Auckland Art Fair 09: Panel Discussion

Author and economist Don Thompson, Auckland Art Gallery Director Chris Saines and Curator Ariane Craig-Smith discuss ‘How do you know it’s good or bad?’. The panel discussion was part of the Auckland Art Fair 2009. 

Don Thompson delivered the keynote lecture at the Auckland Art Fair, held at the Viaduct Harbour in Auckland from May 1-3. Thompson is the author of The $12 Million Stuffed Shark: The Curious Economics of Contemporary Art. He has held positions at Harvard University and the London School of Economics and is presently Emeritus Professor of marketing and strategy at York University in Toronto, Canada.

During the panel discussion Thompson talks about knowing what you want the art for, finding an art dealer or adviser you trust and considering if the art is something you want to live with for ten years.

“I want it to touch my soul when I get up in the morning, I want to see it and feel good. That’s what good is.”

Curator Ariane Craig-Smith said really good art grips her and compels her to come back to revisit it, an amazing experience when it happens because it can be a rare experience. She said it is also about what you want the art for and the experience you are trying to achieve.

Auckland Art Gallery Director Chris Saines talked about developing art collections by finding a dealer with whom you can connect. He recommended finding a dealer whose values and interests, as exhibited through the work they show, connects with yours.

He said good art holds and repays your attention, provokes a memory and invites and divides opinions.

“And that’s exactly what happens at a fair like this, where there is such a ‘liquorice allsorts’ of art, there is so much difference and diversity in the work that is here.” 


The Auckland Art Fair 2009 panel discussion was chaired by freelance arts journalist Josie McNaught, on Sunday May 3 at the Marine Events Centre, Viaduct Harbour. This video excerpt has been made possible with the support of Auckland City Council.