Why would a smart New York investment banker pay $12 million for the decaying; stuffed carcass of a shark? By what alchemy does Jackson Pollocks drip painting No. 5; 1948 sell for $140 million? Intriguing and entertaining; The $12 Million Stuffed Shark is a Freakonomics approach to the economics and psychology of the contemporary art world. Why were record prices achieved at auction for works by 131 contemporary artists in 2006 alone; with astonishing new heights reached in 2007? Don Thompson explores the money; lust; and self-aggrandizement of the art world in an attempt to determine what makes a particular work valuable while others are ignored. This book is the first to look at the economics and the marketing strategies that enable the modern art market to generate such astronomical prices. Drawing on interviews with both past and present executives of auction houses and art dealerships; artists; and the buyers who move the market; Thompson launches the reader on a journey of discovery through the peculiar world of modern art. Surprising; passionate; gossipy; revelatory; The $12 Million Stuffed Shark reveals a great deal that even experienced auction purchasers do not know.
#1400076 in eBooks 2008-02-13 2008-02-13File Name: B0075FEWIY
Review
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful. Learned Alot!By Timothy L. MattoxI like this book alot. Learned a number of methods through this book. Would recommend to others. Happy painting!1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. excellent for beginnersBy liberal sprinklesVery nice book that breaks down the steps required to make various types of acrylic paintings. Author Michael Sanders explains a bit of color theory. the difference between the transparent and the opaque methods. as well as basic techniques - all excellent advice for beginners. The exercises cover various subjects like painting boats on water. simple landscapes. mountains and flowers. They include clear. step-by-step instructions accompanied by photographs that got me. a beginner painter. creating passable and pleasant looking works - very encouraging!Id definitely recommend this book to beginners.
