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Arts & Communication Review of 2023 symposium on the global art market

The 2023 International Symposium on Global Art directions in this development. To address these questions,
Market Research, held 3 years after the inaugural forum this forum proposed the theme of “re-globalization” to gain
in 2019, aimed to re-establish a close dialog on global a better understanding of the current state of globalization
art market research in the post-pandemic era. The in the art market and to confront the global challenges of
st
symposium’s theme, “Re-globalization: Practices from the the 21 century.
art market,” invited researchers and professionals from
diverse fields to discuss cutting-edge issues, core concepts, 2. The post-pandemic era: New challenges
and research methodologies in art market research. for market players
Representatives from China, Germany, Canada, Portugal, The current discussion of the art market is framed
Australia, Britain, France, and other countries attended the within the significant context of the “post-epidemic era.”
event. The conference aimed to share the most professional Following the epidemic, there have been notable shifts
and in-depth research on the art market, focusing on in people’s lifestyles and consumption patterns. These
the main theme of “re-globalization” and discussing the changes have contributed to a more diverse, specialized,
methodology of current international art market research and international art market. Market participants must
in a global context. The conference covered topics, continuously innovate and adapt to address the evolving
including the geo-study of the art market, the interaction challenges and opportunities. Galleries, museums,
between central and emerging markets, the status quo curators, collectors, and other “cultural intermediaries”
of the emerging art market, the history and strategies of play a central role in the globalization of the art market.
market development, cross-civilization dialogs in the By establishing and globally validating artistic value, these
art market, and issues of cultural equality. Authoritative intermediaries facilitate the international flow and trade of
scholars from various fields presented their research in artworks. They are not only key players in the art market
six thematic sections: “Pandemics and the movement of but also the driving force behind its globalization. Scholars
the art market,” “Cities and dynamic globalization,” “The in this field are increasingly focusing on the role of cultural
diverse connections of art collecting and institutions,” intermediaries and are examining the challenges and
“Displacement and shifts in global art markets,” “Historical future directions for market participants in this new era.
processes and market shaping,” and “Value, accumulation,
and industrial innovation.” Zhang Zhenglin, a professor at CAFA, highlighted
the key challenges facing the art market by focusing on
At the same time, the symposium highlighted significant socio-economic changes post-pandemic. He
the energetic involvement of young scholars, with discussed whether post-pandemic art, as an alternative asset,
contributions from students and young researchers from reflects the characteristics of classic research formulations
both domestic and international universities. Young in the field of art assets. Referencing classic international
scholars from the CAFA, Tsinghua University, Capital theories, Zhang argued that the value preservation and
Normal University, Communication University of compartmentalization of art as an alternative asset become
China, Nanjing University, Hubei Academy of Fine Arts, evident in response to major socio-economic shifts. The
New York University, University of Nottingham, and other short-term shock and recovery period following the
institutions brought new research perspectives and topics pandemic has fostered deeper service and innovation in
of concern to the field of art market studies. These scholars trading products. Globalization has also introduced new
engaged in discussions and exchanges on five key topics: requirements for art dealers. Zhang’s study analyzed the
“Development, consumption, and application of non- short-term impact of the pandemic on the art market and
fungible tokens (NFTs),” “Cultural policy and art law from provided a foundational framework for understanding the
a global perspective,” “Prices, data, and paradigms in art transformation of art market distribution management in
market research,” “Identity and cultural narrative in the the post-pandemic era.
art market,” and “Cross-border circulation of Chinese art: Elisabetta Lazzaro, a professor at the Creative Industries
History and the present.”
Business School of the University for the Creative Arts
While the globalization of the art market is not a new (United Kingdom), focused on the intermediary role in the
phenomenon, it should be seen as a new wave in the art market, where intermediaries act as “gatekeepers” in
current “post-epidemic era.” There is an urgent need to shaping artistic tastes and trends within the contemporary
bring together scholars and researchers from around the art system. Her work explored the influence of art fairs on
world to discuss whether the globalization of the art market artist diversity and the impact of new digital financing tools
will be strengthened or weakened in the coming years. on the contemporary art market. Art fairs have evolved
In addition, we must explore the emerging trends and into more interactive global platforms. An analysis of the

Volume 3 Issue 2 (2025) 3 doi: 10.36922/ac.4713