ll be sharing some visual elements directly from my perspective, such as:

1.📷 Photos from my internships: Capturing moments that shaped my journey, like assisting with Sotheby’s auction previews or curating exhibition spaces at Jiuzhou Art Gallery.

2.✍️ Curatorial sketches and notes: You’ll see my brainstorming in action—market logic diagrams, quick concept sketches, and ideas that sparked the beginnings of my curatorial themes.

3.🖌️ Artwork examples: Pieces that inspired me along the way, with personal captions and reflections that add context to their relevance in my projects.

Final Words

What is curating? To me, it’s the process of transforming art into stories and connecting people, culture, and society. I hope this blog will be a place where we can explore the power of art together. If you’re curious about the curatorial field or simply want to hear some behind-the-scenes stories, make sure to stop by often!

🎉 Are you ready to “curate” a new world with me?