Brooklyn is where the art is!
A prestigious monthly discussion of contemporary art has vacated its home in Manhattan in favor of Brooklyn, the city’s creative center. After a decade at Manhattan’s National Academy of Art and Design, the Review Panel has a new home in the Brooklyn Public Library’s Dweck Center. The move brings the panel closer to the makers that fuel New York City’s vibrant art scene, said its founder.
“I’m conscious of the fact that much of our audience is made up of artists who live and or work in Brooklyn,” said David Cohen, who is also the editor and publisher of artcritical.com. “It dovetails the desire to be closer to a younger and more creative audience and wanting to be in a public library.”
Brooklyn galleries are getting increased attention from the critical establishment, he said.
“Bushwick and exciting points south in Red Hook and downtown Brooklyn constitute quite a vital scene these days,” said Cohen.
The Review Panel brings together artists and critics to examine current exhibits at galleries and museums around the city, though the new spot may lead to an increased focus on Brooklyn shows.
“I think there will definitely be a more Brooklyn angle,” said Cohen. “We’ve always been interested in Brooklyn, so it’s not a radical departure but I think it will be natural to have more of a sense of Brooklyn.”
Changing the location also gives Cohen a chance to tinker with the night’s format at bit. The first panel in Brooklyn, held on Feb. 9, featured a novelist in addition to critics and artists.
“One of the things in rethinking the panel is seeking greater diversity in terms of the demographics of panels,” he said, “but also tapping the expertise of people beyond the art world.”
Cohen believes the move can attract a new audience without alienating its regular attendees.
“I find Manhattanites are happy to have an excuse to get to Brooklyn,” he said.
At the next Review Panel, scheduled for March 8, Cohen will be joined by critics Svetlana Alpers and Laurie Fendrich, and Brooklyn artist David Salle.
The Review Panel at the Brooklyn Public Library [10 Grand Army Plaza at Eastern Parkway in Prospect Heights (718) 230–2100, www.bklyn
