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The brand‐wagon: emerging art markets and the Venice Biennale

Rodner, Victoria L; Omar, Maktoba; Thomson, Elaine

Authors

Victoria L Rodner

Maktoba Omar



Abstract

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether and how participating in a branded Biennale (Venice) may legitimate and promote selected artists from the emerging markets of Venezuela and Thailand alongside art market leaders.

Design/methodology/approach
– Research was conducted at the 53rd International Art Biennale in Venice, Italy, in June 2009. Underpinned by a constructivist approach, qualitative data were collected via participant observation, illustrative photography and semi‐structured interviews (average interview time 55 minutes) with curators and participating artists from two emerging markets: Venezuela and Thailand.

Findings
– This research indicates that merely attending the Venice Biennale does not mean automatic branding for success: each artist's signature style must stand out within its cultural context for the branding effect to succeed. The conclusion compares and contrasts the effective relationship between identification and success for the two emerging economies within the world‐leader arts event in Venice.

Originality/value
– This study contributes to the growing body of knowledge on arts management and events management, focusing on the until now unexplored area of contemporary arts marketing for the emerging economies of Venezuela and Thailand. The paper may aid emerging market art professionals in their strategy and planning to better benefit from the Venice Biennale's branding opportunity, as well as guiding scholarly research to a better understanding of the area.

Citation

Rodner, V. L., Omar, M., & Thomson, E. (2011). The brand‐wagon: emerging art markets and the Venice Biennale. Marketing Intelligence and Planning, 29, 319-336. https://doi.org/10.1108/02634501111129275

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date May 10, 2011
Deposit Date Jun 8, 2015
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Print ISSN 0263-4503
Publisher Emerald
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 29
Pages 319-336
DOI https://doi.org/10.1108/02634501111129275
Keywords Innovation; Brands; Arts; Italy; Venezuela; Thailand;
Public URL http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/id/eprint/8586
Publisher URL http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/02634501111129275