Drawing on the exciting developments that have occurred in the anthropology of art over the last twenty years, this study uses ethnographic methods to explore shifts in the art market and global contemporary art. Recognizing that the huge diversity of global phenomena requires research on the ground, An Anthropology of Contemporary Art examines the local art markets, biennials, networks of collectors, curators, artists, patrons, auction houses, and museums that constitute the global art world.Divided into four parts - Picture and Medium; World Art Studies and Global Art; Art Markets, Maecenas and Collectors; Participatory Art and Collaboration - chapters go beyond the standard emphasis on Europe and North America to present first-hand fieldwork from a wide range of areas, including Brazil, Turkey, and Asia and the Pacific.With contributions from distinguished anthropologists such as Philippe Descola and Roger Sansi Roca, this book provides a fresh approach to key topics in the discipline. A model for demonstrating how contemporary art can be studied ethnographically, this is a vital read for students in anthropology of art, visual anthropology, visual culture, and related fields.

The first book to use ethnographic methods to examine the individuals and institutions that constitute the global art market.

About the Author
Thomas Fillitz is Professor of Social and Cultural Anthropology, University of Vienna, Austria.Paul van der Grijp is Professor of Social Anthropology, Universite Lumiere Lyon-2, France.

Reviews

"This collection, itself impressively curated by its editors, is the best source yet on how 'amateurs', which ethnographers of any topic most cogently are, bypass professionals and experts, and provide the most profound and ironic insights on high status but suspect arenas of valuing objects. Especially strong are views of how value and collectibility are created in nontangible works. The volume captures well the surreal quality of creating value and desire in Images, objects, and performances. - George Marcus, University of California, USA

This is cutting edge anthropology about cutting edge art, across the globe. Thomas Fillitz and Paul van der Grijp have edited a remarkably rich and vigorous volume. - Helena Wulff, Stockholm University, Sweden

From post-relational anthropology of art to booming art markets and new kinds of museums, this exciting collection confronts the "umbrella" construct of a Global North and South through the exploding biennial phenomenon and the promoting of what was once an artworld periphery to a centerless image industry. - Sidney Kasfir, Emory University, USA

This volume charts new territories, asking new questions and initiating dialogue with the neighbouring fields of the philosophy and theory of art. - Wilfried van Damme, Leiden University, The Netherlands"

Book Information
ISBN 9781350016231
Author Thomas Fillitz
Format Paperback
Page Count 272
Imprint Bloomsbury Academic
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 456g