By Giulia Piceni. Cover image: Italian Twist. Installation view at Fondazione Imago Mundi. Photo: Marcon Pavan.
The art world can seem overwhelming and difficult to understand without the right guidance. According to Elisa Carollo, a curator, writer and art advisor, the key to success is to slowly carve out your own space, contact by contact, book by book. During a talk and Q&A session, Carollo shared her insights with students studying Undergraduate Arts Curating, the Master’s in Curating Art & Fashion and Art Management programmes.
If you’re feeling lost in the intricate world of contemporary arts and don’t know what to do next, Carollo’s story and advice could be extremely inspiring. Read on to learn more about various themes in the contemporary art world.
GP: How would you define your multifaceted professional figure?
EC: The art world is a multidisciplinary industry, especially with transdisciplinary approach embraced by contemporary arts. I always try to create new values with my work and contribute in various ways, often engaging with both artists and galleries. As an art advisor, my role is about creating connections between artists and collectors, private institutions or museums, and ultimately bringing the artists’ visions to life.
GP: What, in your opinion, are the key features of a successful art advisor?
EC: The most important quality of a successful art advisor is having a well-established network. You should build this network over time by connecting with various art professionals, artists and galleries. In today’s globalised world, this is a crucial way to navigate the art industry successfully. A deep understanding of academic studies is also essential; however, an art advisor should also possess human sensibility and passion, as these qualities can help transform ideas into reality.
GP: Looking back, what moment in your academic or personal life led you to where you are now?
EC: Travels, a lot of lonely travels! It takes courage to get a plane and follow your instinct. Having a mentor, whether in real life or on social media, is also crucial in one’s journey, as long as you choose someone you trust and admire as a role model. Lastly, hard work and commitment to studying are essential but don’t forget that experiences outside of the pages of your books can shape you profoundly.
GP: What is the future of art advisors and how does social media play a role in this profession?
EC: During the pandemic there has been a veritable surge in the contemporary arts scene. However, the current market dynamics have slowed down. Moneywise, there is an oversupply compared to the demand, while geopolitically-wise, collectors, like everyone else, are preoccupied with other issues going on during these tough times.
I think advising needs to be again more multidisciplinary-oriented; it should be able to contribute on different levels; among the various objectives I would list helping artists to emerge by creating a strong curatorial framework through well-thought writing.
The art market has been changing for some time now, and I’m really interested to see how the current recalibration will affect the different roles that we’ve become familiar with in recent years due to the increasing financialisation of the sector.
GP: How do you engage with writing about contemporary art, and what aspect of the art market excites you the most in your writing?
EC: I’ve always loved writing, which has opened many doors for me in terms of work opportunities. Writing has helped me build trust with market players, artists and other art professionals. I consider writing to be about sharing knowledge and insights, and even though it can challenging to make a living from it, it’s a side job that adds value to what I do. Instagram can a tool to share your writing and articles of interest, to build a community, develop your artistic taste while doing personal branding and networking.
GP: What advice would you give to a young art student planning to follow your same career path?
EC: First of all, I suggest reflecting on what your real passion is and why art holds a special place for you. Determine how much you are willing to commit to your passion. Be fearless and take action to make your priorities a reality. So even if you would like to join some friends for a glass of wine, maybe you’ll go for some openings by yourself; be brave enough and catch a flight for that exhibition that you are obsessing over; try to go to another region, out of your comfort zone and connect with new enriching people.
