Items related to Supercollector: A Critique of Charles Saatchi
Third Edition. This book is the only in-depth study of Charles Saatchi as an art collector. It tells the story of the Saatchi advertising agencies, the famous Silk-Cut campaign and political posters for the Tory Party, and their effort to achieve global domination by means of take-overs and acquisitions. It argues that advertising values permeate the kind of art Charles supports. However, it also discusses works by artists such as Hans Haacke and Jamie Wagg that are critical of Saatchi. Also considered is the influence Saatchi has exercised on public galleries and institutions.
It explains how Saatchi devised a whole value-adding apparatus – collection, gallery, exhibitions, tame critics, books – in order to boost the monetary worth of the art objects he purchased cheaply from young artists desperate for fame. The Saatchi Collection is not permanent – repeated sales and purchases means that it mutates all the time. Exhibitions of the YBAs such as ‘Sensation’ in London and New York ensured maximum publicity and the invention of spurious ‘art movements’, such as the New Neurotic Realism, indicated a desire to determine the course of the history of art.
It explains how Saatchi devised a whole value-adding apparatus – collection, gallery, exhibitions, tame critics, books – in order to boost the monetary worth of the art objects he purchased cheaply from young artists desperate for fame. The Saatchi Collection is not permanent – repeated sales and purchases means that it mutates all the time. Exhibitions of the YBAs such as ‘Sensation’ in London and New York ensured maximum publicity and the invention of spurious ‘art movements’, such as the New Neurotic Realism, indicated a desire to determine the course of the history of art.
The text is informed by the political and sociological writings of Marx, Veblen and Raymonde Moulin. While it cites a wide range of opinions about Saatchi, it is primarily a hostile critique written from an anti-capitalist perspective. Those who dominate the economy, politics and ideology - and culture too – use their power for their own benefit. Their patronage of art is an alibi for continuing the system of exploitation and inequality, and deflecting criticism. This book illuminates the process of control. If knowledge really is power, then it will have a use-value.
The second edition contained a new chapter of 17,000 words that discussed his gifts, sales and purchases, exhibitions since 1999, the ‘power couple’ Charles and Nigella Lawson, and the new Saatchi Gallery at County Hall.
The third edition contains a new chapter of 11,000 words that considers exhibitions he mounted during 2004, the Momart fire, the complaint by the Stuckists, his first interview ‘on the record’, and Saatchi’s new agenda of promoting painting in 2005.
What reviewers said about the first edition:
Small and malignant, this book slots into the pocket as snugly as a gunslinger’s Bible. Keith Miller, TLS.
Takes a fresh look at the shadowy world of private patronage as it operates today. Steve Jones, Socialist Appeal.
A thorough-going account of Saatchi’s rise to the status of Supercollector and an indictment of the role of advertising in the advancement of capitalism and how this implicitly endangers the field of cultural production. Roger Cook, Art History.
A valuable counter balance to the weight of vanity publications associated with the subject. Colin Gleadell, Art Monthly.
Simultaneously entertaining and relentless in its structure ... good value for money. Julian Freeman, The Art Book.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Review:
A thorough-going account of Saatchi's rise to the status of supercollector. Roger Cook -- Art History, 2000
A valuable counter balance to the weight of vanity publications associated with the subject. Colin Gleadhill. -- Art Monthy, 2000
Simultaneously entertaining and relentless in its structure ...good value for money. Julian Freeman. -- The Art Book, 2000
Small and malignant, this book slots into the pocket as snugly as a gunslinger's Bible. Keith Miller. -- Times Literary Supplement, 2000
Takes a fresh look at the shadowy world of private patronage as it operates today. Steve Jones. -- Socialist Appeal, 2000
Synopsis:
A valuable counter balance to the weight of vanity publications associated with the subject. Colin Gleadhill. -- Art Monthy, 2000
Simultaneously entertaining and relentless in its structure ...good value for money. Julian Freeman. -- The Art Book, 2000
Small and malignant, this book slots into the pocket as snugly as a gunslinger's Bible. Keith Miller. -- Times Literary Supplement, 2000
Takes a fresh look at the shadowy world of private patronage as it operates today. Steve Jones. -- Socialist Appeal, 2000
This text presents a detailed examination of Charles Saatchi the advertising mogul, who is estimated to spend two million pounds a year buying and displaying contemporary art. It is primarily a hostile critique from an anti-capitalist standpoint.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherInstitute of Artology
- Publication date2003
- ISBN 10 0954570200
- ISBN 13 9780954570200
- BindingPaperback
- Edition number2
- Number of pages278
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