WE’VE INTERVIEWED STANIS_TRENOR: COLLECTOR, ART CONNOISSEUR AND INFLUENCER
Social Networks have over time become prominent vehicles to increase visibility on ourselves, our work and our passions. Among them, Instagram, the world’s most famous photo upload social network, counts over a billion users who share and view images posted by others everyday. Instagram is also the most used social network by contemporary artists, due to the fact that it mainly conveys images. Countless significant international artists such as Jeff Koons, Damien Hirst, Jasper Johns use Instagram on a daily basis to help spread their work and experiment new paths of visual culture. Maurizio Cattelan has turned his Instagram profile into a work of art in itself, naming his profile “THE SINGLE POST INSTAGRAM”, a single pic which change periodically.
While the world of artistic production is in the forefront compared to contemporary technologies, the world of the art market is struggling. It isn’t easy to find small galleries or art dealers who use social networks as strategic tools to enhance their visibility and, thus, their profits. As we surfed the endless sea of images that is Instagram, a profile caught our eye, standing out among other art enthusiasts due to the quality of its gallery as well as its numbers: Stanislao Trénor, on Instagram stanis_trenor. When we reached out to him, he was glad to have a chat with us and tell us about how he shares his passions with the world.
Tell us about yourself and your work.
I was born and raised in Barcelona, where I completed my studies, obtaining a degree in cultural heritage at the Universitat de Barcelona. Once I was done with University I followed in my grandfather’s footsteps, he was an art dealer and enthusiast. Yet, this business alone was not enough for me. So I became an Art advisor for several private collectors and galleries, as well as for a number of public establishments: my work basically consists in suggesting the most profitable investments for the contemporary art market at the time.
How was your passion for the art world born and how did you become a collector?
Ever since I was a child, I was fascinated by the old catalogues of international auction houses and museums that I’d find around the house. I grew up devouring those catalogues, that belonged to my grandfather. I realised I would become a collector when I was in University and I bought the first piece of my collection. It was a small sculpture that had been made by a classmate of mine, a young and talented sculptor, who now has a good market in Spain.
As a collector, how do you proceed and which pieces do you prefer to buy?
First of all, let me point out that I exclusively collect contemporary art, paintings and sculptures. Actually, as a dealer, the range I deal with is much broader and I proceed in several various ways when I am purchasing new lots; as a collector, however, I always try to bet on young rising talents from all over the world. I like to interact and to meet in person the artists I buy from, so I either buy works in galleries or directly from the artist. I also like to scout new talents; I don’t do it for a profit, if I am taken by a work of art I’ll buy it despite not knowing anything about the artist up to that moment.
Why did you decide to use Instagram as a social channel to convey your passion for art and for your work?
I started using Instagram a few years ago. I actually didn’t enjoy social networks at all, but I considered the fact that nowadays, if you are not on them, you don’t exist. Everything is moving in that direction, and so art dealers and collectors, who are often quite refractory towards innovation, will surrender and begin to use social networks, also because it’s good for their business. I don’t really know where my success comes from, probably it’s because there is a very genuine quality in the pictures I take. I simply began posting pictures of artists I love in contexts I am in almost every day.
So do you believe that art on Instagram can represent an opportunity for collectors and dealers in sharing ideas and resources?
Definitely. Nowadays, social networks are the art world’s main weapon. Followers should be considered as a sort of currency: the more you have and the more you will be accepted and acknowledged in the art world, and the more your clients will increase as well as awareness towards your work. Clearly it’s not all sunshine and rainbows: they are dangerous tools, and in many ways it’s easier to spread stupidity and obtuseness than culture. Social networks are a giant megaphone in which anyone can speak, and creating something of value is complex and demanding. As for me, I only share the things that move me the most.