You Won’t Make Money From Buying Art, But Rich People Can - And Do | Complexify

We dipped our brushes in the art world’s oily pigments, blending abstract investment schemes and bizarre internet masterpieces to bring you an unvarnished portrait of the trade. Here’s what we learned.
VICE News’ “Complexify” series takes you down the rabbit hole, to show you why just about everything is more convoluted than you think.
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[@brevobrevo]

Depressing that only 15% of artists make over 10k in a year. It’s a hard gig to crack and even harder now that almost everything has been done by someone else

[@SkywalkerPaul]

That's why the art market is so stable

[@deathwizard1996]

Art teachers: anime is not art Some guy: I just sold a banana duck Tape to a wall for billions of dollars

[@carbonskateboarding5318]

i dont think ive ever come across an art teacher that would say anime isnt art

[@intosomethingsometimes2193]

i still couldnt believe that.

[@Sageboy13]

Wow teachers say that? I’d link them videos of mangaka drawing characters then

[@deathwizard1996]

Not all art teachers are like that but it is pretty common in the art community.

[@traplover6357]

Art teachers don't say that its not art. They would just say drawing only anime instead of realism will affect proportions of people being drawn if you switch up styles.

[@neyedol]

One of the better vice vids - entertaining and immediately forgettable. Welcome to KZbin.

[@user-xm9ms5dl8d]

It's just a way for people to launder money.

[@aragantd5611]

Now that make more sense now

[@campkira]

yeah rich people tranfer money to each other.. it the same with sneakerhead and any collector market... you can not just walk to the shop and get them...

[@itza8334]

💲 Laundering 101

[@pest174]

'Banana on wall' is amateur hour. When I went to a Hunter College MFA program, I saw master pieces like 'shoe insole on wall', 'piece of tape on wall', and 'half empty whiskey bottle on wall'.

[@luckycharms8020]

At least the banana is edible

[@BizzeeB]

I buy a lot of original art because I like to look at it, but this video does a great job of clarifying why I shouldn't expect to make any money off of selling it - the people who would be inclined to buy the artists I collect aren't rich, so there's no reason for my pieces to appreciate.

[@elveheim]

Why not buy a school in Africa and give a lot of children a free education. That would be art in my eyes.

[@kerrymoorey2867]

That would be the most beautiful art I had ever seen by far !! Or paying the proper enforcement to rescue the little children from Indonesia and Indias red light districts forced to work the streets and locked in brothels... These people worring about such material items bananas taped you walls and a lot of junk and waste of space are true losers in my eyes.

[@Alex-rd2ur]

@IronicallyVague you personally did that? Wow! What's the school called?

[@fredb2858]

How are u gonna make profit doing that?

[@biguprochester]

Or stop pretending that going to mars is worth not feeding every starving person indefinitely

[@barq7939]

IronicallyVague You don’t do it for what others think, you do it from the kindness of your heart/soul

[@sanbetski]

This is just an excuse to launder money and avoid taxes for the rich people

[@13orrax]

thats exactly what the banana duct taped to the wall is trying to illustrate....which is why its brilliant

[@zooofsocks1924]

@@13orrax what

[@spasticbrit]

Correct, nothing but thinly veiled laundering.

[@JamieZero7]

It's not laundering money, it's legal. It's a new stock market.

[@____Rahaf]

The sad part isn’t about “the mediocre so called art” it’s that there are true talented artists in the world that aren’t discovered and probably will not be discovered because they don’t have the opportunity to showcase their art!

[@BothHands1]

always with these rich people, laundering money, dodging taxes, and stealing from the poor. just rich people things

[@pest174]

Exactly.

[@chrisklugh]

I love how we call complain about these loop holes rich people make to launder money, dodge taxes and steal from the poor and yet nobody else uses their systems. Its legal. Everyone should be laundering money, avoiding taxes and stealing from strangers. Dog eat Dog world out there. Are you just somebody else's lunch? Eat or shut the f*ck up!

[@iShuffleAtRaves]

dodging taxes? no one can beat the IRS, they end up paying one way or another. even el chapo is paying now.

[@chrisklugh]

@@iShuffleAtRaves Only so long as you know whether your are the cat or the mouse. El Chapo was the mouse. If your the mouse, pay the cat or be eaten. There are plenty of business and personal entities out there where the Gov is the mouse. They don't beat the IRS, they use the IRS for their strategic benefit. After all, if you want something in life, why would you pay for it if you can get someone else to? Citizens are collateral. IRS organizes this.

