Art Market Monitor

Global Coverage ~ Unique Analysis

  • Contact Us
  • Podcast
  • Newsletter
  • AMMpro

A Deitch Conspiracy Theory a Day

January 14, 2010 by Marion Maneker

Apologies for having overlooked this in a previous post on Christopher Knight’s Los Angeles Times story trying to unpack the meaning–and dangers–lurking within the appointment of Jeffrey Deitch as director of LA’s MoCA. For Knight, being an art dealer means admitting that you’re the spawn of Satan. Or so it would seem from these guesses about the board’s motives:

Virtually every planning move its new director makes will raise questions about its relationship to Deitch’s veiled commercial entanglements, which are long-standing and international in scope. For instance, one question already swirls: Is MOCA partly making a play for the blue-chip collection of Dakis Joannou, 69, the Greek construction magnate, hotelier and Coca-Cola franchiser?

Joannou, a trustee of New York’s New Museum, where he is embroiled in a controversy over that institution’s decision to show a small portion of his 1,500-work collection in March, has said he has no intention to build a private museum. Deitch sparked Joannou’s original interest in contemporary art a quarter-century ago and has been his close advisor ever since.

LA MoCA Pick: Bold or Just Biz? (Los Angeles Times)

More from Art Market Monitor

  • LA MoCA Haven for RevolutionariesLA MoCA Haven for Revolutionaries
  • 'Jeffrey Deitch Isn't Scared of Anything''Jeffrey Deitch Isn't Scared of Anything'
  • Art is Deitch's AssetArt is Deitch's Asset
  • Hitler’s Bunker Meme Gets ArtyHitler’s Bunker Meme Gets Arty
  • Art vs. CommerceArt vs. Commerce
  • Deitch Eyes SoCal EmpireDeitch Eyes SoCal Empire
  • Print
  • Tweet

Filed Under: Critics Tagged With: Deitch, LA MoCA

Advertise on Art Market Monitor with Nectar Ads

Top Posts

  • Phillips London Contemporary Has Richter, Kippenberger and Lichtenstein
  • Sotheby's Celebrates Bauhaus's Centenary with 25 Works in Imp-Mod Sales
  • Agnes Gund & Oprah Winfrey Lead Auction of Women Artists at Sotheby's to Benefit Miss Porter's School
  • Christie's Announces $70m Picasso Self Portrait
  • Frank Stella Sells Some Work—His Own and Others—at Christie's
  • David Hockney's $20m Pacific Coast Highway & Santa Monica
  • Four of Picasso's Women Valued at $28m Come to Christie's from Rose-Walters Collection
  • Ludwig Deutsch Leads Bonhams £2.59m 19th C Sale
  • Frieze LA Sales Report
  • Newsletter


  • About Us/ Contact
  • Podcast
  • AMMpro
  • Newsletter
  • Art Loans
  • FAQ

twitterfacebooksoundcloud
Privacy Policy
Terms & Conditions
Advertise on Art Market Monitor