ArtTactic

In this episode of the ArtTactic Podcast, Adam Green takes an in-depth look at the African art market, with a focus on the recently concluded 9th edition of Art x Lagos. Joining us is journalist Rebecca Anne Proctor, who attended this year’s fair for the third time. We begin by exploring the history of Art x Lagos and its evolution over nearly a decade. Rebecca shares how this year’s fair compared to previous editions and reflects on the broader trends shaping the African art market. The conversation delves into the surge of international interest in African art over the past few years, the challenges posed by market saturation, and how the art scene is navigating these shifts. We also discuss the vital role of a robust domestic ecosystem—supported by galleries, collectors, and curators—and how successful African artists are fostering growth through initiatives like residencies and local programs.

In this episode of the ArtTactic Podcast, host Adam Green speaks with Jack Bullen, co-founder and director of the Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair, about the evolving world of contemporary printmaking and the unique opportunities it offers. They discuss what makes prints appealing to certain collectors, exciting trends in the medium, and how technology is shaping the market, including innovative approaches artists are taking. Jack previews this year’s edition of the fair, occurring November 21-24, and shares his thoughts on the phenomenon of “drops” and how rising prices are impacting this tactic. For new collectors, Jack also offers practical tips on making confident purchases and avoiding common pitfalls in this dynamic and accessible segment of the art world.

In this week's episode of the ArtTactic Podcast, host Adam Green dives into the latest trends shaping the art market with Michael Moses, co-founder of Art Market Consultancy and a pioneer in compiling repeat sales auction data. Michael shares key insights from the first half of 2024, including factors driving the recent decline in auction prices and the growing supply of art on the market. We explore how increased online-only sales are changing auction dynamics, as well as the role of collector motivation versus auction house capacity in driving supply. Additionally, Michael offers his perspective on correlations between art and other asset classes, the impact of signatures and dates on artwork returns, and what he anticipates for the upcoming major auctions in New York.

In this week's episode of the ArtTactic Podcast, Adam Green sits down with Nate Freeman, culture columnist for Vanity Fair, to break down Art Basel Paris 2024. They discuss whether the highly anticipated fair met expectations, the standout exhibitions and events around the city, and how the current art market shaped reported sales. Nate also provides insight into whether Art Basel Paris is poised to shift the global art fair landscape and how it compares to other major fairs like Frieze London. Finally, Nate shares more about his newsletter, True Colors, and his work at Vanity Fair.

In this week's episode of the ArtTactic Podcast, Adam Green is joined by Naomi Rea, editor-in-chief at Artnet News, to recap Frieze London and preview the highly anticipated Art Basel Paris. Naomi shares insights from her conversations with galleries about the strength of sales at Frieze London and discusses the unique layout changes at the fair, which saw blue-chip galleries placed further back in a structured, funnel-like flow. Adam and Naomi also dive into how this new layout impacted the visitor experience and whether galleries were taking creative risks or playing it safe with their presentations. As Art Basel Paris quickly approaches, Naomi offers her thoughts on how the excitement surrounding Paris may be pulling focus from Frieze and shifting the priorities of collectors and galleries. Finally, they look ahead to the key moments of Art Basel Paris that Naomi is most excited to report on.

In this episode of the ArtTactic Podcast, Adam Green sits down with Alison Gass, founding director of ICA San Francisco, to discuss the museum’s journey as a self-described “art museum startup.” Ali shares the origin story of ICA SF, the challenges and opportunities that come with launching a new museum in today’s art world, and how the institution is carving out its place in San Francisco’s dynamic art scene. With the exciting news of ICA SF’s upcoming move to downtown San Francisco, Ali delves into the significance of the location change and what it means for the museum’s future. Adam and Ali also explore how ICA SF engages with Silicon Valley's tech industry, the advantages of being a non-collecting institution, and the collaborative nature of the San Francisco art community. Plus, Ali gives us a sneak peek into the museum’s upcoming exhibitions.

In this episode of the ArtTactic Podcast, host Adam Green is joined by Amanda Lo Iacono, Deputy CEO of Phillips. Amanda shares insights into how Phillips is leveraging technology to attract younger collectors and break down traditional barriers within the auction world. They also discuss the current state of the art market as the fall auction season kicks off, including key market trends, the impact of Chinese collectors, and how Phillips is positioning itself against competitors like Christie’s and Sotheby’s. Plus, Amanda highlights some standout sales and events Phillips has lined up for the season.

In this episode of the ArtTactic Podcast, host Adam Green sits down with Alexander Berggruen, founder of Alexander Berggruen, as the gallery approaches its fifth anniversary. Alex reflects on key lessons learned over the past five years and shares what it’s like to run a gallery in the competitive New York City art scene. In light of the recent Armory Show, he also discusses his strategy behind solo versus group presentations at art fairs. Additionally, they explore the vibrant UK art scene and why Alex has focused on exhibiting UK-based artists in New York. Alex further explains how growing up in a family-run gallery has influenced his approach and why he chose the Upper East Side for his gallery instead of Chelsea or Tribeca.

In this episode of the ArtTactic Podcast, host Adam Green sits down with Bill Powers, owner of Half Gallery, to discuss his forthcoming memoir Glissando and his new book Early 21st Century Art. Bill shares captivating stories from his journey through the art world, including his interactions with renowned artists, gallerists, and critics. We delve into his unique position within the gallery ecosystem, explore why some artists thrive in the market while others don't, and reflect on his relationships with artists like Rene Ricard. Bill also discusses the dynamics of artists changing galleries, offering his perspective on the increasing consolidation of artists by mega-galleries. Additionally, he provides valuable advice for both collectors and artists, sharing insights on navigating the art world and building successful careers and collections.

In this episode of the ArtTactic Podcast, host Adam Green speaks with Seoul-based art critic Andy St. Louis, founder of Seoul Art Friend and author of Future Present: Contemporary Korean Art. As Frieze Seoul approaches its third edition, Adam and Andy explore the fair's growing influence in the Korean art scene and how it has attracted global attention, especially from U.S. and European galleries. They also discuss the complexities of scheduling conflicts with the Armory Show in New York and the impact on international collectors. Andy shares insights on how certain galleries have successfully integrated into Seoul’s art community and the current state of collecting in Korea. Finally, they dive into Andy's new book, which is the first English-language survey of millennial contemporary Korean artists, and reflect on why these artists haven’t received as much global recognition despite Korea’s rising presence in the art market.