Here comes Art Boo Boo

In the highly economized world we have trends that some people find stupid and ridiculous, some smart and cool....we got "stars" without any talent, "celebrities" for unknown reason, "managers" without serious results, "products" without quality, "brands" based on ads and PR only, institutions with no visible policy and politicians without agenda.
So, when you have realty prices fluctuating and going up and down every couple of years, currencies that are doing highs and lows in a frenzy and even crypto currency without base in precious metals, how do you keep the substance you managed to get? Gold? Stocks? Drugs?

Art?

Some people think art is great to save loads of money, and I agree with that. However, although I see buying art is more a sort of contribution to the artist for his work, some of it became a real deal. Here's why.

Gabriel Cornelius von Max, 1889, Monkeys as Judges of Art

In 19th century, art commerce grew rapidly to the point where huge amounts of money were spent on "goods" new artists created. In such environment, some people find space to get some of that money through "counseling" and "consulting" so the new profession was born: art critic.
Helping people to find out what they actually should like invest into became one of the most-valued, or better say most-influencing positions in art world. Although artists are still those who have one-step-ahead-thinking and creative tools to make trends and step forward in times, these masters of the (behind the scenes) ceremony became the creators of public opinion. Although visual arts, just like any kind of activity that is based on aesthetics, has value mostly on viewer's correspondence with the object (of art, that is), the institution of art critic is established as the head authority. So, instead of viewer's own feeling and own evaluation (same as we value someone's fashion taste or, finally, someone's beauty) , and, yes, I agree it is a subjective matter, we have art critics to tell us what is really good (and, therefore, expensive) art and what is real dumpster filler.
Oh, and did I mention there's NO SCHOOL to educate for art critic?
What do you mean "there's no school to educate for art critic" you will ask. Nope. None. Meaning they also judge on personal and subjective base, giving them enormous autonomy to "discover" new trendy artists that shine for one season - good way to get some quick bucks and go on. You think reality TV is too much? Take a look at campaign HERE or HERE to see there are Honey Boo Boos with an art as prefix.
Smarter among us pay the critics to get the best word in continuance and keep the money flow. Does names like Jeff Koons and Damien Hirst ring a bell? Before you hit the "Report this blog" button I'll tell you it doesn't necessarily mean they are bad artists. On the contrary. What I'm saying is that art critics became a link between a creator and a buyer, with a lot of influence (and benefits, too). Same as priests became an official interlink between us and divine power.
Basically, redundant.
So to repeat the beginning of this entry: In the highly economized world we have trends that some people find stupid and ridiculous, some smart and cool....