The who, where and what of value in the art market: Understanding the authentic

Victoria Rodner, Chloe Preece

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

Abstract / Description of output

In the contemporary visual art market, for art to be valuable, it must be deemed authentic. In this chapter we deconstruct the space within which the authentication of art takes place in order to understand the structural underpinnings of value and its ideological foundations. Through a three-part model, we demonstrate how authenticity in the art market, as a socially constructed concept, relies on the interpretation of cultural brokers who demonstrate recognition of the artist’s vision in the work by placing it within an art context and thus legitimising it as culturally valuable. In our spatial analysis, we illustrate the complexity of visual art products and their valuation, demonstrating how authenticity operates through multiple dimensions. Ultimately, we demonstrate that authenticity is an autopoietic market practice which serves to further monopolise power.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationExploring Cultural Value
Subtitle of host publicationContemporary Issues for Theory and Practice
EditorsKim Lehman, Ian Fillis, Mark Wickham
PublisherEmerald Group Publishing
Chapter2
ISBN (Electronic)9781789735154
ISBN (Print)9781789735161
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 25 Jan 2021

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

  • artworld
  • art market
  • authenticity
  • cultural brokers
  • space/place
  • value

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