On the morning before the perennially anticipated start of Frieze New York, which features over 65 galleries this year at The Shed in Hudson Yards, Artlogic brought together a panel on on “The Art of Collaboration” at the new Fifth Avenue Hotel. The discussion gave the art world an opportunity to peel back a bit of the mystique that surrounds the relationship between collectors and dealers.
Guests—including David Nolan Gallery Principal Valentina Branchini, Volta Director Director Lee Cavaliere, Sean Kelly gallery Director Lauren Kelly, and Artsvp CEO Max Mallows—enjoyed an array of pastries, small bites, freshly brewed coffee, and cold pressed juices around the bright white space, peering through the powder blue curtains as they overlooked a cloudy 28th Street. As the hotel’s third floor buzzed with conversation, Artlogic president Joe Elliott took the stage at the front of the room, where the panelists sat and kicked off the morning’s centerpiece with his take on the panel’s topic: “At its essence, the foundation between collectors and dealers lies in trust and a shared love of art.”
Moderating the event was CULTURED Editor-at-Large Julia Halperin, who introduced the panel consisting of Lehmann Maupin’s Carla Camacho, collector and vice chairman at J.P. Morgan Rodney Miller, Frieze Americas Director Christine Messineo, and collector and Lucifer Lighting brand Vice President Roselyn Mathews. Camacho, who describes her approach to collecting as an “occupational hazard,” held a unique role in the lineup, being both a dealer and a collector.
Halperin guided the conversation, discussing topics such as the origins of their respective work, how they choose what pieces to buy, and how they decide who to work with. “I ask biographical questions,” Miller answered, “Who people are at their core. I want to know the integrity of the collector.” Messineo chimed in with her perspective as the opposite role: “Having been in a dealer position for so long, it’s hard to know who to take seriously.”
To cap off the discussion, Halperin asked the panelists a revealing final question—“What's your preferred method of communication with your collector or dealer?” Camacho disclosed she prefers WhatsApp, as it’s conducive to sending videos and images, but admits certain collectors are not interested in getting texts; Mathews and Messineo have email as their go-to, but agree with Camacho in their fondness for WhatsApp’s accessibility; and Miller prefers in-person interactions over digital altogether, but candidly admitted, “I’m a little offended. I don’t have a WhatsApp relationship with any of my dealers,” sparking laughter among the audience.
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