Spring Break
Starting an Art Collection
A conversation with art expert Jeanne Greenberg-Rohatyn
Rodney Reid (OH), Viewpoints Editor
Issue date: 10/12/04 Section: Viewpoints
- < prev Page 2 of 2
Harbus: How should an art novice begin collecting?
JGR: I believe strongly that you have to invest your money in art in order to have a real emotional investment in it. I have known people who were lazy about art until they put their money into it and then they became really energized. Starting out, you should find a tutor or someone experienced who you trust and respect that you can discuss art with. Also you have to begin looking at art. All you need to spend is two hours on a Saturday looking at art. A good option is joining a museum club. Also, you can look at auction catalogues or art magazines such as Art Forum, Art in America, or Frieze. You should definitely read the New York Times gallery reviews and if you are in New York, read the Village Voice's art section.
Harbus: What type of art should a young collector start with?
JGR: Different mediums have different sensibilities. I love sculptures for instance, but they are notoriously difficult to re-sell. Paintings are probably the most liquid medium, while installations are less liquid. A lot of young art enthusiasts, who are cost-constrained, start out buying prints before moving on to the real thing. I believe a better alternative is to buy a drawing of a painter you really love. Many artists produce less expensive works in conjunction with their traditional pieces. I own several Andy Warhol Polaroid photographs that are much more affordable than his popular work. Additionally, I would recommend that young collectors look at undervalued mediums. Take for instance video art. Right now, video art is extremely undervalued, but I have this fantasy in my head that in the future every home will have monitors so that you can continuously look at video art. Ten years ago, if you would have said that photographs were going to be in nearly everyone's homes, no one would have believed you; now they are. Regardless of which medium you choose to start with, the most important thing is to buy art that moves you.
JGR: I believe strongly that you have to invest your money in art in order to have a real emotional investment in it. I have known people who were lazy about art until they put their money into it and then they became really energized. Starting out, you should find a tutor or someone experienced who you trust and respect that you can discuss art with. Also you have to begin looking at art. All you need to spend is two hours on a Saturday looking at art. A good option is joining a museum club. Also, you can look at auction catalogues or art magazines such as Art Forum, Art in America, or Frieze. You should definitely read the New York Times gallery reviews and if you are in New York, read the Village Voice's art section.
Harbus: What type of art should a young collector start with?
JGR: Different mediums have different sensibilities. I love sculptures for instance, but they are notoriously difficult to re-sell. Paintings are probably the most liquid medium, while installations are less liquid. A lot of young art enthusiasts, who are cost-constrained, start out buying prints before moving on to the real thing. I believe a better alternative is to buy a drawing of a painter you really love. Many artists produce less expensive works in conjunction with their traditional pieces. I own several Andy Warhol Polaroid photographs that are much more affordable than his popular work. Additionally, I would recommend that young collectors look at undervalued mediums. Take for instance video art. Right now, video art is extremely undervalued, but I have this fantasy in my head that in the future every home will have monitors so that you can continuously look at video art. Ten years ago, if you would have said that photographs were going to be in nearly everyone's homes, no one would have believed you; now they are. Regardless of which medium you choose to start with, the most important thing is to buy art that moves you.
