Mamma Andersson, Pigeon House, 2010, acrylic and oil on panel, 33 1/2 x 48 inches, courtesy David Zwirner, New York.
Today is the start of New York Gallery Week, a series of openings at galleries, artist talks, tours, and panel discussions in New York taking place from now through Monday. Organizers of NYGW, including gallerist Casey Kaplan, hope to refocus attention on the artists and the galleries that represent them, putting some excitement into the New York art scene. We spoke with Kaplan a few weeks ago to talk about this four-day event.
WHITEWALL: How did the idea to have a New York Gallery Week come about?
CASEY KAPLAN: I thought like the New York system was broken, people weren’t coming, the public had disappeared and made me realize that people perceived our work incorrectly. New York Gallery Week was the idea to gather some friends and talk about our hopes, dreams and frustrations and in May last year, a group started meeting formally and we thought a New York gallery week would make sense.
For me it’s a success because gallery owners are working together to support each other. It’s really important that gallery owners are organizing themselves. In New York we need to put the focus back on art and there’s some incredible work to be seen and its free. We are trying to have openings on one night and we want to have this kind of block party where galleries all over Manhattan have exhibits, then there’s going to be panel discussions, film screenings, and several guests will gather to have discussions on different topics. We want to bring people into the galleries and to make it more accessible for the public, not only VIPs.
New York is a real community and there are some galleries that haven’t had the chance to announce themselves. Galleries here have not thought about working together because they think they are competitors. The reality is that we shouldn’t be like that. We should all try to promote each other.
Edward Kienholz, Roxys (detail), 1960–61, Mixed media, dimensions variable, Collection Onnasch, © 2010 Kienholz Estate.
WW: Do you think the spotlight is instead turned on museum shows and auctions?
CK: I think that the stories have been focused on parties and dinners and not really about art. I do art fairs and have dinners and parties, but its more like refocusing our priorities.
WW: How did you choose the galleries? Was there an admission process?
CK: We don’t have this huge administration so for us to organize it we have certain limitations towards the numbers. It was important to focus on the galleries that we thought had the best programs. It was all by invitation so you could not apply to it.
It’s our first year and we have to make sure that the quality is excellent. I believe these shows are going to be amazing.
WW: Is the goal to make New York galleries a destination like museums?
CK: You are going to see a show where pieces have been in the MOMA, Guggenheim, or the MET. With Mathew Marks and other artists there is going to be some of the best art pieces ever seen.
WW: Are there any must see talk or tours not to be missed?
CK: There’s going to be a Highline tour and Irving Sandler and Jorge Pardo will talk on a panel with Nana Last, which will be pretty excellent. But I’m looking forward to all of it. Everything can be found on our website, www.newyorkgalleryweek.com. I’m going to go check out everything.
Jockum Nordström, Human Form Divine, 2010, watercolor, graphite, and collage on paper, 39 1/8 x 28 inches, courtesy David Zwirner, New York.