[@BothHands1]

Chris Klugh i'd prefer a utilitarian, egalitarian society, rather than this dog-eat-dog bs you men have set up over the past few millennia. and i'll continue to fight and vote for my beliefs. if i believe what they're doing to be wrong, how could i do it myself? besides that, you need to be a billionaire to take full advantage of the majority of these loopholes anyway. maybe there are a few you can use as an average citizen to save 100$ or something, but these billionaires are collectively stealing trillions of dollars that should have gone to tax, to fix worn out roads, give our children better education, train police officers better, ensure we have clean air and water, etc. fixing roads not only helps us, when we get a flat tire from a pot hole and have to throw 300$ down to get it replaced, but it also makes trucking more efficient, thereby increasing economic efficiency. but they don't even care about their own businessess, even if their company could make 2 billion dollars in the next 10 years due to improved efficiency, they'd rather steal the 1 billion now and put it in their own pockets, making out entire economic system less efficient and more of a plutocracy.

[@EwYoureCringe]

Another thing rich people will do is they will donate paintings to get tax write offs. The paintings can be seriously over valued and way more than anyone would ever pay for, but since they are donating it, no one cares.

[@Zuentax]

You get a collection artist and keep it between friends at high prices.. you lend these to art galleries and use them as collateral for loans... now you can put that money in whatever the price wont drop because its inflated between friends lol. And if you sell 1 piece to a arabic prince know that it will be going for more cause you make trades with higher values... so you can get more using it as collateral loans are an expense.. tax write offs

[@InvestOrama]

Amazingly well edited and researched, now I wish I could level up my own video on art investing

[@Joshyohmygoshy]

Well this is a perfect way to start my poor Saturday, while doing overtime.

[@hooligan1179]

I'm on Nightshift, but here too! 😂

[@hooligan1179]

I'm on Nightshift, but yeah here too!

[@pizzakiller8554]

@@hooligan1179

[@s1k1t1]

Literally me

[@pest174]

You guys are working?! Lucky!

[@remenemenev]

2 words: money laundering

[@dcarroll327]

This is the perfect example of people with too much money

[@EnJayLovesMogu]

Da Vinci and Picasso be silent ever since the Banana in the wall came out

[@Sadab360]

Dude!!! This is really funny 🤣

[@trebledc]

Yes because they like bananas.

[@tylerhackner9731]

Feels like there’s more money involved than sense lol

[@lisandroge]

Its probably a momey laundry tactic.

[@mdavis3262]

Thank you

[@johnlopez5531]

“Bullshit..bullshit..derivative” - Ongo Gablogian

[@bariizlam638]

“Ass, it’s a chance to see the world from a new perspective!”- I thought that’s what he said in the beginning of the video!! You

[@EwYoureCringe]

Patronage also has a huge affect on the value of art. Jay-Z brags about he buys paintings and then sells them for a lot more money, but no matter what painting he bought the value would increase simply bc Jay Z owned it...

[@axelpatrickb.pingol3228]

That is called "provenance" in the collecting market...

[@notreveh]

I like his sarcasm.

[@ZadenZane]

2:48 I don't know about Jasper Johns' flag but the frame it was in looked gorgeous

[@vizuboygaming]

So basically you need money to get money, which we have known all along. Got it.

[@m1l22]

Banana on the wall... How could they think of such a magnificent art form, Its beauty is just pure orgasmic. Definitely justifies the price tag.

[@tonbonthemon]

The harsh, grimy silver duct tape - a clear representation of cold hard modernity - holds a banana to the wall. Just as the man of modernity is crafted by the norms of post-industrialism, the banana is life crafted by genetic engineering. And just as the modern man is destined to die in an iron cage without fulfilling his true purpose - often to the delight of the bourgeois - this banana is destined to rot off the wall, having never been eaten and savored. The wonderful thing about art is that you can project whatever meaning you want onto it. Sometimes it's like the more 5 dollar words you use to describe it, the higher the value.

[@m1l22]

tonbonthemon You explained it better than I ever could’ve done.

