Christie’s Sponsors Art Southampton

The world’s collectors, gallery owners and art lovers will descend on the Hamptons in July for this year’s Art Southampton, the latest in a string of worldwide art fairs that are changing the landscape of the world’s art markets.

As the art world continues to become a global marketplace, collectors are increasingly gathering at international art fairs to network and see a vast array of art in a short period of time. As money flows in from around the world for the best in painting and sculpture, jetsetters are increasingly showing up at art fairs.

After the extraordinary success of Art Miami and Art Basel, the number of international art fairs has swelled to more than 180 from less than 55 in 2000. What’s driving this? Fewer people are visiting galleries because they have the ability to attend these spectacular gatherings of the art world’s treasures. Galleries and artists are able to establish themselves quickly by showing at art fairs, network with colleagues, and sell their work. Art fairs make it easier for art lovers and collectors to see a vast trove of art from around the world in one place.

“As the art market becomes more global, art fairs become the perfect venue for collectors to gather and exchange information as well as for regional galleries to have an international exposure,” says Han-I Wang, a Christie’s art specialist.

The ubiquity of the internet and the lower cost of air travel are also driving this surge of art fair attendance. Many browse art works online and then attend art fairs to see a large variety of art in one setting. What’s more, art fairs often become the social event of the season, drawing people to events surrounding each fair. And art fairs are usually welcomed by local communities as they boost local economies and add a touch of glamour.

Last year’s Art Southampton set a new standard in luxury presentation and attracted top collectors, cultural leaders and philanthropists to the East End. During the course of the five-day fair, a record 21,000 collectors, art enthusiasts, curators and influential attendees visited the 100,000 square-foot pavilion.

Many luxury brands are increasingly capitalizing on the opportunities to network with high-net-worth-individuals who flock to art fairs. This year, Christie’s International Real Estate is joining local affiliate Brown Harris Stevens and eight of its affiliated brokerages to serve as the “Official Luxury Real Estate Partner” of the event. “We’re delighted to participate in the summer’s most important art event,” said Dan Conn, Chief Executive Officer of Christie’s International Real Estate. “Our business is closely aligned with the art world as we’re owned by the world’s leading fine art auction house. There are many synergies between the worlds of art and real estate, as the buyer who would collect a $179.4 million Picasso like the one recently sold at Christie’s is the same buyer who is interested in a one-of-a-kind home.”

Now in its fourth season, Art Southampton will take place July 9 through 13 at a new location—Nova’s Ark Project, 60 Millstone Road. The fair offers collectors, curators, designers, and art advisors the opportunity to acquire the finest blue-chip modern and contemporary works of art from the emerging, mid-career, and cutting edge artists, and Post War and Pop eras, with a focus on design and functional art. The amenity-rich event presents convenient access for residents of Long Island, New York City, and the Tri-State, as well as global travelers who frequent the Hamptons in the summer.

“The Art Southampton fair has grown due to the global expansion of the art market and overwhelming interests of a very knowledgeable cultural and international audience that resides and vacations in the Hamptons,” said Nick Korniloff, Executive Vice President of Art Miami LLC and Art Southampton. “This audience realizes that alongside luxury real estate, art is another viable asset to invest in and enjoy on a daily basis.” Eighty international art galleries will exhibit at Art Southampton.