Transnational mobility, art markets, and the city: An analysis of the role of hypermobile creative professionals in the emergence of new artistic centers

Abstract

The emergence of new regional art markets has increasingly challenged the traditional dominance of Western Europe and North America over the last two decades. Cities such as Dubai, Singapore, and Hong Kong have become significant hubs that house global auction houses and contemporary museums, and host major art events. This study examines how hypermobile creative professionals function in the growth of these emerging art centers. It purposes to elucidate how the transnational mobility of these professionals influences the geographical dynamics of the global art market. The study’s methodology entailed qualitative fieldwork conducted in Istanbul, Doha, Singapore, and Hong Kong, along with in-depth interviews with wide-ranging actors in the art worlds of these cities, including artists, curators, dealers, and collectors. The study’s findings reveal that these actors contribute to the construction of the reputations of these metropolises emerging as art hubs by voting with their feet for the next upcoming art center and actively engaging in the transformation of the local art markets. This study attracts attention to the ways in which the regulation of human mobility affects the journeys and practices of art professionals. In so doing, it proposes a novel lens through which to apprehend the ongoing disparities in the global art market and grasp how historical hegemonies persist amidst continuous calls for more expansive diversity and inclusivity in the art world.

Keywords

Human mobility / Art markets / Emerging art centers / Hypermobile professionals / Global art world / Istanbul / Doha / Hong Kong / Singapore

Funding

None.

Conflict of interest

The author declares no competing interest.

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