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Art & Cities
The news is full of talk that cities may be over. They certainly seem to be for the time being, as their magical ability to bring lots of people together from many walks of life is very much on hold. This week I'd like to delve into how the art world is finding new centers during COVID-19 but also discuss how those always existed. The interaction between city and country continues to come into question with the ability to experience art in many environments beyond the biggest cities.
Top: Andy Warhol's former Montauk estate, once owned by former J.Crew CEO Micky Dressler and is currently owned by collector and Venus Over Manhattan gallerist Adam Lindemann. It is apparently on the market for $65M.
Left: The view of the mountains from The Powers Art Center in Carbondale, CO.
Right: A spider sculpture by Louise Bourgeois at The Donum Estate Winery in Napa, CA.
Art Centers Elsewhere
The art world always decamps from the urban center in the summertime but this year it feels a bit different and more permanent.
As the New York Times and the art world media has widely reported, a number of high profile art galleries have opened new spaces in the Hamptons this summer. I concur with a long-time Hamptons gallerist that he was surprised it took a pandemic for them to do this. I hosted a popup at the Wölffer Estate Vineyard a number of years ago and left thinking that being out there all summer would make a lot of sense: it's where the collectors are. Now we will see if the buying follows--I think the primary reason gallerists have been reticent to open in the past. The summer season usually offered an escape from the city but now the migration to see art may be much more welcome.
Artists have always left city centers for the quiet of the country and the ability for larger studio spaces at much better prices. The Abstract Expressionist artists of the 1950s first made the Hamptons a destination, you can still visit the former home of Jackson Pollock and Lee Krasner in the Hamptons. The Hamptons are similar to Provincetown and Upstate New York, artists and art making were there long before the collectors.
Several other destinations nationwide have attracted the collecting community, such as Aspen Colorado, with the galleries from elsewhere eventually starting outposts. I expect more galleries may open in similar locations in the future and I predict that the Sonoma/Napa regions will be one of them considering how many wineries already utilize their art collections as a draw to potential visitors. I suspect Jackson Hole, WY and Sun Valley, Idaho could be as well. I've already seen galleries as far north in Santa Barbara and as far south as Laguna Beach in the LA region--but density was never part of the appeal in Southern California.
One of my routine pieces of advice to new collectors is to NOT buy art on vacation (from an unknown gallery in Carmel-By-The-Sea for example) but I may soon have to change my tune.
Recommended Reading
One of my favorite podcasts is "Invest Like the Best" which features conversations with leading investors from Sarah Tavel to Josh Kopelman it is one I tune into weekly.
As an unabashed The Chicks fan, I'm happy they are back with their first album in 14 years. This interview explained where they have been and where they are now, and I couldn't be happier they aren't ready to make nice--ever.
Headlands Benefit Auction
One of my favorite arts organizations is hosting their annual benefit auction as their residency program in the Marin Headlands is such unique experience, this fundraiser ensure it continues for years to come. Plus one of the ways I suggest budding collectors acquire works is through benefit auctions like these, great art at introductory prices. The auction ends today, bid now!
