Art for investment?

You might say:"maybe in 2006.. but not now!"
and that maybe has too many sub maybes to follow..
but for me.. I'd chose art as investment over stocks in a blink..
even in 2006
you'd ask why?
I'll tell you.
simply

• I'm not financially savvy, and don't know anything about stocks.
• I have a thing that if I don't do it myself and fully comprehend what I'm getting into then forget it.
• Everyone, all of a sudden happens to be financial experts with all the inside information, advise you on which stock to buy and whatnot.. (yalla yalla ilsoog 9a3id, everyone get in, buy buy you'll be a millionaire tomorrow!)
• I don't like the control and grasp of the market over my personal financial stability.
• I love beauty and would rather invest in something beautiful to pass onto my grandchildren. (Jewellery too)
• In 2003-2007, art prices were ridiculously on the rise! they hit a plateau in 2006 when paintings like ones by Damien Hurst were auctioned for millions of dollars, leaving a tiny profit window in reselling value, and eventually to depreciation.

I'd say now is a good time to buy great art at reasonable prices.

if you want to invest in art, you'd have to educate yourself and learn about that piece before just buying it. Look at the history and style. Learn about the artist, where he studied and who he studied with.
If you're on a low budget hunt, I'd suggest looking for artist who have studied with the finest teachers and who hasn't hit yet. But it's extremely risky.
If budget is not an issue, then the only prerequisite is investment in top-quality art.
Experts say that over the long-term, experience suggests 10 years and more, investment in art provides annual average returns.
There are more details to investment in art, research is always the key.

Free Tip:
One artist is a must if you're looking for beauty and investment.
Juan Genoves, born in Valencia 1930, is one of Spain's best-known contemporary artists.
His recent work explores people in groups, represented through bird’s-eye views of crowds where buildings, roads, trees or clues to a common landscape are nonexistent. This style creates a sense of severity and dislocation, thus allowing the viewer to make his own conclusion.
"Due to his stature as the one of the best known contemporary artist of Spain, his advanced age and limited recent production, artworks by Genoves may be some of the best possible artworks to buy, if a collector views art as investment, as well." --Art as Investment.

Lovely.. no?