Archives for November 2008

I take it back.A couple of weeks ago I blasted (without naming it) the new book Loot, a chronicle of the recent antiquities wars, by former NY Times culture reporter Sharon Waxman. The only thing I then knew about the book's contents was the outrageously irrelevant bit of tabloid journalism that was excerpted for advance publication on Tina Brown's recently launched … [Read more...] about Sharon Waxman’s “Loot”: A Definitive History of the Antiquities Wars

HELP ME! Auctioneer Tobias Meyer, about to be possessed by the "Vampire" behind himFair warning. Last chance. Passed.That, or some variation on that, was heard 25 times as Tobias Meyer dutifully slogged through what must have been his roughest outing ever on the Sotheby's podium. ("Passed," of course, means that the work failed to sell because bids didn't reach the level of the … [Read more...] about Curse of the “Vampire”: A Scary Night at Sotheby’s

It's the beginning of New York's big auction season, art-lings, and lots more than the lots is at stake. Just remember that in these financially challenging times, anything short of a bloodbath will be touted as evidence that there's still some money around for quality art. The auction houses have reportedly been hammering down consignors' expectations in an attempt to lower … [Read more...] about Auction-House Cryptography: What the “∆□OV” Are These Crazy Symbols?

The Met's Tom Campbell: Role model for curators-turned-directors The Center for Curatorial Leadership has just named its second class of curators who wish to be groomed for leadership positions. Actually, two of the 10, listed below, already have "director" in their titles. I guess they're hoping for bigger and better things, or more expertise in handling their current … [Read more...] about Who Wants to Be a Museum Director? New Crop of CCL Fellows