Arttactic

In this week's episode of the ArtTactic Podcast, host Adam Green speaks with Ashkan Baghestani, SVP and Head of Contemporary Day Sale at Sotheby’s, about the auction house’s inaugural sale in Saudi Arabia, Origins, taking place on February 8. Ashkan discusses the factors behind Sotheby’s expansion into this growing market, how Saudi Arabia’s cultural scene compares to other Middle Eastern hubs, and the strategy behind curating a sale that blends fine art, sports memorabilia, watches, jewelry, and handbags. He also shares insights into how Sotheby’s is engaging both seasoned and emerging collectors in the region and what trends are shaping the Saudi art market. Finally, Ashkan provides a broader look at Sotheby’s long-term vision for the Middle East and whether the recent investment from Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth fund, ADQ, plays a role in shaping the auction house’s future in the region.

In this episode of the ArtTactic Podcast, host Adam Green speaks with Kelly Baum, the John and Mary Pappajohn Director of the Des Moines Art Center. Formerly a curator of contemporary art at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Kelly made a bold move from New York to Iowa to take on the leadership of one of the country’s most dynamic regional museums. We discuss what motivated her decision to leave the Met, the unique history and vision of the Des Moines Art Center, and how the institution has built an exceptional collection by embracing risk-taking and innovation. Kelly shares insights into the transition from curator to director, the opportunities and challenges of leading a museum outside a major art hub, and the ways she’s working to maintain a strong local presence while ensuring the museum remains visible on the national stage. She also offers a preview of exciting upcoming exhibitions and reflects on what has surprised her most about Iowa’s art community.

This week on the ArtTactic Podcast, host Adam Green speaks with New York Times Culture Reporter Robin Pogrebin about the devastating impact of the recent fires in Los Angeles on the city’s art community. They discuss how artists, collectors, and institutions have been affected, as well as the art world’s inspiring efforts to provide support. The conversation also explores how Frieze LA has transformed the city’s art scene, creating a vibrant cultural ecosystem that extends beyond the fair itself to include museums, galleries, and studio visits. Robin shares insights on the challenges and opportunities facing LA’s gallery scene, common misconceptions about the local art market, and what makes it distinct from other art hubs like New York. With Frieze Week approaching, they discuss the potential for the fairs to bring the art world together in solidarity, supporting the recovery of LA’s art community.

In this week's episode of the ArtTactic Podcast, host Adam Green is joined by Tim Schneider, founder of The Gray Market, to explore his much-anticipated annual art market predictions. Known for his sharp insights and bold forecasts, Tim shares highlights from his newly published 2025 predictions, diving into topics that are shaping the art world. Together, they discuss the potential sale of Frieze to Ari Emanuel, the possibility of Beeple’s Everydays: The First 5000 Days returning to the market, and the growing presence of high-end gallery pop-ups in Saudi Arabia. Tim also addresses the unsettling rise of deepfake technology and its implications for the art market. In addition, Tim reveals a brand-new prediction exclusively for this episode and reflects on his recent transition of The Gray Market to Substack.

In this final episode of the year, host Adam Green reflects on 2024 and looks ahead to the future of the art market. Joined by Daniel Cassady, Art Business Reporter at Artnews, they dive into the key moments, trends, and controversies that shaped the art world over the past year. They discuss the overall health of the art market in 2024, exploring the impact of macroeconomic and geopolitical forces, as well as the rise of hotel fairs as a cost-effective and creative alternative for galleries. The conversation also highlights emerging art fairs and regions gaining prominence in an increasingly global art world, memorable auction moments, and the controversies that defined the year. Additionally, Adam and Daniel examine how blockchain technology might influence provenance and authenticity in the future and reflect on the cultural buzz surrounding Frieze London and the much-anticipated Art Basel Paris. As a bonus, they share bold predictions for 2025.

