Wednesday, March 01, 2006
Incest at the Whitney Biennial? Never...
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From an anonymous tip on Edna's blog:
Philippe Vergne is co-curator of the 2006 Whitney Biennial. His partner, Sylvia Chivaratanond, is Partner and Director at Perry Rubenstein Gallery. Six artists who are represented by or have been in recent exhibitions at Rubenstein were chosen to participate in this year’s Biennial: Matthew Day Jackson and Sturtevant are gallery artists. Jordan Wolfson is represented by (or is at least affiliated) with the gallery though he does not appear on their most current artist list. Jay Heikes, Aaron Young and Carter were included in the group show "Sticks and Stones" in 2005 and may still have inventory at the gallery. Then again, they may not.
The question is: Do Rubenstein and Chivaratanond stand to profit financially from Vergne’s selections? Without a doubt - YES. The prices of all six artists’ work will rise significantly as a result of the exhibition, if they haven’t already. The artists will be asked to participate in exhibitions at other venues, many of them prestigious, from which Perry Rubenstein will garner a percentage (and as a New York gallery, this could be anywhere from 15-35%).
Let me add that Phillippe & Sylvia are two of my favorite people in the art world. Not only are they both incredibly nice people, but are two of the best curators I have ever come in contact with. I also highly respect and like Perry but haven't known him long enough to make any ethical judgements. I can only assume that since Sylvia is working there, he is completely on the up and up.
Yes this is something that should be discussed, but is it possible that everyone involved just has really good tastes? Or does that not matter at all...
3 Responses to “Incest at the Whitney Biennial? Never...”
March 1, 2006 at 2:00 PM
Yes, it matters, and it is possible.
March 6, 2006 at 5:40 PM
Hmm... this is related to Indianapolis because ... you personally know these people?
March 7, 2006 at 10:11 AM
Hmm... the Whitney Biennial has for decades been the most important show in the United States. Do you really think just because we live in Indiana we shouldn't talk about these things? I hope that most people who read this blog take a little less of an 'isolationist' approach.
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