New York's Fractured Art Scene in 2011: Emerging Artists and Shifting Geographies
In 2011, the art landscape in New York is disjointed, with artists pursuing their own paths. Events such as the Whitney Biennial and Greater New York at PS1 often negatively impact the very communities they seek to represent. While galleries in Chelsea compete with museums, many Lower East Side venues, apart from Bureau, Reena Spaulings, and Laurel Gitlen, fall short. The Armory Show vies for attention alongside Independent, organized by Elizabeth Dee and Darren Flook. Brooklyn has become a hub for artists, including Urs Fischer. Peter Coffin voices concerns about the market-centric focus of the scene. Notable emerging talents include Kalup Linzy, Jordan Wolfson, Leigh Ledare, Anna Craycroft, Allyson Vieira, Nick Van Woert, Nick Mauss, the Bruce High Quality Foundation, Lorraine O'Grady, and Christian Holstad. This article is authored by Julie Boukobza.
Key facts
- New York's 2011 art scene is fragmented, with artists as independent planets.
- Greater New York at PS1, Whitney Biennial, and Younger Than Jesus have been criticized for harming emerging scenes.
- Chelsea galleries rival museums in quality; Lower East Side galleries are mostly disappointing except Bureau, Reena Spaulings, Laurel Gitlen.
- Independent fair, founded by Elizabeth Dee and Darren Flook, challenges the Armory Show.
- Brooklyn has become a massive artist studio due to economic reasons, hosting Urs Fischer.
- Peter Coffin criticizes the market-driven nature of New York's art world and student debt.
- Kalup Linzy collaborates with James Franco and appeared on 'General Hospital'.
- Jordan Wolfson's new video at Kunst-Werke Berlin addresses Jewish identity via 'The Merchant of Venice'.
- Leigh Ledare photographs his mother and ex-wife, exploring intimacy and objectivity.
- Anna Craycroft's 'Subject of Learning / Object of Study' at Blanton Museum focuses on education.
- Allyson Vieira creates plaster bas-reliefs inspired by ancient myths and Ted Sider.
- Nick Van Woert uses polyurethane foam on antique plaster copies, referencing Vitruvius and Unabomber.
- Nick Mauss and Ken Okiishi translated Rimbaud via Google Translation.
- Bruce High Quality Foundation runs BHQFU, a free art school.
- Lorraine O'Grady, aged 77, is rediscovered for her 1980s performances and 'Black and White Show'.
- Christian Holstad explores gay culture and addiction through collages and vampire themes.
- Julie Boukobza wrote the article as part of 'Funny Curators' with Jenny Schlenzka of MoMA.
Entities
Artists
- Peter Coffin
- Lorraine O'Grady
- Jordan Wolfson
- Christian Holstad
- Anna Craycroft
- Nick Van Woert
- Nick Mauss
- Allyson Vieira
- Kalup Linzy
- Leigh Ledare
- Urs Fischer
- James Franco
- Ken Okiishi
- Elizabeth Peyton
- Larry Clark
- Ted Sider
- Arthur Rimbaud
- Christopher Reeve
- Adrian Piper
- Keith Haring
- Nancy Spero
- Paul Thek
- John Baldessari
- Klaus Biesenbach
- Roselee Goldberg
- Elizabeth Dee
- Darren Flook
- Julie Boukobza
- Jenny Schlenzka
Institutions
- PS1
- Whitney Museum of American Art
- New Museum
- MoMA
- Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Kunst-Werke Berlin
- Blanton Museum
- Bard College
- Cooper Union
- Armory Show
- Independent
- Rivington Arms
- Tracy Williams Ltd
- Laurel Gitlen
- Yvon Lambert
- 303 Gallery
- Galerie Neu
- Massimo De Carlo
- Victoria Miro
- Alexander Gray Associates
- Pilar Corrias
- Johann König
- Bureau
- Reena Spaulings
- Bruce High Quality Foundation
- Performa
- General Hospital
- Funny Curators
- Modern Talking
Locations
- New York City
- Chelsea
- Lower East Side
- Brooklyn
- Soho
- Stuckey
- Florida
- Seattle
- Massachusetts
- Reno
- Nevada
- Anaheim
- California
- Boston
- Berlin
- Germany
- Texas
- Stromboli
- Italy
Sources
- artpress —