The sparkle is back at PORT25! From 29 November, for the second time, the theme is “Diamonds are Forever”. Thirteen positions represent the full spectrum of classic genres, from painting through photography and sculpture to drawing. Some of the artists have already exhibited in PORT 25, while others haven’t yet; some have been established for years, while others are awaiting discovery. Their names: emmanuel boos, Christine Druskeit, Tom Feritsch, Cordula Hilgert, Mitsuko Hoshino, Cholud Kassem, Skafte Kuhn, Gaby Peters, Harald Priem, Susanna Reberdito, Anna Siebert, Marco Vedana and Konstantin Voit. “Diamonds are Forever” is a sales exhibition. So, the works on display are predominantly pieces that are affordable and eminently “suited to living-rooms”. Art needs to get seen; it needs to get exhibited. And the demand for exhibition fees is a totally justified one (aside: accordingly, exhibiting venues should be enabled to meet this demand). In addition to that, though, the sale of a piece is a source of income and at the same time, crucial recognition of artistic labour. Artist is a profession which, though subsidised thanks to artists’ social insurance and a diverse array of funding opportunities, somehow doesn’t enjoy its share of societal acceptance.

The questions that get asked if you say, “I’m an artist” are ripe for ridicule but they’re the same ones every time. But it’s so easy: if we want art, we should just buy it. It’s not a question of money, since entry-level prices really can be small. And, experience shows that not only “buying art” brings happiness, as emblazoned on the merchandise bags in 2022 for the first edition of “Diamonds are Forever”, but living with art, especially, does as well. Buying art is a sustainable and lasting investment. And the returns? Those are priceless.