Art Market Monitor

Global Coverage ~ Unique Analysis

  • AMMpro
  • AMM Fantasy Collecting Game
  • Podcast
  • Contact Us

Riding the Rubell's Coattails

July 7, 2011 by Marion Maneker

Washington’s City Paper describes the efforts of Alex Ventura and Victoria Milko to mount a rival art fair to the upcoming Rubell sponsored (e)merge art fair taking place in late September in Washington, DC:

Now the Rubells seems to be betting on D.C. as an emerging hub of contemporary art—but Ventura and Milko aren’t convinced they’re bringing the missing infrastructure they bemoaned.

“What we’re doing is already going on,” Ventura says, describing the setting for the But Is It Art? fair. “Southwest, a hotbed for artists? That’s just not true.” He says the Rubells engage in a practice of “art tourism” that might be good for the Capitol Skyline and their forthcoming hotel-cum-museum at the former Randall School property a few blocks away at 65 I St. SW, but has little connection to the city’s artists. “There’s a reason [the Rubells] own hotels. They’re not doing it pro-bono. It’s naïve to say they’re trying to help D.C. people out.” […]

Both Ventura and Milko acknowledge that the (e)merge fair helps them from a marketing angle. Ventura describes But Is It Art? as an unofficial “step-sister” fair; he knows artists applying for both (e)merge programming and anti-(e)merge programming. “Let’s be honest,” Ventura says. “It’s a great opportunity to steal their publicity.” […]

“These people have not contacted us,” [Leigh] Conner [one of (e)merge’s founders] says, “but I think it’s fantastic.” She says that (e)merge aims to be inclusive and to broadcast other arts events within the city, including, potentially, But Is It Art? “Casting things as mainstream versus alternative—I’m not sure those are the right terms. If like the Armory, if like Art Basel, if what (e)merge is doing is inspiring others, we’re happy that a satellite is happening.”

Fair Apparent: As the Massive (e)merge Art Fair Looms, Curators Plan a DIY Alternative (Washington City Paper)

 

More from Art Market Monitor

  • (sub)merge(sub)merge
  • Reclaiming the National GalleryReclaiming the National Gallery
  • Hirshhorn's Bubble LogicHirshhorn's Bubble Logic
  • National Gallery Buys $7m ArcimboldoNational Gallery Buys $7m Arcimboldo
  • When Is An Art Work Also a Bookstore?When Is An Art Work Also a Bookstore?
  • DC Dealers Go OutsideDC Dealers Go Outside

Filed Under: Art Fairs Tagged With: DC, Washington

About Marion Maneker

LiveArt

Want to get Art Market Monitor‘s posts sent to you in our email? Sign up below by clicking on the Subscribe button.

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

twitterfacebooksoundcloud
Privacy Policy
Terms & Conditions
California Privacy Rights
Do Not Sell My Personal Information
Advertise on Art Market Monitor