Enthusiastic art collector and advocate Josh Kasper brings the hidden world of studio creation to light through live and virtual interviews.
Josh Kasper at the Red Dot Fair
Familiar with the concept of a studio visit? Many people are, but here at Art Basel and Beyond I take it many steps further. Before we get there, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Josh Kasper and I am the founder of Art Basel and Beyond. I am both an art enthusiast and collector. At the time I created @artbaselandbeyond, I was working in asset management at Goldman Sachs. So you could say my background is in finance. However, art is my escape from the competitive world of corporate America. I’ve been a collector for many years.
During 2020, I spent about ten months posting different pictures of artworks on Instagram. They were taken at the galleries in Chelsea, New York and many art fairs around country including Art Basel, Art Miami, Spectrum, Red Dot, Pinta, the Affordable Art fair, Art Expo New York and many more.
One day I went to visit Gallery23 in New York and was foaming over some of their incredible street art by artist Alex Smetsky. Then, BOOM! It hit me. Art Basel and Beyond needed to be about going beyond the art by stepping directly into the artist’s studio. It must both recreate the art fair and enable people to build relationships with artists by understanding their mission and technique.
Art is about not only being a part of a community, but also about building that very community. ~ Josh Kasper
To that end, I reached out to Smetsky and conducted my very first studio visit. Let me tell you, I was a real amateur at that point! I did however derive an incredible formula that has enabled artists to have a platform via my Instagram feed (most of my audience consists of artists, gallerists, art organizations and collectors).
So what was that formula? Super simple–explore the artists background and what led them to become an artist. Discuss the inspiration behind their work and where that inspiration comes from, all while showcasing their artwork and their studio. Here is the beauty in this approach: we hit both the meaning of the artwork, and because we showcase the art in the studio, we also discuss the process (unless that’s an industry trade secret).
My studio visits are dynamic. I always ask the artists what they would like to address and what is off limits. One time an artist admitted to having an affair, so needless to say we had to edit that out.
A studio visit with sculptor Carole Feuerman
The other thing you need to know…well, I work with artists at many different points in their careers. For example, if you view my Instagram feed, you will see a pinned interview with hyperrealist icon, Carole Feuerman. She was kind enough to invite me to her Brooklyn operation to tour both her offices and her studio. We learned how she creates her larger-than-life pieces and discussed her background.
On the flip side, you will see studio visits with up-and-coming artists like Amy Shekhter and Roderick Hidalgo. The formula is the same, and because of the Instagram live feature, I conducted both virtual and in-person studio visits. This enables us to go beyond the art.
As a collector, I like to have a relationship with the artists. Through these studio visits, the audience is able to build relationships with the artists as well, which is a very important part of the buying process. I have one rule when it comes to the art I feature on my feed: I must genuinely like the works. I cover mostly modern, contemporary, pop and street art.
Art collector Josh Kasper at Scope Miami
Quick story for you: I was filming an Instagram live interview with artist Karen Margolis, who has wild contemporary works that are composed of a series of net-like structures. It so happened that the staff of nonprofit Chashama was watching, and later reached out to me. This led to a great new introduction for me to explore the nonprofit world and general art community further.
Art is about not only being a part of a community, but also about building that very community. Through Art Basel and Beyond, I seek to contribute to the art community by providing folks with a direct conduit into the world beyond the art.
As an artist, I want to thank you for all you do to promote art to the public. It is tough out there for artists who wish to see their artwork enjoyed by the masses.
Hi Karen,
Thank you! It is the least I can do. It is all you artists out there that make sacrifices to bring incredible art to this world, so thank you!
Best,
Josh
Brilliant idea and very encouraging for those new to the art world after having had a successful career as a standup o! Kudos!!
Carol Siskind
carolsiskind.art
Hi Carol,
I think the additional benefit is that I work with artists who are at many different points in their career. This really opens up the doors!
Take care,
Josh
Bravo! If you ever get to Chautauqua Institution in western NYS and want to do a studio visit while out here, please consider visiting me at Portage Hill Art Gallery. Although I have been an active contemporary artist and gallerist for over 40 years, I haven’t had a studio visit before, oddly enough. You sound like a great visitor to any art studio. Thank you for all you are doing for the art community!
Hi Audrey,
Will definitely do so if I am ever up that way. Please don’t hesitate to message me on IG to continue the conversation.
Kind regards,
Josh
I am delighted that you are providing artists an opportunity to sell. I also have an Instagram account.
My name is Mary Freericks. I was born in Iran. My father was Armenian (in the Oriental rug business) and Christian, my mother was (an artist) Russian and Jewish. I live in Santa Barbara, CA, and paint regularly. I am also a poet and have eight books on Amazon, five poetry memoirs beginning with Blue Watermelon.
Cheer for Freedom has some of my paintings in it as well as poetry.
I hope you will look at some of my paintings and give me the opportunity to sell them.
Hi Mary,
That is quite the resume! Blue Watermelon is an amazing title so will definitely need to check it out. I enjoyed reading about your family’s background as well.
Send me some pics of your work @artbaselandbeyond.
Thanks,
Josh
What if you don’t have a studio? As I do not. But you can view my work at peterszarmach.com. Would love to get your feedback. Thank you!
Hi Peter,
Studio is necessary for the Studio Visit, BUT there are other ways!!! Will check out your work and you can send me photos @artbaselandbeyond on IG.
Best,
Josh
Hi Josh Thank you for what you are doing to help artists-we need it! My life as an artist was shaped by an incredible childhood in Aruba which provided my artistic direction of painting tropical island art. I have devoted my life to it. I feel that my mission is to give people a calm place away from the chaos of the world through my work where they can find some peace. I have worked in advertising and done architectural rendering (before computers), but fine art is my life. My studio is small, but I have many pieces to show. My current direction is doing work that is highly realistic, yet abstract at the same time. I would welcome the opportunity to work with you. Richard
Hi Richard,
Sounds like a very enriching childhood. Who does not love tropical vibes? Would love to keep in touch. Please send me pics of your work via IG @artbaselandbeyond.
Thanks,
Josh
What you offer is wonderful. And I would love to partake, and get some internat’l recognition for my art. Back in 1987 Denise asked me to do one ad for her to promote a group she was starting called “Plein Air Painters of America”….I had to ask her what that word was! Being in the art field since 1972, I had never heard the words “plein air”. I set up an ad campaign w/ 22 ads a year from 1987 thru 1996. It is now coast to coast in the USA & Canada! You think having done that, my career would have taken off…but it didn’t! Such is life!
Also, as shared, would love to have my work promoted thru you…but one major “problem” I do NOT have a studio. My easel sets in a space about 4×4! Tho I own my home, on 10 acres, it is not large enough for a studio! But it never stopped me from doing studio creations 3×4 foot!! So, that portion of what you do, won’t work! Darn. To see those, hope you will visit my website. What you offer is truly a wonderful gift to artists! Thank you! Betty
Hi Betty,
So I am learning that there are a lot of artists without studios, BUT maybe that just means a different type of “visit.” Please contact me on IG @artbaselandbeyond or through my email, [email protected] and we can continue the conversation.
Talk soon,
Josh
We have a wonderful community of artists in Denver and the surrounding areas. There are 18 of us showing at D’art Gallery in the Art District Santa Fe Drive in Denver. Are you interested in artists beyond New York?
100% I am. Please contact me at [email protected]