The English newspaper The Art Newspaper publishes every day a special room for a discussion of key developments and trends in the 39 th Fair Art Basel

Fair ArtBazel last until June 8. In the 304 participating galleries from around the world, which are products of more than 2 000 masters XX and XXI century.

ArtBazelya The main feature of 2008 was a decrease in the number of American customers concerned about the economic recession. William Akvavella gallery, put on sale one of the most remarkable exhibition of works - «The girl in the doorway» Lyutsiana Freud - pointed out that until the art market is not strongly felt the effects of the crisis, but because of the unfavorable economic situation to buy expensive art works harder psychologically.

However, the expected sverhdorogie purchase of Russian billionaires. Roman Abramovich, who arrived at the fair at the very beginning it has caused more furor than film star Brad Pitt. According to rumors, he (along with his girlfriend Darey Zhukova, to open in Moscow Center of Contemporary Culture) has acquired a well-known work: sculpture, Takashi Murakami «Oval Buddha».

said that the Russian billionaire had eyes for three bronze sculptures of Alberto Giacometti, for sale Galerie Jan Krugier & Cie (Geneva, New York). The largest of these sculptures, «Woman of Venice» (1956), it is worth 14 million dollars. Work less, «Standing woman» (1958), estimated at 8 million. Giacometti was a «major star» the recent auction of contemporary art at Christie's New York: where one of his sculptures made 27.5 million dollars. They say also that Abramovich liked the work of Marc Chagall and Alexei Yavlenskogo, (Galerie Thomas, Munich), the figure of Picasso (Acquavella Galleries, New York) and ophidian current Brazilian sculptor Ernesto Neto (Galerie Max Hetzler, Berlin). Art dealers are hoping that the Russian billionaire to attract 17-meter wall painting of popular Russian artists Dubossarskoe and Vinogradova (Deitch Projects, New York).

Abramovich and Zhukov accompanies Molly Dent-Broklherst in the past, the gallery director Larry Gagosyana, and in the future - the head of the department of planning the Center of Contemporary Culture in Moscow.

As you know, the recent purchase of Abramovich stoned Record: «Triptych 1976» Francis Bacon became the most expensive piece of contemporary art, and «Sleep Manager benefits» Lyutsiana Freud - the most expensive piece of living artists. Despite the fact that Abramovich is not difficult to acquire any work on any bid for ArtBazele him (and from other customers) is an excellent opportunity to acquire the work of famous artists, paying with a 4-5 times lower than in the auction. Save, perhaps, always a pleasure.

At the moment, works of art fairs - the most important «arms» of galleries in the war at an auction. «The prices on the secondary art market [at auction] went out of control, as in the primary [gallery] market have the opportunity to purchase work in the real price», - said an American collector, Donald Bryant, in whose collection includes the work of Jasper Johns, Ellsuorta Kelly and Uillema de Kuninga. His words were confirmed by practice. Recently, the New York gallery PaceWildenstein picture of modern Chinese symbolist Zhang Syaogana was sold less than $ 1 million (though that auction prices for works of this very popular artist could reach 6.1 million).

The Art Newspaper said that more and more collectors become pieces in order to organize their own museums. One example - a Miami collector Martin Margulis. On the opening day of the fair, he bought three sculptures Austrian Franz West in order to put them in the museum, which he opened in 1999. Collection Margulis in his own words, has more than 4 500 works. But he has no intention of «the old-fashioned» lend them to other museums, «where they will be 15 years in dusty storage», and wants to show his collection of masterpieces from the «here and now». His words could be signed by many collectors. For example, just two months ago in the Marais quarter of Paris has opened Espace Claude Berri, where you can see contemporary art from the collection of the director Claude Berri. In May, Polish advertising magnate Christian Boros opened the art center at the former Nazi bunker in Berlin. This year is also expected to open a new museum in Munich, where the collection will be on display collector Udo Brandhorsta.

Many of these museums have published directories and research, and invite professional curators.

Art dealers very positive attitude towards the new trend. If their work is sold at the museum's permanent exhibition, this would enhance its credibility - along with the prestige of the artist and the gallery representing him. For this gallery, even willing to give discounts: 15% - the distinguished art collectors, to 20% - Museums.

Sometimes the work of private museums will now return to the market. For example, the famous collector Charles Saatchi is often sells works from his gallery and buy new ones to update the collection. «Museum» provenans works, of course, raises its price.

What other features have ArtBazelya-2008? The Art Newspaper said that the date of the fair overlap with the dates of the European Football Championship (June 7-29). Some matches will be held in Basel, and to get accommodation arhislozhno. Expected to visit the fair 60 000, while each of the matches - 40 000.

Source: http://www.theartnewspaper.com , http://www.artbasel.com