OMG, why? Why paid £23.1 million for this?

[YeOldeTrout]

Painting by David Hockney. It is so boring. Just why?

I went to an exhibition of some of his earlier work and the quality of his drawing was amazing. Underneath the apparent simplicity is a technically brilliant artist.

People buy as an investment just like they buy gold and wine

It is so boring. Just why?

Because the whole point of art is that people have different tastes. You might find it boring, others find it fascinating.

The building is reminiscent of a McDs drive thru

People use art as currency. The picture/composition is immaterial , its its value that's important.

The building is reminiscent of a McDs drive thru

Aargh! You're spot on and now I can't unsee it!

DH bought a Hockney print (a nice one though) because ‘he’ll die soon so it’s a good investment’. I did roll my eyes at him but I am quite happy with the print (although not impressed with the price).

You don't have to appreciate its artistic merit to realise why a well known painting by one of the most lauded modern artists (who is unlikely to be alive for much longer) would sell for that much. It's a sensible purchase for people with plenty to invest, and more interesting than buildings and precious metal.

Why?

Because they can I guess.

Because it's totally iconic?
Because these things come up for sale very rarely?

But more importantly, art and precious materials are great financial investments. They are likely only going to go up in price, and if not, they are very likely to hold their value - even when the economy & stocks & share collapse

Bezalelle
A lot of art collectors are rich Russians. However they aren’t posh - Stalin did away with all the rich ones.

Also, did you watch the BBC programme on Hockney from a couple of years ago? - it was BRILLIANT! - if it ever comes on again, definitely watch it.

It also explained the importance of that exact picture (but I've forgotten what it was...)

Art at that level is a huge con.
Reminds me of the emperors new clothes - only really clever and knowledgeable people can possibly see it's worth.

I absolutely don't understand the price of that painting. I honestly can't get my head around a, someone paying that and b, anyone having so much money that they can spend that amount on a painting.

I've only started to realise how fascinating the art world is really since I started watching Fake or Fortune. I love that programme.
I'm amazed at the power some people have and the institutes and families who's word can make a painting worth a fortune or peanuts.

I think his work is fascinating. Who has just fallen into the water? He Also has a sinister side to him, some of his swimming pool art works seem mysterious , but that's just my opinion.
I wouldn't pay all that money for it even if I had it , but I'd go to see his work at an exhibition and I can't draw for toffee ; I just like looking at art and I like him. (Same as I can admire singers because I can't sing a note either! )

@Zenithbear - why is art any more of a con than jewellery? - people pay extortionate prices for that?

Art is a case of 'emperors new clothes' we like it because we're told its great.
Its really a case of whatever floats your boat. I have a couple of paintings on the wall, they were done by a local artist and are of things important to me. Didn't cost much but I'd rather have them on the wall than an old master.

I loathe jewellery and never wear anything apart for my old wedding ring and a watch.
I can't imagine paying thousands for a watch or a diamond ring but many do and it's seen as an investment , same as art.
A lot of art is pretentious I agree but it also gives pleasure and the world would be a poorer place without it even the really bad stuff!

People have insane amounts of money and we live in a world where someone having £23million to spend on a painting whilst millions face hunger and displacement is not seen as a problem.

It's just a painting. I neither like nor dislike it, it's inoffensive, whatever. It bothers me far more than there is such disparity of wealth.

I don’t really have an opinion on whether the painting is worth that price. I do wonder how you store it - few people have a spot where something can be displayed and not degrade.

we live in a world where someone having £23million to spend on a painting whilst millions face hunger and displacement is not seen as a problem.

Icannotremember what do you think is the maximum someone should be allowed to spend on a work of art?

I always think emperor's new clothes when I see something like that

I suppose if you’re a billionaire £23 million is neither here nor there.

I only wish I could find a piece of art worth millions tucked away in my attic. There was a story about something that was hanging in someone’s kitchen near where they did they cooking and they had no idea it was worth a fortune.

"I could paint that lol. I've clearly missed my calling."

I'm not a Hockney fan and like I said above, the price for this painting is just art-world absurdity. But all the same, you are talking absolute nonsense. You could only paint like that if it had been your lifelong calling and you'd been working at it for donkeys years. There's no denying Hockney is a hugely skilled painter.

"I do wonder how you store it - few people have a spot where something can be displayed and not degrade."

It'll probably go into a temperature-controlled bank vault

It does look exactly like a McDonalds drive thru. Perhaps that will knock a few million off the value.