Dealer Michael Findlay Pens ‘New Yorker’ Art World Defense
Michael Findlay in Abu Dhabi. © Photo: Lindsay Pollock
Acquavella Galleries director Michael Findlay says the “art world is no more or less cloistered than the entertainment world, the landscape-gardening world, or the real-estate world,” in a New Yorker letter to the editor published in the Aug. 2 issue.
Findlay responds to David Grann’s otherwise illuminating article in last week’s issue (The Mark of a Masterpiece July 12 & 19) questioning the fingerprinting tactics of Peter Paul Biro. (That story, which I recommend, is here).
Grann wrote that the matter of authentication is complicated by “the public’s distrust of the cloistered art world.”
Findlay begs to differ. He points out that art galleries are free and open to the public, as are pubic auctions. Further, museums endeavor to attract and educate visitors.
The dealer blames any “cloistered” sensibility on “outlandish claims of authenticity by people motivated by avarice.”
How do we find Michael Findlay letter?
The letter is printed in the current issue of the New Yorker but is not available on-line.
Thanks. Can’t wait for David Grann’s next article on the Ansel Adams/ Uncle Earl negatives.
You were reading my mind.
Thanks for the tip. Grann’s article was fascinating. I’d have missed it as my New Yorker subscription expired. Will recommend it to my graduate students
David Grann investigated for PLAGIARISM. New Yorker sued for FALSE REPORTING , LIBEL:
http://www.cjr.org/regret_the_error/new_yorker_under_siege.php?page=all
http://www.ajr.org/Article.asp?id=4896
Neither of the links posted by Michael Solomon mention David Grann. Could you please explain your comment?
RETRACTION OF ARTICLE / APOLOGIES ISSUED
A full retraction appeared in the August 27 issue of the East Hampton magazine, Dan’s Papers, which was based on David Grann’s libelous article in the New Yorker, according to the editor. The web page version of the article has also been removed from the website. Corrections have also been made to the Grann article. (see below)
CORRECTION
In an article about Jackson Pollock in this newspaper two weeks ago, it was indicated that art expert Peter Paul Biro or members of his family had committed fraud or other crimes and had spent time in jail. This is not the case, and we regret the error.” (Dan Rattiner, Editor)
Page Removed:
http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:0OTyqIZOnSsJ:www.danshamptons.com/c ontent/danspapers/issue21_2010/03.html+dan’s+papers,+biro&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us
ANOTHER RETRACTION
Threatened with a libel suit, journalist Judith H. Dobrzynski of Arts Journal, retracted an article in which she libelously referred to the art expert as a “a con man”.
http://www.artsjournal.com/realcleararts/2010/08/fingerprint-scam.html
These retractions, apologies and corrections come on the heels of the $100Million lawsuit against Christie’s Auction House, which names Peter Paul Biro as a scientific expert witness for the plaintiff.
The New Yorker, which David Grann is employed, is owned by Si Newhouse, one of the top 200 collectors in the world and major client of Christie’s, according to Art News Magazine.
It is alleged that New Yorker Magazine made an attempt to eliminate Biro as a star witness against their associate, Christie’s Auction House, by assassinating his character in the July 12, 2010 article.
Footnote: David Grann’s father-in-law, John Darnton, was named Curator of the George Polk Awards in 2009. In 2009, David Grann won the very prestigious and “highly competetive” cash award. Small world.
http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/04/16/former-times-editor-will-manage-polk-awards/
Looks like hammer falling down Grann. It is amazing how you read informatoins, believe, then the writer turns to be shill, untruthful. What a disappointments.