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Springing Forward: Bits & Pieces

Ironic that in the case of Warhol Foundation v. Goldsmith an otherwise astute member of the court’s liberal minority, Justice Elena Kagan, should offer a surprising arrogant and patronizing dissent that pretends to art-historical savvy while merely parroting postmodern “theory” and art-market rationales. […]

Peter Beard: A Farewell (1938-2020)

Collage/assemblage as a medium seems simple, but in practice is quite complex. Mr. Beard has mastered it on many levels, from the tactile and visual to the intellectual and intuitive. Everything in these works becomes integral to them, retaining its own flavor and texture while also blending with the other ingredients, as in a perfectly made stew. […]

Polaroid Collections: Another Ponzi Fatality?

Certainly no one expected any corner of the photo world to become entangled in the elaborate, byzantine schemes that have made headline news recently and brought down investment scammers such as the visibly non-archival Bernie Madoff. But that’s exactly what’s happened to the Polaroid Collection, which now faces a distinctly uncertain fate. It’s caught up in the international fiscal crisis — because Polaroid’s assets were purchased in 2004 by alleged Minnesota Ponzi schemer Tom Petters, presently in jail and awaiting trial on these charges in September 2009. Under these circumstances, title to ownership of the works isn’t clear; it seems likely the Petters fraud case will drag on for years, leaving the collection in limbo until it concludes. . . . […]