Fears and hopes in Slovak art collecting
The Slovak National Gallery is for the very first time presenting art works from Slovak private art collections. The presentation of carefully selected items is rare but also unusual - because most of the collectors remain anonymous. They do not want their names associated with their art collections. One of the promoters of art collecting in this country and the co-curator of the exhibition Ivan Melichercik, told Martina Grenova why:
Stolen items are still difficult to regain through legal action in Slovakia. Although the police sometimes manage to bring criminal offenders to court it's difficult to get a conviction - even against alleged mafia bosses. Art collectors usually lose their precious pieces forever. Ivan Melichercik was robbed twice.
"For now, the Slovak collector is very cautious even in letting anybody in his flat to show the treasure he has. I think it is a matter of time before this will be changed."
Despite some problems, art collecting is steadily growing in Slovakia. A boom was recorded after 1990 with the rise of the post communist entrepreneurship. The SOGA auction house, the biggest one in this country, was established in 1996. So far, they have organized up to 50 public auctions. The majority of sold items go to private collections of institutions or individuals. However, people have still not become familiar with the idea of sharing the beauty they have in their collections with the general public.
In many parts of the world there's a different attitude to collectors who present their art in public. It is taken for granted that high quality exhibitions are compiled from private collections. Collectors from abroad are proud to exhibit their best pieces.
"I'm staying in Slovakia, I'm collector from abroad, I have a few nice collections of Slovakian artists."
The Dutch art collector Gerard Muelensteen found the Danubiana gallery on the shores of the Danube river close to Bratislava. The piece of modern architecture houses temporary exhibitions by Slovak as well as international artists.
"We started the museum in the year 2000 and we decided to start and to build up own collection of Slovakian artists from the year 2000. We still have some very nice paintings from young Slovak artists and hope in the future we will have the possibilities to show the paintings and the sculptures permanently."
Today, there are about 20 top quality private art collections. The first ever public presentation of individual collectors does not offer their best items. However, Ivan Melichercik stays optimistic.
"I think that this trend will affect also Slovakia, especially after our entry into the EU. Europe will suddenly focus its attention eastwards. As to the art market and art collecting, East European countries are still terra incognita for their partners from the west."
Will European collectors flood to Slovakia after it enters the EU? Mr. Muelensteen, as a foreign art collector, speculates:
"I hope so. And I do all what is in my possibilities to promote Slovakian artists also with a nice place that we have here. And I am sure that when we are doing well also west tourist and people who are interested in art are coming to Slovakia."
Slovak entry into the EU will bring more European art to private collections. It will also open wide the door to Europe for Slovak artists. However, Ivan Melichercik can spot a hint of danger.
"I fear that with all the gallerists and art sellers there will come a lot of forgeries flooding the local art market. I think that Eastern Europe will become for a certain period of time a paradise for counterfeiters."
The Slovak art market is relatively small. Entrepreneurs are only slowly getting used to the idea of investing money into art works. Exhibitions like the one currently held in the National Gallery can inspire the general public to slightly change their system of values. Art is worth the money. Private collectors will prove it inthe Slovak National Gallery until April 25.
