Is the future 8k?

BANKSY

Street Art

Folkestone in the UK, saw a Banksy artwork ripped from the wall of an amusement arcade and shipped to the U.S. However, a lengthy legal battle ensued and the outcome was that the art should be returned to public ownership.

Last week a British Judge ruled that the mural, titled Art Buff, was to be returned to the original home where Banksy had initially created it during the Folkestone Triennial last year. The artwork shows a lady looking down at an empty plinth while wearing a pair of headphones. It was verified on the street artist’s website with the words “Part of Folkestone Triennial. Sort of.”

In the days after the mural was created, hundreds of visitors gathered to view the work, but a few weeks later, the piece was chiselled from the wall and sent to a New York gallery who valued the piece at almost £500,000. It was then sent to an art fair in Miami where it failed to sell.

In the past, Banksy has condemned the removal of his artworks as ‘disgusting’, and in April 2014, 10 of Banksy’s most expensive which had all been removed from their original sites were sold at auction in London. The pieces went for between £100,000 and £500,000 each.

OWN A STAKE IN ORIGINAL ART FOR $10

There are a wealth of online and social platforms that make it easy to invest in original artworks, but Art:i:curate is a London/New York based start-up that is trying to make it even easier to own original art by utilising crowdfunding techniques that essentially allow anyone access to art investment, by crowdfunding methods to finance emerging artists.

From as little as $10, want-to-be collectors are being given the opportunity to buy a stake in a piece of art, and then later share a stake in profits on future sales. The start-up currently has 160 artists who have listed works for sale.

It’s a clever model, the artist sells an initial 40% to the investors, meaning that they receive money to continue working on new projects, and the already completed work is exhibited and eventually sold. Once the work is sold, the artist then receives another 30% of the final price, with the remaining profit going to the investors, minus of course, fees for the platform.

It is certainly an interesting concept that seems to be putting both the artist and investors first. As long as the platforms fees are not over the top, then I am sure that we will see a few more models like this emerge in the coming years. If you are interested in the project you can get the full details from https://www.articurate.net/co-curate-the-future-of-art/

ALBUQUERQUE

ALBUQUERQUE - In the Fall

Albuquerque is a place I have wanted to visit since watching every season of Breaking Bad. However, I think I will wait a while longer and hop on a bus. If new plans come to bear fruit, and a new bus system is installed, riders may get to see a mini-art exhibit at each stop.

 

Albuquerque’s Public Arts Division wants to add mosaic ground structures at each of the planned 19-stops. Each mosaic will then feature a portrait of someone that has had an underappreciated role in Albuquerque’s history. That probably means we won’t see a mosaic of Walter White then.

CHRISTIE’S

Why more of the prestigious auction houses do not offer the wealth of educational opportunities that Christie’s do, really is beyond me. The latest news from Christie’s New York is that education is clearly high on their agenda. Although there is a cost to each of the courses, they represent good value to gain an insight into different aspects of the art world from such a prestigious house.

START AN ART ADVENTURE THIS FALL WITH A SHORT COURSE FROM CHRISTIE’S EDUCATION NEW YORK

New York – Christie’s Education New York makes it easy to fit an arts education into a busy routine with its fall short course schedule of evening or early morning classes, and one- and two-day programs. With topics from Art, Money & the Law to Modern and Contemporary Abstract Art in Latin America, along with field trips to major museums and local galleries, there’s a course for anyone seeking a boost in their art career or simply a deeper understanding of the art world.

 

Christie’s Education short courses are open to anyone, without prerequisites, and meet at Christie’s Education, 11 West 42nd Street, 8th Floor, along with some field trips. Fees vary by course from $95 to $2,500. For more information or to register, visit www.christies.edu/new-york, call 1-212-355-1501; or email NewYork@christies.edu.

Art, Money & the Law

Thursday mornings, Sept. 24, Oct. 1, 8, 13*, 22, 29; 8 – 10 a.m.

Risk management and legal issues are as important in the art world as in any other business. Learn from an art law expert about legal issues such as 1031 exchanges, due diligence and best practices. This six-week course is designed for those with an art background who are looking to better understand personal and business wealth management issues, as well as those with a finance background seeking to better understand the art market. (*Thursdays except for Oct. 13)

Faculty: Amy Goldrich, Cahill Partners, LLP; Program Director: Dr. Marisa Kayyem

Course Fee: $2,500

Art of the Trade: Can Art be Considered an Asset Class?

Wednesday evenings, Oct. 7, 14, 21, 28, Nov. 4; 6 – 8 p.m.

Both financial and art professionals have been debating the issue of whether or not art should be considered an asset class, and if it is one, what metrics apply. Christie’s Education has designed a program that allows students to simulate an investment portfolio in a mock auction. The five-week course will consider the methods and strategies of art investment and the unique complexities of the art market. Students will research and track data points that reflect fluctuations in price, and calculate liquidity and correlation to other asset classes. The program will conclude with a mock auction as well as an assessment and evaluation of simulated portfolio acquisitions.

Faculty: Rony More; Program Director: Dr. Marisa Kayyem

Course Fee: $2,500

Modern and Contemporary Abstract Art in Latin America

Thursday-Friday, Nov. 5 – 6, 2015; 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

While figurative artists such as Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera or Fernando Botero are widely known, Latin American art also encompasses a rich history of abstraction from the early twentieth century to the present day. This two-day course will examine a diverse group of abstract artists in relation to their countries of origin as well as the broader global context. Students will learn the art historical significance of their work, and how the perception and performance of these artists has shifted in the marketplace. The course will include a visit to the Museum of Modern Art's retrospective on Joaquín Torres-García, one of the pioneers of abstraction in the Americas, and a behind-the-scenes look at Christie's upcoming Latin American Art sale.

