Zilkens' News Blog

Zilkens' News Blog 47 2023

One more week, then Stefan Kobel's art week will be 10 years old and four weeks later it will be Christmas. The news does not tell of peace, neither in Ukraine nor in the Gaza Strip or in other centres of conflict around the world. In many Western countries, the cultural and historical cement has suffered because the message that Christmas actually brings us is increasingly being forgotten. People who come to us show us how important cohesion is to them in their previous values. For all non-believers, metaphysics is an unexplorable realm of power that they are ultimately left helpless in the face of. Unfortunately, religion is far more than opium for the people - no matter which one.

Art Cologne ended quite successfully and tidily. The shortening to 4 days didn't do it any harm - nor did the train drivers' strike. They are not needed in Jakarta to run a contemporary art fair that took place parallel to Art Cologne. Art Mumbai also opened on the 16th in India's financial centre, which is home to more millionaires than Dubai, Sydney, Seoul or Miami. From there, some may be travelling to Abu Dhabi this week, because the next Abu Dhabi Art Fair will take place there from Tuesday. It is already the 15th edition of this fair and, apart from Deloitte, no one there is worried about the location. However, Deloitte has moved the 15th Private Art and Finance Conference planned for Dubai to Luxembourg for security reasons. The event now falls in the middle of the Abu Dhabi Art preview. What a pity, because the previous timing would have made it possible to combine the two events.

The German government has a problem following the judgement of the Federal Constitutional Court on compliance with the debt brake. Now comes the battle of the state monopoly capitalists (SPD and Greens) against the advocates of freedom and free economic development. At the latest now it is becoming clear that the unnecessary shutdown of the nuclear power plants in Germany that can still be operated is not leading in the right direction. This decision puts additional pressure on the climate balance, which is further worsened thanks to the coal decision by the green Minister for Economic Affairs. And people have realised that nothing works without energy. - Not even small art exhibitions.

The road toll will become more expensive next year out of political will, which will also be felt by those who have art professionally transported. But the stinginess of some contemporaries, regardless of gender, is well known. They are happy to buy an expensive painting but prefer not to spend money on adequate transport and packaging services. Insurers rely on art being professionally packaged and shipped and therefore prescribe art forwarders. DHL and the like are generally not even liable for their transport services when they transport art, as this is usually excluded in the general terms and conditions. And some insurers are surprised or even unwilling to pay when confronted with such a claim.

The old AXA ART - which is now XL a Company of AXA - has now celebrated 20 years of partnership with TEFAF as AXA XL and it looks as if the company, whose local branches already have to submit claims of EUR 1 million or more to the competence centre in London - where, as is well known, a different legal system prevails and EU law does not apply - for a decision, wants to extend its commitment for a few more years. Good for TEFAF and hopefully also good for art and those who insure it.

Have a good week with refreshing art-related experiences

Yours

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