At the Fair Art Basel Miami Beach, ending December 7, dominated by optimism

Last week, building on Collins Avenue in Miami decorated cloth height of three floors, on which was written «Please, François Pinault, buy my work». By touching messages - artist, nicknamed "Immaterial Art Emperor (Emperor Intangible Arts), which agreed to participate in such a way seventh annual art fair Art Basel Miami Beach . Pino, unfortunately, has not come, but without him at the fair was not bad.

Art Basel Miami Beach was completed on Sunday 7 December. It was attended by over 250 dealers from 33 countries. All observers who were at the art fair, note that unlike in the past year, no «consumer fever» has not been observed: no one moved amain stands between galleries, seeking to buy as many products as long as they did not acquire someone else . «Battery village», - told the participants about the fair slowed sales. But tell that to Art Basel, it was deserted and dreary, too, can not. Collectors, art dealers, critics, artists, and simply «supporters» public fun at parties, visited the fair organized in the framework of the exhibition and conference, and talked with enthusiasm seen at the booths of the galleries ... and enter into transactions.

«This year's Basel reminds me of a time when artists and intellectuals sitting in Parisian cafes and shared their ideas, - said New York art consultant Kimberly Marrero (Kimberly Marrero). - The market was so inflated, and deformed that it was slowing down almost relieved ». She noted that this year, with collectors and gallery owners more time to discuss the merits and demerits of a work. People are still buying art, but not on such a high price as before - gallery ready to concede his work at a discount. «Collectors feel that their time has come, and expect as much as 30 per cent discount rate», - said the art dealer from Milan Repetto Chiara (Chiara Repetto). She and her sister Francesca Kaufmann (Francesca Kaufmann) owned gallery, which presents works of contemporary artists. This year they participated in the Fair Frieze , but their sales were very, very modest, and so on Art Basel, they decided not to «bully» prices. Repetto said that the crisis they are not accustomed: the crisis on the economy of Italy - a habitual state. «We have money in a mattress hidden», - she laughs.

The time has come really for collectors. Barbara Schiff (Barbara Schiff) from Florida, not just bought a picture of the artist John Baldessari (John Baldessari) for 325 thousand dollars, but changed. «If the market will continue to fall, then who knows what will be its price in the next year?» - She said. Takashi Murakami (Takashi Murakami), organized art festival Geisai Miami in the Pulse Art Fair - one of dozens «fairs satellite» Art Basel Miami Beach, advises young artists not to wait for the record sales results of their work, and fair use in order to to have good relations with the curators. It also encourages collectors to refrain from extravagant purchases: «This year I bought too much [work. - Ed. ], and the prices of works of their authors have fallen by 50 per cent». Logsdeyl Nicholas (Nicholas Logsdail) from the Lisson Gallery in London said that this year, the collector was difficult to decide on the purchase of works costing more than a million dollars. According to him, on the first day of the fair are mainly watched and thought, and started to buy only on the second day. One Latin American buyer bought Logsdeyla Anisha Kapoor sculpture (Anish Kapoor) for one million dollars.

Visitors this year were about 40 thousand - for three thousand less than last year. Among those who have bought have been a famous collector Eli Brody (Eli Broad) and reper Jay-Z. It was noted that many dealers are put on sale is not the most expensive work. For example, the famous stand of PaceWildenstein gallery, almost 90 percent of products were cheaper than 500 thousand dollars. The greatest attention is attracted by jewelry Koldera work of Alexander (Alexander Calder), which are sold at a price of 25 to 450 thousand dollars. Skilful policy galleries helped them to reduce losses to a minimum. And some dealers are even told that the crisis does not affect the results of sales at the fair: for example, Zak Foyer (Zach Feuer) from New York, said that his gallery has achieved the same success as last year. Although, according to him, nothing good from the Art Basel, it is not waiting.

According to the poll participants of the fair, the majority of dealers are going back to Art Basel next year.

Material prepared Yulia Maksimova

Sources: miamiherald.com , artnet.com , online.wsj.com , bloomberg. com , artinvestment.ru