In this episode of the ArtTactic Podcast, our host Adam Green is joined by Kabir Jhala, Art Market Editor at The Art Newspaper, to recap this year’s edition of Art Basel Miami Beach. We explore how Trump’s re-election is shaping gallery expectations and the art market’s trajectory, including differing reactions from collectors and dealers at the fair. Kabir also shares insights on the potential impact of tariffs on the U.S. art market, drawing comparisons to the rising costs and challenges faced by the UK art market post-Brexit. We discuss the overall mood heading into the fair and how things ultimately played out, from standout artworks to the broader trends and themes that defined this year’s presentations. With the fair taking place in December at the end of a packed art calendar, we consider whether collector fatigue or earlier buying opportunities might affect attendance and sales. Finally, we reflect on Miami’s role as the final major test for the art market this year and what insiders are anticipating

In this week's episode of the ArtTactic Podcast, host Adam Green speaks with Philip Tinari, Director and CEO of the UCCA Center for Contemporary Art, China’s leading independent contemporary art institution. We explore the evolution of China’s museum landscape since UCCA’s founding and the rise of private foundations, discussing the driving factors behind their growth and the varying quality of these institutions. Philip shares insights into UCCA’s recent expansion to its fourth location and how each space furthers the museum’s mission. We also dive into the growing interest in global contemporary art among Chinese collectors and how this trend influences UCCA’s programming. Additionally, we tackle the challenges of censorship and its impact on international exhibitions. Finally, Philip reflects on the future of Chinese art institutions and what excites him most about their continued development.

In this episode of the ArtTactic Podcast, Adam Green takes an in-depth look at the African art market, with a focus on the recently concluded 9th edition of Art x Lagos. Joining us is journalist Rebecca Anne Proctor, who attended this year’s fair for the third time. We begin by exploring the history of Art x Lagos and its evolution over nearly a decade. Rebecca shares how this year’s fair compared to previous editions and reflects on the broader trends shaping the African art market. The conversation delves into the surge of international interest in African art over the past few years, the challenges posed by market saturation, and how the art scene is navigating these shifts. We also discuss the vital role of a robust domestic ecosystem—supported by galleries, collectors, and curators—and how successful African artists are fostering growth through initiatives like residencies and local programs.

In this episode of the ArtTactic Podcast, host Adam Green speaks with Jack Bullen, co-founder and director of the Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair, about the evolving world of contemporary printmaking and the unique opportunities it offers. They discuss what makes prints appealing to certain collectors, exciting trends in the medium, and how technology is shaping the market, including innovative approaches artists are taking. Jack previews this year’s edition of the fair, occurring November 21-24, and shares his thoughts on the phenomenon of “drops” and how rising prices are impacting this tactic. For new collectors, Jack also offers practical tips on making confident purchases and avoiding common pitfalls in this dynamic and accessible segment of the art world.

In this week's episode of the ArtTactic Podcast, host Adam Green dives into the latest trends shaping the art market with Michael Moses, co-founder of Art Market Consultancy and a pioneer in compiling repeat sales auction data. Michael shares key insights from the first half of 2024, including factors driving the recent decline in auction prices and the growing supply of art on the market. We explore how increased online-only sales are changing auction dynamics, as well as the role of collector motivation versus auction house capacity in driving supply. Additionally, Michael offers his perspective on correlations between art and other asset classes, the impact of signatures and dates on artwork returns, and what he anticipates for the upcoming major auctions in New York.

In this week's episode of the ArtTactic Podcast, Adam Green sits down with Nate Freeman, culture columnist for Vanity Fair, to break down Art Basel Paris 2024. They discuss whether the highly anticipated fair met expectations, the standout exhibitions and events around the city, and how the current art market shaped reported sales. Nate also provides insight into whether Art Basel Paris is poised to shift the global art fair landscape and how it compares to other major fairs like Frieze London. Finally, Nate shares more about his newsletter, True Colors, and his work at Vanity Fair.

In this week's episode of the ArtTactic Podcast, Adam Green is joined by Naomi Rea, editor-in-chief at Artnet News, to recap Frieze London and preview the highly anticipated Art Basel Paris. Naomi shares insights from her conversations with galleries about the strength of sales at Frieze London and discusses the unique layout changes at the fair, which saw blue-chip galleries placed further back in a structured, funnel-like flow. Adam and Naomi also dive into how this new layout impacted the visitor experience and whether galleries were taking creative risks or playing it safe with their presentations. As Art Basel Paris quickly approaches, Naomi offers her thoughts on how the excitement surrounding Paris may be pulling focus from Frieze and shifting the priorities of collectors and galleries. Finally, they look ahead to the key moments of Art Basel Paris that Naomi is most excited to report on.

In this episode of the ArtTactic Podcast, Adam Green sits down with Alison Gass, founding director of ICA San Francisco, to discuss the museum’s journey as a self-described “art museum startup.” Ali shares the origin story of ICA SF, the challenges and opportunities that come with launching a new museum in today’s art world, and how the institution is carving out its place in San Francisco’s dynamic art scene. With the exciting news of ICA SF’s upcoming move to downtown San Francisco, Ali delves into the significance of the location change and what it means for the museum’s future. Adam and Ali also explore how ICA SF engages with Silicon Valley's tech industry, the advantages of being a non-collecting institution, and the collaborative nature of the San Francisco art community. Plus, Ali gives us a sneak peek into the museum’s upcoming exhibitions.

