Throughout my long career as a gallerist, I have had the opportunity to interact with a diverse range of collectors: from seasoned experts to newcomers eager to explore this fascinating world. Among the many considerations I have shared with those looking to immerse themselves in the complex universe of art investment, one vision has consistently guided my discussions: that of the collector as an essential catalyst in the production and dissemination of quality art. According to this perspective, the collector not only facilitates the artist’s path in expressing their creativity but can rightfully be considered an integral part of the artistic creative process. Among the various motivations that drive individuals to invest in artworks, I have always regarded this as one of the noblest, especially when embracing the idea of art as a force capable of making the world a better place. In this sense, collectors are key actors in enriching the world with beauty and making it less hostile.
However, there are those who seek reassurance about the stability of the investments they are about to make, or even question the potential future profits arising from such acquisitions. This is especially true when artworks are treated as financial entities, risking the conflation of their intrinsic value with market price.
This phenomenon is significantly amplified in the field of digital art, particularly within the NFT (Non-Fungible Token) ecosystem. These artistic forms originate in the context of cryptocurrencies and are closely linked to the concept of financial assets. Collecting within this emerging art market often reveals limited experience in evaluating the artistic trajectory of creators, yet an excessive sensitivity to speculative market dynamics. The result is an NFT market that frequently mirrors gambling behavior, or “Gambling,” as a more contemporary term might put it.
The relentless pursuit of works with wealth-generating potential, combined with analysis of artists based solely on sales (facilitated by blockchain technology, where every transaction is fully traceable), has created an extremely speculative market logic, akin to a vast casino where artworks replace playing cards or the roulette wheel.
The path toward a more educated and conscious form of collecting appears rather distant, not only in digital art but also in the traditional sphere. Yet, the urgent need for genuine literacy in art collecting emerges as one of the fundamental pillars for developing a sustainable and credible art system, particularly in the Italian context.
