Man Jerry Salt is my hero a must read.
“There used to be shared story lines of contemporary art:
the way artists developed, exchanged ideas, caromed off each other’s work,
engaged with their critics. Now no one knows the narrative; the thread has been
lost. Shows go up but don’t seem to have consequences, other than sales or no
sales. Nothing builds off much else. Art can’t get traction.”
(P.S. Over the last ten years a photography narrative
has developed, see Roe Ethridge, Alec Soth and abstract photography)
“…a generation of academically trained critics were taught
to believe they should write in impenetrable language and refrain from opinion
and negative criticism.”
“Owing in part to the Chelsea condo-and-office boom, even
the successful ones are fighting for their financial lives. The excellent
Postmasters Gallery just saw its West 19th Street rent raised to $30,000 a
month and will have to move. Other mid-level Chelsea dealers are being priced
out as well. Longtime gallerist Casey Kaplan told Bloomberg News, “You won’t
find much experimentation if the rents continue to escalate …those kinds of
galleries won’t be here.” Postmasters’ owner, Magda Sawon, has explained that “mid-range
galleries are going to just vanish from Chelsea,” adding, “the whole middle is
basically pulverized.” Even if they survive, I wonder whether a much bigger
shakeout is about to happen, one that makes art resemble any mainstream
business—just another culture industry that’s eaten itself alive.”
“But shouldn’t these dealers be looking for young talent
rather than vying to show Lawrence Weiner and Shirin Neshat? Maybe everyone
will all eventually share Richter and Prince, who will just relocate every five
years.”
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