Art markets, epistemic authority, and the institutional curation of knowledge

The recent proliferation of data about art prices has been interpreted as the democratization a formerly secretive economic sphere. Contesting this idea, I argue that such is collected, controlled, and disseminated by international dealers auction houses for purpose reinforcing myth single, integrated market art. Through analysis presentation strategies in Gagosian Gallery’s online viewing rooms Sotheby’s Mei Moses Index, dominant world institutions use history price to support speculative value artworks perpetuate knowledge asymmetries reinforce their own epistemic authority. debate whether Friedrich Hayek’s conception an unbiased aggregator dispersed information useful way conceptualizing world. conclude that, contrast ideas, contemporary given illusion democratic dispersal while remaining within purview institutions. curation involved process exacerbates inequality risks sidelining heterogeneous creative practices populate broad range spheres.