Thomas Campbell Appointed to Fine Art Museums of SF Top Job; Pierre Bergé Can't Give It Away; Christie's African & Oceanic in Paris = $7.5m; How Much Is Too Much for Chop Suey?; Is TEFAF's Balcony Bar Ready for the Big Time?

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Tom Campbell to Lead SF’s Fine Art Museums

Charles Desmarais reports in the San Francisco Chronicle that the Met’s former Director, Thomas Campbell, has been hired to be the director of the Fine Art Museums of San Francisco. The appoint effectively completes a job swap between Campbell and Max Hollein who was recently appointed to a newly created role as Director of the Metropolitan Museum without the full responsibilities of CEO. Desmarias writes:

• “At a meeting of the FAMSF trustees Tuesday, the board chose Thomas P. Campbell as director. In that role, Campbell will assume responsibility for leading two of the Bay Area’s most prominent visual arts institutions, the Legion of Honor and the de Young Museum. His appointment comes at a time when the organization must restore confidence in the continuity of its leadership — the entrance to the director’s office has been a virtual revolving door for the past seven years — and continue to build on recent artistic and fiscal success. At the same time, Campbell must rehabilitate his own professional reputation after a rocky final period at the Met.”

Pierre Bergé’s Golden Touch

Sotheby’s sale of Pierre Bergé’s is only two-thirds through but it has already attracted more than 2500 bidders from 72 countries. The Paris sale has been rich in works by Bernard Buffet, Bergé’s partner before he met Yves Saint-Laurent, Orientalist works, paintings by Gericault, odds and ends by Warhol, Picasso, and a few old Masters. There were decorative works by the Lalannes. And a great deal more.

The Orientalist works made €5.5m against €1.5m estimates; the Buffets were bid to €4.4m over the €1.4m pre-sale expectations. An astonishing 92% of the lots sold above the high estimates. The last two sessions resume Wednesday.