Every week, Artnet News brings you Wet Paint, a gossip column from original scoops. If you have any advice, email Annie Armstrong at [email protected].
IT’S ALONE AT THE SUMMIT
In the weeks that followed Art Basel, a recurring question circulates amid the serene pause of market events and art previews: Why have so many American collectors decided to skip the Swiss marquee this year? This question is whispered with a tinge of anxiety and a dose of conspiracy. Maybe that means there really is a significant decline in art collecting in the United States? Or is it just because ParisMorethe brilliant little sister of Basel, prompted international collectors to choose just one European fair to attend each year?
After speaking with a handful of prominent American art advisors and collectors with a real in-game skin, the consensus is that the answer is quite simple: who wouldn’t choose Paris? The saturation of art fairs has created an abundance of choice in art consumption, and while Basel in Switzerland remains unquestionably at the top of the hierarchy, some collectors no longer see it as the offer they cannot refuse. .
“I only go to Basel Switzerland if it is also a launching pad for a [European] summer vacation,” revealed Los Angeles-collector Josh Abrahamwho skipped Basel this year, in an interview with Fresh paint. “But, lately, I’ve been shifting my energy towards London/Paris as it has a bigger combined punch, at least for me. It works better for me in terms of timing, but then Miami Basel then becomes debatable.
Prominent New York Councilor Allan Schwartzman guessed that most of his American collectors who pulled out of Switzerland this year did so for the same reasons. “After COVID, it became clear that the world wouldn’t stop if it missed a few fairs,” he said. “Among those who usually go there, two of them had personal matters to attend to.” As for the City of Lights? “I’ve heard people say they could imagine Paris Plus eclipsing Basel,” he said. “It’s a place where people want to go for other reasons. There are more hotel options, better restaurants. He added, however, “I know a lot of people who crave wurst and Kronenhalle.”
Not Scott Lorinsky. “I go to Basel in Switzerland quite rarely, because June is often difficult in terms of schedules, and the city of Basel is rarely enchanting,” said the New York-based collector., which did not participate in the fair this year. “October in Paris is much more spellbinding, and I plan to attend this year. I’m a little embarrassed to say that’s where my American perspective – ‘We’re there now, entertain us’ – comes in a bit stakes. ” (kurt cobain definitely wrote “Smells Like Teen Spirit” for the art collecting class, I can confirm that).
Beyond the lure of a more glamorous European capital, there is also, of course, this broader trend of a slowdown in art collecting.
“I felt this year in particular that the uncertainty in the market in general – the stock market, interest rates and the art market in general – made it easier for Americans to decide to go to Basel,” said NOTNew York-based collector Ronald HararWHO did end up traveling to Basel this year to buy. “I wouldn’t say that collectors choose one over the other, but Paris as a city has much more to offer than Basel. I’m going to Paris More Curly… but not in Basel.
MUGRABI’S DIVORCE SAGA CONTINUES
Libbie and David Mugrabi ©Patrick McMullan.
Photo: Will Ragozzino/Patrick McMullam
Can you believe it’s been five years since David And Libbie Mugrabi officially called it quits and sparked one of the most tumultuous, dramatic, and, admittedly, entertaining divorce proceedings of our time? The duo announced their multi-million dollar divorce the previous year Harry Maclowe rented a billboard to ‘proclaim his love’ to his new wife Patricia Landeua right next to his ex-wife Linda Maclowe‘s, making me think we may be in the golden age of divorce as street theater.
The latest update to the ongoing saga, which has so far included nannies who were really spiescountless new repositories shared assets (including the couple’s estimated $5 billion art collection), damaged Basquiat And Warholand more than a few delicious drawn quotes—is that Libbie recently showed up in Manhattan Family Court wearing a bulletproof vest, according to Page 6. Libbie wore the vest as she sought a protective order from her ex, alleging that David once hired a Russian hitman to kill her, and telling the judge, “My husband is a former wrestler from New York State. I was told his hands were weapons. (The only record of wrestling history I could find was a Mugrabi parenthesis Manhattan Preparatory School).
