The Brian Lehrer Show: What's A Museum?

James writes:

In a sad week, it was a bright spot for me to appear on The Brian Lehrer Show (WNYC) this morning to discuss my essay "What's a Museum?" Brian was a joy to talk to and his listeners did not disappoint. It was also an honor to take note of the passing of Hilton Kramer, founding editor of The New Criterion and friend who wrote so forcefully and perceptively about museum matters, among many other topics, decades before anyone else.

Great comments and questions came in to the studio on air (full switchboard) and online (50 and counting). The segment is now available for streaming and free download. Readers/listeners can continue the discussion on the show's comments page and at The New Criterion.

Capital and its Discontents: Panel Discussion April 12

Loren Munk, "Bushwick Map (study)" (2010-2012), 42 x 36 inches, oil on linen.

CLICK HERE FOR POST-PANEL UPDATE

James writes: 

Please join me as I host the next Bogart Salon on April 12 on "Capital and its Discontents: Art, Money, Real Estate, and the Changing Face of Bushwick." My illustrious panelists are Ann Fensterstock (collector, arts patron, historian), Francis Greenburger (collector, founder of Time Equities), Loren Munk (artist), William Powhida (artist), and Natalia Sacasa (Senior Director, Luhring Augustine).

We are now taking RSVPs for this free event. Add your name to the list here.

Our conversation will be Bushwick specific while also attempting to take on some larger themes, in particular the relationship of money and real estate to the culture of art.

There’s little question that new capital--in the form of new collectors, new galleries, higher rents, etc--is now flowing into the once isolated artistic neighborhood of Bushwick. How could these changes play out, and how should Bushwick’s various stakeholders prepare for the change?

I'll have a wide range of voices on the panel to discuss these developments. In addition to the present, I am interested in hearing from those who can speak to what has happened historically as New York’s other arts neighborhoods (Soho, Chelsea, Lower East Side, Williamsburg) have gentrified.

Do you have a question you'd like to ask the panel? I want to hear from you. Simply direct your comments to @jamespanero & #bogartsalon on twitter.

Following the panel, Kianga Ellis and Trent Morse will continue and expand upon the discussion by leading a three-day event called "War Room." 

With special thanks to Peter Hopkins of Bogart Salon and Ted Hovivian of 56 Bogart. 

CAPITAL AND ITS DISCONTENTS: A DISCUSSION GROWS IN BUSHWICK. POST PANEL UPDATE HERE!

A Faith in Art

Wayne Roosa, now on view in the offices of First Things

James writes:

I'm honored that Matthew Cantirino at First Things has picked up on my review of "What I Know," the survey of contemporary art curated by the Bushwick-based impressario Jason Andrew. I'm also glad that Cantirino has offered up some additional information about the exhibition's unusual venue--a gallery on the 7th floor of 44 West 28th Street called NYCAMS.

The New York Center for Media Studies, as the institution is officially known, is much more than an exhibition space. It's a "faith-based artist and writing residency program" run by Minnesota's Bethel University that offers applicants the "opportunity to live, create, and interact in the cutting edge cultural capital of the world." Surrounding NYCAMS gallery space is a beehive of artist studios available to students twenty-four hours a day. NYCAMS also boasts an impressive roster of faculty members and advisors. I look forward to joining them when I speak at NYCAMS on March 28 about the role of social media in contemporary art. 

The director of NYCAMS is the Brooklyn-based artist John Silvis. A graduate of Bethel, Silvas is also a curator who has recently mounted two art exhibitions in the editorial offices of none other than First Things. The latest show features work by Wayne Roosa, an artist working at the crossroads of contemporary abstraction and faith. In an interview with First Things, Roosa describes how he tries to "preserve the ‘real presence’ of ourselves, our neighbors, and God."

The First Things gallery is open to the public every day 12-2 on the 6th floor of 35 East 21st Street, New York and Roosa's work will remain on view for another month.