Synopsis
Longer analysis on the artworld practice of not labeling artworks in the booths of fairs. It's a strategy, sure. But it feels high handed, and I argued, ultimately proves counterproductive. Admonishing his peers, Paul Morris (RIP) co-founder of New York’s Armory Show, noted, ‘Look, you’ve already suspended all dignity by doing an art fair – which is always like some surreal combination of the Louvre and the Iowa State Fair. It’s the most crassly commercial venue on the planet. So you might as well concede to the time constraints of curators and collectors, by giving people as much information as possible. Not having tags just makes the dealer look lazy.” Amen, Paul! We miss such candor!
