Funnily enough, the art world also still clings to the old school format, ballet and opera seasons changing at Michaelmas and Lent, a more light-hearted summer season of events planned. Sports fixtures likewise - if a little out of sync - and possibly deliberately so, both being entertainment for the masses.
Art is also an investment, hence its inclusion here. Of course it is opaque, requires a lot of homework, and is riddled with charlatans and swindlers. What's new? But it can also provide hours of fun and entertainment. Start by popping in to a local gallery and leaving an email address; or writing to the organiser of a fair or show and asking for complimentary tickets. You will soon find you are invited to previews talks, and special exhibitions - all for free!
This month the UK's glitziest show is in Regent's Park, Frieze Art Fair (14-17 October) and attracts wealthy oligarchs, media hungry stars and serious high-end collectors. At the other side of town in Battersea, the Affordable Art Fair (22-25 October) has a maximum £4,000 spend and so, unsurprisingly, attracts a younger, hipper crowd.
In November (2-8), Olympia, London, hosts a high-end antiques fair. The organisers are one of several vying for the jewel in the crown since the demise of the Grosvenor House one. Despite some museum quality pieces, there is a problem with this segment of collecting: people just aren't that into 'brown furniture' any more.
A perennial favourite for keen collectors are stamps, coins, medals and miniatures. Well-known dealers include Stanley Gibbons, which has an index tracking the top end of this market. Obviously, they have a vested interest in seeing this do well, but I think you will find people who buy here know what they are doing and why.
Books, silver, and treen (small items made from a tree) are best left to the professionals, but remember, they too are very portable. Which brings us to gold, jewellery and stones. Obviously, you wouldn't want to be caught out like those in the Hatton Garden heist, and remember that the more work involved in making the piece, the more difficult it is to realise this element of its value, hence the perennial appeal of rocks.
Recently, Swiss Banque Pictet has teamed up with Carlyle of the US to create a $280m (plus leverage) fund to lend to those wanting to invest in art. Needless to say, they will bundle and sell on these loans. At the moment, only the big auction houses are actively involved in this type of lending.
Taking 'art as an investment' to its ultimate logical conclusion is Hackney-based artist Larry McGinty. With a new series entitled 'Art as a Derivative II - FTSE 100 Squared' he has produced 100 one foot square panels. These consist of words and phrases associated with each company, cut out from the press and pasted on to index lists of the FTSE 100, a dialogue turning the spotlight back on itself.
Finance as art
