Two years. A monumental work of art. And a journey that changed everything.

In this special podcast episode, Klaus Billinger and Tom Lohner look back openly and honestly on the genesis of this extraordinary project: Tom Lohner's Styria Screen – a work of art over four meters wide that was presented as a cultural gift to the Osaka Art University as part of Expo 2025.

What began as a bold vision turned into an emotional and logistical rollercoaster: political hurdles, doubts, time constraints – but also magical moments, artistic breakthroughs and an international team spirit that ultimately made the impossible possible.

“Road to Osaka” is more than just a retrospective – it is an honest look behind the scenes of an ambitious art project that builds bridges between Styria and Japan, between art and diplomacy, between vision and reality.

Topics of the episode:

• The idea behind the folding screen – and why this format
• How a work of art became a cultural gesture
• The biggest challenges behind the scenes
• Personal doubts, perseverance and turning points
• The moment of handover in the Austrian Pavilion at the World Expo in Osaka

An episode for everyone who wants to know what it really means to complete a major project – with heart, attitude and dedication.

This episode is about Art Austria and the Affordable Art Fair Vienna – and how it went for us. Plus, an exclusive preview of the Osaka project and the upcoming talk with Tom Lohner. We also take a look at the Frieze Art Fair, which is getting a fresh lease of life under new management.

And in the curious part: An art dealer is convicted for sales to a suspected terrorist financier, the French art scene grapples with a forgery scandal – Miss January by Marlene Dumas makes history, and a never-before-seen sculpture causes a stir on the market.

What distinguishes genuine artistic substance from pure market staging? In this episode, I analyze the auction histories of Hermann Nitsch, Isshaq Ismail, and Banksy – three artists, three completely different market mechanisms: from stable value development to speculative crashes.

I talk about “pump and dump” strategies in the art market, thank you for your feedback on the last episode – and at the end (with reservations!) I even reveal who Banksy really is.

Short, clear, artful – as always.

In the second episode of our new short format “Quickie from the Art World,” Klaus Billinger analyzes the Artnet Intelligence Report 2025 and how the art market has changed in the past year: Why auctions have collapsed, which artists are suddenly in demand, which regions are on the rise—and why Millennials and Gen Z are now taking over the collecting scene.

A compact and entertaining summary for anyone who wants to know where the art market will be in 2025 – and where it is headed.

In this first episode of our new short format "Quickie from the Art World," we take a look at Avant Arte's 2025 Collector Report. What motivates the new generation of art collectors? Why do they buy art—and where do they feel unwelcome in the scene?

With a wink, but a clear stance, we show why it's time to make the art world more open and accessible – and why we at the Bakerhouse Gallery have long been doing just that. As always, we'll end with a tip for upcoming events – including a little equal rights joke.

• What small changes in your everyday life can revolutionize your lifespan?
• What role does art play for Dr. Stekovic – and which work of art or artist inspires him the most?

Klaus Billinger & Gotti Eisenberger discuss the "Scan.art Emerging Artist Prize 2024" and the part of Bakerhouse Gallery. The art price offers a platform for new artists worldwide to gain recognition and advance their careers.

The competition includes categories like painting, photography, mixed media, and drawing. Winners receive cash prizes, exhibition opportunities at major international art fairs, and gallery representation. The overall winner gets €5,000 and a 2-year representation by Bakerhouse Gallery.

Shortlisted artists will be featured in group exhibitions in Austria and online. Applications open from April 15 to August 31, 2024.

This episode is in english

In this episode, our host Klaus Billinger has invited a special guest: Gottfried Eisenberger from Scan.art, who many also know from his popular YouTube channel "The Art Fair Guy", on which he delves deep into the world of art fairs.

Together, they address the question of why there is still no art fair in Graz. In doing so, they not only shed light on the challenges and opportunities of such an event, but also take a look at the entire art fair market in Austria, with a special focus on Vienna. You can look forward to a fascinating discussion about current developments, trends and the future of art fairs in our country.

What is happening in the arts and culture scene in Saudi Arabia? Gotti Eisenberger from Scan.art and Klaus Billinger looked at the art scene in Riyadh and reported on their impressions.

Contents:
Jax District
SAMOCA Saudi Arabia Museum of Modern Contemporary Art
(The video from The Art Fair Guy on Youtube)
Riyadh Art
In the night
Noor Festival
Riyadh Biennale
Royal Commission of Riyadh
Tuwaiq Sculpture Festival with the Austrian Max Seibald
Misk Art

Panel Discussions: Art in Saudi Arabia by Rebecca Proctor, Alia Al-Senussi
Al Herwa Gallery at Kingdom Center
Al Mousa Center, Riyadh

Gotti also tells us about his experiences with the Ministry of Culture in Doha, Qatar and about the "Fire Station"

Talk at the Brands Pop-Up of the Patent Office at Kunsthaus Graz Who is allowed to design what with AI and use the result. Kurt Fleisch, Deepfake satirist Elisabeth Hödl, practice professor for IT law at the Institute for Legal Foundations at KFU-Graz Tom Lohner, artist and co-owner of Bakerhouse Gallery Katharina Schell, deputy editor-in-chief of APA and expert on AI applications in the media sector Christian Weber, co-managing director and CTO of Leftshift One.

Photo credit: Jack Coleman Agency