"The Art of Collecting" podcast - Episode #3: The art of managing a collection
Play on Spotify
Play on Apple Podcasts
Full Script:
Laurent Issaurat: Hello, I am Laurent Issaurat, Head of Art Banking Services at Societe Generale Private Banking. I am pleased to present you our new podcast series, “The Art of Collecting”. Each episode looks into an issue related to the ownership and management of works of art or collectibles. Today, we will dive into the very heart of collection management, thanks to our special guest speaker, Viola Raikhel-Bolot, whose the managing Director and Founder of 1858Ltd, whom you already met, in our first episode. Dear Viola, welcome back!
Viola Raikhel-Bolot: Thank you Laurent, thank you for having me back, and hello to everyone.
Laurent Issaurat: To begin with, could you explain, what collection management really means?
Viola Raikhel-Bolot: Yes, I certainly can. Collection management is one of the services we provide to your clients and to our clients, those with sizeable collections. This is when we come in and look to take over the management of collection; our primary objective is to preserve, enhance and help improve the collection in a number of ways. Our management of collection may take the form of inventory updates, valuations, insurance coverage, logistical coordination, conservation reporting the actual conservation, disaster and emergency planning, securing the artwork collections working with security firms, framing photography, documentation… and the list goes on… All of these aspects of collection management are targeted at preserving and optimising the value of a collection. I often, actually compare owning art, and especially making a new acquisition, to… I liken it to bringing a new born baby home from the hospital. There’s a lot of excitement and everybody wants to share this wonderful news, but when a new artwork comes into a home or a collection, this wonderful moment also comes with a huge responsibility. And ensuring the safety of that artwork and the broader collection is exceptionally important and often is overlooked. For example, you know, direct sunlight where is the artwork hanging; is it too close to fireplaces, moisture…? And the management of the collection starts from the very beginning of the acquisition, even when undertaking the due diligence prior to making an acquisition, all the way through the complete collecting lifestyle to when a collector is looking to sell one piece of the entire collection - but that's something we can talk about later on - but there are a number of aspects that collectors often overlook in the excitement an in the passion of collecting, and that's what we're brought in to do.
Laurent Issaurat: Thank you. At a time of increasing digitalization of the art world, do you have an opinion on the online sharing of a collection?
Viola Raikhel-Bolot: We always tend to take a very conservative perspective. We always want to make sure that our clients do the same too and try to mitigate any risk by exposing their collection online too much… There are an extraordinary number of platforms these days that allow you to share and show your collection online, some are safer than others. However there is always a risk especially with social media as soon as you do expose an artwork online, that is out there for the world to see. And so one must take the same consideration about sharing their collection as they would any sensitive information. At 1858Ltd Art Advisory we help our clients at very critical moments in their collection such as in the buying, selling, and we put specific strategies in place to minimise that specific circulation of artwork on the Internet, trying to minimise any unwanted attention for the collection, and protecting our clients (anonimity and the anonymity and the location of their collection. Now if this is something that they wish to share with the world of course there more than welcome to but we just provide all of the necessary advice and to make them aware of ways to avoid any unnecessary attention.
Laurent Issaurat: Regarding the way one wants to show their works, is lending a collection or lending works to museum a good idea or is it risky to lend works of art to a museum, for instance?
Viola Raikhel-Bolot: We’re very big supporters of lending to museums. Museums actually survive and thrive on loans, and travelling exhibitions, and exchanges. So we’re very big supporters of that. But aside from it benefiting to museums and benefitting to the public attending the museum, it is also exceptionally beneficial to any collection to have an artwork exhibited in a museum, documented and shared with the public. We work with a number of collectors in exhibiting their collections and learning their collections. It can be an incredibly beneficial strategic move for a collector. And some of the greatest collections will make sure that they have their items from their collection shared and viewed in exhibitions around the world.
Laurent Issaurat: Viola, are there any other pieces of advice you would give to collectors who would like to maintain or even improve the value of their collection?
Viola Raikhel-Bolot: Most definitely, Laurent, very good question. When was the last time your collection was valued is really the first place we start, especially if it’s been a while since the collection was put together. At the time of an updated valuation, it is also very good to look at the conservation and the condition that the collection’s in, because if any of the artworks are deteriorating, for example, you don't want to let that go too long, should conservation be needed. Looking at the provenance that supports a collection: do you have a complete and full story around your collection or all of the provenance documentation in place? All of these aspects contribute to the value of a collection and it's very important to monitor these elements, on at least an annual basis. Some other questions to ask, for example, a conversation with museums: is anything in the collection worthy of being included in a museum collection, and/or in an artist's catalogue résumé? Again, some other conversations and questions that can only help to enhance the value of a collection.
