Is your current exhibition open to the public by appointment? And does it matter who the “public” is, i.e., only prospective buyers, art critics, art curators?
We switched to appointment only as a precaution before the shutdown announcement. Now the Bendix Building – and LA for that matter –  just closed completely until April 1st. As a result, I can’t even enter the building by myself, let alone do appointments.

 

View from the gallery.

Are you in touch with your collectors and are they still interested in buying art or are they showing hesitation due to the stock market slump? 
A couple of people are asking about things. Mostly we’re talking about life—checking in how each other’s family is doing, best places to scream into the void, will art-handling gloves protect us from the virus? That kind of thing. It’s a mutual support system.

In your opinion, how long will this temporary shutdown of the LA art world last?
I think galleries will be in “by appointment” mode until June. Hopefully we can have openings by this fall. But the world we face is changing so quickly; it’s impossible to tell.

 

Elyse Pignolet’s exhibition “You Should Calm Down” (2019)

 

How are you overcoming the challenges we are now facing? 
We haven’t overcome any of them yet! I’m prioritizing talking with our artists about ideas on how to share their art with people trapped in their homes. I’m committed to continuing to sell their works; artists were in precarious financial situations BEFORE the pandemic. So, we’re working to develop online shows where all us shut-ins can look and enjoy but also get a piece and support the artist and our program. I’m making videos about artists in our current show which is getting extended. We need collectors to support what artists do: birth into this world things that affirm life, which is imperative. 

 

Noa Yekutieli’s exhibition “Pedestal” (2019)

 

How can Artillery’s readers help galleries and artists while they are closed? 
Simple. If someone wants to support artists and the galleries that present them, they can buy art to help allay the cabin fever. Make virtual appointments whether it’s just an email exchange or FaceTime. Gallerists want to know what you’re interested in too. We are here ready to champion the art we love, so give us a chance to continue that while quarantined.

 

Director Sean Meredith at opening of Robbie Conal’s exhibition “Cabinet of Horrors” (2018)

 

It’s common knowledge that most gallery pedestrian traffic doesn’t buy art, so how does the closing of your gallery affect your business? And can you see this as a trend for the future?
Online sales are important to us, as are direct offerings to longtime collectors. But almost half of our sales happen with the collector in the gallery. What’s nice about visiting a gallery or museum is the speed of your walking controls viewing. Our click-fingers move very fast online and can suck the life out of the experience.  That said, people are going to be home a lot. I’m already considering an interior design overhaul. Anyone can collect art—whether it’s a painting, print or poster. It’s nice to keep company with things that can grab us by the collar and give our souls a rattle.

 

Mondongo’s exhibition “What Are We Gonna Say After Hello?” (2018)

 

During the Great Recession, were people still buying art? Can that still happen again? 
We sold a lot of art in 2007–09. But, we lost money every one of those years. In tough times, you want to do your best to work out deals with collectors, who themselves have less money. People will keep buying art, yes. What they collect and hang on their walls could change as all of our mindsets shift towards a new unknown future.

 

View of Track 16’s storage/work area.

 

You mentioned you are worried. Could the only silver lining of this situation be that art fairs are now canceled? (just adding a little humor here)…Is there anything surprisingly positive you have noticed so far? Or something you feel you or we all could learn from this?
I’ve had a few people—some I don’t know well—reach out and tell me how much they appreciate what we do (which was unexpected, but appreciated). Even as the director of the gallery, I’m uncomfortable with attention. Still, it was very touching to receive an email that included, “we can tell that your gallery is built on a genuine love for and understanding of Art and Artists.” I’m a dark-humored cynic, but I can’t help but be moved by the kindness our of community.