The Blind Art Collector
By Niels Arnbak on June 14, 2011
Yesterday I watched Scorsese’s latest documentary, starring the irreverent Fran Lebowitz.
She recalls the story of art collector Steve Wynn, who bought Picasso’s La Rêve for $48.4 million. He was about to sell it for $139 million, which would have made it the most expensive artwork in history. But then he accidentally put his elbow through the canvas and ripped it, effectively canceling the sale.
“I was interested in this story, because this man can’t see. There is no more suitable and potent symbol for our time than the image of the blind art collector.” – Fran Lebowitz
Her story raises questions about ‘the spiritual and social values of art’, as mentioned in the back story of the Exchangibition bank. Why would a blind man collect visual art? Is it to make money only? Maybe for social status? Or would it be an altruistic act to please his visitors?
Ultimately, it makes me wonder how would blind people would appreciate the bank notes of the Exchangibition Bank?
PS. There is a debate whether or not Wynn was really blind at the time of the accident and to which extent it happened because of his vision impairment. But to me this anecdote is so strong that it does not really matter.
Never let the truth get in the way of a good story, right?
pehaps a good idea to design a blind money bill that blind people will appreciate a lot and actually will value it for what it is (worth)