ANN: 2 TIAMSA Sessions during the upcoming CAA Annual Conference (Chicago, 15 Feb 2024)

As an affiliated society of the College Art Association (CAA), TIAMSA is thrilled to share information about two compelling sessions scheduled during the upcoming CAA Annual Conference.

TIAMSA members in Chicago who wish to connect with Veronique Burke can reach out to her via email at veroniqueburke79@gmail.com.

Session 1 :  Hand and Glove: Art Market Studies and the History of Collecting

 Day and Date: Thursday, February 15, 2024

 Time: 5:50 PM to 7:00 PM EST

 Venue: Hilton Chicago- 3rd Floor- Private Dining Room 2

The Society of the History of Collecting, established in 2015, and the International Art Market Studies Association, founded a year later, signify a burgeoning scholarly interest in collecting, the art market, institutional histories, and the exchange of art. Despite their rapid growth, these two subfields remain distinct. The Hand and Glove session chaired by Natasha Degen and Blair Asbury Brooks,  explores the self-understanding of each subfield, their differences, and areas of overlap. Papers cover influences between Art Market Studies and the History of Collecting, methodological disparities, gray areas like dealers-as-collectors, and diverse research forms, including recent exhibitions.

In “Project OBJECTive,” Camille Mestdagh discusses a research project at the intersection of art market studies and the history of collecting, creating a database to explore the trajectory of decorative arts from 1700-2000.

Brian Seymour’s “It Happened in Philly” investigates how Philadelphia incubated successful collectors in the early 20th century, examining the agency of individual American collectors and their engagement with the art market.

 Fiona Crouch’s “A Lifelong Passion” delves into Charles Paget Wade’s unique collection at Snowshill Manor, exploring how the National Trust navigates presenting a collection designed to provoke curiosity rather than conform to a museum model. 

Elisabeth Eggimann Gerber explores the history of the Galerie Aktuaryus, one of the first Jewish art dealer families in the Swiss market, using varied sources to reconstruct its activities. 

Lastly, Jeffrey Abt’s “When Worlds Collide” explores the intersection of collecting and market economics during the Detroit Institute of Arts’ fiscal distress in 2013, detailing legal issues and the role of art-market entities in monetizing the collection during the city’s bankruptcy.

These diverse papers showcase the evolving landscape of collecting and the art market, emphasizing the interdisciplinary nature of research in these subfields. From database-driven explorations to case studies of unique collections and historical analyses of market entanglements, the session encapsulates the dynamic and interconnected nature of art history, market studies, and institutional dynamics.

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Session 2:  How Artists Interact with the Market – TIAMSA Business meeting

 Day and Date: Thursday, February 15, 2024

 Time: 2:00 PM  to 3:00 PM EST

 Venue: Hilton Chicago- 3rd Floor- Private Dining Room 2

Chaired by Joshua Eversfield Jenkins, this session will feature two thought-provoking papers by Anna Myers and Anne-Kathrin Gerlieb. Joshua’s presentation delves into how artists, often viewed as market-dependent, wield more agency than perceived, with historical instances illustrating adaptation.

Anna Myers’ presentation, ‘Before you buy, be sure to understand’: Robert Smirke and A Scene from Samuel Foote’s Play ‘Taste,’ explores Smirke’s work as a historical source, broadening our understanding of how contemporary artists perceived and engaged with the art market.

Anne-Kathrin Gerlieb’s presentation, “At the Table with Ultra-Contemporary Artists: Contemporary Strategies,” focuses on the case study of artists like Johanna Dumet and Charlotte Adams, who merge art, fashion, and design at the dinner table, reflecting the evolving nature of art practices and reshaping market landscapes.

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We encourage you to mark these sessions on your calendar and explore the richness of discussions that will take place during the conference.

Thank you for your ongoing support, and we look forward to seeing you at the CAA Annual Conference.

Warm regards,

TIAMSA