Art of the Deal - by Noah Horowitz (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

An eye-opening look at collecting and investing in today's art market

Art today is defined by its relationship to money as never before. Prices have been driven to unprecedented heights, conventional boundaries within the art world have collapsed, and artists think ever more strategically about how to advance their careers. Art is no longer simply made, but packaged, sold, and branded. In Art of the Deal, Noah Horowitz exposes the inner workings of the contemporary art market, explaining how this unique economy came to be, how it works, and where it's headed. In a new postscript, Horowitz reflects on the market's continued ascent as well as its most urgent challenges.

From the Back Cover

"In recent decades, the world of contemporary art has developed into a global business. To fully grasp how this has changed the art world and our relationship to art, we need a thorough analysis of the financial forces involved. The best place to start is this groundbreaking study by Noah Horowitz, which, leaving the common chitchat about art and money to others, takes the discussion to a more fundamental level."--Daniel Birnbaum, director, Moderna Museet, Stockholm, and curator of the 2009 Venice Biennale

"Calmly, trenchantly, Horowitz examines the intricate relationship between the contemporary art market and the value of its objects. This book will prove indispensable to anyone who wants to know how the art market works and what tomorrow's art economy might look like."--Alexander Alberro, Barnard College, Columbia University

"Art of the Deal is cogently argued, thoroughly researched, and richly documented. It is also, to my knowledge, highly original, and not only in its subject matter--giving a textured financial analysis of contemporary art, in all its market manifestations--but in the rigor of its financial analysis. I don't know of another book like it in the field."--James Cuno, president and director, Art Institute of Chicago

"This book is extremely stimulating and thoroughly enjoyable. Horowitz brings deep insight to his analysis, and he weaves in beautiful historical examples. His discussion of front- and backroom business by dealers, loss leaders, and profit makers is telling. Think about the art world using his concepts. Your views will change."--Richard J. Zeckhauser, Frank P. Ramsey Professor of Political Economy, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University

Review Quotes

"Art of the Deal is a crucial book on art and finance."---Blake Gopnik, Daily Beast

"Horowitz has provided readers with a very thorough and wide-ranging analysis of the contemporary art market that brings an unprecedented complexity to this discussion. His synthesis of the literature on the topic is sophisticated yet lucid and the book is exceptionally well researched, supported by countless citations."---John Zarobell, Tabula Quarterly

"I thoroughly enjoyed this critical account of the global contemporary art economy; Noah Horowitz has a real understanding of the inner workings of the market. The fact that he chose to focus on video and experiential art renders his account unique and gives even the seasoned reader interesting insights."---Thaddaeus Ropac, Art Newspaper

"One welcome aspect of the book is that its avoids to a degree but not entirely the usual cast and plot lines because of its focus on the relative undermined areas on 'immaterial' art genres in the first two essays. The book's discussion of video and experiential art is interesting. The discussion of the minutiae of this world of performances, installations, action and social interaction and their ancillary elements, content ownership and the rise of the collector's box will add greatly to the reader's ability to appear learned on a suitable social occasion."---Satyajit Das, naked capitalism

"The precision and lucidity with which Mr. Horowitz describes the commercialization of art should garner appeal for his book across a broad swath of market participants. For the rest of us, it is an enjoyable glimpse into the opaque corners of the art community."---Benjamin R. Mandel, Journal of Cultural Economics

About the Author

Noah Horowitz holds a PhD in art history from the Courtauld Institute of Art, London. He currently lives in New York, where he is a member of the faculty of the Sotheby's Institute of Art and executive director of The Armory Show.