Mark Kostabi “The 60 Second Art World”

October 9, 2010

The 60-Second Art World

By Alexandra Peers
September 29, 2010 | 4:55 p.m

Winner of the Week: Frick Collection director Anne L. Poulet, who announced she’ll retire in Sept. 2011 after eight years there, and much success fund-raising. Let the search for a replacement begin!

Loser: Damien Hirst collectors, who are seeing the (near-term) resale value of their art sink in the wake of the Lehman Brothers auction. (Hint: hold on. You may be vindicated yet.)

Secret Talks: After phasing out auctions of Native American material years ago, Christie’s is in discussions to bring the category back with a big-ticket January sale that, ironically, will become part of its Americana week — usually deveoted to the colonialists.

Last Week’s Best Party: Sotheby’s “Farm to Table” auction. With a fund-raising gimmick that brought in foodies and locavores, it raised about $250,000 for charity with a sale of heirloom vegetables and live animals (clucking, on video).

This Week’s Best Party: Friday, Oct. 1, there will be a free screening of artist and director Sam Taylor-Wood’s film LENNONNYC in Central Park (69th & Fifth Avenue entrance) to celebrate his 70th birthday.

Best Read: Mark Kostabi’s tips to art students on Artnet.com (“The art world… is like high school”).

-Alexandra Peers