Photography by Keith Berson. David Zwirner outside his Los Angeles galleries in Melrose Hill during the opening in May 2023.

David Zwirner

FOUNDER, DAVID ZWIRNER GALLERY

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU SURPRISED YOURSELF IN YOUR WORK?

When Sarah Michelson agreed to join the gallery. Sarah is one of the true innovators and outstanding artists in the world of dance, but has no history of making artworks per se. Her two projects—the first in New York in 2021, and the second in our new Los Angeles gallery this year—have been highlights.

WHAT’S ONE BOOK, WORK OF ART, ALBUM, OR FILM THAT GOT YOU THROUGH AN IMPORTANT MOMENT IN YOUR LIFE?

I read Thomas Mann’s The Magic Mountain twice. Once as a teenager and then again recently. It was fascinating to me how the work affected me so differently in these two stages of life.

““I read Thomas Mann’s 'The Magic Mountain' twice. Once as a teenager and then again recently. It was fascinating to me how the work affected me so differently in these two stages of life.””

NAME AN INFLUENCE OF YOURS THAT MIGHT SURPRISE PEOPLE.

I’ve looked to Miles Davis again and again for inspiration, starting in my teens.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SEE MORE OF IN YOUR INDUSTRY? LESS OF?

Collegiality has always been a hallmark in our industry. Lately, press coverage and general narrative have centered on competition, not collegiality. I hope we can reverse this trend and get back to a friendlier place that’s more like the way I experienced it when I started.

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