Seven Days in the Art World

This was quite interesting about the art world. Written by Sarah Thornton it represents seven different aspects in the art world: the auction house, the art fair, the art school,the art prize, the art magazine, the art studio and the art Biennale. Early on she presents the opinion that Art has become the religion of Atheists. It's a very exclusive and competetive religion then with everyone in the Art Market vying for the best seat in the temple and auctioneers so beset with offers that they can cull through them to make sure the art works go to "good homes" (i.e. people not obstensibly buying art for an investment). It is ugly to see the way people might transfer something beautiful or meaningful (although some of the "emerging art" she discusses seems to be hardly that) into power. One collector is heard toying on the phone with various curators at different museums who are all anxious to be the ones getting his collection when the time comes. He seems to be getting off on the power the objects give him over others in the 'religion'.
The 'Crit' at an Art School is an all day endless event where people talk in very inpenetrable language about whatever work is on display. Much of the book was about that language being used by everyone. Not many people seem to have a emotional response to Art any more, it's all intellectual. I thought the author did a nice job of maintaining a distance throughout so that you never felt she was either fawning or condemming. Good book.