Contemporary art prices 'up 55%'

[Allegra]

BBC NEWS | Entertainment | Contemporary art prices 'up 55%'

The value of contemporary art has risen by 55% in a year, according to a study of auction sales from around the world.

The annual Hiscox Art Market Research report also claimed modern art, produced from the late 19th century to the 1970s, has jumped in value by 44%.

The world's most expensive piece of contemporary art went for £50 million in August - a diamond-encrusted skull by Damien Hirst.

(Oh the diamond skull crap again )

[daisybee]

It's reading things like this that make me despair.

I love art-I think art has value. But when prices are just about plucked from the sky for pieces, I find it vulgar. Art has always been something that I consider a reflection of society as a whole, and yet now it is almost exclusively for the rich, by the rich and discussed by the rich. I mean even Banksy pieces going for more than a quarter of a mil??

And Damien Hirst needs to pull his head out of his backside.

[Allegra]

You are absolutely right, daisy. What more, the riches' aesthetic judgments are usually measured by the price tags and art, as a divine human creativity is devalued inevitably.

[daisybee]

Yesterday I had a lovely afternnon walking around our local museum, which is currently exhibiting the Attenborough Collection of Picasso Ceramics. Such a generous donation to a museum is the sort of thing that true art patronage is all about. Sharing with people. Lord Attenborough has donated the collection to our city, and it is a wonderful gift that will last forever.

[Curt Chiarelli]

Originally Posted by daisybee

And Damien Hirst needs to pull his head out of his backside.

Or that embalmed shark of his!