Bridging a Generational Gap @ ARTSEEN

Those art worlders in-the-know, whomever they may be, have been touting a new frontier. These economic times have paved the way for regenerating new interest, and new artists ... the big-time artists' chips are down, and the once-stuffy galas and galleries are forgoing their usual $900 plates and frivolous to-do’s in favor of cocktails and casual bids. The end result is at once despairing and opportunistic; as new players enter, many important and recognized artists are rendered anonymous by a fledgling crowd. Take last night’s ARTSEEN, an auction held at the Friedrich Petzel Gallery to benefit NYFA, featuring “affordable art” at bidding prices starting under $400, posh sips by Bubble Lounge and a mix of predominantly young bidders, many of whom were unable to identify iconic artist Andres Serrano even though they were really stoked about the Real Housewives of New York City, namely Alex McCord and Simon Van Kempen.

The work was hung on the walls by silver thumbtacks, the bidding papers taped neatly below, and the pens tied with sparkly ribbon. Art to-be-seen replaced the usual “art scene.” The approach was refreshingly unpretentious, as was the friendly crowd boasting the likes of Bettina Prentice, Emma Snowdon-Jones, and Sabine Heller. Many walked around with outrageous head décor thanks to the hands-on creations prepared in the gallery corner by artist Edisa Weeks, as if to poke fun at the stuffy old-guard fashion of the art world’s past. I asked many of the young bidders participating in the auction what the driving point was behind their bids, and again received the most unstuffy of reactions: “Because I really liked it.” Anne Huntington took this route, placing her bid on a piece simply because she was drawn to it. “You can’t count on the economy,” she said of her potential investment.

The enthusiasm for the show was palpable, with guests mingling with Real Housewives’ Alex McCord and Simon Van Kempen, though staring quizzically at Serrano. Even Serrano was excitedly waiting his turn to speak with the Bravo reality stars, citing the fact that he watches The Real Housewives of New York City regularly and couldn’t wait to chat with the pair. When a PR person tried to introduce McCord and Van Kempen to the artist, they, along with most of the crowd stared blankly and asked “Who?”