Laurent Issaurat: One last question Viola, maybe a tricky one. I’d like to focus on the transmission of a collection. Are children always the best option to take over a collection?
Viola Raikhel-Bolot: Another very good question, Laurent. Look, as a mother, I would love to think that one’s children are the best option to takeover a collection and all of the passion that goes into building one. However the reality is that any major collector is faced, essentially, with two choices: to make a decision to keep the collection intact, or to sell, or to donate during their lifetime; or to look at it be coming as part of the inheritance to the next generation, becoming a legacy, but then the letter of wishes to accompany that needs to be very clear, because unfortunately, problems can arise when a collection is shared and passed down through the generations. It's very important to have this conversation during the lifetime of a collector because there are a number of options, but essentially, it requires making a decision during the lifetime or handing it over to the next generation - which comes with its own complexities. We feel very strongly that these decisions need to be made as a family and with the correct advice, as specialist advisers, we work with a number of major collections and funnily enough, when looking at inheritance, every collector’s position is quite varied. One collector for example donated everything in his lifetime to a specific city, and obviously built the museum and filled the collection and handed it over during his lifetime; another one may choose to distribute the collection amongst the heirs… It really does depend but there definitely are right ways and wrong ways to do it and that why we think specialist advisory services are very much needed when contemplating that very precise decision.
Laurent Issaurat: These are really fascinated insights you shared with us today! Thank you very much Viola. We will pursue our conversation with you Viola, to address another key-topic in the art of buying art, which deserves, a podcast of its own. Dear listeners, See you soon. As a reminder, our “The Art of Collecting” series is available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, via our program "#PrivateTalk by Société Générale Private Banking".
Would you like to discuss this subject further with us?
The information contained in this audio content is provided for informational purposes only, is subject to change without notice, and is intended to provide information that may be useful in making a decision. Past performance information may be reproduced and is not a guarantee of future performance.
The price and value of investments and the income derived from them may fluctuate, both up and down. Changes in inflation, interest rates and exchange rates may adversely affect the value, price and income of investments denominated in a currency other than that of the investor. Any simulations and examples contained in this publication are provided for illustrative purposes only. This information is subject to change as a result of market fluctuations, and the information and opinions contained in this publication may change. No Societe Generale Private Banking entity undertakes to update or amend this publication, which may become obsolete after being reviewed, and will not assume any responsibility in this regard.
The offers related to the activities and financial and asset information mentioned in this audio content depend on the personal situation of each client, the legislation applicable to him and his tax residence. It is the responsibility of the potential investor to ensure with his legal and tax advisors that he complies with the legal and regulatory provisions of the jurisdiction concerned. This audio content is not intended to be played in the United States, by any U.S. tax resident, or by any person or in any jurisdiction where such playing would be restricted or illegal.
The offers related to the activities and financial and wealth information presented may not be adapted or authorized within all Société Générale Private Banking entities. In addition, access to some of these offers is subject to conditions of eligibility.
Certain offers related to the above-mentioned activities and financial information may present various risks, imply a potential loss of the entire amount invested or even an unlimited potential loss, and therefore be reserved only for a certain category of investors, and/or be suitable only for informed investors who are eligible for these types of offers.
Prior to any subscription to an investment service, a financial product or an insurance product, depending on the case and the applicable legislation, the potential investor will be questioned by his private banker within the Societe Generale Private Banking entity of which he is a client on his knowledge, his experience in investment matters, as well as on his financial situation including his capacity to bear losses, and his investment objectives, including his risk tolerance, in order to determine with him whether he is eligible to subscribe to the financial product(s) and/or investment service(s) envisaged and whether the product(s) or investment service(s) is/are compatible with his investment profile.
The potential investor must also (i) take note of all the information contained in the detailed documentation of the service or product envisaged (document entitled "key information for the investor", prospectus, regulations, articles of association, document entitled "key information for the investor", term sheet, information notice, contractual terms and conditions, etc.), in particular those relating to the associated risks; and (ii) consult its legal and tax advisors to assess the legal consequences and tax treatment of the product or service envisaged. It is reminded that the subscription to an investment service, a financial product or an insurance product may have tax consequences and Société Générale Private Banking does not provide tax advice. His private banker will also be available to provide further information, to determine with him whether he is eligible for the product or service under consideration, which may be subject to conditions, and whether it meets his needs.
