{{Short description|Online community}} '''Independent Collectors''' is an online community and editorial platform for contemporary art collectors.<ref>{{cite web|title=News-Detail|url=http://www.art-magazin.de/szene/7868.html|publisher=Art-Magazin|accessdate=8 November 2012}}</ref> Founder Christian Kaspar Schwarm originally launched the site in June 2008.<ref>{{cite web|title=News-Detail|url=http://www.sculpture-network.org/de/home/service-static-navs/news/news-detail/artikel/ein-neues-mitglied-independent-collectorscom.html|publisher=Artinfo|accessdate=8 November 2012|archive-date=16 April 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130416031759/http://www.sculpture-network.org/de/home/service-static-navs/news/news-detail/artikel/ein-neues-mitglied-independent-collectorscom.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Independent Collectors is said to be the largest online resource of privately owned art and also offers a forum to discuss topics on collecting.<ref>{{cite web|title=Leidenschaft schlägt Kalkül|url=https://www.handelsblatt.com/panorama/kunstmarkt/independent-collectors-leidenschaft-schlaegt-kalkuel/4678940.html|publisher=Handelsblatt|accessdate=7 November 2012}}.</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=50 under 50: The most exciting young collectors worldwide (part II)|url=http://www.artinfo.com/photo-galleries/slideshow-50-under-50-the-most-exciting-young-collectors-worldwide-part-ii?image=22|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130117140716/http://www.artinfo.com/photo-galleries/slideshow-50-under-50-the-most-exciting-young-collectors-worldwide-part-ii?image=22|url-status=usurped|archive-date=January 17, 2013|publisher=Artinfo|accessdate=8 November 2012}}</ref> Independent Collectors is based in Berlin, Germany.<ref name="Quieroarte">{{citation|url=http://sociedad.elpais.com/sociedad/2012/06/28/actualidad/1340903510_100447.html|title=Quiero arte, no (solo) dinero|newspaper=El País|date=28 June 2011|accessdate=24 August 2012| last1=Jarque | first1=Fietta }}</ref> ''Die Zeit'' has described the site as a "Facebook for aesthetics".<ref>{{cite news|title=Facebook für Ästheten|newspaper=Die Zeit |date=18 January 2011 |url=http://www.zeit.de/kultur/kunst/2011-01/sammlerklubs-kunstliebhaber |publisher=Zeit Online|accessdate=7 November 2012 |last1=Stevens |first1=Gerrit }}</ref>
== History == Christian Kaspar Schwarm originally came up with the idea based upon his own experiences of collecting contemporary artwork, noting that he was able to get to know gallery owners but not fellow collectors.<ref name="Showroom im Netz">{{citation|url=http://www.tagesspiegel.de/kultur/christian-schwarm-showroom-im-netz/1478296.html|title=Showroom im Netz|publisher=Tagesspiegel|date=21 March 2009|accessdate=2 November 2012}}</ref> He then teamed up with Ulrich Grothe and Uwe Thomas to found the website in 2008, to allow for easier communication between collectors.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pon tus cuadros en mi muro|url=http://www.vanguardia.com.mx/pon_tus_cuadros_en_mi_muro-397529.html|publisher=Vanguardia|accessdate=7 November 2012|archive-date=19 February 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130219032126/http://www.vanguardia.com.mx/pon_tus_cuadros_en_mi_muro-397529.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="CollectingTrends">{{cite web|url=http://www.artcollector.net.au/CollectingTrendsChristianSchwarm|title=Collecting Trends: Christian Schwarm|author=Jane O'Sullivan|publisher=Australian Art Collector|date=6 October 2011|accessdate=24 August 2012|archive-date=21 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120321112146/http://www.artcollector.net.au/CollectingTrendsChristianSchwarm|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2009, the site entered into a partnership with automobile manufacturer BMW, as well as starting a content-based partnership with insurance company Allianz in 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://independent-collectors.com/partners/allianz|title=In Partnership with Allianz: INDEPENDENT COLLECTORS|last=|first=|date=|website=|publisher=Independent Collectors|accessdate=19 December 2016|archive-date=21 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221223159/https://independent-collectors.com/partners/allianz|url-status=dead}}</ref>
