TALK

Art as an Asset Class: A New Frontier for Investment

Art is not only a source of inspiration and beauty but is increasingly becoming a strategic investment. This exclusive talk, set in the magnificent Villa Ciani during YouNique Boutique Fair of Arts, is a must-attend event for those seeking to understand the dynamics of the contemporary art market and learn how to take their first steps as a collector. Join us on Friday, March 28, at 2:30 PM in Room 31 (2nd floor).

Contemporary Art: A Strategic Investment

In recent years, art has established itself as a true asset class, attracting the attention of investors and collectors worldwide. But what does it mean to consider art as an investment? What are the advantages compared to more traditional assets such as stocks, bonds, or real estate? We will explore this topic with four experts, each focusing on a key aspect of art collecting:

Starting a collection: Practical advice for new collectors, pitfalls to avoid, and opportunities to seize in the art market.
International landscape: The connection between art, sustainability, culture, and global identity, with a special focus on emerging markets in China and Africa.
Legal and tax aspects: Key regulations and wealth management strategies essential for collectors and industry professionals.

First Steps to Collecting with Confidence

Entering the world of collecting can seem daunting for newcomers. How do you evaluate artworks? How do you select an artist or gallery? What pitfalls should you avoid? This talk will provide valuable insights for approaching collecting with awareness. Participants will learn the basics of building a collection while navigating risks and opportunities. Thanks to distinguished speakers like Laura Peluso, Art Director of Madeinartgallery, and Lidija Kostic Khachatourian, founder of AKKA Project Gallery, the discussion will also highlight the current art market landscape in China and Africa, two regions experiencing significant growth in artistic expression.

Speakers

Claudio Calò

Intuitive and extroverted gallerist, proudly self-taught, with a strong instinct and passion, Claudio Calò founded the Madeinartgallery project in 2014, an exhibition space in the heart of Milan dedicated to contemporary Chinese art. Together with Laura Peluso, combining diverse paths and synergies such as design and fashion, they created a meeting point that merges artistic languages, shaping their professional journey over more than a decade. Among the first in Europe to grasp the potential of artistic and cultural expressions from the Middle Kingdom, his passionate research has benefited over the years from the curatorship of Vincenzo Sanfo, a deep connoisseur of China’s knowledge and evolution, as well as a talent scout. And if the once distant and mysterious Eastern country has, in just a few years, powerfully secured a unique economic and social position, it is precisely art that bears witness to this transformation process. Each artist welcomed by Madeinartgallery narrates, through painting, sculpture, or multimedia, their personal projection of a layered and contrast-filled world. At the same time, it offers the opportunity to explore a millennia-old culture, expressed in a contemporary and even futuristic way.

Lidija Kostic Khachatourian

In 2016 she founded AKKA Project in Dubai, expanding it with a space in Venice in 2019. This visionary gallery is dedicated to supporting African artists through creative residencies, curated exhibitions, and strategic participation in art fairs. While working to position artists on the global market, AKKA Project primarily aims to promote creativity and build meaningful connections within the artistic community.

Lidija collaborates actively with cultural institutions and contributes to publications highlighting African art. Her notable curatorial projects include Africa & the Other 54 Countries, African Identities, and Africa 1:1 LAB at Ca’ Pesaro, Venice. Other key projects include Lipiko by Filipe Branquinho at MUSEC in Lugano and Inspiring Changes: Education and Photography.

In 2019, Lidija curated the National Pavilion of Mozambique at the 58th Venice Biennale, featuring exceptional artists such as Gonçalo Mabunda, Filipe Branquinho, and Mauro Pinto. Through her work, Lidija continues to expand the global art landscape, fostering the discovery, appreciation, and recognition of African artists worldwide.

Avv. Andrea Buticchi (Partner at CBM & PARTNERS Law Firm)

Andrea Buticchi graduated with honors from the University of Parma in 2016, presenting a thesis on intellectual property law titled “Copyright and the Web: New Frontiers of Protection” He furthered his expertise in European copyright law through an internship at the Federation of European Publishers in Brussels, also working in consumer law and new technologies. In 2019, Andrea completed a master’s degree at Queen Mary University of London, writing a thesis on the destruction of artworks, straddling copyright law and cultural property law. Since 2022, he has been a member of the Italian Publishers Association Copyright Committee. Andrea specializes in intellectual property and art law, assisting both Italian and international clients in cultural property law, contract law, and copyright law while liaising with the Ministry of Culture. She frequently lectures and speaks at conferences on copyright and art law and has published several articles on these topics.

Avv. Simone Facchinetti (Facchinetti Studio Legale)

Simone Facchinetti will speak at the talk to present the book “Arte e Fisco”, published by Maggioli Editore in 2024. The book, co-written with lawyer Francesco Oliveti and accountant Alberto Traballi, offers a comprehensive analysis of the legal, tax, and wealth planning aspects of the art world, with a particular focus on the impact of new technologies.

Lawyer with over twenty years of experience in civil and criminal law, contract law, corporate and international law, environmental law, intellectual property, Industry 4.0, sports law, and family office. Founder of the eponymous law firm, with main offices in Milan, London, Dubai, and Varedo. Named by Forbes Italia 2024 among the 100 most influential professionals nationwide, he is currently a member of the Legal Commission of CONI Lombardia and Legal Counsel for the Arab Fashion Council. As an official representative of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in the UAE, he has received numerous awards for his excellence in fostering Italy-Middle East relations. A professor at LUISS Business School, E-Campus University, NABA, and UniNettuno, he teaches Fashion Law, fashion and design marketing, art law, and international contract law. A speaker at academic events and international fairs, he is the author of several legal essays, including “Arte e Fisco”, “Industria 4.0”, “Personal Branding Formula”, and “Strategie e Modelli di Export”. In 2025, he will inaugurate a new branch of the “Media-Conciliare” Mediation Body, focusing on international disputes, trademarks, intellectual property, and art taxation.

Moderator: Greta Zuccali

Greta Zuccali is a contemporary art curator, artist manager, and art advisor known for her innovative and multidisciplinary approach. Her career is defined by her ability to create meaningful connections between artists, cultural institutions, and businesses, promoting art as a tool for dialogue and social impact. Greta has a strong academic foundation, having earned a Law degree from the Catholic University of Milan with a thesis on insurance law in the fine art sector. Her education was further enriched by a master’s in Art Market Management at EAC École d’art et de la culture in Paris, which allowed her to develop a global perspective and a deep understanding of art market dynamics. She also collaborated with PAC – Pavilion of Contemporary Art in Milan, where she managed communication and digital marketing for the exhibitions “MEA Culpa” by Santiago Sierra and “AFRICA. Telling a World.”

In 2017, Greta founded Hub/Art Exhibition, a consulting firm dedicated to curatorial projects and artistic enhancement. Through Hub/Art, she has worked with galleries, art fairs, and businesses, designing exhibitions and innovative strategies to promote contemporary art. Among her most notable projects are the exhibition L’infinito volgere del tempo, hosted at Palazzo Guadagni Strozzi Sacrati in Florence, and her collaborations with emerging and established artists in France, Spain, and the United Kingdom. In her role as an artist manager, Greta provides strategic support to artists, helping them build sustainable careers and achieve international visibility. Since 2018, she has also been a regular contributor to the art magazine Juliet Art Magazine.

How to Participate

The talk is open to all visitors with a ticket to YouNique Boutique Fair of Arts 2025 or an invitation. For more information, contact info@younique-experience.com.