Seven Days in the Art World review

Seven Days in the Art World review

The diversity of art is such that it captures not only the expressions of its creators but of the audience as well. It is through art that people convey a wide range of messages using their creativity, imagination, and skillsets that appeal to the emotion and imaginative perspective of its audience. While a good number of the artists have gone through formal or informal institutions to sharpen their skills, others attribute their skillset as a gift crafted through the year of practice and mastery. Nonetheless, each artist seeks to express themselves and other phenomena through their pieces. In addition to the audience who also double up as direct consumers of the art, some individuals study different pieces of art and give their expert opinion and critic of whatever section in under scrutiny. As such, different art pieces appeal to diverse individuals who play a role in the continuity of art. This essay draws attention to Sarah Thornton’s book, Seven Days in the Art World. It is a report based on the ethnographic work of the sociologist, Thornton, based on her observation of seven different art gatherings. In the book, she explores fundamental areas in art and uses her observation to answer some of these questions.

Seven Days in the Art World is a joint account of the cultural aspect of art as seen through the eyes of a sociologist who takes into account the use of ethnographic research methods. Given that art is consumed through seeing or hearing, the book thus emphasizes the use of sight to observe and interact with art. The book begins with an art auction house at Christie’s in New York City. The chapter offers an insight into factors that drive the activities in an art auction. It also provides some reasons why both artists and collectors are forced to part with their pieces through auctions. While some sell out of will and volition, others sell due to circumstances such as debt where they need to raise as much money within the shortest time possible, and auctions are the best places to sell fast and to the highest bidder. The art critic at the California Institute of Arts is an occasion where students are called upon to defend their pieces based on the critique from their peers and the teachers. It is an introduction to the critical side of art that can either make or break an artist’s career based on the reviews and opinions of the art critics. The book then proceeds to cover the fair in Basel, which is a gathering of relevant stakeholders of art from all over the world. It is a gathering of artists and galleries where booths are provided to dealers to showcase pieces in their collections. Through her observations and interactions with different collectors, she provides information on the key concerns among the dealers where privacy is essential in art. This explains why some collectors are reluctant about Thornton following them in the art fair.

In the next chapter, Thornton shifts focus to the Turner prize in London, renowned for its emphasis on conceptual art. The ideas into the artwork are essential, and these details are considered during nomination and awards. Its approach to art raises controversy on the nature and definition of art. The chapter highlights the sharp contrast between traditional and conceptual art. The book then highlights activities at the Art Forum magazine, which is a leading publication on contemporary art. As identified in the book, the magazine is a voice among art circles, and any mention or contribution in the magazine is enough to bring acclaim to either an artist or a critic. While its staff might not necessarily be art historians, their grasp on the literature and critical analysis makes them perfect fit for the organization in maintaining its high-octane standards and practices. The book then highlights the interaction with the Japanese artist Takashi Murakami at his studio. He reveals the concept of studios is slowly being erased, and Murakami adds that he has developed the habit of working anywhere at almost anytime and is not necessarily confined by the studio. The final chapter draws attention to the Venice Biennale from where Thornton defines art based on her observations from this exhibition in Venice. It functions as an area where artists network based on the trends in the art industry where the pieces on display reflect on current forms of art. It provides an avenue to showcase contemporary visual art based on current global trends in art.

Inspiration from the author

The book is rich in its description of the fundamental aspects of art that are rarely known to the public. To most of the audience, art is more of a spectacle where the end product matters more than anything else. Beyond the superficial interactions with the artists, there is no sufficient information on some of the critical processes that drive the decisions made by the artists or the authors. This book has inspired me to spend more time on art and learning as much as possible about the artists. One of the key areas I would like to learn more is regarding the sale of art through auction, as provided in the first chapter. In this area, I hope to interact with the participants in these events and understand further the role of demand and supply in information the decisions of activities that take place in any given auction. Additionally, acquisition of knowledge on this essential part of art interaction will enable me to understand what it means for an artist or collector to part with their works given how they are attached to these pieces, as pointed out in chapter two of the book. Additionally, learning more about art will also enable me to participate in these forums actively and possibly make a career out. For example, a good number of contributors at the Art Forum magazine have other activities that they do part-time or full time in addition to their periodic engagements in the magazine. As such, the dynamic nature of the art means that almost anyone can actively participate in it as long as they have a passion and possess adequate knowledge on the same.

Organization of the book

The book took a few years to complete owing to the nature of the topic and the events that the author needed to cover. Additionally, the topic soundly resonates with Thornton’s writings in that each chapter talks about an essential activity in the art world. The topics are also arranged in the manner that the readers get to know some definitions of art based on the input of different characters. Being a sociologist, the author takes on a different perspective of addressing her main points, where she gathers her information mostly by observation. This is an unorthodox yet profound way of interacting with stakeholders in art. Coincidentally, art is best enjoyed through observation, and the author presents seven core interactions with art, where information is gathered through observation. As such, the author enables the reader to form their judgment based on what they read. Thornton’s style in the book is quite commendable even more when she combines ethnography and active interactions with the individuals mentioned in the book. Furthermore, her style is such that she captures authentic data throughout the book, and with each chapter, the reader can acquire insight into the happenings in art. I am looking forward to Thornton’s publications and reviews so that I can interact further with her style, which I found unique and insightful.

Weaknesses

The book fails to nail down a definition of art, and instead, it provides numerous descriptions that are contradictory to some extent. This is because, in all the chapters, it brings out new and different ideas that attempt to define art. Even so, her provocative approach where she keeps asking questions in sections of the book does not come full circle due to a lack of conclusive responses to the issues raised. This means that the reader most certainly has to go find those answers on their own depending on the nature of their enthusiasm. The investigative weaknesses of Thornton are identifiable throughout the book, and her deductions are based on observations, albeit from sociologist perspectives. This might explain why the book fails to give definitions of art. Given the secrecy around art circles, it is somewhat naïve to think that one can get sufficient information through the observation of characters. One fascinating nature of human beings is that we are given to putting up with appearances, especially when we are being observed. Art is composed of different personas and egos through which individuals mask their true identities. It creates a virtual reality best expressed or suppressed in separate pieces. As such, Thornton’s investigative weaknesses are apparent, and she hardly pushes her interactions to limits where she can get full disclosure on her research undertaking.

New Ideas

After reading the book, I can understand the dynamic nature of art that is given to changes. Each time is era has its definitive models of artistic expressions. Currently, there is a paradigm shift in art, where conceptual art is being embraced more in comparison to the conventional technique. This is well captured in the fourth chapter that primarily talks about the Turner prize in London, which gives awards to artists showcasing conceptual designs. The prestige attached to this award only works to signify an inclination towards conceptual art. Furthermore, exhibitions at the Venice Biennale are an indication of the preference for conceptual art. I have also learned that modern artists are taking upon commercial projects to supplement what they earn from art. As such, contemporary artists use their skills and creativity in the media, thus indicating how society is in full consumption of art, also emphasizing the role of conceptual art in the current world. An artist is no longer confined to the studio in that they are the authors of creativity and can come up with ideas wherever they are at any time.

Finally, the book offers insights into the events that shape behavior in the world of art. While it is a prestigious industry, the author draws attention to the voracious nature of art where money and power are commonly traded commodities in the sector. Those who have access to these items accumulate vast and expensive collections as signs of prestige rather than artistic significance. On the other hand, individuals without access to power or money are restrained in their conduct, and more often than not, their behavior is likened to vultures waiting to devour whatever is left behind.