Art Thinking with Vadim Grigoryan explores the captivating intersection between the worlds of art and brands.
In each episode Grigoryan investigates the (often notoriously tricky) relationship between art and brands. Speaking with artists, brand leaders, and creative thinkers, each episode delves into the artistic principles that inform and inspire brand building and marketing.
Experienced brand strategist Grigoryan uncovers their thoughts on what makes a successful cohesion between brand and artist across a multitude of industries (and what makes an unsuccessful one too).
Using real life examples and experience, each episode dives into the idea of brands as cultural agents and looks at how art can act as a bridge between meaning and engagement. The podcast is accompanied by the newly published book Art Thinking, released in October 2025
Grigoryan has worked with brands including Pernod Ricard and Cartier, and says: "I have witnessed the dazzling, the dull and the downright ineffective. And – having analysed those that succeed where others do not – I have come to realise that the common thread that sets those brand leaders apart is cultural agency."
Produced by Cultureshock
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Art Thinking with Vadim Grigoryan explores the captivating intersection between the worlds of art and brands.
In each episode Grigoryan investigates the (often notoriously tricky) relationship between art and brands. Speaking with artists, brand leaders, and creative thinkers, each episode delves into the artistic principles that inform and inspire brand building and marketing.
Experienced brand strategist Grigoryan uncovers their thoughts on what makes a successful cohesion between brand and artist across a multitude of industries (and what makes an unsuccessful one too).
Using real life examples and experience, each episode dives into the idea of brands as cultural agents and looks at how art can act as a bridge between meaning and engagement. The podcast is accompanied by the newly published book Art Thinking, released in October 2025
Grigoryan has worked with brands including Pernod Ricard and Cartier, and says: "I have witnessed the dazzling, the dull and the downright ineffective. And – having analysed those that succeed where others do not – I have come to realise that the common thread that sets those brand leaders apart is cultural agency."
Produced by Cultureshock
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The artist Marcos Lutyens explores big themes such as consciousness and emotion. He once performed 340 hypnosis sessions (at the major contemporary art showcase Documenta) and his multi-media piece Colour Therapy transferred weather data into visual experiences on three continents simultaneously. In this episode of Art Thinking, moderated at the 2024 Venice Biennale by Cultureshock’s editor-at-large Jane Morris, Lutyens tells Vadim Grigoryan how working with brands supports his ambitious practice. The discussion also takes in the long history of artists as businesspeople, and how companies can employ creativity in every facet of their work today.
This week’s episode of Art Thinking was recorded at The Venice Art Biennale in 2024.
Produced by Cultureshock
Enjoyed this episode? Sign up for our newsletter to get new episodes, behind-the-scenes stories and art world insights delivered straight to your inbox.
For more from Vadim Grigoryan, order his new book Art Thinking now—available from Amazon, Waterstones, and Bookshop.org.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Art Basel is about more than buying and selling art, says Marc Spiegler, its former global director. During his tenure, the art fair’s global editions became cultural moments, with artists and collectors rubbing shoulders with film stars, fashion designers and musicians. Since Spiegler stepped down in 2022, he has built a portfolio of global cultural-strategy projects. In episode seven of Art Thinking, he talks to Vadim Grigoryan about how to make artist collaborations credible and how Louis Vuitton, Chanel and others have got the equation right.
Produced by Cultureshock
Enjoyed this episode? Sign up for our newsletter to get new episodes, behind-the-scenes stories and art world insights delivered straight to your inbox.
For more from Vadim Grigoryan, order his new book Art Thinking now—available from Amazon, Waterstones, and Bookshop.org.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The St Regis hotel in Venice is one of the most famous in the world – Claude Monet and JMW Turner are among its illustrious former guests, and it looks out over some of the city’s best landmarks. Now renowned for its focus on contemporary art and design, after a recent refurbishment inspired by local modernist Carlo Scarpa, its collection includes a Murano glass chandelier created by Ai Wei Wei as a tribute to Venice’s 1,600-year history. In this episode of Art Thinking, Patrizia Hofer, former general manager of St Regis Venice, tells Vadim Grigoryan about these collaborations, and working with experts and a curator to develop the brand’s vision.
Produced by Cultureshock
Enjoyed this episode? Sign up for our newsletter to get new episodes, behind-the-scenes stories and art world insights delivered straight to your inbox.
For more from Vadim Grigoryan, order his new book Art Thinking now—available from Amazon, Waterstones, and Bookshop.org.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Maison Ruinart is the champagne of the artworld. It’s present at the most prestigious art fairs in Europe, Asia and the US, and its French headquarters feature a sculpture garden with commissioned works by artists such as Andrea Bowers, Eva Jospin and Cornelia Konrads. In this episode of Art Thinking, Fabien Vallérian, the brand’s international director of arts and culture, talks to host Vadim Grigoryan about contemporary art, sustainability and collaboration.
Produced by Cultureshock.
Enjoyed this episode? Sign up for our newsletter to get new episodes, behind-the-scenes stories and art world insights delivered straight to your inbox.
For more from Vadim Grigoryan, Order his new book Art Thinking now
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Cult British jewellery brand Tatty Devine – worn by the likes of Björk and Madonna – was co-founded by art students Rosie Wolfenden and Harriet Vine in east London in 1999. In the fourth episode of Art Thinking, Wolfenden talks to Vadim Grigoryan about collaborating with artists such as Gilbert & George, Grayson Perry and Rob Ryan, and staying immersed in the world of art.
Produced by Cultureshock
Enjoyed this episode? Sign up for our newsletter to get new episodes, behind-the-scenes stories and art world insights delivered straight to your inbox.
For more from Vadim Grigoryan, pre-order his new book Art Thinking now
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The art gallery Hauser & Wirth is a truly international concern with 17 outposts in 12 cities and a global list of 110 artists and estates. In the third episode of Art Thinking, Neil Wenman, the gallery’s global creative director, talks to Vadim Grigoryan about the transformative power of art, artists’ roles as agents of change and how creative freedom is essential to getting the most out of artistic collaboration. Even if the results aren’t necessarily the most commercial, they may well be the most memorable.
Produced by Cultureshock
Enjoyed this episode? Sign up for our newsletter to get new episodes, behind-the-scenes stories and art world insights delivered straight to your inbox.
For more from Vadim Grigoryan, pre-order his new book Art Thinking now
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Violante Avogadro di Vigliano, the former chief communication and key client officer at Illycaffè, now CEO of Romanengo, talks to Vadim Grigoryan about the importance of working with external curators and having a creative director at a coffee brand. Art has been central to Illycaffè’s communication strategy since the 1990s, when James Rosenquist designed the current logo, and the brand’s long-running Art Collection campaign has seen artists including Yoko Ono, Robert Rauschenberg, Ai Wei Wei and Louise Bourgeois contribute unique cup designs.
Produced by Cultureshock
Enjoyed this episode? Sign up for our newsletter to get new episodes, behind-the-scenes stories and art world insights delivered straight to your inbox.
For more from Vadim Grigoryan, pre-order his new book Art Thinking now
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The automobile giant BMW is one of the biggest brands in art patronage today. Its global head of cultural engagement Thomas Girst (also a Marcel Duchamp expert) talks to Vadim Grigoryan about the concept of Art Thinking – including, if BMW was a person, would she be interested in going to a museum?
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Produced by Cultureshock
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.