Roger Ballen, from his ‘Shadow Chamber’ series
This was picked up elsewhere (A Photography Blog, Gawker, More Intelligent Life [who also recently had an article on how the average public is culturing up which is worth a look]) but I couldn’t help reposting this for the sheer bitchiness of the tone. The following is reprinted from a memo that super-gallerist Larry Gagosian sent out to his staff.
If you would like to continue working for Gagosian I suggest you start to sell some art. Everything is going to be evaluated in this new climate based on performances. I basically put in eighteen hours a day, which any number of people could verify. If you are not willing to make that kind of commitment please let me know. The general economy and also the art economy is clearly headed for some choppy waters; I want to make sure that we are the best swimmers on the block. The luxury of carrying under-performing employees is now a thing of the past. [emphasis mine]
Yay recession!
The Gagosian Gallery, btw, shows Roger Ballen, Gregory Crewdson, Cindy Sherman, Richard Prince, and plenty of other non-photography related art stars I couldn’t be bothered to mention.
Tags: Cindy Sherman, Larry Gagosian, Richard Prince, Roger Ballen