Myths associated with the art market, arise from the fact that the views of the public are not keeping pace with the super-fast changes in the situation. Perhaps this summary of the myths will help those who dropped out of the topic for a long time or ju

Aivazovsky IK
Mount Athos. 1846
Price: 48 million (no commission)
The most expensive work of the Russian artist, sold in Russia in 2012

myths associated with the art market, there from the fact that the public views have not kept up super-fast changes in the situation. It would seem that the market had one yesterday, but today it did not know. I hope this summary of the myths will help those who dropped out of the topic for a long time or just starting their way to the art market.

Myth 1. As soon as Russia - rich country and there is a lot of oil dollars, there are many spend on art. Quite a common illusion, especially among the foreign sellers. Many foreign colleagues incomprehensible that the availability is not always converted to the owners of capital in personal development and passion for art. Sometimes our rich can easily spend tens of millions on fancy apartments or mansions, and then "decorate" their third-rate "Europe". There are times when this "antique", seized during searches, experts sometimes even embarrassing comment - just say nothing. The good news is that the Russian market has room to grow. The number of people in need in the possession of works of art, will inevitably increase. Although not as fast as we would like.

Myth 2. Antiques - is incredibly expensive. Perhaps the mention word "Antique" conjure stamps from Soviet detectives: placer gold candlesticks, "Charlotte's necklace" and the ghosts of the abduction "of St. Luke." In reality, much of the material presented on the Russian antique auctions, available in the range of 20-100 thousand. And you can join in collecting and with a budget of about 10 thousand rubles. Would desire. A proper offer at auction there.

Myth 3. Russian ultra-modern art is secondary, not competitive on the international art scene, hopelessly provincial and therefore does not provide a world-class stars. The competition of ideas in the arts today is really extraordinarily high, and produce new meanings by the order impossible. Should be the appropriate impulses. You may recall that the Russian art could quickly break into the global context, when it is in its innovation was based on the tectonics of the internal social processes. So, for example, was a Russian avant-garde of the century, and much later - with the Moscow conceptualism. As part of this logic is quite understandable recent international success of our political stars Actionism - persecuted group "War" and the repressed Pussy Riot. As if to them who are not treated, but in the world they were made. There are other examples, is not related to politics. Last year, her star status strengthened our « AEC F » (authors of the most expensive Russian-art sculpture), Oleg Dou (among the most expensive young artists photo art, and his work looks at us with a splash of Photoshop) and a number other Russian innovators. So there is no reason for a special skepticism we have and the stars, and potential.

Myth 4. Russian art expert was not credible. The roots of this lie in the adoption of easy two thousandth, when the flow of "fake" expert advice to legalize counterfeit great expertise discredited institution in the eyes of novice collectors. And rightly so. The fruits of that "Razgulay" the market will reap more than one year - can not help it: it takes time to rebuild trust. However, I can not remember the last year of high-profile revelations fakes with fake expert opinions or large "puncture" on the leading auction house. On the one hand, the buyer went alert, and on the other - a noticeable improvement of the processes within the expert community. In particular, recently published its updated MKAAD list of accredited experts - good example of the reputation and self-regulation. In general, the situation with the expertise to date has improved markedly: in the Russian art market is well-developed infrastructure for the authentication of those who really need an objective result. And then it is all depends on the motivation of the buyer and his personal level of victimization.

Myth 5. Russian art is always increasing in price. This is probably a phantom galloping surge in prices for 2003-2008. Then, above badly misunderstood, Russian art to catch up and prices have increased more than tenfold. The crisis has taught that it is absolutely stable asset does not happen. And the lack of liquidity in the period time transactions occur at a significant discount. In short, the arts, as well as any asset that is not always increasing in price: crisis, change modes, and other factors may change the prices down. For example, before socialist realism fashionable much cheaper, group "OST", by contrast, experienced a price increase and so on. Increased resistance to the conditions show only unconditional masterpieces - the prices are seldom fall even in times of financial crises. And if they fall, they quickly recovered to the extent of recovery.

Myth 6. The rise in prices for Russian art is over . There are some conversations about the "train left" and "chief, all is lost." Honestly, there's no smoke without fire. Indeed, after the 2008 crisis, a number of first commercially successful lines of strongly handed. And there is reason to believe that prices are not restored. This is the case in the first place any items of low and below average quality. The pre-crisis boom in Russian art in the background of poor preparation of new customers has contributed to higher prices for all without discrimination. And the good and the bad. More expensive and "souvenir socialist realism", and all sorts of designs, and many other fillers. A number of artists have been deliberate promotion and ended up severely overvalued. In addition, on all fronts decreased purchasing activity. If you focus on the facts, you may very well get the impression that "the train is gone." But guess what, if any price indexes ARTIMX? We look at the : $ 1,000 by the end of year probation in 1339 became dollars. So that growth continues, although not to the rate of 100-300 per cent per annum, as it was a few years ago. In the replacement market favorites, preferences, purchase behavior - but all for the better.

Myth 7. On the Russian art market dominated by painting, and it also brings the lion's share of revenue . It is clear which way the wind is blowing. As soon as it comes to the fantastic achievements of the auction, as champions generally are pictures. And do not order or DPI. See our ratings (eg, this one ) - who it skims the cream? Still living monitor internal trades suggests that the string used books, medals, PDI sold at a much more active participants than Thong painting and drawing. And the percentage of sales is much higher there. And sentence structure is more varied. Even the dealers say that in times of crisis, when sales decline painting, arts and crafts is a lifesaver. After all this, less pretentious market demand is.

Myth 8. One has only to allow free and easy export of antiques, as speculators instantly vyvezut abroad all national heritage . At a time when the domestic price of Russian art at times, and many times different from the prices abroad, such a measure should have a protective function. Well, now, what is it? Prices - Market: and there, and here. Get a clear anachronism. The fact that because of liberalization will flow out of the country all Aivazovsky - I have serious doubts. But the fact that you can not export "in which case" stops potential buyers - obviously.

Myth 9. Russian auctions dangerous for beginners because it can deceive. The arguments about conspiracies auctioneers - a gross exaggeration. For Moscow - so sure. Rules are transparent, the main buyers - ordinary people, and serious fights for the lots at all rare. What is really there lies. Bidder shell and other wisdom - it's more of a pulp novel. Among the risk factors tricks and abuse auction participants are far from the first place. Much more attention should be paid to the authenticity, accuracy of attribution, the actual state of the object, correct estimate. And so the auction can be periodically acquire interesting items at below market prices.

Vladimir Bogdanov, AI