Back From NYC

27 Nov Back From NYC

Well we made it back. New York was a blast but I’m glad to be home. Now I can thaw out. Too much to really go over and I don’t want to bore you so I thought I’d provide some quick thoughts about the trip:

1. I really wanted to love the new MOMA. It still has the best collection anywhere but I would be lying if I didn’t tell you it has issues. Many of which are better described here and here. Now I don’t subscribe to everything but you get the picture. Mrs. OCArtBlog went as far as to say she liked the old building better.

2. But for all the criticism floating around about the new MOMA we have found the answer and it is MOMA’s P.S.1. Yes folks this is our new favorite space. Every time we go we always leave feeling energized. So you say MOMA is a tomb? well go to P.S.1. They always have a good variety of new/emerging and mid-career artists, most of whom you will never see on the walls of MOMA. There always seems to be an energy there of what’s really going on in the art world. It also helps that we know one of the architects who worked on the building. David Ross was at the Open House if you happened to be there. One complaint is, of course, most of the shows are New York centric.

3. Best Gallery Shows: Mrs. OCArtBlog’s vote went to the Maria Pineres show at DCKT. My vote goes to Mike Kelley at Gagosian. A close runner-up would have to be the Catherine Sullivan show at Metro Pictures. This is the kind of work that should be included in a show like Moca’s Ecstasy show. Rather than the fake, trying too hard, psychedelic trip stuff. Twirling mushrooms?? Is this the Mad Hatter ride at Disneyland or MOCA?

4. Did we buy anything? Of course. We picked up a much coveted Saul Fletcher at Anton Kern Gallery.

5. The Whitney is on fire right now. Pettibon, Ruscha, Tuttle and a very good Oscar Bluemner show.

6. Catch the Brian Jungen show at the New Museum. Very good. The Fresh Projects show, not so good.

7. OK I’m getting tired of writing now so quick wrap-up. It’s obvious NYC is still the center of the art world (sorry London) so much to see and do it’s hard to keep track. I can’t wait to go back. There’s nothing like a walk through Central Park with Mrs. OCArtBlog, even if it’s freezing ass cold. I got called by two Curators that work at fine institutions while I was gone inquiring about three different artists I have shown at The Office. Makes you feel like you are doing something right. Stay tuned for Paris in four weeks. Some Photo’s follow:

A not so crowded MOMA

Protest in front of Gagosian. Umm OK??

Greening up Chelsea. Don’t remember the artist’s names.

The center of the art world, Chelsea.

They look bigger on TV.

If there’s a cloister near by, Mrs. OCArtBlog will find it….

Amen Brother….