TEFAF

On March 21 we went to The European Fine Art Fair.  We were actually able to get free tickets because of Jerry's class on Law and Art which was really nice because admission is usually around 50 Euros a person.  There was some pretty amazing stuff there, if you're into that kind of idol worship.  On the first day (the show runs for 10 days) a painting sold for 14 million Euros.  I have a hard time with the idea that a relatively small thing, that is never going to actually do anything (like feed someone or put clothes on a back), could actually be worth that kind of ridiculous money.  I have nothing against artists or art and I fully agree that artists deserve fair wages for their work, but nothing that was for sale at TEFAF was by a living artist.  I'm just saying that if the fine art market were deflated a bit, at least one country's economy could be jump-started.  But all that aside, I really enjoyed most everything I saw at the show.  I don't think I'll ever really get modern/abstract art, so I generally skipped those vendors and focused on the incredible portraits, landscapes, antiques that were on display.  I have now seen a real Monet and a real Picasso.  I saw a papyrus fragment, with startlingly clear pictures/writings still on it, from 1500 B.C.  That's right!  That fragile, flimsy thing was over 3000 years old!  Incredible!  An antique armor and weapons dealer had 2 Greek battle helmets from the time when people believed in Zeus.  Basically, if it could belong in a museum, but isn't there yet, it was for sale at TEFAF.

I really appreciated how friendly all the vendors were to us.  I mean, we had Sam with us in a buggy and we were not wearing handmade Italian suits: obviously we were not going to buy anything.  But everyone was very friendly and didn't mind that we were taking up space and time looking at the artifacts.  Of course, it helped that Sam had a big smile for everyone! 

Jerry and Sam with a BMW Art Car