At first glance it seems that Ukraine is integrated into the world art market. But that is not so.
Our artists are in demand all over the world, their works are in the collections of foreign museums, they regularly receive authoritative awards in the field of art, are sold at prestigious auctions, take part in international fairs. We have people and things to be proud of, and something to strive for. However, this happens rather in spite of, than thanks to.
The reality is this — there is no art market in Ukraine. This process is in no way regulated at the legislative level, there are no clear rules of the game and no single register of works. There is no systemic support either from the state or from patrons. Thanks to the scattered efforts of people who care, there are a few systemic programmes supporting young talents; the rest are rather episodic in nature. Unfortunately, in our country few are interested in investing in the development of young artists.
At the same time, Ukrainian galleries do not fulfil their tasks in full. Supporting an artist is world practice for any gallery in Western Europe or the USA, because the artist is its main asset.
This is not only about sales. Most often galleries handle a multitude of matters: they represent the artist on the market, broadcast their ideas and philosophy, store the works, finance projects. In Ukraine, however, galleries often simply exhibit works, and this concerns only our renowned artists. The young, unknown or beginning ones are left overboard. And how many talented young people choose a more "stable" professional path for themselves, understanding that under existing conditions an artist cannot survive.
That is exactly why our galleries drop out of the "artist — collector" communication; here art dealers rule the roost. This is a very non-public market, where deals take place behind closed doors. In reality this harms the artists themselves first and foremost. On the world art market an artist's value is determined not by a single sale, but by the total number of documented sold works. A price that is not declared anywhere and not confirmed by any documents does not exist.
But that is not all. There is a widespread opinion that art is only painting. But what about sculpture, design, photography? Besides, thanks to the rapid growth of technology, new visual art is developing: 3D installations, digital art.
In Ukraine the number of good artists substantially exceeds the number of those who are interested in art and can support it. Someone must break this vicious circle, and not only at the state level.
Undoubtedly, Ukraine very much needs a Centre of Contemporary Art and a museum of contemporary art, which need to be positioned from the outset as part of the international scene. But we also need the creation of conditions in which artists would develop their principles, in which institutions of criticism and curatorship would be formed; funding on a permanent basis is necessary — both from the state and from patrons. This must be a single strategy, understandable to all participants. Yes, an art market cannot exist without artists. But no less valuable are its other participants — curators, gallerists, owners of auction houses, online marketplaces, art dealers, collectors and patrons. It is precisely these people who influence the development of contemporary art.
Over the last 5 years or so, businessmen have noted an unprecedented outflow of professional personnel from the country. This question is on the agenda today both for the president and for every business owner. But nobody speaks about the outflow of cultural potential, because if business is the engine of the economy, then culture is the soul of the nation. A cultural code that shapes the mental culture of our society — both for contemporaries and for generations to come, and also for the whole world. If we do not take this up now, then in about 5 years it will already be too late.
Material: www.nv.ua
