Elisabeth Vanduffel, Art Ambassador
You are an Art Expert, you are in the Board of The Art Show Cannes/Marrakech-AVIFF. Can you tell more about this?
The Art Show Cannes/Marrakech is a private Contemporary Art Event, entirely devoted to contemporary photography and video art and is set in a privileged place in the period of the Cannes and Marrakech Film Festivals . This event presents well known Art Photographers and Art Video Films Directors in the AVIFF (Art Video Film Festival).
The Art Show Cannes is a separate event from the local Film Festivals bridging the gap between Contemporary Art, Authors’ films and Cinema.
What is behind this tremendous agitation in the world of art for the moment ?
Today, contemporary art is evolving under the avid scrutiny of the public and an ever-increasing pool of collectors in the United States, Europe and Japan; and it is heavily publicized in the mass media. Barely disturbed by occasional dips in the economy, the art market has been booming steadily.
Collectors used to buy paintings for prestige, status, ego, or a passion for collecting but now they also consider art as a safe investment.
But at these prices, fine art certainly represents a huge investment. And not even billionaires like to see the value of expensive purchases decline over time so funds have been created to allow rich people to invest in a portfolio of fine art assets.
Art became a second stock market.
How can you describe what is happening with Rothko for example as it seems to be the most successful art selling of the year.
Like blue-chip stocks* , well-known paintings by blue-chip artists are known quantities and offer safety and stability. As with stocks, the greatest opportunity for growth in art values comes when investors suddenly focus their attention on a hot new sector or name, this is happening with Rothko
If you had to start a collection today what kind of painting and good value will you buy?As an investment I would certainly buy Post war Art, Rothko for example, Pollock or Klein. This Art has been soaring—up constantly and across categories, masterpieces tend to underperform lower-priced paintings by a substantial margin. As a real Art lover I would more look for works that touch my soul. I would also buy Picasso, Giacometti but also impressionists as Monet, Cézanne, Renoir… All these piece of art are part of our heritage and will never loose value. Same for the old Masters as Leonardo Da Vinci, Raffaello… if you have the chance to buy such pieces you don’t only make a good investment but you also protect our heritage. These pieces can only increase value with the time.
What means luxury to you in one word?
Luxury to me means to be able to do whatever I want whenever I want
What is your criteria for luxury in order of preference?
Exceptional quality – Great service – Good feeling
What is your favourite luxury brand(s) and why?
My favorite brand is probably Cartier and this because of youth memories.
I received my first Cartier Vanity Case at my 18th birthday
But I also am a huge fan of Hermès, Delvaux and Patek Philippe.
Name 5 luxuries which are “indispensable” for you and why:
Having a peaceful mind, without that nothing is possible; a peaceful mind is the engine of a balanced life.
Time; time can be a great luxury, I don’t like to rush.
Good health is such an important factor
Happiness; it is a great luxury to be able to feel happy with small things
Art; Art helps you to have a peaceful mind, can bring a feeling of happiness, it gives you time to admire and these positive vibrations can keep you in a healthy condition.
Digital and Luxury. Love or Hate?
Love
What means “digital” for you ?
When I was young we had video tapes, audio tapes, telephone with endless wires, now we have computers, cell phones, digital TV and portable phones, it improved so much the quality of life.
How will be luxury in the future?
Difficult to say, “Material luxury” will always be the best and most expensive that not everybody can afford, but what I call the “supreme luxury” will be to survive in a robotized world and to keep our human emotions and feelings intact.
