As we see creativity and arts disappearing from schools, the resurgence of art in pop culture is a welcome change. During one of their shows in London, Beyoncé and Jay-Z released the first single and video Apes**t from their first collaborative album 'Everything Is Love'. The 6 minute video was filmed in the Louvre and features some of the world’s most recognised artworks such as the Mona Lisa, Portrait of a Negress and Great Sphinx of Tanis. With over 112 million views and 8 nominations at the 2018 MTV Video Music Awards, the video caused waves amongst not only fans but the whole world. So much so that the Louvre now offers a tour of the art featured in the music video. Victoria Beckham and Sotheby’s announced their curatorial collaboration in June 2018, ahead of the auction house’s Old Masters Paintings sale in July. Beckham’s flagship boutique on Mayfair’s exclusive Dover Street played host to a selection of her favourite pieces from the lot, as part of the Mayfair Art Weekend. Andrew Fletcher, Sotheby’s head of auction sales for Old Master paintings, reported to artnet News that he felt the publicity had been extremely beneficial and was quoted as saying, “I think the more we and others do this sort of thing, the more people are going to be attracted to our world.” So why does all this matter? Children and young adults are the best resource that we have to shape our future, and we should be equipping them with the skills and knowledge they need, in whatever guise we can. Consequently, whether one regards these ‘celebrity’ collaborations as dumbing down, sacrilege or ill-advised misappropriation, we must be glad of one thing: younger generations are being introduced to the visual art by proxy through their famous heroes.
The Carters - Photo courtesy of Ricky Saiz
66 FINE ART COLLECTOR AUTUMN 2018
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