Abstract: Arts and the Market, Ahead of Print. Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the meaning, in both local and international context, of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale (KMB), the first international exhibit of contemporary art in India. Kochi Biennale Foundation (KBF), which administers the KMB, identifies art as a means for transforming society, with a mission to bring global contemporary art to India and to present India’s modern art to the world. The authors further investigate the role of government sponsorship and corporate patronage in funding the KMB, and investigate how resistance through art is key to the KMB’s identity. Design/methodology/approach This study focuses primarily on published materials relating to the KMB. One of the authors attended the 2016 KMB and interviewed fellow attendees. Additionally, the authors reviewed and assessed social media postings regarding the 2016 KMB. Findings The authors argue that government sponsorship and corporate patronage are never solely about political or financial power. Rather, a generalized reciprocity among the three entities – corporations, the government and the artists – allows the KMB to flourish. For the artists involved, the KMB, co-founded by activist artists, sustains interest in and awareness of resistance. Originality/value Extant literature on biennales is sparse on ways in which these exhibits extend their impact beyond the art world. The authors examine issues such as India expanding its position on the world stage through art, and the implications of political resistance embraced by Indian artists on future directions for the KMB, that have heretofore been unaddressed. Citation: Arts and the Market PubDate: 2019-01-07T10:30:37Z DOI: 10.1108/AAM-11-2018-0015
Pages: 118 - 122 Abstract: Arts and the Market, Volume 8, Issue 2, Page 118-122, October 2018. Purpose The purpose of this paper is threefold. First, it reviews the background to, and development of the special issue call for papers on the topic of “Visual arts marketing in East Asia”; second, it introduces the four papers and commentary in the issue; and third, it considers some of the key areas with a rich potential for future directions of research. Design/methodology/approach The papers in this special issue comprise of both qualitative (e.g. interviews, observation, case studies) and quantitative (surveys) as well as conceptual issues for policy and artists. Moreover, the articles are interdisciplinary, drawing from art history, cultural studies, philosophy and international relations as well as marketing. Findings Findings and insights relate to topics such as the structure of the visual arts markets of East Asia, political influences on these arts markets, alternative spaces such as art festivals, ambiance and audience experience in museums and new media initiatives. Research limitations/implications The authors believe that all of the papers have implications for future thinking, research, scholarship and practice in the area of arts marketing, particularly for scholars, cultural institutions and artists working in Asia. Originality/value As far as the editors are aware, this is the first ever journal special issue on arts marketing in East Asia. In particular, the authors offer some new ideas in thinking about visual arts marketing in Asia as part of this editorial essay, particularly in considering the difficulties for both artists, arts organisations and academics in creating from the “periphery”. Citation: Arts and the Market PubDate: 2018-09-17T01:17:15Z DOI: 10.1108/AAM-10-2018-031
Pages: 182 - 186 Abstract: Arts and the Market, Volume 8, Issue 2, Page 182-186, October 2018. Purpose The purpose of this paper is to assess the recent emergence of contemporary art in Asia from a macro, sociocultural perspective. Design/methodology/approach This commentary is based on secondary research and recent visits to contemporary art centres in major cities across Asia. Findings The author argues that contemporary art in Asia emerges by extension of the Western contemporary art world and suggests that more must be done if Asia is to create a contemporary art world that is both internationally recognised and distinct from its Western precedent. Originality/value This commentary debunks the hyperbole surrounding contemporary art in Asia as a regional phenomenon and provides a critical examination of the global (power) dynamics at play. Citation: Arts and the Market PubDate: 2018-09-17T01:17:18Z DOI: 10.1108/AAM-10-2018-032
First page: 123 Abstract: Arts and the Market, Ahead of Print. Purpose The purpose of this paper is to define and characterise the precise nature of these cultural systems and their resulting impact on the respective art and artists of each territory, by ascertaining the impact on those systems of their respective government and governance. Design/methodology/approach This paper is based on three approaches to art market modelling. All three are based on political ideologies. The first, which typifies the art markets of Western Europe and the USA, is predicated on a Pluralist and Neo-Liberal ideology. The others correspond to the systems of government in China, Taiwan, South Korea and Japan. Findings It has been shown in this paper that political systems and their accompanying ideology, born of cultural preferences, have impacted on the art markets of China, Taiwan, South Korea and Japan. It has been demonstrated that all four markets are employing variants of the international norm. Research limitations/implications The art that is exported from East Asia will only be accepted by East Asian national markets when East Asian art markets exercise a majority influence on emerging and transitional markets. It is not the intention of this paper to pursue this thought beyond the possibility that it may occur. Practical implications The ineluctable conclusion is, therefore, that the global art market is moving towards a bipolar affair. Social implications This paper also suggests the disengagement of East Asian and Chinese “culture” and art from a global (western) norm and production and consumption of national culture in East Asia by East Asians. Originality/value The paper looks (for the first time) at the direct (and subliminal) influence of political systems on art markets and the consequential effects of political ideology on the art markets of East Asia and China. The paper arrives at a series of precise definitions for the way that these art markets operate. Citation: Arts and the Market PubDate: 2018-06-11T01:23:07Z DOI: 10.1108/AAM-05-2017-0009
