More Than Bananas: An ASA Member Takes You Inside Art Basel Miami Beach

This year’s edition of Art Basel Miami Beach (ABMB) captured global attention for one work in particular: Maurizio Cattelan’s “Comedian”, a banana duct taped to a wall. But as Debrah Dunner, an Accredited Member in Personal Property specializing in fine art and contemporary American craft tells us, there’s much more to the event and its satellite shows for appraisers.

“It’s good to make connections,” Ms. Dunner said, “it’s a lot of networking…it’s much easier to appraise an artwork and obtain necessary information [from galleries] when you have personal connections within the field”. With so much vital information being shared on an interpersonal basis, both making new connections and maintaining existing relationships is a big reason why she attends ABMB. But more than just the relationships, attending ABMB keeps Debrah up to date with the contemporary art world.

Ms. Dunner notes that going to ABMB “keeps me on the pulse of what’s happening in the contemporary art world”, even if it’s not the kinds of works she typically appraises. “It’s always good to see what’s happening with the new artists,” especially for when Ms. Dunner’s clients ask for her advice on what artists or works they may want to buy both to enjoy in their home and as a work that may be likely to appreciate in value. As she puts it, “knowing what’s happening in the contemporary art scene is always helpful.”

As for Cattelan’s talked about work, Ms. Dunner takes a more historical view: “In 1917, Marcel Duchamp put a urinal into a gallery and called it art (called “Fountain”), [and] right now there is a huge show of his work at the Hirshhorn Museum…if you look at it in art historical context, I don’t think it’s so outrageous.” Considering that Cattelan also created “America”, an 18-karat gold toilet, It would seem the Duchamp comparison is apt. “It’s kind of funny…I think it was ultimately a commentary on sensationalism and the art world.”

While ABMB might mark the end of the year, Ms. Dunner’s 2020 will be active. Not only does she own Aesthetica Art Services, a DC-based art services firm that provides appraisals and consulting, but she will also be working as the DC representative for Freeman’s Auction House in Philadelphia. Connect with Debrah online at aestheticaart.com, LinkedIn, Facebook or Instagram.