Why art galleries cluster? A sociological analysis of urban structure and dynamics of art market

Authors

  • Joaquim Rius-Ulldemolins Departament de Sociologia i Antropologia Social. Universitat de València

Keywords:

sociology of arts, art gallery clusters, art market, art dealers, posmodernity

Abstract

Why art galleries cluster? Some authors have answered this question by arguing that cluster increase their power of attraction for visitors and consumers. While this argument explains why the galleries tend to form one cluster, however, does not explain why in most large cities there are several artistic clusters and not just one. Based on the analytical tools of the sociology of art (especially Pierre Bourdieu and Raymonde Moulin) we will show how the concentration makes visible the structure and oppositions of the artistic field and the different strategies dealers within it. From the cases of Paris and New York, we will analyze the structural and professional reasons that explain the rise and fall of the art market clusters. Finally, we discuss what are the current trends and changes in the urban configuration of the art market taking into account the postmodern dynamics and the role of the cultural sphere in the post-Fordist society.

Author Biography

Joaquim Rius-Ulldemolins, Departament de Sociologia i Antropologia Social. Universitat de València

Joaquim Rius-Ulldemolins es Doctor en Sociología por la Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona y la École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales. Actualmente, es Profesor Ayudante Doctor en el Departamento de Sociología y Antropología Social de la Universidad de Valencia donde desarrolla la docencia en el campo de la teoría sociológica, la sociología de la cultura y la gestión cultural. Es autor de varios libros y artículos libros sobre la sociología de la cultura y la política cultural en revistas nacionales e internacionales, entre los que podemos destacar “Culture and Authenticity in Urban Regeneration Processes: Place Branding in Central Barcelona” (Urban Studies), “¿Por qué se concentran los artistas en las grandes ciudades? Factores infraestructurales de localización, estrategias profesionales y dinámicas comunitarias”. (Revista Española de Investigaciones Sociológicas), “Modelo Barcelona y política cultural: usos y abusos de la cultura por parte de un modelo emprendedor de desarrollo local” (EURE), “Federalism, cultural policies and identity pluralism: Cooperation and conflict in the Spanish cuasi-federal system” (Publius. The Journal of Federalism), “Spain‘s nation branding project Marca España and its cultural policy: the economic and political instrumentalization of a homogeneous and simplified cultural image” (International Journal of Cultural Policy). Sus intereses de investigación se centran en el análisis de los barrios artísticos y las profesiones creativas, la política cultural y el desarrollo urbano y, en la relación entre la cultura y los procesos de creación de marca territorial.

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Published

2016-05-01

How to Cite

Rius-Ulldemolins, J. (2016). Why art galleries cluster? A sociological analysis of urban structure and dynamics of art market. Spanish Journal of Sociology, 25(2). Retrieved from https://recyt.fecyt.es/index.php/res/article/view/65538

Issue

Vol. 25 No. 2 (2016): Volumen 25, Número 2, Mayo 2016

Section

Articles

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