Faculty: Diana Bramham, Specialist, Latin American Art, Christie’s; Program Director: Dr. Marisa Kayyem

Course Fee: $950

The Artists and Artworks in Christie's Evening Sales

Saturday, Nov. 7, 2015; from 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

This day-long course will examine the history and context of the artists and artworks that sell at the top of the Contemporary and Post-War Art market. The class will end in a guided tour of the lots to be sold in the upcoming evening sale at Christie’s Rockefeller Center.

Faculty: Dr. Ágnes Berecz; Program Director: Dr. Marisa Kayyem

Course Fee: $350

Contemporary Art in Focus field study trips

Contemporary Art in Focus is a series of one-day field trips and off-site programs consisting of guided visits to museums, collections and special exhibitions, as well as trips to galleries, art fairs and auctions. The series is designed to supplement the Collecting Contemporary Art certificate program and the Art Business certificate program, but is open to all. The program offers an inside look at the institutions and venues of contemporary art. Click the links below to view details on and register for individual sessions. Each trip costs $95.

September 17, 2015 - An Overview of Contemporary Art: Museum of Modern Art

October 15, 2015 - The Dealers: Chelsea Gallery Crawl

November 12, 2015 - The Artist: Walid Raad, Exhibition at MoMA

 

NEW 8K SCREENS BUT ARE THEY THE FUTURE?

Sharp has announced plans to sell an 8K television screen from October.

Although several companies have developed "super hi-vision" resolution test models, this is the first such TV to be made commercially available. The 8K format provides 16 times as many pixels as 1080p high definition. It creates an image so detailed that it can appear three-dimensional. However, the 85in (2.16m) device's 16m yen ($133,000; £86,000) price is likely to limit sales. Interest is expected to come mainly from broadcasters and other companies involved in testing the format.

Having invested in 4K technology in recent years, many will be disappointed that their purchases may be outdated in the next few years. Although I think we can safely assume for now that the price of 8K is far beyond the reach of most people, by around the turn of the decade 8K could be the default.

Forget that nice curved 4K screen. There's a new 8k and you will want it.

But will 8K take off? I can guarantee that if you view it you will want to enter the party, but we are only recently seeing mass take up of 4K with Netflix and others now providing 4K content. It is only now that the platform is maturing enough to invite mainstream 4K content. If you have recently entered the 4K arena, you will be safe for a while. Well, until a far eastern manufacturer decides to start selling 8K at a price similar to 4K as it is now.

As soon as a manufacturer lets me have a play with an 8K device, I will be sure to give you the low-down.

FACEBOOK

It seems that after many years of people asking for a dislike button on Facebook, it could be around the corner. According to some reports, it’s almost ready for shipping. But really what is the point? How will people use it? Do we need more negativity in our lives?

Hopefully Zuckerberg and co will find a way to remedy unwarranted dislikes and social media malaise, no matter what form the button eventually takes. The big question is will this interfere with our news feed as much as their other recent changes?

So my question this week is do you think this is a good idea?

GOOGLE

With so many talking of driverless cars, it seems that it could be the future. Quite how the transition from so many cars that need a driver will happen I have no idea. Personally I see a medium term future as a mix of irate drivers shouting at the passenger in a driverless car, and the passenger responding with a shrug of the shoulders.

However, it appears from reading a Reuters report, that Google doesn’t want to actually manufacture driverless cars, they simply want to work in partnership with the automotive industry.

There is something else that bothers me about the technology. A number of driverless vehicles have been hacked, and if the ultimate platform is based on a model from a company that brought Android into the world, version consistency between manufacturers might just confuse everyone.

As you can tell, I really am not a lover of the concept, I like to sit in the driver’s seat, grab a nice leather-clad steering wheel and hope for the best. According to everyone who has ever given me a lift, a good passenger I do not make. At least when I car share, I have a driver to shout at when the speed limit is exceeded, or a corner is clipped, imagine shouting at the car itself for making mistakes. I have been shouting at my sat-nav for years, made not a jot of difference.

Are you looking forward to a driverless future? If you are then I would really love to hear why!

 

MICROSOFT ZUNE

I have seen a new Walkman from Sony, but you will need have some serious cash kicking around to own one. But a name we heard a few years ago, is or was still kicking around recently. Microsoft’s Zune. Honestly, I though Zune had disappeared a very long time ago, so I was surprised to hear that an announcement has been made that Zune will be officially retired on November 15th, 2015. That will mean that no streaming or downloading will be available after that date, and DRM files might not work either if Microsoft cannot retain licences.

Other content on your Zune player will remain, but Zune music passes will be converted to Groove passes. The subscription plan will be slightly different, but I cannot begin to think that this will apply to too many people. I had no idea Zune was still even a thing.

If you still use a Zune, let me know if you will be disappointed that the service is ending.

NEW ART WORK FROM M.A

I have been having a busy time recently, a few commissions to complete and nowhere near enough hours in the week, so my productivity levels for creating new art works have slightly dropped.

I am working on some new pieces of art at the moment and these will be available for sale soon. Be certain though that you will get to hear about the new artwork very soon right here!

 

Copyright M.A - Beechhouse Media