The Year in CultureGrrl, 2014 Edition

I admit it: For me, 2014 was all about that little guy in the center of the photo (his parents—my son and daughter-in-law—are on the left; my daughter and son-in-law, on right). In fact, I’ll be headed his way as soon as I finish this post, to find out how many new words and new tricks he’s acquired during his California vacation.

This year’s professional landmark, for me, was the munificent Art Writers Grant from Creative Capital | Warhol Foundation (which kicks in next month). I can’t tell you how many times I’ve come close to killing CultureGrrl, because the time and effort that consumed by this unremunerated labor of love. Last April, I drafted my “final” post, “CultureGrrl‘s Fade-Out,” in which I found myself agreeing with the NY Times‘ Holland Cotter that the future of online art journalism belonged to the blogazines, which he called, “a welcome alternative to the one-personality blog of yore.”

That would be me. But while independent bloggers may indeed be outmoded, I couldn’t quite bring myself to hit “Publish” on my farewell post. I take no joy in observing that mainstream-media art writers are also increasingly “of yore,” as evidenced by the hemorrhaging of cultural journalists from financially challenged print publications including, sadly, Cotter’s NY Times.

Rather than ending CultureGrrl‘s eight-year run, I resolved to blog less and mainstream-media more, which, to some extent, I’ve done. Included in my paid assignments were opportunities to write for the Wall Street Journal about two important capital projects: the Clark Art Institute’s expansion and the 9/11 Memorial Museum. I got to pursue my interest in conservation, with articles in the WSJ about the Getty Museum’s restoration of Pollock‘s “Mural” and the Museum of Modern Art’s restoration of Matisse‘s “The Swimming Pool.” I was also delighted to be invited by Sandra Lang to lecture two months ago to her New York University class for aspiring museum professionals. (My topic was the role of art critics.)

But I still greatly value the opportunity that this platform provides to say what I want, when and how I want to, and I enjoy visually sharing with you what I see, through abundant photos and videos that make it all come alive. Above all, I value you, my faithful art-lings, who read this blog, connect with me on Twitter (@CultureGrrl) and sporadically click my “Donate” button (or even take advantage of my new “Subscribe” option, making monthly contributions). May this long, happy relationship continue.

Speaking of happy relationships, I have an urgent appointment with CultureGrandson. So let’s move on to my one end-of-year list (as distinguished from artnet‘s interminable barrage of clickbait compendiums, in its righthand column).

With my Best Wishes for an Art-Full New Year, here are CultureGrrl’s Top 20 Stories for 2014, in chronological order, with an emphasis on the controversies that we’ve been following:

Museum of Modern Art’s Folk-Art Decision: It’s a Knockdown (plus plans for MegaMoMA)

Dismemberment of the Corcoran: Whither the Collection?

Grand Façade: A Final Farewell to Former American Folk Art Museum Facility (with video)

“Satellite Museums” Panel: My Interchange with Guggenheim’s Richard Armstrong on Abu Dhabi Human-Rights Concerns

After Hurling Insults, Sotheby’s and Third Point’s Loeb Try to Kiss & Make Up (with video)

Pulling the Rug Out from Under the Corcoran and Disregarding William Corcoran’s Deed

Rotter Chatter: How Sotheby’s, with Reconstituted Board, May Recharge Contemporary Art Sales

News Flash: Financially Challenged National Academy Restructures and “Streamlines” Its Staff

My Q&A with Timothy Potts: Reinstalling the Getty Museum’s Antiquities (and more on the Getty Bronze)

Beaux Arts on Botox: The Frick Collection’s Planned Expansion

More on Expanded Clark Art Institute: Added Art, Hidden Entrance, Unintended Water Feature

Koons, Whitney, Wynn and My “Greater Fool” Theory of Trophy Art