Peter Heywood's Blog: Movers and Shakers?

Here's a list of 100 most influential people in the art world, according to the magazine Art Review:

http://artreview.com/power_100/

My question is: Who are they influencing?

I suspect it is themselves - the art world elite breathing in their own fumes.

For instance, why isn't Grayson Perry in this list? I'm sure his Reith Lectures and TV programmes have influenced far more people than Art Review's picks, most of whom are curators, collectors, museum directors and gallery owners.

And why isn't Charles Saatchi among them? Perhaps because he hasn't got sucked in to their incestuous world?

The artists they've picked also seem a little strange to me. Why Jeff Koons and not Antony Gormley, Tracey Emin or Damien Hirst?

Here's the ones that did make the grade:

5: Marina Abramovic

Highest placed artist. She "performs" - focusing on the relationship of artist and audience, and the limits of body and mind. She started off being masochistic, playing with knives and fire for example, but now seems to focus on passivity. In one of her famous performances she sat for hours on end with members of the audience taking turns to sit facing her.

Guardian article about a recent performance:
http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2014/jul/18/marina-abramovic-halfway-through-512-hours-serpentine

Wikipedia entry: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marina_Abramović

I don't get it.

16: Gerhard Richter

Painter who sometimes paints over photos.

His website: https://www.gerhard-richter.com/en/
Wikipedia entry: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerhard_Richter

44. Theaster Gates

Does sculpture, installation, performance and "urban interventions".

His website: http://theastergates.com
White Cube entry: http://whitecube.com/artists/theaster_gates/
Wikipedia entry: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theaster_Gates
Guardian article:
http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/oct/06/theaster-gates-artist-latest-project-is-regenerating-chicago-artes-mundi

52: Yayoi Kusama

One of the most important living artists to come out of Japan. She does painting, collage, sculpture, performance and "environmental installations", much of which uses psychedelic colours, repetition and pattern.

Her website: http://www.yayoi-kusama.jp/e/information/

Biography: http://www.yayoi-kusama.jp/e/biography/

Wikipedia entry: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yayoi_Kusama

Tate entry: http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/kusama-the-passing-winter-t12821

Daily Telepgraph article about a current exhibition at Victoria Miro

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/art/art-features/11059373/Yayoi-Kusama-to-exhibit-in-London-at-85-the-ideas-just-keep-coming.html

54: Thomas Hirschborn

Swiss artist that makes public "monuments" that make political statements out of low cost materials such as cardboard, packing tape and aluminium foil. These are usually in run-down areas of cities and he gets the local community to help build them.

New York Times article:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/26/arts/design/a-visit-to-thomas-hirschhorns-gramsci-monument.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0