Zilkens' News Blog

Zilkens‘ News Blog 38 2025

So now they have voted, the people in the most populous federal state in the republic, and somehow all the public broadcasters, along with the accompanying media, wanted to turn it into a test election for the federal government, which has been in office for more than 100 days. That didn't work out – if it had been up to the people of North Rhine-Westphalia and federal issues had been at the forefront, the current government would have been strengthened. But local issues are about local matters, and the results must be evaluated accordingly. But the representatives of the fourth power are free to indulge in bashing – it's just not constructive. Nor are the statements on the art market made by Claire McAndrew and others who like to copy her because there is little real transparency in the overall market, based on shaky databases and claims of scientific rigour. 50% of market development is psychology. A good atmosphere is contagious and also motivates undecided buyers. Those who see art solely as an asset class need this tailwind particularly, because they are dealing with other people's money. The list of hedgers is correspondingly long, including those who are prepared to underwrite performance bonds. Insurers are no longer involved in this; they bear the real risks that arise suddenly and unexpectedly.

In addition to Vienna Contemporary, which Stefan Kobel reports on, there was Berlin Art Week and, in this context, Positions, which took place in Hangar 7 at Tempelhof Airport. We were able to participate in two awards there – the Best Booth, which was awarded to the Maksla XO gallery from the Hanseatic city of Riga, and the Academy Award, which is awarded to two artists exhibiting in the Academy section. Our picture today shows the award winners in the front row, Petter Börgers, Kristian Jarmuschek, Heinrich Carstens, SZ and Stephanie Oeing in the second row. Incidentally, the atmosphere at both fairs was good. And during a tour of Berlin's galleries on the occasion of Art Week, there were also reports of encouraging sales. Perhaps more to collectors than to blue chip bigwigs.

Overall, one cannot help but feel that public funds are needed to market art more broadly. Vienna Contemporary suggests that this is essential, and Berlin Art Week also complains that Berlin's Senator for Culture does not intend to provide sufficient funds for 2026. On the other hand, cities benefit considerably from the willingness of art enthusiasts to travel and support the local economy. It is economic development whose success is reflected least in the galleries and most in the hotels, restaurants and retailers, which would generate significantly less revenue without cultural events.

Museums are repeatedly the victims of brazen burglaries. The Journal des Arts has attempted to compile a chronology of museum thefts since the theft of the Mona Lisa in 1911. Conclusion: much of it reappears, with the exception of easily marketable objects made of gold, silver and precious stones.

Art Istanbul is drawing closer in a country whose president is openly bidding farewell to the last remnants of democracy. Fifteen years ago, contemporary developments, largely driven by courageous women, were already expressing concern that the feeling of freedom would be ended by state control. It seems to be drawing nearer.

Stay optimistic and look forward to the new week with curiosity.

Yours, Stephan Zilkens and the team at Zilkens Fine Art Insurance Broker GmbH in Solothurn and Cologne