The art market is discussed mainly from the financial point of view, giving the auction records, artist rankings and constantly rising prices. Those quantitative analyses are not sufficient to understand the specifics of the market, where prices are set for things that are priceless. Pierre Bourdieu suggested that for such a different field the “economy gone awry” term should be used. What does it mean? Is “love for art”, declared by dealers and gallery owners, just empty talk? How to succeed in the market where traditional marketing does not fulfil its role? The story about the irrational aspects of the market, valuation difficulties, as well as about the rhetoric of the market will be illustrated with examples from both the field of contemporary art, as well as the ancient one.

Dr. Dorota Żaglewska. The Institute of Cultural Studies, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Artykwariat Gallery in Poznań