I’ve been wondering who would address the relationship between investment banks and the contemporary art market. This article in Artnet doesn’t quite provide the sweeping analysis I’d hoped for, but it’s a start. The demise of Lehman Bros. and their track record of visual arts philanthropy is the focus. I’d love to hear something more about the potential shrinkage of New York’s collector base in the wake of Wall St. layoffs.

I wonder what Art Basel Miami Beach will be like this year? In a word: funereal?

From Unbeige, Media Bistro’s design blog:

Friday, Sept. 19
What the Lehman Brothers Meltdown Means for Museums and Art

While everyone is reading about Wall Street’s plunge into a vast, empty wasteland, it’s often difficult to wrap your head around how all of these collapses and sell-offs will affect things beyond just the general concept of “business.” Well, because we post about art, design, and everything in between, we thought we’d point you over to Artnet, which brings the Lehman Brothers bankruptcy into our own neighborhood by explaining how their failure potentially means big changes and/or trouble for both the art and museum worlds.

Read more on Unbeige>>

Go directly to the story on Artnet>>

Update, 9/23/08: Richard Lacayo has this to say in Time.