Never before have Modern and Contemporary Art been so present in the media as today: The changing relationship between art, the art market and museums features regularly in both the art press and modern media. But who actually writes the history of Modern Art – how long have they been doing so, and for what purpose? The present book pursues these questions.
In this well-written and readable essay, the author recalls the genesis and transformation of a history of ideas, knowledge and institutions in relation to art, as well as of the conditions for art’s production, distribution and reception. Traditional ideas are questioned, while a new look at the seemingly familiar is offered. Using specific cases and examples of works, Bonnet succeeds in providing an overview of the current internal structure of the art world. In addition to well-known names, such as Gerhard Richter, Marina Abramović, Damien Hirst and Tino Sehgal, she also discusses many still unknown and younger artists. Nevertheless, the book also intends to show that relevance has nothing to do with market value.