Dear Readers

In this issue we take a look “Inside Art”—what’s inside the art world, other than art. This is a theme that has interested us for some time now, but it really hit home after I interviewed abstract painter James Hayward for our last issue on painting. One of the things he said (that didn’t make it into the interview) was that today the real art stars are the art dealers.

While that may not be a news flash—think Leo Castelli or Jeffrey Deitch—I can see how the artist can end up being a cog in the wheel of the complex machinery known as The Art World. But at the same time, an artist can also be the one calling the shots:  Takashi Murakami can pick any dealer he wants, while Damien Hirst chose to bypass the gallery and go straight to the auction house. Even so, the artist needs a facilitator to make a sale, whether it’s the auction house, dealer, art advisor or agent.

The art world has “progressed” into a microcosm of corporate America, and like most business empires, a hierarchy exists. Who rules The Art World, who is the star? Hayward suggests it’s the dealer, but we find it’s not always the dealer who is the one with the most cake. In fact, there seems to be more symbiotic relationships—albeit with a few parasites thrown in. And it’s a bit like the Wild West with openings and closings, art car parades and humongous installations at music festivals. Everyone wants to get in on the booming art scene, monetarily or just to be hip. For this issue on art-world insiders, we present a cross section: artist, dealer, advisor, curator, auction house executive, museum director.

Not so very long ago, the art world began to emulate corporations, with its need to grow—to hire CEOs, directors, assistants, and assistants who need assistants. Then came the peripheral art-related businesses to serve that expanse. The more adroit of these enterprisers can control the trend temperature. Most people need to be told what is hot and what they should buy. The art world is no exception. Art is a viable commodity, as lucrative as stocks and property, if not more so. And more and more people are figuring that out. We tapped into a few of those art venturers, along with established art players as well.

We’re looking “Inside Art,” which means contributor Christopher Michno goes right to the top and interviews LACMA Director Michael Govan, even with the elephant (Zumthor) in his office. Staff writer Ezrha Jean Black discusses the art market with Sotheby’s West Coast Chairman Andrea Fiuczynski. Tucker Neel gets to the bottom of cool with Western Project’s veteran art dealer Cliff Benjamin, and Victoria Looseleaf sits down with Outsider Art maven Paige Wery. But we don’t forget the artists! Artist Glenn Kaino is able to be still for a moment as he shares his latest projects and this issue’s Guest Lecturer Marnie Weber debuts her first feature film stills with us: one stunning image ended up on the cover.

We haven’t taken a break from art, we’re just looking inside art… and there’s so much to see. In order to understand the art world, you have to see how it actually functions. And by the way, Artillery thinks everybody is a star.