Jerry Saltz is answering questions from his readers on New York’s Vulture site with his Ask an Art Critic feature. One question was about the importance of the Frieze fair to which Saltz sees a sea change:
The five-figure sums spent on booths, the one-person shows of lesser-known artists, the backroom after-hours deals that paid for it all — they were gone. Apart from Frame, an excellent section of the fair with smaller booths for newer galleries, about 85 percent of the booths were hung with group shows. A sameness set in, and inspiration ran low.
Why? I think it’s because prices have gotten too high. It’s more difficult than ever for newer galleries to open, get traction, and survive their first five lean years, with prices of emerging artists’ work being as high as $30,000. Continue Reading