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Photo credit: Dana Johnson

The Art Newspaper presents a very sensible article on the topic of ethics concerning museums' frequent role in increasing the financial value of art work through their exhibitions. The piece is written by Adrian Ellis, the director of AEA Consulting. Link here.

Edward Winkleman has a post about it, which will probably generate a very interesting discussion in the comments, as his posts usually do. Link here.

The Basel Miami Fair(s) covered from head to toe by Joanne Mattera. Almost all of ‘em. Mattera, a painter, does an excellent job. Check out her comments and images. at the Joanne Mattera Art Blog.

Her blog is a multipart report, one post per venue plus the prologue. The entries are posted sequentially, and as Joanna says, “There is a narrative to my reporting, so I hope you'll follow it through to the end.”

“By all accounts the mood going into Miami was wary. Dealers in general were fearful that the bubble was about to burst, and the smaller dealers were concerned that the greater number of satellite fairs this year would dilute their sales. Apparently the big guns had no problems; Gagosian sold $10 million worth of art, according to Bloomberg News. Among the smaller galleries in the satellite fairs, the mood lifted as sales began to rack up. Many smaller galleries sold out, and most at least broke even. The mood going out was simply weary.”
Continue reading here.

Excerpts: "In art it is important to remember that the most substantial, meaningful, honest, spiritual, cultural rituals, forms and esthetics come from the underground."

"So you know that Dominic Molon, the curator of "Sympathy for the Devil: Art and Rock and Roll since 1967," is in deep trouble..."

"Another big problem was that the MCA seems to have scorned one of the most influential and rich rock ‘n’ roll scenes in America ...Chicago..."

Read on ...

Continuing our series on Consensus Malpractice ...
The Brooklyn Rail is a wonderful website of “Critical Perspectives on Arts Politics and Culture.” Sharkforum readers should check it out. One recent article in the “Art Seen” section I found very enjoyable: “Call it Merde” by artist and art critic James Kalm. He has his own youtube page with videos of art criticism.

A few excerpts to tantalize you:

"As the new art season opens, led by the charge of the market bulls, we’re confronted once again with the latest, the hottest, the chic-est. For this somewhat jaded spectator, who’s experienced our culture’s willing desensitization via a plethora of evermore “shocking” gestures, I find myself wondering about its relationship to that most base of all materials: shit, crap, doodoo, poop. ..."

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And the week is launched with a Feeding Frenzy Funny by Steve Hamann with MSB and some input by the Shark. Enjoy. MUCH more is to come!

It’s in the system, baby. You get that for which rewards are given. Here’s how it works, in list form.

1. If you are a curator in an out-of-the-way place, or at least want to climb the social ladder as a curator...

MSB:
Considering the fact that I just received the invitation, via email, for applying for the next Artist Project, this post is probably too late. It appears they have made some improvements, but the discussion many artists have been having about this “project” is very interesting and should be continued.... into the realm of artist responsibility and actual inclusion of artists important and powerful ways within fairs or any art exhibition venue.
I’m posting here a LIST OF IDEAS for improving the ARTIST PROJECT. Even contradictory ones. This is / was a kind of brainstorming, aiming to increase creative proposals while whittling down less useful ones. Anybody want to help still discuss such ideas?

On January 1, 2008, a new management team will be taking over at Art Basel and Art Basel Miami Beach. Supported by an appointment committee of international experts, Messe Schweiz has decided that the current Director, Sam Keller, will be succeeded by a triumvirate: Cay Sophie Rabinowitz, Annette Schönholzer, and Marc Spiegler will be assuming joint responsibility for the international art shows.

I just received yet another invitation to a symposium (the preferred form of communication in the Consensoriat) concerning the Role of Exhibition Development in the Contemporary Artworld. I have a proposal.