In this episode of the ArtTactic Podcast, host Adam Green is joined by Amanda Lo Iacono, Deputy CEO of Phillips. Amanda shares insights into how Phillips is leveraging technology to attract younger collectors and break down traditional barriers within the auction world. They also discuss the current state of the art market as the fall auction season kicks off, including key market trends, the impact of Chinese collectors, and how Phillips is positioning itself against competitors like Christie’s and Sotheby’s. Plus, Amanda highlights some standout sales and events Phillips has lined up for the season.

In this episode of the ArtTactic Podcast, host Adam Green sits down with Alexander Berggruen, founder of Alexander Berggruen, as the gallery approaches its fifth anniversary. Alex reflects on key lessons learned over the past five years and shares what it’s like to run a gallery in the competitive New York City art scene. In light of the recent Armory Show, he also discusses his strategy behind solo versus group presentations at art fairs. Additionally, they explore the vibrant UK art scene and why Alex has focused on exhibiting UK-based artists in New York. Alex further explains how growing up in a family-run gallery has influenced his approach and why he chose the Upper East Side for his gallery instead of Chelsea or Tribeca.

In this episode of the ArtTactic Podcast, host Adam Green sits down with Bill Powers, owner of Half Gallery, to discuss his forthcoming memoir Glissando and his new book Early 21st Century Art. Bill shares captivating stories from his journey through the art world, including his interactions with renowned artists, gallerists, and critics. We delve into his unique position within the gallery ecosystem, explore why some artists thrive in the market while others don't, and reflect on his relationships with artists like Rene Ricard. Bill also discusses the dynamics of artists changing galleries, offering his perspective on the increasing consolidation of artists by mega-galleries. Additionally, he provides valuable advice for both collectors and artists, sharing insights on navigating the art world and building successful careers and collections.

In this episode of the ArtTactic Podcast, host Adam Green speaks with Seoul-based art critic Andy St. Louis, founder of Seoul Art Friend and author of Future Present: Contemporary Korean Art. As Frieze Seoul approaches its third edition, Adam and Andy explore the fair's growing influence in the Korean art scene and how it has attracted global attention, especially from U.S. and European galleries. They also discuss the complexities of scheduling conflicts with the Armory Show in New York and the impact on international collectors. Andy shares insights on how certain galleries have successfully integrated into Seoul’s art community and the current state of collecting in Korea. Finally, they dive into Andy's new book, which is the first English-language survey of millennial contemporary Korean artists, and reflect on why these artists haven’t received as much global recognition despite Korea’s rising presence in the art market.

In this episode of the ArtTactic Podcast, host Adam Green interviews Michael Findlay, an esteemed art dealer, director of Acquavella Galleries, and author of the new book, "Portrait of the Art Dealer as a Young Man: New York in the Sixties." Michael shares fascinating stories from his extensive career in the art world, offering unique insights into the 1960s New York art scene and its evolution. He discusses the art world's shift from pure appreciation to investment-focused collecting and how different generations engage with impressionist, modern, and contemporary art. Michael also provides valuable advice for art collectors, whether they are just starting or have been collecting for years.

In this episode of the ArtTactic Podcast, host Adam Green speaks with Jeffrey Yin, the newly appointed CEO of Artsy, the leading e-commerce platform for galleries worldwide. They discuss Jeffrey's primary objectives as he takes on his new role and how he envisions technology advancing Artsy's mission in the coming years. The conversation delves into the current state of the art market, with Jeffrey sharing insights and data on market trends and potential softening. They also explore the impact of these trends on galleries and collectors, highlighting changing tastes in contemporary art.

In this episode of the ArtTactic Podcast, host Adam Green explores the contemporary Indian art scene with Aparajita Jain, director of Nature Morte and founder of the Saat Saath Arts Foundation. We discuss the evolution of the Indian art market, from its global exposure in the early 2000s to the recent changes post-COVID. Aparajita provides insights into the current state of the contemporary Indian art market and the exposure of Indian artists globally. We also explore the interest of young collectors in contemporary Indian art and the role of philanthropy in supporting the arts in India. Aparajita shares her perspectives on the challenges and opportunities for the Indian art scene in the coming years.