Circles of recognition in Andalusia: a study of the artistic careers of two different generations of artists

Abstract

The current emerging and contemporary art passes all artworks and artists through filters, institutional controls, specialist of art or/and public. It is during this process, when they acquire value (artistic and economic) and meaning. Furthermore, the current period of crisis, technological advances and the socio-cultural and political transformations is modifying the traditional artist practice. Therefore, the investigation is a study of established relationships among diverse stakeholders (artists, collectors, gallerists, collectors, curators, critics) in the Andalusian context. The article studies career trajectories of a group of emerging and contemporary visual artists (20) of two different generations ( the first generation: born at the end of the sixties and at the beginning of the seventies / the second generation: the end of the seventies and during eighties) to analyze the specific characteristics and changes of artistic trajectories to each generation. The comparison of two generations of artists reflects the evolution of the emerging and contemporary art system in Andalusia and help to understand a specialist and unknown sector with its own rules. Young artists have to position themselves. As result, it possible to consider the development in the Andalusian art system has occurred in the last fifteen years. There are negative and positive aspects as: the significant dwindling of awards, artwork purchases, and grants and financial aid for creative output for artists, current proliferation of franchise museums, contemporary art galleries closed (regional and national reputation), new roles of artist in the art system and the creation of Union of Visual Artists of Andalusia-uavA among others issues. I would like to emphasize that Emerging artists are facing a competitive situation. They are competitors, having to promote and circulate their work themselves using online marketing strategies to turn themselves into a brand or a product.