Arnaud Bamberger is the current Managing Director of Cartier UK, and believes there has always been a strong tie between Cartier and the contemporary arts. The Cartier Foundation has been associated with the arts for 23 years, and Bamberger is a big supporter of that association. Cartier were one of the first of their type to become so involved and interested in the contemporary arts.
In London, Bamberger believes the organizers of Frieze are talented individuals, and wanted to associate Cartier with what Frieze has done. Cartier has been an associate sponsors for 4 years now, and it seems the relationship is blooming.
There is a clear explosion of contemporary art going on. Bamberger attributed this to buyers wanting to be able to associate their art with their time, which would lead to mixing the old with the new. Bamberger clearly appreciates most art, and although the huge price tag associated with most well-known art is off-putting, he still intends to build a collection for himself.
The Cartier prize this year went to a young Mexican artist who lives in L.A. and has a “good vision of art – I think he very much deserved the prize.”
