Archives for 2010

Dewey Beats Truman? The returns aren't in yet.No word yet on when, if or who, regarding LA MOCA's announcement of its new director, which was to have occurred at 10:30 a.m. Pacific time today. But at least, thanks to Mike Boehm of the LA Times, we now know the subject matter of the mayoral press conference that supposedly conflicted with the planned announcement: The reason … [Read more...] about Department of No News: LA MOCA Appointment Still Stalled

This just in from the press office of the Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art: Due to a scheduling conflict with a Mayoral press conference, this event [the announcement of the museum's new director] scheduled for Monday, January 11, 2010, at 10:30am has been postponed. New information will be forthcoming.You know what I always tell you: When I know more, you'll know more. … [Read more...] about LA MOCA Annoucement Glitch: Postponed Due to Mayoral Musings

Jerry Saltz[UPDATE: My own critical analysis of of Deitch's now confirmed appointment is here.]A good way to influence opinion is to be first. An early comment, especially from a respected source, catches the attention of other pundits, who may feel qualms about striking out in the opposite direction.Lacking my caution about opinionating on a development that hasn't even … [Read more...] about Jerry Saltz’s Deitch Project: Preemptive Strike for Dealer’s LA MOCA Candidacy

[Now RESCHEDULED.]Now hitting art journalists' e-mail boxes around the country: MOCA BOARD OF TRUSTEES TO ANNOUNCE NEW DIRECTOR WHEN: MONDAY, JAN 11, 2010 10:30am WHERE: MOCA Grand Avenue Eli and Edythe L. Broad Reception Hall 250 South Grand Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90012 WHO: Maria Bell, MOCA BOARD CO-CHAIR David Johnson, MOCA BOARD CO-CHAIR Eli Broad, MOCA FOUNDING … [Read more...] about Lose One, Gain One: LA MOCA to Announce New Director on Monday UPDATED

The sun sets at Michael Brand's Getty Museum.The LA Times' art critic, Christopher Knight, who has just posted his first take on the Getty management turmoil, ponders the deleterious effect on art museums of "revolving door" directorships.Knight writes:In the museum world, it takes at least two or three years [as director] just to begin to see a glimmer of the fruits of one's … [Read more...] about The Getty’s Revolving Door: Harmful Brew of Instability and Secrecy

J. Paul Getty Museum's Los Angeles campusThe terms of Getty Museum director Michael Brand's severance package are hiding in plain sight in the Compensation Disclosure section of the Getty Trust's website, as was helpfully pointed out to me this evening by the Getty Trust's vice president for communications, Ron Hartwig.Scroll down to p. 5, "Senior Management Compensation," … [Read more...] about Getty Benefits: Michael Brand’s Severance Pot Was Recently Sweetened

In case it wasn't "interesting" already, this just in from David Ng of the LA Times (who couldn't get departing Getty director Michael Brand to comment about his reasons for leaving):Brand, who turns 52 on Saturday, said he would continue to receive his salary until December, when his contract expires. He said he would also have access to the Getty-owned museum … [Read more...] about More on Michael Brand’s Resignation: Now It Gets Interesting

The Getty Museum[My first post on Brand's resignation is here. The Getty's press release announcing his departure is now online.]The Getty Museum's PR people have just forwarded to me the statement from director Michael Brand to his staff, in which he expresses his great appreciation for their work and never once acknowledges the Getty Trust's president and former director of … [Read more...] about Michael Brand’s Statement to Staff: Reading Between the Lines

Michael BrandThis is a shocker. The press release is not online at this writing. [UPDATE: It's now here.]Here are the highlights:GETTY MUSEUM DIRECTOR MICHAEL BRAND STEPS DOWNLOS ANGELES - James N. Wood, president and CEO of the J. Paul Getty Trust, announced today that Dr. Michael Brand has elected to step down as director of the J. Paul Getty Museum at the end of January. He … [Read more...] about News Flash: Michael Brand Precipitously Steps Down from Getty Directorship, Effective End of This Month

Does this look like me? (my new Google persona)The Internet does weird things.If you now Google Lee Rosenbaum (without putting quotes around the name), you'll see five "Image Results for Lee Rosenbaum." They include three images of the real me, one of another who bears my name (and happens to be a veteran magazine publisher) and...Philippe de Montebello!Image results for Lee … [Read more...] about Department of Google Bloopers: I Am NOT Philippe de Montebello! UPDATED

Site of the Barnes Foundation's future foundationAfter I attended the Philadelphia Art Commission's meeting where the plans for the new facility for the Barnes Foundation were approved, I headed over to the active construction site, just a few blocks away. On the video at the end of this post, in which I'll show you the construction action, I comment:It's not your mother's … [Read more...] about Fin-ny in Philly: Barnes’ On-Site Prototype Puts on the Glitz

I guess that the Palace of Versailles hasn't yet had its fill of controversy. Having mounted a 2008 show of Jeff Koons' works in the royal preserve, it's tapped Takashi Murakami for a retrospective exhibition, Sept. 12-Dec. 12. The plan (but not the dates) was announced last September.Agence France-Presse reports:Since controversy provoked by the Jeff Koons exhibition, the … [Read more...] about Murakami Show (G-rated) at Versailles in September

An earlier rendering of the new Philadelphia facility for the Barnes Foundation, now slightly revised [More on the Philly Barnes, including my photos and video of on-site prototype, here.]The Art & Architecture Committee of the Philadelphia Art Commission met this morning and unanimously approved the plans submitted by the Barnes Foundation for its new Philadelphia … [Read more...] about News Flash: Barnes Plans Get Philadelphia Art Commission’s Final Approval

Readers weigh in on whether museums' art sale proceeds should sometimes be used for purposes other than acquisitions. The question was analyzed in this CultureGrrl post, which took issue with Judith Dobrzynski's NY Times Op-Ed piece. Judy called for a slight relaxation of the strictures against selling art to pay bills or reduce debt. Dewey Blanton, head of media relations for … [Read more...] about Responses to “Deaccession” Op-Ed Smackdown

Developer Richard Tucker at a one of Fort Lee's public meetings where rival proposals for mixed-use construction projects were presentedMy "think global, act local" campaign continues, as I seek the selection of architect Bernardo Fort-Brescia, partnering with Tucker Development Corp., to design a high-profile mixed-use project at the base of the George Washington Bridge in … [Read more...] about Forceful in Fort Lee: My Architecture-Driven Community Activism, Continued UPDATED