Talk to Fresh paint on the phone from Saint TropezDavid denied ever threatening Libbie’s safety, calling for a court appearance “a complete publicity stunt for her fashion brand.” (If you remember, Libbie runs a line of accessories called Libbie’s love which sells “Divorced Glam” trucker caps for $125 a pop, and recently crossed a legal tangle with a canned pineapple company.)
According to David, he appeared in court to refute Libbie’s claims after returning from Art Basel, but Libbie did not make the court date and so the charges were dropped. “It’s sad because some people need these legal services, but she just uses them for publicity,” he continued. “There are people who are really hurting and she is taking their resources. It was purely marketing. (A request for comment from Libbie’s side unanswered at press time.)
All in all, I truly wish peace, safety and grace to the estranged couple, both of whom seem deeply bruised by this protracted legal battle. But… have you ever seen a more epic hero image in a Page Six story? Wet Paint is not about to authorize the image, but please go ahead click this link again. The image of Libbie arriving at Manhattan Family Court in a sleek white dress, black shades and military-grade bulletproof vest against orange skies during the runoff from the Canadian wildfires? It’s just too much aware. Excess wealth, legal disputes and climate catastrophe are surprisingly intertwined here. Somebody get Sam McKinniss on the horn. It’s art, people.
WE HEAR
Someone bought this Bored Ape NFT in October 2021 for $3.4 million.
Today the highest bid is $57,380. pic.twitter.com/i3OZEZVzJx
— Chairman (@WSBChairman) July 3, 2023
THE Bored Ape Yacht Club the market is fully in its flop era (should we check on Paris Hilton And Snoop Dogg just to, uh, see how they’re doing?)… Jin the Van Laere gallery will open a second space in Rome… THE Jeff Koon sculpture inside the building 51 Astor is covered in plastic not because it was removed, but simply because it was cleaned in the summer… Vito Schnabel is looking for a new gallery assistant and is paying between $45,000 and $55,000 to the concert (at least there is PTO)… Mary Kate Olsen‘s ex, the French banking tycoon Olivier Sarkozyhuddle in the streets of London with a counselor Lara Bjork…
spotted
US billionaire Michael Rubin seemed to invite all the A-list celebrities, musicians and sports stars to his ‘White Party 2023’ eventpic.twitter.com/e2aBjZs50S
—Dexerto (@Dexerto) July 5, 2023
Have you spotted this giant Rachid Johnson painting in the background of the photos of the white party To Michael Rubinis home? *** Michel Avedon, Tripoli PattersonAnd Yung Jake at the opening night of the new watering hole Gold bar In South Hampton (what a name for a spot in the East, huh?) *** Lorraine O’Grady, Derrick AdamsAnd Toyin Ojih Odutola party at Shaker broken to celebrate Jack Shainman And Nicholas Vasselnew group show “We Buy Gold: Seven” *** Diane Kruger, Mike Bloomberg, Venus Williams, Georgia May Jagger, Alex IsraelAnd Maja Hoffman at the serpentine*** annual summer party *** Raul de Nieves play for the crowd at Tom from Finlandit’s a party with Diesel for the end of pride monthOr Julia Fox, Aurel SchmidtAnd earth eater danced all night ***
CASTING CALL
Visitors take pictures of Maurizio Cattelan Actor, for sale by Perrotin at Art Basel Miami Beach. Photo by Sarah Cascone.
Hello again! It’s been a few weeks since I offered you an art world scandal ready to be filmed. Let’s get back to it, shall we? Whoever emails me the best Hollywood lineup for the next movie idea will personally receive a rose Wet Paint Cap of your servant.
Given how bananas the world has turned Maurizio CattelanIt is Actor of Art Basel Miami Beach in 2019, and how many people ate the piece, I have to believe that could make for a pretty compelling film. So… imagine a Ruben Ostlund-style parody about an uninspired art student who encounters the piece and achieves world fame for eating it in a waterfall that eclipses the statement the original artwork intended (I’m taking some creative liberties here). Cast for me (1) the unassuming art student(2) Maurizio Cattelanand (3) a rabid Emmanuel Perrotin. Email your responses to [email protected].
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