These are a few images (new and old) of the many travels of ArtHaus66 artist and friend Javier Albar

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Acceleration has now become a primary factor in the changing landscape of the art world. It has brought about a kind of sudden, unanticipated death that has not only stopped growth, but also triggered the disappearance of art from so many of its usual settings. In a glimpse of an eye, Art’s natural habitat has been compacted, downgraded, damaged beyond recognition.

The apparently firm, unyielding bedrock on which our feet rested has crumbled, disintegrated in a matter of months. Artists, galleries, even larger institutions are trying to claw their way up from the edge of the precipice and the success of their efforts has been mixed at best. We are no longer contending with the natural ebb and flow of a fragile ecosystem in which all players (artists, collectors, gallery owners, critics) are bound to each other to achieve balance, renewal and continuity. Instead, this is the scorched aftermath of the economic meteorite impact. A free for all, big fish eats small fish scenario.

Adaptation is now the new black. Artists lower their prices in an attempt to move their work. Galleries recalibrate their exhibition schedules and the type and amount of work that they can circulate. Strategic adjustments such as lower commission rates, payment plans, reduced hours of operation have sprouted from the burnt soil, but it is still very early to judge whether they will ensure survival or

The most infrequent species of all, the collector, has now practically vanished from the landscape. There are sightings every so often, but the great majority of people that now visit galleries belong to a very distinct variety of reticent consumer, the kind that scurries, no questions asked, and leaves as indistinctly as it arrived.

Many factors will determine the return of a thriving environment in the art business. Some of them, such as the economic recovery of the country at large, are out of our immediate control. However, there are areas that we can bolster from the ground up by engaging everyone involved (buyers, gallery owners, artists, framers) in a more cohesive, flexible and united effort to restore the art scene in Albuquerque. The strategies are simple, yet sometimes counterintuitive: lower your prices, advertise wisely, moderate your commissions, encourage collaboration with the artists, direct prospective buyers to other galleries and art venues, insist on quality of product, diversify your offering and improve affordability through payment plans. These are not magic wands, but rather the seeds to a more fertile market in the near future.

We have had two exhibits since the last time I had anything to post. We are now half way through the second of these shows. Times of Transformationis the title chosen for a group show that had as its main featured artist the work of Joie Villeneuve. She has shown with us before and this show marks her temporary return to the States from Australia. Beautiful work…very much in line with what we had seen before, although very influenced by her surroundings down under…

The preview evening was a nice event…Apparently, those who did not make it and were supposed to be there for the First Friday never made an appearance…Quite a disappointment for us as well as for the artist…although they get another chance this coming Friday, July 3rd…We hope to see them all there…I would not want then to miss the opportunity to see the work.

As I understand it, these paintings will remain in the States after the show is over. Do not hesitate to give us a call if you are later on interested in any of them.

The evening started out a bit slow and picked up after 6:00 pm…It seems to be a natural progression for most openings…People need to get home and have a bite before they head out…

In the end, the evening went very well. A lively crowd who thoroughly enjoyed the art work and asked a ton of questions about the artists…Frances Melhop’s photographs of faeries attracted a lot of attention…Guests were also very intrigued by Castelo’s technique…

Everyone agreed that the work was, not surprisingly, very unsusual for Albuquerque…A nice and interesting sneak peek at what’s being done elsewhere…

Sculptor Augustine Romero was in attendance and sold one of his unique, recycled sculptures titled Deathcart... Very appropriate for the upcoming Dia de los Muertos holiday…

We would like to say thank you to Sally Fox who gave us an impromptu jazz recital…Her voice was beautiful and the acoustics surprisingly good…

Congratulations to Jennifer Weiss, winner of the gorgeous giclee print by Joie Villeneuve titled “New York” from the Birds Series…Jennifer had the winning ticket in our raffle…Who can beat walking away from an evening of art and good food with a $75 print for only $1?

We will be raffling another work of art on November 7th…Don’t miss it!

If you missed the opening for this show, there will be another opportunity on November 7th for First Friday…As always, 5 to 9 pm…

Thank you all!