Artlogic, a major art inventory management firm, and ArtCloud, a gallery software company specializing in collector engagement and AI tools, have announced a merger. The combined entity will support over 6,000 galleries, artists, and collectors, managing more than 15 million artworks. Artlogic CEO Mike Profit described the move as a long-term infrastructure play, while ArtCloud CEO Alex West will become Chief Innovation Officer of the merged company.
TikTok potrà diventare il posto dove comprare e vendere opere d’arte?
TikTok Shop has launched a new "Fine Art" category, allowing users to buy and sell artworks directly within the app. The initiative was spearheaded by British artist-influencer Sophie Tea, who sold a series of 20 oil paintings titled "Bric-a-Brac" during a three-hour live stream that combined performance art, studio visits, and televised sales. Each piece sold for around £2,800, with TikTok taking a 9% commission. The move applies discovery commerce—where products find users through social feeds rather than active searches—to the art market, bypassing traditional gallery intermediaries.
Come cambiano le aste d’arte se online tutto sembra un video game?
The article examines how digital infrastructure has transformed art auctions from exclusive in-person rituals into real-time competitive interfaces. Online sales, which peaked during the pandemic, now account for about 16% of the global art market in 2025 (down from 18% in 2024), according to the Art Market Report by Art Basel and UBS. Digital tools enable instant bidding, global streaming, and discreet participation, allowing collectors to compete without physical presence. The piece highlights the gamification of auctions, noting that ArtTactic has launched Art Forecaster, a platform where users predict auction prices in tournament-style competitions, blending market engagement with ludic elements.
The article argues that AI's most transformative impact on the art market will not come from generating new artworks or NFTs, but from streamlining back-office operations like logistics, insurance, provenance checks, and shipping. It notes that only 3.4% of the $1.7 trillion in privately held art is traded annually, and that antiquated processes deter younger buyers. By automating these friction-heavy tasks, AI could unlock billions in liquidity, potentially raising the turnover rate to 4.4% and injecting over $17 billion into the ecosystem.