Jerry Saltz
[UPDATE: My own critical analysis of of Deitch’s now confirmed appointment is here.]
A good way to influence opinion is to be first. An early comment, especially from a respected source, catches the attention of other pundits, who may feel qualms about striking out in the opposite direction.
Lacking my caution about opinionating on a development that hasn’t even happened yet, New York Magazine art critic Jerry Saltz this afternoon dispatched an e-mail titled, “Jerry Saltz on Jeffrey Deitch Appointed Director of LA MOCA.”
“APPOINTED“? Do we know that he’s been appointed?
Turns out that the early bird didn’t have more than the rest of us wormless ones, except for this:
Reached via e-mail, Deitch admitted he was in “discussion” with MOCA.
The art world says it loves unexpected creative decisions. This could be an inspired one that raises the game of many museums.
Scolds will imagine immoral scenarios of a wolf in the fold and tut-tut
over the possibility of an uncouth, craven commercial dealer trading
museum treasures for market-share, making back room deals, and
violating ethics. But bear in mind that MOCA desperately needs to think
outside the box.
I contacted LA MOCA’s indispensable chief curator, Paul Schimmel, to find out if he intends to remain, and he said yes. In what may or may not be a related development, the Guggenheim Museum last Friday announced that LA MOCA’s deputy director, Ari Wiseman, would assume the Guggenheim’s newly created deputy director position as of Jan. 19.
I also wonder why Charles Young, who became LA MOCA’s transitional CEO during its financial and administrative crisis, is not listed as one of the museum VIPs on the invitation to tomorrow’s roll-out of the new director.
So many questions, so few answers!