K Brown_JVAP Article.pdf (283.56 kB)
Disappearing acts: Fictitious capital, aesthetic atheism, and the artworld
This article argues that as the market for art rises to prominence both economically and
conceptually, the artwork becomes a form of ‘fictitious capital’ that threatens the
ontological status of the object and forces reconsideration of the role of the museum.
These issues are examined through the lens of empirical market data, contemporary art,
and analytic aesthetics. David Carrier’s conception of ‘aesthetic atheism’ is tested
against the background of both recent developments in the art market and creative
strategies that stage the disappearance of the artwork. It is argued that the proliferation
of spectacular auctions, art fairs, and information about sales prices results in a new
object of appreciation: the market itself. The result is that the market is ‘aestheticized’
and constituted as a unique sphere of social goods that replaces ‘art’ as traditionally
conceived.
History
School
- Social Sciences and Humanities
Department
- Communication and Media
Published in
Journal of Visual Art PracticeVolume
19Issue
3Pages
225-240Publisher
Taylor & Francis (Routledge)Version
- AM (Accepted Manuscript)
Rights holder
© Taylor and FrancisPublisher statement
This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Journal of Visual Art Practice on 28 Sep 2020, available online: https://doi.org/10.1080/14702029.2020.1808336Acceptance date
2020-08-06Publication date
2020-09-28Copyright date
2020ISSN
1470-2029Publisher version
Language
- en
Depositor
Dr Kathryn Brown Deposit date: 7 August 2020Usage metrics
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