“Collectors are regarded as maniac, paranoid, impassioned
and vain[...] To collect is to nurture a love affair, a passion;
it is to uncover findings in a game of search and find – all
of which are part of my life. It is a unique pleasure, an affectionate
relationship with artworks that permeates my space. By and large,
[...] collectors understand they gather their collections not only
for private fruition, but for the benefit of society, and for this
reason they keep and preserve them. Showing or publishing my collection
is a pleasure because it means sharing with viewers and readers
something I have always held as very private.”
“When I
first started my collection the number on criterion was to gather
works by contemporary artists which I found to be a more difficult
as well as a more stimulating activity. I was out to take risks,
which entailed the possibility of making mistakes. It never occurred
to me to acquire a painting for speculative purposes. Rather, I
have always benn charmed by passion and discovery.”
“Historically,
relationships between collectors and artists have always been difficult
for a number of reasons that include a difference in intellectual
viewpoints, distinct backgrounds, distinct visions of the world,
low pay offered (which artists regard as highly insulting), or yet
a great lack of concern for their work. In turn, however, mutual
interest has always generated considerable satisfaction. I have
been involved in situations where artists at times felt jealous,
possessive, or merely stunned by the “loss” of their
artworks, as if these works were their own children. To me, their
attitudes seem perfectly natural, since only on rare circumstances
I would agree to let go of works from my collection of constructive
art.” |