I was not surprised to read today’s Modern Arts Notes post about Michael Conforti’s refusal to discuss single-collector shows with AJ co-blogger Tyler Green. Conforti is, of course, the director of the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute as well as the current president of the Association of Art Museum Directors. He is a thoughtful, scholarly man. We often agree, I think.
But last summer, when I was at the Clark to review its Dove/O’Keeffe: Circles of Influence show for the Wall Street Journal (mentioned here), I talked with Conforti about the same subject. It isn’t hard to see that single-collector shows are becoming more common, and I asked Conforti whether he thought AAMD needed to set some rules. To my surprise, he didn’t think it was an issue. At all.
Let’s face it: single-collector shows are going to continue, especially if money continues to be tight. Some are good, even very good. But they are unquestionably subject to abuse. Collectors can dangle the prospect of donations to a museum, essentially pressing it to go all out on an exhibition that includes works that wouldn’t ordinarily be shown. Or to take a particular point of view. They can play museums off against one another, as each vies for the promise of the works. They can use exhibits to drive up prices of their works, quickly selling after the works come down from the walls. Or not so quickly. And so on. This is not hypothetical — privately, directors and curators admit these things happen.
For whatever reason, I dropped the issue and did not ask the Association of Art Museum Curators for its opinion — but I’m glad Green is.
Rules won’t be easy to define, but they’re needed.
Photo: Courtesy The Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute