The End (May 1999 - January 2008) - This is the end… my only friend, the end. The time has come at last to close this book called Abstract Art Online - at least as it was originally conceived. I began Abartonline.com in May of 1999 and over the past 7+ years have written, edited and published nearly 450 exhibition reviews, 14 essays, 56 artist profiles and 10 conversations with artists, critics and gallery owners. I haven’t made a dime doing any of this but what I’ve gained has been far more valuable to me then money. First and foremost, whether intended or not, I’ve become a writer and a fairly good one I think based on the feedback I’ve received from my readers over the years. I’ve also developed my critical eye which has permitted me to appreciate and enjoy a wider range of art then ever before. I’ve been asked to head up panel discussions and to write catalogue introductions for shows. But just as important have been the many conservations I’ve enjoyed with artists, critics and dealers. Sometimes these have lasted no more then a few minutes but in all cases they have been valuable experiences. But enough is enough. As much as I’ve enjoyed the viewing, writing, editing and publishing the whole thing is exceedingly time consuming coupled with the constant stress of meeting deadlines. To publish the New York Views column alone with say, 3 or 4 reviews, takes me about 10 hours of work beginning with viewing the shows and ending with the final posting of the reviews on the web. If I did not have the annoyance of the ‘day job’ I might be able to continue. But now I’ve become selfish with my time; this especially as my own art has been reinvigorated over the last few years. I’m also led to consider the architect Eero Saarinen’s dictate that “no one ever put up a monument to an art critic”. Another reason for backing away from critical writing is to develop and promote Galerie Cerulean which will now be the primary focus for Abartonline.com. Rather then simply address the art that’s available, I want to promote artists I believe in. However, despite making art and operating an online gallery I do not intend to abandon writing about art altogether. Having spent all this time honing my skills I will eventually return to critical writing (in about a year perhaps) but via other venues. In the intervening time I’ll be working on a collection of what I’ll call ‘musings’ about abstract art that have been building up over the years. Some of this content I’ve included as essays published on Abstract Art Online or as introductions to the New York Views columns. But I never had to the time to fully explore and develop this material. I’m hoping the next year will provide the opportunity to do so. In closing I’d like to thank everyone that has contributed in many ways large and small to the success of Abstract Art Online. This has included the many galleries, dealers and artists that have been so generous with time, assistance and especially images. A huge contributor to the success of the site has been my Assistant Editor (and wife) Janet Shapiro who in addition to being there as a sounding board for the writing has also be a pillar of support for everything else. The last word is that there are still archives to peruse on Abartonline.com including a list of every artist I’ve reviewed and which publication it appeared in. Copies of reviews are will be available upon request (as long as the volume is manageable). |
