Not Investor, but Junkie

Today the doors of a private collectors home once again opened to us. Albeit the location itself differed vastly from the first one we visited, being a modern city apartment made from concrete with large full-glass fronts opposed to what was essentially a castle, the feeling behind the collection both places housed were similar.

His hands moving excitedly, the collector launched into a passionate recounting of the history of his conquests, saying it needs to be like "you visit and art fair and amongst thousands and thousands of works of art, it's that one, that particular one and no other. You just know it right away." He came to collecting art through a boyfriend some 30 years ago who was an art dealer, sucking him into this world for the first time. There never was a strategy or plan behind his collection, he simply buys what he likes. "To collect strategically, you have to be smart", he elaborates, "but most collectors are like drug addicts. There's nothing smart about a drug addict." His audience rewarded his sharp assessment with a round of laughter.

All through the tour of the spacious apartment graciously decorated with art, the collector shared little stories of how he came across the artworks, only hesitating every now and then when it came to the full name of the artist behind it. In the end, he spurred the students present on by telling them to not bend to some standards dictated and that there were always ways to get out there, because "there are always people looking for something, so why not your art?" He then promised a visit on our open day this Friday.

We'd like to once again give our thanks for the warm welcome and the wealth of information we all received this afternoon. [mp]