First page: 137 Abstract: Arts and the Market, Ahead of Print. Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify and analyze the influence that globalization has had on the development of the contemporary Japanese art production. The study also aims to expand the global narrative of Japanese art by introducing concepts behind festivals for revitalization that have been occurring in Japan in recent years. Design/methodology/approach Guided by Culture Theorist Nira Yuval-Davies’ approach to the politics of belonging, the paper is situated within cultural studies and considers the development of contemporary art in Japan in relation to the power structures present within the global art market. This analysis draws heavily from the research of art historians Reiko Tomii, Adrian Favell, and Gennifer Weisenfeld, and is complemented by investigative research into the life of Art Director Kitagawa Fram, as well as observational analyses formed by on-site study of the Setouchi Triennale in 2015 and 2016. Findings The paper provides historical insight to the ways that the politics of belonging to the western world has created a limited benchmark for critical discussion about contemporary Japanese art. It suggests that festivals for revitalization in Japan not only are a good source of diversification, but also evidences criticism therein. Research limitations/implications Due to the brevity of this text, readers are encouraged to further investigate the source material for more in-depth understanding of the topics. Practical implications The paper implies that art historiography should take a multilateral approach to avoid a western hegemony in the field. Originality/value This paper fulfills a need to reflect on the limited global reception to Japanese art, while also identifying one movement that art historians and theorists may take into account in the future when considering a Japanese art discourse. Citation: Arts and the Market PubDate: 2018-06-22T08:15:52Z DOI: 10.1108/AAM-04-2017-0008
First page: 152 Abstract: Arts and the Market, Ahead of Print. Purpose The purpose of this paper is to establish a framework for millennials’ museum visiting behaviour and to explore the moderating effects of aesthetics and ambience for visiting art museums. This study uses the Stimulus–Organism–Response (S–O–R) model (Mehrabian and Russell, 1974) in order to confirm the relationship among variables. Design/methodology/approach The data were collected using online surveys from millennial art museum visitors who had visited a museum within three months. In all, 287 responses were collected. Structural equation modelling was used to analyse the model. Findings Korean millennial visitors pursue hedonic value rather than utilitarian value when they visit art museums. It turns out that hedonic value accelerates visitor satisfaction and promotes visitor loyalty more than utilitarian value in the art museum setting. Both ambiance and aesthetics play stimulating roles in the art museum context and moderate the relationships among visitor-perceived value, satisfaction and loyalty. Utilitarian values are identified as unimportant elements for young Korean museumgoers. Practical implications Ambiance and aesthetic factors play important roles in promoting art museum visits. An art museum may elevate its atmospheric factors by emphasising the visit’s fun value (i.e. hedonic value) for millennials. Originality/value This study expands on previous studies concerning conceptualization of multidimensional constructs of millennials’ value for experience of arts museums in terms of aesthetics and ambiance. The results also confirm the value of the S–O–R framework in an art museum context. Citation: Arts and the Market PubDate: 2018-07-05T10:59:37Z DOI: 10.1108/AAM-04-2017-0006
First page: 168 Abstract: Arts and the Market, Ahead of Print. Purpose The purpose of this paper is to introduce a progressive strategy of the National Palace Museum (NPM) using new media art exhibitions as a creative marketing tool to interpret its collection, generate cultural value and navigate the greater global context. Design/methodology/approach A review of museum marketing literature and the challenges presented by Taiwan’s sociopolitical situation contextualize discussions on marketing activities and the emergence of museum-commissioned new media art at the NPM within the past two decades. Findings Democratic potency inherent in the digital medium has enabled the NPM to transcend the conflicting cultural perceptions surrounding its collection and fulfill the function of market expansion and cultural transmission. Originality/value Specialized heritage museums, such as the NPM, do not traditionally create or collect contemporary artworks that engage in ongoing cultural dialogues. This paper brings into view the novelty of using the digital medium to generate cultural value as exemplified in the new media art commissioned by the NPM. Citation: Arts and the Market PubDate: 2018-07-26T10:50:31Z DOI: 10.1108/AAM-12-2017-0030