== Website == The Independent Collectors website offers a platform to showcase, share and discover contemporary art collections online.<ref name="Leidenschaft">{{citation|title=Leidenschaft schlägt Kalkül|date=1 October 2011|url=https://www.handelsblatt.com/panorama/kunstmarkt/independent-collectors-leidenschaft-schlaegt-kalkuel/4678940.html|author=Christiane Fricke|publisher=Handelsblatt|accessdate=24 August 2012}}</ref> In December 2016, the website's collectors community counts more than 5,000 registered members in 97 countries.<ref name="Relaunch">{{citation|title=Relaunch bei den Independent Collectors|date=10 January 2012|url=http://www.kunst-magazin.de/relaunch-bei-den-independent-collectors|author=Jennifer Becker|publisher=Kunst Magazin|accessdate=24 August 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indechs.org/2013/03/theme-week-contemporary-club-culture.html#.Up9AK2RDszA|title=Contemporary Club Culture - Interview with Independent Collector's team|publisher=Indechs|accessdate=4 December 2013|archive-date=7 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150507102039/http://www.indechs.org/2013/03/theme-week-contemporary-club-culture.html#.Up9AK2RDszA|url-status=dead}}</ref> Members are required to adhere to the ethical code of Independent Collectors stating that they will not use the website for business related purposes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.artcollector.net.au/CollectingTrendsChristianSchwarm|title=Collecting Trends: Christian Schwarm - Art Collector|website=www.artcollector.net.au|access-date=2016-12-19|archive-date=2017-02-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170228215511/http://www.artcollector.net.au/CollectingTrendsChristianSchwarm|url-status=dead}}</ref> Each member application is individually verified, yet approved users can select to keep their identity anonymous.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.collezionedatiffany.com/indipendent-collectors-intervista-al-padre-della-community-per-collezionisti/|title=Independent-Collectors: intervista al padre della community per collezionisti|date=18 September 2012 |publisher=Collezione da Tiffany|accessdate=7 November 2012}}</ref>
Since 2008 Independent Collectors cooperates with various art fairs and institutions such as Art Basel, Frieze Art Fair, FIAC, The Armory Show and Frankfurter Allgemeine Forum conference, among others. Registered community members benefit from special offers such as VIP tickets, private tours and selected publications.
After a relaunch in early 2015, Independent Collectors complemented its closed community area with an open, publicly accessible editorial program on collecting. The website now incorporates a diverse program focused on online exhibitions and interviews, offering an insight into the culture of contemporary collecting.
== BMW Art Guide by Independent Collectors == In 2012, Independent Collectors and BMW created the ''BMW Art Guide by Independent Collectors'', an Art Guide then featuring 173 private but publicly accessible collections of contemporary art from around the world.<ref name="Sleek Mag">{{citation|url=http://www.sleek-mag.com/miscellaneous/2012/06/bmw-art-guide/|title=BMW Art Guide=Sleek Mag|date=29 June 2012|accessdate=2 November 2012|archive-date=17 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017154244/http://www.sleek-mag.com/miscellaneous/2012/06/bmw-art-guide/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The first edition of the book was presented during Art Basel.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vogue.it/en/people-are-talking-about/vogue-arts/2012/06/bmw-art-guide|title=What people are talking about BMW Art Guide|publisher=Vogue Italia|accessdate=8 November 2012}}</ref> Next to listing the visitor information and descriptions of the respective collections, the publication features short essays concerning contemporary aspects of collecting art.<ref>{{cite web|title=Eine Kirche namens Kunst|url=http://www.monopol-magazin.de/artikel/20106036/BMW-Art-Guide-by-Independent-Collectors.html|publisher=Monopol|accessdate=5 December 2012|archive-date=12 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121112223228/http://www.monopol-magazin.de/artikel/20106036/BMW-Art-Guide-by-Independent-Collectors.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
