Symposium: Art is Not a Commodity

18 Feb 2017

Examining Economic Exceptionalism in Art

This symposium examines the idea that art is not a standard commodity through the theories and practices of economic exceptionalism discussed in Dave Beech’s book Art and Value (Brill 2015).

The speakers set out to test the proposition that coherent distinctions can be drawn between the economically exceptional and the economically standard. Using these distinctions, we aim to unpack urgent issues around the economic context of art, including unpaid internships, payment of artists, public funding of arts, ‘value engineering’ practices, the economics art education, and the facts of the art market.

The day is split into four themed sessions: Art and Values, Managing Change, Paying for Art and Art and Work. Speakers include Dave Beech, Jason Bowman, Marsha Bradfield, Kim Charnley, Gail Day, Mel Evans, Ben Fitton, Julie McCalden, Andrea Phillips, Rosalie Schweiker, Marina Vishmidt, Josefine Wikström and Mick Wilson.

Schedule

11.15 - 11.40 Introduction
- 11.15 - 11.20 Welcome by Professor Malcolm Quinn
- 11.20 - 11.40 Introduction by Professor Dave Beech
11.40 - 12.40 Session 1: Art & Values
- Mel Evans: Artwash - How oil companies instrumentalise art
- Rosalie Schweiker: £180 : 3 = £60
- Panel discussion chaired by Ben Fitton
12.40 - 13.20 Lunch
13.20 - 14.20 Session 2: Managing Change
- Andrea Phillips: Devaluation and institutional management
- Mick Wilson: Some changes in the discourse on art and value: From the ‘bargain sale of values’ to ‘deferred value’
- Panel discussion chaired by Jason Bowman
14.20 - 15.20 Session 3: Paying For Art
- Kim Charnley: Affluence and Degradation: Ian Burn’s economics of art under Neoliberalism?
- Julie McCalden: Can we afford NOT to pay artists?
- Panel discussion chaired by Marsha Bradfield
15.20 - 15.50 Refreshment Break
15.50 - 16.50 Session 4: Art & Work
- Josefine Wikström: The mediation of abstract labour in art
- Marina Vishmidt: Erase Errata: On Being Interested in the Economy and the Anomaly
- Panel discussion chaired by Gail Day
16.50 - 17.00 Closing thoughts

Closing thoughts by Dave Beech

Resources

Art is Not a Commodity Schedule and Notes.pdf | 163K
Download this PDF for full details on the schedule and accompanying programme notes.

Convened by Professor Malcolm Quinn, Professor Dave Beech and Lisa le Feuvre. This event is co-organised with Valand Academy and presented by Camberwell, Chelsea, Wimbledon Graduate School Public Programme.