Indeed! Except I think their pleasure is not derived form looking at the art, but rather in knowing they have some exclusive to them. Something only the possess. Learning about the art and its meaning is simply a convenient excuse to be able to show it to friends and visitors and have some talking points which give you an excuse to inform them that you indeed have this unique piece of art.

Now this will just be speculation on my part but I suppose there is desire to demonstrate that they are not just some nouveau riche upstart. Oh no, they got class. They know their art.

Now I don't really care about the rich and celebraties but have heard from people who like to follow them that they all seem to have exactly the same kind of expensive bags. Possibly similar types of expensive clothes. It is almost as if there is a certain uniform they wear. The "rich people uniform". By wearing it you signal that you are part of this exclusive club.

I suppose it is our primitive tribalism. We like to use clothes and items that signal the tribe we belong to. The rich are just another tribe. I don't really have an issue with people feeling a need to belong. I suppose I am part of the geek culture tribe. But at least I am not spending a fortune to simply signal that I belong to it.

Although as an Apple fan it pains me to hear that there are teenagers who exclude each other because some don't have iPhone.