"Hide/Seek," the catalogueI've received some thoughtful comments, pro and con, about my take on the National Portrait Gallery's video controversy, and I'll publish a few, below. But first, a news update (in addition to AAMD's just released statement and another from the Association of Art Museum Curators) and a few additional comments from me:David Wojnarowicz's controversial … [Read more...] about BlogBacks on “Hide/Seek” (and new exposure for Wojnarowicz) UPDATED
Archives for 2010
AAMD’s Strong Statement on “Hide/Seek” Controversy
Sometimes composing a forceful, principled statement takes time. This just in: the Association of Art Museum Directors' statement on the "Hide/Seek" controversy at the National Portrait Gallery (online here): It is extremely regrettable that the Smithsonian Institution's National Portrait Gallery, a major American art museum with a long history of public service in the … [Read more...] about AAMD’s Strong Statement on “Hide/Seek” Controversy
Non-Basel Art Market Indicator: Sotheby’s Ups Its Guarantees
Sotheby's Five-Year Stock Price Chart There have been mixed messages about how sales are doing at the still-in-progress Art Basel Miami, which I have once again perversely failed to attend. So while all you CultureGrrl readers are away from your computers, catching the rays and perusing the booths, here's a bullish market signal to contemplate: Sotheby's has gotten … [Read more...] about Non-Basel Art Market Indicator: Sotheby’s Ups Its Guarantees
Fisk to Attorney General: Let’s Go to the Court of Appeals!
I guess it just had to happen.While I was focused on Washington, this slipped in yesterday from Nashville:Fisk University announced today that it has filed a notice with the Davidson County Chancery Court that it will appeal the ruling of the Court concerning Fisk's request to enter into a sharing arrangement with the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Arkansas for … [Read more...] about Fisk to Attorney General: Let’s Go to the Court of Appeals!
Audio’s Up: NPR’s “Hide/Seek” Podcast (and me)
A meditation on the fragility of the human flesh.That's how National Portrait Gallery director Martin Sullivan---in today's NPR segment, Smithsonian Under Fire For Gay Portraiture Exhibit---described David Wojnarowicz's incendiary (literally and figuratively) video, "A Fire in My Belly," which had become the center of a political firestorm. But this harsh, grating piece is no … [Read more...] about Audio’s Up: NPR’s “Hide/Seek” Podcast (and me)
My Q&A with the Smithsonian on “Hide/Seek” (and NPR’s interview with me)
Martin Sullivan, director, National Portrait GalleryKeying off this CultureGrrl post, NPR interviewed me today for an "All Things Considered" segment on the controversy over the National Portrait Gallery's Hide/Seek exhibition. If all goes according to plan, that report will air this evening, possibly after 5:30 p.m. You can listen live to NPR here; I'll post the link to the … [Read more...] about My Q&A with the Smithsonian on “Hide/Seek” (and NPR’s interview with me)
From “Piss Christ” to Ant-Covered Jesus: The Culture Wars Resume
"David Wojnarowicz Smoking" by Peter HujarAs if rising tensions between North and South Korea, Iran's scary nuclear program and the damaging diplomatic fallout from WikiLeaks weren't enough, the Republican leadership of Congress has found another burning issue requiring immediate action---the screening at a federally funded Washington museum, the National Portrait Gallery, of … [Read more...] about From “Piss Christ” to Ant-Covered Jesus: The Culture Wars Resume
MeTube: Morgan Library’s Glorious Restoration, Before and After—Part I
[Part II is here.] Almost three months before the Morgan Library and Museum reopened its newly restored and reinstalled McKim building---the former refuge of financier J.P. Morgan---William Griswold, the fifth director of this historic treasure trove (and its 2006 Renzo Piano-designed add-on) took me on a whirlwind tour to discuss the activity swirling around us. Because … [Read more...] about MeTube: Morgan Library’s Glorious Restoration, Before and After—Part I
Who Needs Art Basel Miami? Pajama Purchasing at the “VIP” Virtual Art Fair
My fifth annual Art Basel Miami sour grapes souffléI don't know about you, but I find that my experience of artwork online is nothing like my experience of artwork on site. There have been many, many times when I thought that a piece looked very intriguing on my desktop, only to be greatly disappointed by an encounter with the real thing. Brightly backlit pieces on my computer … [Read more...] about Who Needs Art Basel Miami? Pajama Purchasing at the “VIP” Virtual Art Fair
How’s Steve Martin’s Artworld Novel? “Ohhh…Alright…”
Snap of unflappable Steve Martin on inside flap of his book jacketOh, all right. I admit it: Although I'm still not finished reading it, I'm enjoying my gift from author/actor Steve Martin a lot more than I had expected. As those of you who have read about my recent losses already know, I can use a lifting of my spirits. I could also use a click or two on my "Donate" button. I … [Read more...] about How’s Steve Martin’s Artworld Novel? “Ohhh…Alright…”
My WSJ Review of the Morgan’s Restoration: “Let There Be Light!”
Director William Griswold in J.P. Morgan's library at the Morgan Library and MuseumYesterday was the day of my mother's funeral. It was also the publication date for my Wall Street Journal assessment of the restoration of the original McKim building of the Morgan Library and Museum, which has put the "Morgan" back in the Morgan (redressing the imbalance created by the Renzo … [Read more...] about My WSJ Review of the Morgan’s Restoration: “Let There Be Light!”
Surprise Birthday Present from CultureGrrl’s Movie-Star Fan
Should I shelve my gift here?Or here?By now you've now all enjoyed the hit video, Jeffrey Deitch Takes Hollywood. Now it's, "CultureGrrl Takes Hollywood"!I don't think I'll be moving into the mansion formerly owned by Gloria Swanson in nearby Englewood, NJ, any time soon (although I do reside in the former apartment of a celebrated singer, whose Grammys were displayed where my … [Read more...] about Surprise Birthday Present from CultureGrrl’s Movie-Star Fan
Crystal Bridges Sets Opening Date: Veterans Day, 2011
Crystal Bridges Museum's construction site, November 2010Book your flight to Bentonville, art-lings. This just in from Alice Walton's in-construction Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art: During an update today on the progress of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art at the monthly meeting of the Arkansas State Parks, Recreation and Travel Commission, Don Bacigalupi, Crystal … [Read more...] about Crystal Bridges Sets Opening Date: Veterans Day, 2011
Presidential Medal of Freedom Winners: Jasper Johns? Meet Stan the Man!
New Pop Emblem? The Medal of FreedomThe awards ceremony next year for President Obama's 15 newly designated Medal of Freedom recipients, named tonight, will bring together some strange bedfellows. Here are the White House's descriptions of two disparate awardees:American artist Jasper Johns has produced a distinguished body of work dealing with themes of perception and identity … [Read more...] about Presidential Medal of Freedom Winners: Jasper Johns? Meet Stan the Man!
BlogBack: Elyse Topalian of the Met on the Brooklyn Costume Deaccessioning
Elyse Topalian, the Metropolitan Museum's vice president for communications, responds to Brooklyn's Costume "Transfer" to the Met: A Huge Deaccession-in-Disguise: The Metropolitan Museum and the Brooklyn Museum have openly discussed, with both press and the public, the decision to sell certain pieces that would not come to the Met because they duplicated items already in the … [Read more...] about BlogBack: Elyse Topalian of the Met on the Brooklyn Costume Deaccessioning