Artsy Editorial explores the complexities of collecting performance art, explaining that ownership typically involves acquiring documentation, scores, or rights to reactivate a performance rather than the live event itself. The article outlines how artists, dealers, and collectors navigate transactions for this ephemeral medium, addressing the challenges of preservation, display, and market value.
This matters because performance art has become an increasingly significant segment of the contemporary art market, yet its intangible nature defies traditional collecting models. Understanding how to buy and sell performance art helps collectors and institutions engage with a vital artistic practice that challenges conventional notions of ownership and commodification.