ArtTactic

In this week's episode of the ArtTactic Podcast, host Adam Green is joined by David Breslin, the Leonard A. Lauder Curator in Charge of the Department of Modern and Contemporary Art at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, to discuss the museum’s evolving approach to modern and contemporary art. With The Met recently announcing a major expansion of its modern and contemporary art wing, adding 70,000 square feet of new gallery and public space, David shares insight into what this transformation will look like and how it will reshape the way the museum presents modern and contemporary works. Adam and David also explore The Met’s increased focus on acquiring and displaying contemporary artists, the evolving relationship between modern art and the museum’s encyclopedic collection, and how curators navigate the influence of collectors and the art market when making acquisitions. Plus, David highlights some of the exciting exhibitions currently on view and upcoming at The Met.

03-11

28:23

In this week's episode of the ArtTactic Podcast, host Adam Green is joined by Alex Gartenfeld, Artistic Director of ICA Miami, to discuss the museum’s rapid rise as one of the most influential contemporary art institutions in the U.S. Alex shares insights into ICA Miami’s ambitious acquisition strategy, its deep engagement with both Miami-based and global collectors, and how the city’s evolving cultural landscape has shaped the museum’s growth. With Art Basel Miami Beach cementing the city’s status as a global art hub, ICA Miami’s exhibition openings have become some of the most highly attended events during fair week. Alex reflects on the museum’s relationship with the fair and how it drives visibility and programming. We also preview ICA Miami’s upcoming Evening in the Garden gala on March 8, including its benefit auction featuring works by Claire Tabouret, Robin F. Williams, Hugh Hayden, Ken Gun Min, Lauren Quin, and more. As a member of the auction committee, Adam shares how listeners can bid on works and get involved with the event.

02-28

25:27

In this week's episode of the ArtTactic Podcast, host Adam Green is joined by Artnet News Senior Market Reporter Eileen Kinsella to recap Frieze LA 2025. We discuss the fair’s overall atmosphere, how the recent wildfires impacted both attendance and the local art community, and the debate over whether the event should have proceeded as planned. We also highlight major fundraising efforts by galleries to support those affected. From a market perspective, we analyze key sales trends, the growing selectivity among buyers, and which artists and galleries saw the strongest demand. Beyond the fair, we dive into the importance of gallery exhibitions across the city, with standout shows like Kelly Akashi at Lisson Gallery, Lisa Yuskavage at David Zwirner, and Kohn Gallery’s 40th-anniversary exhibition. Finally, we reflect on the significance of Frieze LA for the city’s evolving art landscape and its growing influence within the broader U.S. market.

02-26

24:25

In this week's episode of the ArtTactic Podcast, host Adam Green is joined by Nicole Sales Giles, Vice President and Director of Digital Art at Christie’s, to explore the rapidly evolving but still niche sector of the art world, AI-generated art. As Christie’s prepares to launch Augmented Intelligence, its first dedicated AI art auction (running from February 20-March 5), we take a deep dive into how artificial intelligence is reshaping the art market. We discuss the fundamentals of AI-generated art, its evolution since Christie’s historic 2018 sale of an AI portrait, and the significance of this auction in positioning AI art within the fine art landscape. Nicole shares insights into collector interest, the mix of digital and physical works in the sale, and how AI art is being received by traditional collectors vs. NFT buyers. The conversation also addresses some of the pressing ethical debates surrounding AI-generated art, including a recent open letter raising concerns about the use of copyrighted material in AI models. Plus, Nicole highlights some of the most exciting artists in the sale and where she sees AI art heading in the coming years.

02-14

24:40

As Frieze LA and Felix Art Fair approach, the Los Angeles art scene is at a pivotal moment. The recent fires have impacted galleries, artists, and collectors, raising questions about how the community is recovering and whether visitors will return for the city's biggest art week. In this week's episode of the ArtTactic Podcast, host Adam Green sits down with Mills Moran, co-founder of Felix Art Fair, to discuss how the LA art world is bouncing back, the decision to move forward with Felix despite the challenges, and why it’s more important than ever for people to show up and support the city’s galleries and artists. Mills also shares insights into how Felix has evolved since its inception in 2019, the growing appeal of alternative fair models, and what’s in store for this year’s edition at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel.

02-06

21:41

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.

01-31

20:03

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.

01-24

28:17

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.

01-16

21:34

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.

01-06

33:39

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.

12-23

28:17

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 as we look ahead to 2025.

12-13

28:12

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.

11-27

30:11

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.

11-17

18:18

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.

11-07

21:37

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.