# Cruise Ship Art Auctions Are Insane

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-mortal-machine-gallery-podcast-7427692/cruise-ship-art-auctions-are-insane
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-mortal-machine-gallery-podcast-7427692/cruise-ship-art-auctions-are-insane.md
Podcast: [The Mortal Machine Gallery Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-mortal-machine-gallery-podcast-7427692)
Published: 2026-03-13T15:22:52+00:00
Episode link: https://twodrinkminimunnola.transistor.fm/s2/7
Audio file: https://media.transistor.fm/5dd36245/45370e10.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-mortal-machine-gallery-podcast-7427692/episodes/cruise-ship-art-auctions-are-insane
Duration seconds: 2438

## Resource

On this episode of the Mortal Machine Podcast, Chris Trew and Gabriel Schaefer dive into the bizarre world of art auctions on cruise ships—where vacationers buy expensive paintings somewhere between the buffet and the blackjack table. We break down how these floating art markets work, why people buy art at sea, and whether any of it is actually good. Along the way, Gabe pitches one of his most ridiculous ideas yet: an intentionally bad art gallery dedicated entirely to terrible artwork. From cruise ship sales tactics to the strange psychology of art collectors, this episode explores what happens when commerce, taste, and absurdity collide.

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## Transcript

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