[@moltenlava1877]

@@tonbonthemon + This banana can compliment ur smol banana

[@JisuDrawsYt]

I only want to say to buy directly from the artist to give him /her craft a real value. Please 🙏❤

[@FingeringThings]

I’d splash a bit of paint on a canvas and rich people would call it “beautiful” or “Powerful” and sell it for $100 million

[@tylerhackner9731]

Anything is these days Lol

[@radium7662]

just like Jackson Pollock!!! right?!

[@radium7662]

really trynna get that checkmark:(

[@karimshaik5343]

The banana doesnt rott. ...its really art...

[@stutter4064]

Ahh art. A conspiracy between the rich and artists to make poor people feel stupid

[@cryisfree510]

I see that plantasia poster

[@Aurora-FX]

So the first thing people do during a pandemic Is buy Art?

[@moltenlava1877]

hey reich, What plans do u have for Muslims ?

[@Kanal7Indonesia]

Art in the past : Baroque, Renaissance, Classical *Art now* :

[@JoleneLin78]

Agreed! Just bought a piece of art from a U.K. Artist and it made (and will continue to make) my day for just £150! :)

[@FireDude-py6qn]

So they're telling me that is I buy a blank poster board duct tape a banana to it I could be a millionaire?

[@311pique]

this presenter has a nice taste in music. nice

[@ApocalypseNowWithEli]

This was a really interesting piece from VICE.

[@bilakh7]

Everything I hear an auction, yeah...its a money laundry show!

[@jpsimas2]

why didn't you mention someone ate that banana?

[@knamon864]

Art can be a big ass Con game at times.

[@bingoberra18]

Why is everything about what rich people do. Let us poor people buy our art, and they will buy their art without anyone interfering in anyone elses business?

[@JOSEPHCHARLESCOLIN2024]

I just put my hand up teacher

[@specialgems]

Ok Sir. Good Morning

[@PASTRAMIKick]

Art made by people like Leonardo DaVinci should not be sold like that, it's a human heritage piece, that should not be owned by a single person like that. Sell the modern art garbage, but leave the classic Renaissance art alone in a museum or something

[@youcantalwaysgetwhatyouwan6687]

i'm selling my smelly socks... $200,000 is the bid.. bout you?

[@howdepressing2495]

Title isn't really accurate but okay.

[@bryn6844]

Meanwhile I am shoplifting clothes for my little sister

[@banzaaiiiii]

🤣

[@unclejeffthechad9459]

I have an oId rotten French Cheese in my fridge. I wonder if it will be accepted as an interesting art for rich peopIe...

[@akaachanz]

Perfectly ok

[@pest174]

You would be surprised.

[@iwrotethis4712]

$1000 for that

[@moltenlava1877]

Put it on a plate, Decorate it and write a paragraph full of extremely influential blabber describing it Ex : A soul, Which is destined to be used to feed the ones who appreciate it has to lie lifelessly, On a broken porcelain. This indicates the fate of humans who wanted to be known far and wide, But has to rot till the end of his life on a small cracking plate and die from inside 😭😭😭

[@czemuczemuczemu1958]

I just wrote a MA thesis on the topic and how art restitution can increase soft power. Hit me up if you would like to read it!

[@giwdly1542]

Legal way to wash money

[@mdavis3262]

Art has value because people give it value...it has no fundamental value...i get buying it as a investment but not for personal enjoyment

[@immerfly]

random hiroshi nagai on the wall

[@HappyRussians]

I’m a classic art dealer. Please don’t put classic art with contemporary art business. Our practices are completely different and are much more affordable than you think.

[@d_rizzle4268]

Who would pay six figures for a banana ducktaped to a wall...

[@calipdis2]

Might tape a potato in a wall and sell it for 2 million bucks

[@X_---_X]

Who says im not rich?

[@jam4387]

Vice telling you being rich bad, support my deviant art OC and not my dali piece. Like people can spend their money where they want lmao

[@results4526]

This video is a work of art.

[@Vools37]

And now there are NFTs...

[@realamerican5016]

These people don't deserve to have money.

[@thousandaireradio3199]

I think Vice is trashier than live love laugh signs but I allowed this one to play and enjoyed it.

[@SKgyebaek]

i just stuck a banana on the wall wheres my 6 figure cheque

[@essye100]

Johns didn't make money from that $110 million - it was from an auction. most artists and galleries don't get money from a resale.- but yeah it's all laundering .

[@davidferrer678]

StellaGroov there’s easier ways to launder money. The whole buying art to launder money bs was disproven already yet people keep acting it’s true.

