Date: Fri 18-Jun-1999

Publication: Ant

Author: CAROLL

Quick Words:

Art1999

Full Text:

Best Fair Yet For Art 1999 Chicago

(with 36 cuts)

By Susan and Al Bagdade

CHICAGO, ILL. -- Produced by Thomas Blackman and Associates, Art 1999 Chicago,

which was presented in Festival Hall at Navy Pier from May 7-11, reported

spectacular sales of $60 million over the five-day international exposition.

This was a tremendous increase over last year's sales of $35 million.

Attendance was reported at 37,000, which was a slight decrease over last year,

but collectors certainly came to buy at this year's event.

"We took into consideration the strength of the international art market when

we projected a ten to 15 percent increase in sales for Art 1999 Chicago," said

Tom Blackman. "As the dealers reported consistently strong sales throughout

the exposition, we quickly realized our original estimate would be far

exceeded."

Vernissage `99, the opening night benefit for Chicago's Museum of Contemporary

Art, reported attendance of 2,180 guests -- and they raised $366,000 for the

museum. Vernissage, a French term for art openings, literally means

"varnishing day" and suggests the energy and excitement that surround the

opening of this major art event. There definitely was tremendous excitement

associated with this opening night which was produced by the Women's Board of

the MCA. Many exhibitors reported strong sales all during the preview that

continued through the next five days of the exposition.

More than 2,100 contemporary artists were showcased by the 214 exhibiting

galleries. The galleries represented 25 countries and 21 US cities. The

seventh annual Art 1999 Chicago was America's largest and most comprehensive

exhibition and sale of modern and contemporary works from around the world. A

tremendous variety of artistic style and media including painting, sculpture,

photography, printmaking, drawing, video, installation, and mixed media were

shown in Chicago. Prices ranged from $200 to more than $1 million.

Blackman reported that with 214 galleries exhibiting at the fair, it was

slightly larger than last year. "Almost 50 percent of the galleries showing

were not American galleries." This year 28 and 16-avant-garde dealers joined

the ranks as first time exhibitors. Everyone raved about the new 12 foot walls

that were used for the first time this year, even though they generated a host

of labor problems. Blackman indicated that there was an excitement and

enthusiasm about this year's show that he had not seen since the 1989 event.

Sales definitely confirmed that impression.

Special presentations and symposiums included "Ret.Inevitable 1.5:Cinema at

the Crossroads," a program of today's most adventurous film making, and

"Chicago Critics on Chicago Art," a brief overview on Chicago-area artists

through a slide presentation followed by a panel discussion.

Cynthia Cage from Robert McClain & Company of Houston, Tex., reported that

this was their fourth year at Art Chicago. "Chicago is always good for us. We

are the only gallery from Texas." A great opening, a very good and

knowledgeable crowd, a lot of interest in their sculpture and good sales all

contributed to their success. One of their featured artists was a Texan, Jesus

Bautista Moroles, who sculpts in granite. "Black Musical" from 1999 sold, as

did "Ellipse Column" in dusty rose granite. There was also a lot of interest

in New York artist Christian Eckart who does art and installation pieces, and

Ford Beckman with mixed media on canvas board. Color photographs by Robert

Rauschenberg entitled "Chinese Summerhall" from 1983 included "Bottles," "Fire

Hydrant," "Teapots," and "Profiles on Wall" for $3,500 each.

Galeria Toni Tapies-Edicions T from Barcelona, Spain, reported several sales

of work by Antoni Tapies as well as Jaune Plensa and Sol Le Witt. Diana

Lowenstein Fine Arts from Buenos Aires, Argentina, was featuring artists from

Argentina and indicated a lot of interest in sculptural pieces such as those

of Silvia Gai.

Fleisher/Ollman Gallery from Philadelphia, Penn., reported "overwhelming

attendance" at Art Chicago. Sales included most of the works by James Castle,

several drawings by Jim Nutt, an oil by Phillip Guston, and works by Tony

Fitzpatrick. Other sculpture included works by Bill Traylor, William

Edmundson's carved limestone sculptures "Angel" and "Birdbath," as well as

pieces by Ray Yoshida, Fernand Leger, and Jean Dubuffet.

Strong sales at all price levels, a good assortment of well known collectors,

and a lot of people new to her all contributed to a great fair according to

Chicago's Rhona Hoffman from the Rhona Hoffman Gallery.

