Roberta Smith lays it all out in a matter of fact way regarding the Koons curated New Museum show, Skin Fruit. To me it seems like a show calibrated for 2007 and people are going to hold the New Museum to higher standards because of the mission statement and presence of "New" in its name. The problem isn't Koons or the collector, it's the fact that the New Museum can't really afford to be behind the curve the way other New York Museums are... or even behind the those other institutions for that matter. Everyone wants the New Museum to be bleeding edge, but it isn't. Perhaps large group shows are simply the wrong way.

It's part of the reason PORT didn't get all Whitney-excited (even if several Portland friends are in it and the Museum linked to several of our articles). To me its like a cliff notes version of the art world and this iteration's focus on being conveniently self-conscious felt dated (anyone remember 2002?). Also,why must they always have a car or other wheeled vehicle in each version? Overall, the Whitney can get away with being a little behind the curve, in fact I think that is part of being a venerated museum and its a valuable way to intersect with those who are not 100% art world creatures. Honestly, Id like to see Museums put on more small group shows 3-5 artists... politically that's a rats nest to navigate as a curator but that is what these times require. Will the Portland Art Museum's CNAA's be up to that challenge regionally? Balancing politics and freshness is difficult for large institutions.

The NYT's also did a piece on the Armory, a confab which in my mind has somewhat overshadowed the Whitney Biennial.... even in this diminished economic climate. PORT's award winning Amy Bernstein will have a report soon.