Latest Albright-Knox Windfalls: Should Auction Houses Just Say No?

---Steven Miller, executive director of the Morris Museum, writes:
While it would appear the place has every legal right to do as it wishes with the collection (as long as those actions are also legal), clearly the only reason it is selling stuff is to get money, and lots of it.

Regarding the first point, it is very easy over time to rely on funds gained from selling collections to cushion operations either by freeing-up other moneys for use, or allocating part of the income (and even principal) from the deaccessioned funds' investments to cover "general operating expenses." From the outside it is often hard to know exactly what is happening internally with a museum's finances. Regarding the second point, those knowledgeable about contemporary art will have to watch and comment.

---Katka Hammond, a member of the Buffalo Art Keepers (the local group that opposed the deaccessioning), writes:

The Albright-Knox sales were clearly opportunistic, rather than being motivated by a real concern with the role of the museum and its responsibility to the community it primarily serves. There are lots of people who wish the Albright's director and board hadn't a) decided to sell off its treasures in the first place; and b) had quit or pulled some pieces from upcoming auctions once they had made more money than they ever dreamed of. The whole process and the resulting loss of Buffalo's artistic patrimony to gamble on future, possibly specious acquisitions, was flawed and short-sighted....

The Albright has naturally defended its decision, and chosen to address questions about it on their website. As for the idea of "quitting while they're ahead," they answer: "The figure of $15 million was an estimate, not a goal. The goal is to increase the fund that the Gallery draws on when it buys works of art. This fund must be built up as much as possible if the Gallery is to remain first-rate. So the success of the first auction is no reason to cut the sales short. On the contrary, it's a reason to see them through."

---Geoffrey Gatza writes:
I am a Buffalo poet and quite active in the local poetry scene. I should like to politely disagree on this sale of art. I have lived here all of my life and these art pieces have been a major part of my art experiences. I go about 5 times a year for exhibits and almost once a month for the free Fridays in the gallery. A lot of relevant fun is happening here with the new director---and it is making a huge good impact on the art lovers in this city. And for me, this sale is helping to keep this gallery relevant to Buffalo and it's patrons without having to ask our cash strapped town (really big Erie County financial crisis).

I would disagree with your articles as your wording makes it seem that we have large room with nothing but the skid marks from forklifts in the art gallery. I am sad about the sale, as these Asian figures were favorites and I am fond of the "Artemis and the Stag" from childhood. But to make to bright future to happen and not for the AK to revert to an element of nostalgia the
gallery needs a lot of money.