Well, which would you prefer first? The good? Or the bad? Let's start with the good.
The year started on a smug note for the two major museums in town. In January, with each institution cresting on the success of high-profile expansion campaigns, both the Walker Art Center and the Minneapolis Institute of Arts hired new directors -- and each snagged a rising star in the museum world. Olga Viso, a 12-year veteran of the Smithsonian, caused excited chatter with her graceful entrance at the Walker. A few weeks later, when Kaywin Feldman took over at the MIA, that chatter became a crescendo. For the first time ever, the directors of all three major museums in town -- including the Weisman Art Museum's Lyndel King -- were women, a circumstance that has failed to materialize in any other major U.S. city.
It seems 2008 was a good art year for the ladies. Feminist icon Judy Chicago, celebrating the hard-won institutional acceptance of her opus "The Dinner Party," stopped into the Flanders Gallery to show off the original ink studies she used for the project. Local art empress Emma Berg cruised through an eight-month curatorial marathon, booking six back-to-back shows at Fox Tax, including an Art-A-Whirl show that introduced us to up-and-coming 19-year-old painter Rudy Fig. Local scenester Pam Valfer finally gave us a solo show, getting simpatico with a few dozen fur pelts. And, as if to reward local women for their fabulousness, "Sex and the City" heartthrob Mikhail Baryshnikov turned the Weinstein Gallery into a swoonfest with a rare personal appearance at his opening there in July. (I know of at least two women who bought new dresses for the event.) Baryshnikov has been wowing critics with his action-blurred photos of Merce Cunningham choreography. We also hear he has a background in dance.
Now for the bad. The plunging economy dealt heavy blows to Minneapolis' Northeast Arts District. The Minnesota Center for Photography -- a regal institution if there ever was one, boasting 18 years of existence -- shut its doors in July. Thirteenth Avenue NE. lost another longstanding art venue as Gallery 13 moved downtown. And last time we checked, Artrujillo was trying to sell its building on 13th.
At the MIA, a major staff reorganization precipitated the resignation of Stewart Turnquist, the beloved coordinator of the Minnesota Artist Exhibition Program. With the 30-year veteran out of the picture, many feared the MAEP would lose the fierce independence that has made it so successful. Following a month of confused consternation, Feldman assuaged worry by keeping the program autonomous. The cynics needed only to look toward the viciously anti-corporate Hardland/Heartland show for proof. Hardland's band of enfants terribles continued to turn stomachs this year with their brand of aesthetic terrorism.
And finally, the affable Ben Olson, one of the area's best painters and a smiley fixture of the local art scene, took off to chase his fortunes in New York. Minneapolis will remember him for his bruisingly emotional portraits of himself and his now ex-wife, Emma Berg. But this writer will remember him as the first artist who ever granted me a studio visit. He told me then, "I just like to grab the big brushes and let it rip."
Let's hope the Big Apple doesn't crush this un-self-conscious attitude of rock 'n' roll.
