"Saltz’s Devastating Tour Through Chelsea’s Ruined Art Galleries"

By Jerry Saltz, nymag.com, Nov. 1, 2012

Excerpt:

Many ridicule Chelsea galleries as flesh-eating pariahs. I think they're part of our life blood, the collective organism that in many ways makes New York one of the most thriving centers for art on earth. These ridiculed and reviled galleries are places you can go for free, run by strange people with visions who want to help artists by showing and selling their work. It's become an international pastime to attack these galleries simply for being what they are: large and commercial. I love them. All. More than ever.

Walk through Chelsea in the next couple of weeks as clean-up and repair continues. Notice that some spaces look so wrecked that it'll be extraordinarily hard for them to get back on their feet. Many galleries will somehow have to try and rebuild while getting through the next couple of months of not being open or being able to show or sell art, all while still paying rent and bills. Even the most cold-hearted gallery bashers should wish the best for all these galleries. Every one. Palaces of art and mom-and-pop shows. Right now, along with much of our beautiful city, Chelsea galleries are going through hell. A huge part of the New York art world has suffered a colossal blow. Thinking about New York without its density of galleries is like not being able to think about New York at all. Grim.

For further info elsewhere on the net:

• Chelsea the Day After the Storm [Updated] @ GalleristNY
• VIDEO: Chelsea Galleries Pick Up the Pieces Post-Sandy @ Artinfo
• Chelsea Galleries Begin Recovery Work @ GalleristNY
• "All of Chelsea Has to Rebuild": Galleries Face Grueling Recovery After Storm @ Artinfo
• From Sodden Art to Skyrocketing Insurance, Galleries Tally Hurricane's Cost @ Artinfo
• Hurricane Sandy Leaves Greenpoint Studios Wrecked, Destroying Years of Work @ Artinfo
• Waterfront Art Spaces in DUMBO Begin to Recover From Sandy’s Destructive Impact @ Artinfo
• In Post-Sandy Gowanus: One Gallery Devastated, But Most Survived Canal Overflow @ Artinfo