Thursday Links: The Art Market and Ferrets Collide

•  Zach Feuer <3s Joel Mesler of Untitled. After launching a space together in Hudson last year, these two gallerists are now moving into a 3,500 square foot loft space (319 Grand Street) in the LES. Feuer will leave his gallery in Chelsea. “I’ve been in Chelsea for 15 years and I kinda wanted a change.” Feuer said. “I have a better time when I see shows on the Lower East Side, and I don’t mean that as a knock on Chelsea in any way.” Sure, who would see that as a knock? [Artnews]
• David Chipperfield has been picked to renovate the southwest wing of contemporary and modern art. That means more space for the contemporary collection (which will have to sublet a place at the Breuer Building) and twice as much Roof Garden. Get ready for the Met’s massive 2020 roof party! [Observer]
• More on NYC’s ferret vote: Earlier this week the city decided not to overturn its 16 year ban on keeping ferrets as pets. But of the 10 members voting five abstained. Why? Bruce C. Vladeck abstained because he decided he didn’t care about the subject. Other members abstained because they were worried about public health issues. Anyway, apparently hedgehogs are also banned pets in NYC. The next battleground?  [The New York Times]
• The TEFAF Art Market Report is out. Let me guess: the art market grew? Yes, indeed. The interesting tidbit here: Sales made at art fairs account for 40 percent of all dealer sales in 2014. The fairs are here to stay. [TEFAF]
• The best analysis of the TEFAF report, which has not yet been released in full, comes predictably from Marion Maneker. “The biggest issue is that McAndrew is simultaneously claiming a 7% rise in Euro terms (with a congruent 6% rise in transaction volume) and a 20% fall in Dollar terms” Also, there’s this: “Here’s another troubling statistic from the report. McAndrew says Contemporary and Modern categories account for 76% of all sales. Contemporary is just a hair’s breadth from becoming the majority of the market, McAndrew claims. That would be a landmark (and possibly unsustainable) event.” [Art Market Monitor]
• Josh Baer on the ADAA art fair: “A major exhibitor who brings a diverse group of major works each year explained why the fair has turned into ‘theme’ shows and one person booths, we think to the overall detriment to the fair. As there is an application process for the coveted booths all dealers must submit early on a plan for their exhibition – they can’t just say ‘trust us to bring great things as you know our program,’ instead they must come up with forced artificial ideas. We think the organizers should hit the reset button on their strategy.” [BaerFaxt]

Tagged as: ADAA, Bruce C. Vladeck, David Chipperfield, Joel Mesler, Josh Baer, McAndrew, TEFAF, Untitled, Zach Feuer