In October 2016, the fourth extended version of the Art Guide was published by Hatje Cantz.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.hatjecantz.de/the-fourth-bmw-art-guide-by-independent-collectors-6940-1.html | title=Publishing Program }}</ref><ref name="NZZ am Sonntag">{{Citation | title=Öffentliche Privatsache | author= Florian Zobl | pages=28 - 29|date=2013-11-24}}</ref> The book was launched during Frieze Art Fair London and includes 256 private art collections from 43 countries "featuring large and small, famous and the relatively unknown".<ref name="Borowik Collection">[http://hyperallergic.com/343491/the-fourth-bmw-art-guide-by-independent-collectors/ HYPERALLERGIC: The Fourth BMW Art Guide by Independent Collectors]</ref>
The fourth ''BMW Art Guide by Independent Collectors'' is published in print and digitally as an eBook and is available in English and German. Featured collections include, among others: Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), White Rabbit – Contemporary Chinese Art Collection, Lyon Housemuseum, Maison Particulière, Vanhaerents Art Collection, Herbert Foundation, Verbeke Foundation, Inhotim – Instituto de Arte Contemporânea & Jardim Botânico, Rennie Collection at Wing Sang, M Woods, Collection Lambert, La Maison Rouge, Museum Frieder Burda, Sammlung Boros and Sammlung Hoffmann.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://hyperallergic.com/343491/the-fourth-bmw-art-guide-by-independent-collectors/|title=The Fourth BMW Art Guide by Independent Collectors: the Global Guide to Private Collections|date=2016-12-13|newspaper=Hyperallergic|language=en-US|access-date=2016-12-19}}</ref>
Since 2013, the publication is accompanied by the''BMW Art Guide Blog''. As a place for additional content, the blog focuses on collection visits, personal interviews with collectors from around the world and offers further background information and insights into art world related topics.<ref>{{citation|url=http://popsop.com/2013/07/bmw-initiates-a-blog-as-a-supplement-to-the-paper-edition-of-the-bmw-art-guide-by-independent-collectors/|title=BMW initiates a blog as a supplement to the paper edition of the "BMW Art Guide by Independent Collectors"|author=Anna Rudenko|publisher=Popsop|date=1 July 2013|accessdate=4 December 2013}}</ref>
== Allianz Kunst Kolleg == In collaboration with Allianz Independent Collectors initiated the ''Kunst Kolleg'' in 2014. The ''Allianz Kunst Kolleg'' is a series of expert written articles that gather useful information for managing a collection. The topics discussed include art donation, conservation and transport, as well as art market related subjects such as art advisory, digitization and art flipping, among others.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allianzdeutschland.de/wa-h-re-kunst-worauf-sammler-achten-sollten/id_79577424/index|title=Wa(h)re Kunst: Worauf Sammler achten sollten|website=www.allianzdeutschland.de|access-date=2016-12-19}}</ref>
All twelve articles are written by art journalists and compiled as a downloadable eReader.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allianzdeutschland.de/der-108-seitige-reader-worauf-sammler-achten-sollten-/id_79578668/tid_da/index|title = Unternehmen}}</ref> Published in 2016, the ''Allianz Kunst Kolleg'' is currently available in German.
== References == {{reflist|colwidth=33em}}
== External links == * [https://independent-collectors.com/ Independent Collectors Official Website] * [https://www.bmw-art-guide.com/ BMW Art Guide Blog Official Website] * [https://vimeo.com/user19725258 BMW Art Guide by Independent Collectors on Vimeo] * [http://vimeo.com/5520305 BMW Art Expedition Berlin on Vimeo] * [https://www.allianzdeutschland.de/der-108-seitige-reader-worauf-sammler-achten-sollten-/id_79578668/tid_da/index Allianz Kunst Kolleg eReader] * [http://www.monopol-magazin.de/artikel/2010345/christian-schwarm.html Christian Schwarm about Independent Collectors in Monopol Magazin] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141019023159/http://www.monopol-magazin.de/artikel/2010345/christian-schwarm.html |date=2014-10-19 }} * [http://www.art-magazin.de/kunst/12729/radar_christian_schwarm Christian Schwarms Collection]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Independent Collectors}} Category:Art societies Category:German social networking websites