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Collector Q&A;: Fritz Kaiser
By ArtZineChina print


ritz Kaiser, a businessman from Liechtenstein who specializes in wealth management, is among the new breed of collectors of Chinese contemporary art. A few years ago, he followed his passion and started collecting, with the help of some friends. Now, his huge and growing collection of works by artists like Fang Lijun, Zeng Fanzhi, Zhang Xiaogang, Yue Minjun, Zhou Tiehai, Wenda Gu and others can be seen at his online museum of Chinese Contemporary Art, www.88-mocca.org. There are almost 50 artists on the museum site and the number of artists is increasing every day, with biographies and images collected by Mr. Kaiser. This question and answer session with the collector is part of a series of interviews with collectors of modern art in China. Mr. Kaiser joins Uli Sigg, Guan Yi, Didier Hirsch and Howard Farber in ArtZineChina's collector's gallery.


ArtZineChina: Can you tell us how, when and why you began collecting Chinese contemporary art?

Mr. Kaiser: It all started about 4 years ago, when Uli Sigg, the former Swiss Ambassador in China, showed me his collection at his home in Lucerne. At the time, I had been collecting American Pop Art for more than 10 years. It really sparked my enthusiasm when I saw all the fresh ideas and the great quality of Chinese contemporary artwork.

This was also a time when I was travelling to China regularly as the head of my wealth management group to learn more about China and its investment opportunities.

I had the opportunity to meet and talk with the best financial advisors and great entrepreneurs in China, but talking to artists offered me an additional dimension in understanding the “big picture” in this country. I recognized that many artists made observations which you would not find in normal economic research and that they had a message which they visually expressed. So I gained a better understanding of China from them. In the end, I became a very passionate collector of Chinese Contemporary Art.

ArtZineChina: How did you go about collecting?

Mr. Kaiser: At the beginning, Lorenz Helbling from Shanghart helped me take the first steps in this community. He gave me valuable insights and introduced me to many interesting and important people including, of course, “his” artists. In the meantime, I’ve learned to further explore Chinese art and find the way to artists and galleries by myself and Lorenz remains a very dear (Swiss-German speaking) friend and advisor in this art world.

ArtZineChina:Did you travel to China?

Mr. Kaiser: Yes, several times. And it remains exciting for me to feel the sense of entrepreneurship and to see the speed of development in this country.

ArtZineChina:How did you conduct research on the artists?

Mr. Kaiser: Talking to many different people is important. Galleries, curators, other collectors, people from auctions houses and, of course, the artists themselves. One also finds very good information on the internet like on Google, Artprice, ArtZineChina and on some gallery sites. Last but not least, the auction houses make wonderful catalogues with great information on artists, their work and current price estimates.

Of course, I continue to snoop around in art districts such as 798, Dashanzi in Beijing or Moganshan Road in Shanghai and I visit exhibitions and go to artists’ studios.

ArtZineChina:Was it difficult to collect? Did you buy at auction? Did you buy from art galleries?

Mr. Kaiser: We buy from many sources including galleries, auction houses, other collectors and we were able to buy some new works directly from the artists.

ArtZineChina:Can you tell us a little about what appealed to you about the artists you selected?

Mr. Kaiser: Our first rule of thumb is that we only buy what we like. Most of my important buying decisions are made together with my wife Birgit - Not to mention our kids, who have their own opinion on what we should do and what they like. As mentioned before, in several cases we know the artist personally and have sometimes met his promoters or some friends.


ArtZineChina: Did you collect in an organized way, or simply pieces you liked? In other words, were you trying to collect in a strategic pattern or not?

Mr. Kaiser: We basically collect Chinese contemporary art we like from the 21st century – so from 2000 onwards. Paintings, photography as well as sculptures and ceramics. Somehow we ended up with a collection which includes various masterpieces of today’s established artists but also lesser known artwork. It is probably a mix between individual taste and the quality of artwork we look for. Today, the collection includes works from more than 30 artists. We really like all of our pieces and most of them surround us in our homes or offices every day.

ArtZineChina: What previous experience do you have as a collector?

Mr. Kaiser: We collected American pop Art including works from Frank Stella, Robert Rauschenberg, Keith Haring, Julian Schnabel and others.

ArtZineChina: What have you now decided to do with your collection? Are you showing it in Europe? Making it available to exhibitions? Are you putting any of it up for sale?

Mr. Kaiser: Many works from the collection are hanging in our homes in Europe and there is also a good selection in our office buildings in Liechtenstein and Switzerland to give enjoyment to our clients and our staff. We have also started to lend works to major museums. For example, the MUMOK in Vienna is currently showing some works from us in its current exhibition. Last but not least, we offer a good range of the collection to the public at our virtual Museum of Chinese Contemporary Art on the web at www.88-mocca.org. We continue to buy art for the collection.

ArtZineChina: Who are some of your favourite artists and why?

Mr. Kaiser: Well, there are many of them. Here are some examples: I like Yue Minjun because he offers joy with his laughing faces in a tough world. Zhang Xiaogang is probably able to paint the greatest eyes and his work is just special. Fang Lijun’s “heavenly” paintings in the clouds can make one dream. I like the special techniques of Zeng Fanzhi and Li Songsong. Or take the great idea of the photo “light and easy” from Yang Zhenzhong…..the list goes on and on.

ArtZineChina: Are you continuing to collect Chinese contemporary art?

Mr. Kaiser: Yes.

ArtZineChina: Who do you think is the most underrated Chinese artists?

Mr. Kaiser:There are a couple of very talented artists who are producing very good quality art but are not yet in the very top list. Li Songsong is probably one of them. Li Shan or Ding Yi might be others.

ArtZineChina: What do you think about the skyrocketing auction prices for Chinese art?

Mr. Kaiser: Very bad if you are on the buyers-side of building a collection!

ArtZineChina: Has the sharp price rise changed your collecting habits?

Mr. Kaiser: Yes. Now I find myself more often in the situation that I like an artwork, but decide not to spend as much as other people are willing to.


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