Speaker : Jan Laurens Siesling

The subject of the lecture is the relationship between art and the public in the 21st century. During the 20th century art has changed radically as a phenomenon in the society. In China probably even more than in the West, in greater speed for sure. From a refined pastime for the elite, art has become part of our mass culture. We have seen the apparition of the Art World. Here art critics and art dealers, art historians and art journals, museum directors and blockbuster exhibitions, art galleries and auction houses find each other, and not to forget some artists and some art works. Together they generate a gigantic market. The customer in this market or in this business model is the public.

The question is: has the public gained in this evolution?

And if so, what?