[@ahmadbader6338]

Artistic way to launder money.

[@rohan9621]

who says art is dying

[@kruzzy2547]

g wizz got here quick

[@moltenlava1877]

The reason why rich people get richer They are wayyy more smart and cunning

[@cheezmo2k]

Expensive art is a scam for most people. Buy posters or cheap art. Don't waste your money on limited editions or originals that cost a kidney. Ask most art galleries and they will NOT buy your art back, even on consignment. This should be your first clue. When they sell to you they convince you the value will skyrocket or you will miss this exclusive opportunity. Years later, when you want to sell it, it is worthless to them. I fell for this trap years ago. Yes, I enjoyed the art but I also expected it to hold some monetary value. Art is so plentiful and broad that hardly any of it will yield a return on your investment. The reason the rich buy ultra expensive art at galleries or auctions is to launder money, fund political agendas, or escape paying income taxes. It is commonly a tax shelter/avoidance for them. Don't fall for their sleazy sales tactics and outright lies.

[@SkywalkerPaul]

The art market is not for peasants..

[@sammyhamawi5940]

Why feed poor people when art can be bought

[@masham3455]

Liked your slightly sarcastic tone journalism 👍👍

[@SetuBandhUpadhyay]

This dude’s amazing.

[@bziganti]

"Support small artists" Shows some of the worst art I've ever seen

[@NorthPoleSun]

Tbh they weren't that bad. I liked the first one better, though.

[@jayaprakashmohan9617]

If people can support a rotting banana...its in the eyes of the beholder!

[@norwegianboyee]

So if i duct tape a banana to a wall and sell it to rich idiots i get rich too?!

[@prajjwalkhatimusic]

WTF a banana and duct tape...

[@kubwayodavid]

The subtle sarcasm is on point 👌🏿

[@spaceishigh]

Omg... that kid that busted the statue in the museum..... I'd leave the kid there and he can work off his debt for the rest of his life, little bastard... def. wouldn't be paying them over $100k. Then again, my kid wouldn't be unattended in the museum scaling fine art......

[@elazarpimentel5340]

The Chinese people might have a different option about China being free. You might want to check on that.

[@TimeFactor_Entertainment]

Do it and you will be...dang

[@joekeanetv]

Want this to have a realistic price, add a property tax on high value pieces.

[@JackTheDeergal]

Everyone knows furries single-handedly keep the art market afloat lmao

[@trepzyy4656]

hi

[@johndoeing]

For a long time in human history the highest class was supposed to be the most sophisticated etc, modern art really exposed how that isn't true at all.

[@realzubidoo]

Its called money laundering

[@GopinathRavichandran]

Was praying him to host this, and he did :)

[@joemayes2101]

How they just assume no rich people watch them ahahahhaha

[@epsilonxvi5675]

arts in asia is anime

[@mainlinemitch]

C'mon guy..... It's always to soon for a Kashoggi joke breh.

[@gmailcapytone]

wish i could run into one of those "have too much money" people that likes comic book art.

[@AzureSku11]

We shouldn’t be listening to a guy wearing blue light blocking lens.

[@laletra5755]

ark sells because thats how they money launder

[@MichailAgustusSolomonic]

Make "Robo NJESUS", you will rich 💲💰💵

[@igotyoulolz]

False, I've made money from flipping art...

[@igotyoulolz]

One example of the first art piece I flipped. A small 7 inch statue I picked up at a swap meet for a dollar. Resold 2 weeks later for $325. And no that's not a ton of money but it sold at 325% more than I paid.

[@jamescrud]

@@igotyoulolz Do it consistently and you've got a decent hustle going. Do it once or twice and it means nothing.

[@Zakmmr]

Nailed it

[@Troll-qd9ev]

Vice news don’t turn me into a live laugh love sign! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[@sogggy]

The opening clips could have been from The Onion. lol

[@richardwilmotph.d6747]

ART IS A TOILET.

[@chrisramirez3058]

I wonder what Picasso or Monet would think bout modern ‘art’ like that sicko Marinovich

[@qanye]

Finesse The Rich.

[@ericswain4177]

Well not quite true !

[@godhasabandonedme1643]

Stay woke porople

[@w.urlitzer1869]

very uninformed, just a jumble of separate art market related issues.

[@monkeyguy80]

That banana with that duct tape is a art! 🤷🏻‍♂️