De loochening van de economie. Een microsituationele analyse van de kunstmarkt in Amsterdam en New York

Samenvatting

Economy Negated: A Microsituational Analysis of the Amsterdam and New York Art Markets. This article deals with two parts of Pierre Bourdieu's theory of the market for symbolic goods: the negation of the economy and the distinction between a circuit of "restricted" and of "large-scale" production, which both obey to their own logic. A study of microsituational interactions in the market for contemporary art in Amsterdam (Netherlands) and New York City confirms and complements, as well as provides a critique of, Bourdieu's theory. Whereas in Bourdieu's account the negation of the economy is a strategy for accumulating symbolic capital, the present study finds that explicit and manifold references to prices and profits are part of the consecration of contemporary art. It is also shown how the two logics, which according to Bourdieu are specific to two separate circuits, need to be negotiated by art dealers within one circuit on a daily basis. Furthermore, it is argued that oppositions exist not only between the two circuits that Bourdieu distinguishes, but also within those circuits. Finally, the interests of both circuits meet in their mutual opposition to auction houses, a party to the market that Bourdieu does not consider. 45 References. Adapted from the source document.