Introduction
This paper is aimed at discussing the factors that could have contributed to the increasing number of art fairs during the last ten years. Additionally, it is important to study the reasons why such events have become more significant.
One can say that this trend has been rather persistent due to the impact of such a tendency as internationalization of art. Overall, much attention should be paid to the influence of various factors, such as the increasing cultural globalization that facilitates the exchange of ideas, genres, and techniques.
Additionally, one should focus on the increasing demand for artworks in those countries which were economically or politically isolated in the past. Apart from that, in many cases, such events contribute to the development of the tourist industry in a certain country or a city. Furthermore, many artists attach importance to such events to raise people’s awareness of their works. This is one of the reasons why the importance of such events has increased significantly.
Moreover, they are often supported by many local officials. Additionally, information technologies enable people to learn more about different art fairs or biennales that can be held in various countries. In many cases, these factors are closely interrelated with one another. These are the main questions that should be discussed in greater detail.
The factors contributing to the increase of art fairs
At first, one should focus on the increasing demand for art fairs. This phenomenon can be attributed to the rise in the purchasing power of many people, especially those ones, who are living in developing countries. For instance, one can certainly mention such a country as China. During the last decade, the first art and jewelry fairs opened in this country. A similar trend has been observed in other developing countries such as India.
In this case, it is necessary to focus on the economic growth of these states. To some degree, the demand for various artworks is the result of rapid economic development. Moreover, many of these countries have been isolated in the past, and the participation in art fairs can be of great interest to the residents of these states.
On the whole, one can argue that these societies tend to become more open. These examples indicate that the development of the art world can be dependent on many external factors that are not directly related to the experiences of different artists or the policies of art galleries. As a rule, these individuals and organizations need to adjust to the changes in the outside world. This is one of the main arguments that can be advanced.
Admittedly, one should take into account that the functioning of art fairs has been affected by other economic trends. For instance, it is possible to mention the impact of the economic crisis that broke out in 2007. To some degree, it slowed down the development of the art market.
Nevertheless, the effects of the recession have diminished after 2012. Furthermore, many art galleries want to benefit from art fairs. To a great extent, such events can be important for their long-term economic sustainability. This is why the administrators of such organizations promote art fairs.
Apart from that, the increasing availability of information about cultural and artistic life is one of the factors that contribute to the growing number of art fairs in various regions of the world. In particular, the accessibility of information can prompt people to take a more active interest in the exhibitions held in various museums. Some of these people can even go to other countries in order to attend such events.
This is one of the details that should be distinguished. Additionally, information technologies are important for increasing people’s awareness about different artists and their works. Therefore, such individuals are more likely to attend exhibitions organized by artists whose works they enjoy.
Additionally, it is possible to argue that the influence of these tools will only intensify in the future because many artists also recognize the importance of information technologies such as the Internet in order to promote their works. This is one of the main aspects that should be distinguished.
Additionally, it is important to remember that the international art world is also affected by such a factor as cultural globalization. This process can be described as the exchange of artistic forms and ideas and this exchange can take different forms. For instance, one can speak about the interaction between states that were isolated from one another in the past. This is one of the reasons why artworks can be displayed in various regions of the world.
Yet, much attention should also be paid to the ability of a country to organize such events. For instance, one should focus on such an indicator as to the number of art galleries within a country. Therefore, the increase in the number of art fairs is predominantly observed in the United States, Europe, Australia, and Canada. This is one of the issues that should not be overlooked. Moreover, one should keep in mind that contemporary art galleries can exhibit a greater number of artworks.
In the past, the authors, who represented non-Western art, could often be excluded or marginalized. As a rule, they could not easily exhibit their works. In many cases, their artistic achievements remained unknown to other people. Nowadays, this problem has become less acute during the last decade because many distinguished art galleries are more willing to display artistic works representing non-Western cultures.
To a great extent, this change in the policies enriched the cultural life of many countries. Therefore, one can say that mainstream culture has become much more open, and this tendency stimulated the increase in the number of art fairs. It is quite possible that this trend will persist in the future.
Furthermore, the growing number and significance of art fairs are related to the development of the tourist industry. In particular, many local officials provide support to such events because, in this way, they strive to increase the inflow of tourists to a certain country or a city.
Therefore, such events can bring significant improvements in the life of many people. So, one can say that art fairs can be closely related to the economic development of different countries that want to become more attractive to foreigners. This is one of the reasons why their importance has increased so significantly.
Additionally, art historians speak about such a phenomenon as New Internationalism. As it has been said before, this trend implies that the artists representing different countries are no longer marginalized by society.
Apart from that, this tendency means that different authors use the techniques which were originally developed in foreign countries. As a rule, art fairs offer excellent opportunities for authors who want to share ideas with one another. Thus, one can say that this integration of different art forms and genres also promotes the growth of art fairs.
Discussion
Thus, it is possible to argue that contemporary art fairs reflect various cultural, political, and economic trends which have become dominant during the last ten years. One can say that modern art becomes much more internationalized. This process has several underlying causes such as the economic and cultural opening of various countries.
Certainly, the development of the international art world cannot be easily predicted because the significance and number of art fairs can strongly depend on international relations between countries. In addition to that, much attention should be paid to the purchasing power of people.
The most important issue is that art history cannot be studied separately from other factors that shape the development of various societies. This is one of the main issues that should be taken into account. Apart from that, art fairs are vital for the exchange of ideas between different artists. Moreover, such exhibitions are essential for the commercial promotion of their works. Thus, the importance of such events cannot be dismissed.
Conclusion
On the whole, these examples indicate the increasing number of art fairs can be better explained by examining various external factors that influence people’s attitudes, the policies or art galleries, and the strategies of public administrators.
To a great extent, this tendency can be attributed to the changing cultural, economic, and cultural environment. In particular, one should speak about the cultural openness of different countries and the growing impact of information technologies. These are the main arguments that can be singled out.
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