http://news.yahoo.com/record-breaking-contemporary-art-103321463.htmlThe proper way to read pieces like this is to understand that the price of art is difficult for governments to manipulate unlike gold, fiat, or even crypto to some extent. The rich are parking their money in art not as an investment but just as a place to hold value. When the price of art is rising, understand that the art isn't necessarily getting more valuable but its price in fiat is changing as a hidden sign of inflation.
Do you think the art market isn't or can't be manipulated? It makes much more sense to manipulate something that has a purely subjective value, like collectibles, art, antiques, etc., than something that produces an objective income, like the stock market.
Take a look at the following documentary if you are interested (that's just the first part, I can't find a complete video in English):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Km5KS7U9aOc