We examine how the contemporary art market has changed as a result of the disruptions caused by the novel coronavirus. Based on interviews with artists, collectors, a dealer, and an auction house executive, we argue that the decline of face-to-face interaction, previously essential to art market transactions, has placed strain on each corner of the community. In the absence of physical co-presence with the artworks and art world actors, participants struggle to evaluate and appreciate artworks, make new social ties, develop trust, and experience a shared sense of pleasure and collective effervescence. These challenges especially impact the primary gallery market, where participants emphasize a communal commitment to art above instrumental speculation, which is more accepted in the secondary auction market. We find a transition to distant online communication, but the likelihood of this continuing after the lockdowns end and the virus dissipates varies according to the subcultures of these market segments.

中文翻译：

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危机中的艺术市场：个人纽带和市场亚文化如何调节 COVID-19 的影响

我们研究了当代艺术市场如何因新型冠状病毒造成的破坏而发生变化。根据对艺术家、收藏家、经销商和拍卖行高管的采访，我们认为以前对艺术品市场交易至关重要的面对面互动的衰落已经给社区的每个角落带来了压力。在没有与艺术品和艺术界演员亲身共处的情况下，参与者难以评估和欣赏艺术品，建立新的社会联系，建立信任，并体验共同的快乐感和集体活力。这些挑战尤其影响了一级画廊市场，参与者强调对艺术的共同承诺高于工具性投机，这在二级拍卖市场中更受欢迎。