London's Waddington Galleries reported "great attendance, good collectors, and

an excellent Friday." Sales included sculpture by Barry Flanagan, works by

Jean Dubuffet, Pablo Picasso, Mimmo Paladino, and Jacques Lipchitz.

Chicago's R.S. Johnson reported that "Chicago is always a successful fair for

us. By Saturday we had already done 80 percent of last year's sales with more

classical things." Edgar Degas's bronze, circa 1866, entitled "Study of a

Mustang" wore a sold tag by Saturday. Picasso, Leger, Rouault, Villon, and

Gromaire all drew a lot of attention.

Carl Hammer, of Carl Hammer Gallery from Chicago, reported that "it was a very

energetic fair with strong sales." He sold two Bill Traylors early in the

show. Carl also felt that it was a better mix of exhibitors with a better

balance this year.

From Galisteo, N.M., Linda Durham of Linda Durham Contemporary Art, commented

that the gallery "has never done as well as it has during this year's fair,"

and she has been coming for years. "The opening was very active and collectors

I sent letters to all came," she said. Durham represents New Mexico based

artists who came from different places originally. Works by Judy Tuwaletstiwa,

Raphaelle Goethals, Robert Kelly, and Joanne Yanoff were featured.

Chicago's Thomas McCormick, of Thomas McCormick Gallery, said "it's a fabulous

fair. We completely rehung the exhibit Saturday morning since we sold so much

by then. It is one of my best shows ever."

Jonathan Novak Contemporary Art from Los Angeles, Calif., said "it is the best

energy in a fair in the last ten years. People are looking with more

seriousness than in the last four or five years." Works by Joseph Cornell, Tom

Wesselemann, David Hockney, and San Francis all sold in Chicago.

Landau Fine Art, Inc, from Montreal, Canada, sold bronzes by Henry Moore,

Henri Laurens, and Lynn Chadwick. Picasso's portrait of Dora Maar came to

Chicago directly from Maar's private collection in France. It had been sealed

in a Swiss vault since 1952.

Vivita from Florence, Italy, featured Man Ray, Marcel Duchamp, and Francis

Picabia. Man Ray was also important for Galerie Marion Meyer from Paris along

with Max Ernst, Francis Picabia, Raymond Hains, and Rene Magritte.

"The new wall system is great. The fair looks the best ever," stated Arthur

Roger Gallery from New Orleans. "This fair continues to be a venue for

introducing new work. Chicagoans are receptive and open to new artists and new

ideas." One of their artists, John Scott, a recent McArthur award winner, was

being shown for the first time in Chicago.

Marlborough Graphics and Gallery from New York City sold Red Groom's "Hot Dog

Vendor V 1998," a mixed-media construction in a plexiglass box. There was a

lot of interest in the works of Richard Diebenkorn, Manola Valdes, Alex Katz,

John Alexander and David Armstrong. Tom Otterness's "Bear," a 1998 bronze

edition of six, drew a lot of second looks.

Galerie Bhak from Seoul, Korea, reported a better fair than last year and good

sales. Chicago's Robert Henry Adams reported "a solid opening night, as well

as a good Friday and Saturday." They were selling a broad array of both

expensive and reasonably priced drawings.

Galerie Thaddaeus Ropac from Paris, France, had an important US museum

negotiating for a Georg Baselitz painting. Andy Warhol's "Statue of Liberty"

was sold and was going back to Europe to a new home. They also sold an Alex

Katz painting and felt that the fair was more international this year.

New York's Richard Gray, of Richard Gray Gallery, was pleased with sales of

works by Robert Rauschenberg, Frank Stella, Max Ernst, Barry Flanagan, and

Louise Nevelson.

First-time exhibitors Galleria Continua from Sam Gimignnano, Italy, sold works

by Loris Cecchini, and featured Juan Monoz and other Italian artists. Showing

for her fourth year, Lisa Sette of Lisa Sette Gallery from Scottsdale, Ariz.,

was excited by the great response and was selling "a little bit of

everything." Artists featured included Kim Cridler and Rick Hards. Works by

Maurizio Pellegrin included objects the artist acquired. Said Sette, "this is

an obsessive collector of antiques who then uses them in his art." In

"Sensibility" 1999, the artist used fabric, velvet, color prints, objects, and

antique African slings.