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Andre Balazs

AB on AB: Andre Balazs' Thoughts on Art Basel

December 17, 2007 at 11:15 AM | 1 Comment

Now that Art Basel has been put to bed, it's time for everyone to dissect this year's fair. Was it good? Was it bad? Has it jumped the shark? Is it now just full of poseurs or tourists in fanny packs as Fast Company mentioned?

The answer is probably yes.  Even Andre Balazs thinks it was a bit overblown. In an interview with the NY Observer he said:

"Every year it's more and more of a circus and a phenomenon."

It's interesting that he would use the word circus considering that his own hotel The Raleigh was actually promoting a circus, SpiegelWorld, during Art Basel. (The show begins Dec. 20th and runs through Feb. 6.)

Still Andre was careful not to diss the art fair completely saying he had respect for the art and culture pushers who make Art Basel happen.