Accordingly, no entity under the control of Société Générale Private Banking can be held liable for any decision made by an investor based solely on the information contained in this audio content.
This audio content is confidential, intended exclusively for the person consulting it, and may not be communicated or made known to third parties, nor reproduced in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of the Société Générale Private Banking entity concerned.
Societe Generale Group maintains an effective administrative organization that takes all necessary measures to identify, control and manage conflicts of interest. To this end, Societe Generale Private Banking entities have put in place a conflict of interest management policy to manage and prevent conflicts of interest. For more details, Société Générale Private Banking clients can refer to the Conflict of Interest Policy available on request from their private banker.
Societe Generale Private Banking has also put in place a policy for handling complaints from its clients, which is available on request from their private banker or on the Societe Generale Private Banking website.
SPECIFIC WARNINGS BY JURISDICTION
France: Unless expressly stated otherwise, this document is published and distributed by Société Générale, a French bank authorized and supervised by the Autorité de Contrôle Prudentiel et de Résolution, located at 4, place de Budapest, CS 92459, 75436 Paris Cedex 09, under the prudential supervision of the European Central Bank ("ECB") and registered with the ORIAS as an insurance intermediary under the number 07 022 493 orias.fr Societe Generale is a French société anonyme with a capital of EUR 1 066 714 367,50 as of August 1, 2019, whose registered office is located at 29, boulevard Haussmann, 75009 Paris, and whose unique identification number is 552 120 222 R.C.S. Paris. Further details are available on request or at www.privatebanking.societegenerale.com.
Luxembourg: This document is distributed in Luxembourg by Société Générale Luxembourg, a public limited company registered with the Luxembourg Trade and Companies Register under number B 6061 and a credit institution authorized and regulated by the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier ("CSSF"), under the prudential supervision of the European Central Bank ("ECB"), and whose registered office is located at 11, avenue Emile Reuter - L 2420 Luxembourg Further details are available on request or at www.societegenerale.lu. No investment decision of any kind should be made on the basis of this document alone. Société Générale Luxembourg accepts no responsibility for the accuracy or otherwise of the information contained in this document. Societe Generale Luxembourg accepts no responsibility for any actions taken by the recipient of this document solely on the basis of this document, and Societe Generale Luxembourg does not represent itself as providing any advice, in particular with respect to investment services. The opinions, views and forecasts expressed in this document (including its annexes) reflect the personal opinions of the author(s) and do not reflect the opinions of any other person or of Société Générale Luxembourg, unless otherwise indicated. This document has been prepared by Societe Generale. The CSSF has not carried out any analysis, verification or control on the content of this document.
Monaco: This document is distributed in Monaco by Société Générale Private Banking (Monaco) S.A.M., located at 11 avenue de Grande Bretagne, 98000 Monaco, Principality of Monaco, regulated by the Autorité de Contrôle Prudentiel et de Résolution and the Commission de Contrôle des Activités Financières. Financial products marketed in Monaco may be reserved for qualified investors in accordance with the provisions of Law n° 1.339 of 07/09/2007 and Sovereign Order n° 1. 285 of 10/09/2007. Further details are available on request or at www.privatebanking.societegenerale.com.
Switzerland: This document is distributed in Switzerland by SOCIETE GENERALE Private Banking (Suisse) SA ("SGPBS"), headquartered at rue du Rhône 8, CH-1204 Geneva, Switzerland. SGPBS is a bank authorized by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority ("FINMA"). Collective investments and structured products may only be offered in accordance with the Swiss Federal Act on Collective Investment Schemes (Collective Investment Schemes Act, CISA) of June 23, 2006, and the Guidelines of the Swiss Bankers Association (SBA) on Information for Investors in Structured Products. Further details are available on request from SGPBS or at www.privatebanking.societegenerale.com.
This document is not distributed by the entities of the Kleinwort Hambros Group that operate under the brand name "Kleinwort Hambros" in the United Kingdom (SG Kleinwort Hambros Bank Limited), Jersey and Guernsey (SG Kleinwort Hambros Bank (CI) Limited) and Gibraltar (SG Kleinwort Hambros Bank (Gibraltar) Limited) Consequently, the information communicated and any offers, activities and financial information presented do not concern these entities and may not be authorized by these entities or adapted in these territories. Further information on the activities of Societe Generale's private banking entities located in the United Kingdom, Channel Islands and Gibraltar, including additional legal and regulatory information, is available at www.kleinworthambros.com.