Kara Vander Weg, managing director at Gagosian Gallery, has been instrumental in shaping the afterlife of an artist's work through her 'Building a Legacy Program'. The program was launched in 2017 as a response to Walter de Maria's death without a will. De Maria had collaborated with Gagosian for decades and the gallery stepped up to help address immediate practical needs and nuanced decisions regarding his intentions.
The process involves balancing market considerations with curatorial or scholarly fidelity. It is an interconnected process, where good curatorial work helps bolster an artist's market, while also preserving their legacy. The program has been successful in realising de Maria's wishes through exhibitions, publications, and partnerships with institutions such as the Menil Collection.
Symposia have emerged as a valuable resource for knowledge-sharing between artists, estates, and scholars. Recent events gathered experts to discuss key issues on people’s minds regarding legacy stewardship. The importance of hiring an archivist has been highlighted by industry professionals. Waltraud Forelli pointed out that this helps in the transfer of knowledge and ensures a younger generation takes over.
This process has also resonated with younger artists such as Titus Kaphar who are building institutions during their lifetimes. Providing space for community projects, supporting other artists, and engaging philanthropic efforts are becoming increasingly important aspects of legacy planning.
The collaboration between Gagosian and the de Maria Estate serves as a model for other artists to follow. These artists have a clear sense of purpose regarding the direction of their work and its legacy. They maintain control over their creative vision while also being strategic in resource allocation and museum connections.
The process involves balancing market considerations with curatorial or scholarly fidelity. It is an interconnected process, where good curatorial work helps bolster an artist's market, while also preserving their legacy. The program has been successful in realising de Maria's wishes through exhibitions, publications, and partnerships with institutions such as the Menil Collection.
Symposia have emerged as a valuable resource for knowledge-sharing between artists, estates, and scholars. Recent events gathered experts to discuss key issues on people’s minds regarding legacy stewardship. The importance of hiring an archivist has been highlighted by industry professionals. Waltraud Forelli pointed out that this helps in the transfer of knowledge and ensures a younger generation takes over.
This process has also resonated with younger artists such as Titus Kaphar who are building institutions during their lifetimes. Providing space for community projects, supporting other artists, and engaging philanthropic efforts are becoming increasingly important aspects of legacy planning.
The collaboration between Gagosian and the de Maria Estate serves as a model for other artists to follow. These artists have a clear sense of purpose regarding the direction of their work and its legacy. They maintain control over their creative vision while also being strategic in resource allocation and museum connections.
It's like, totally genius how they're helping artists plan for the afterlife of their work - I mean, who hasn't worried about what happens to our art and creative vision when we're gone? 
It's not just about leaving a lasting legacy, but also making sure it gets into the right hands. The fact that they're balancing market considerations with curatorial or scholarly fidelity is key - you don't want your art to be some random cash-grab, you know? 
That's like, the ultimate game-changer for passing down your creative vision to future generations. I've seen it with some of my own artist friends who are starting their own institutions - it's amazing how much more intentional and thoughtful you become when building something that'll outlast you.
. It's all about community and philanthropy, which is super important.
. Hiring an archivist, for instance, helps transfer that knowledge to the next gen. And it's not just about the art itself, but also about how it can impact people's lives in a positive way 
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It's so inspiring to see younger artists taking matters into their own hands and building institutions during their lifetimes. And that archivist thing? Total game-changer! 
. And can we talk about how awesome it is that symposia are emerging as a resource for knowledge-sharing? I've been trying to get more into art history, but this just makes me even more eager to learn! 
. It's about time, right? The idea of legacy planning is becoming more important than ever, especially with the way art markets can be unpredictable 
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. I think that's what makes this program so inspiring 
! kara vanderweg is literally changing the game with this 'building a legacy program' 
she's like the ultimate superhero for artists 
who dont wanna leave their mark on earth just yet 
. its so cool to see her working closely with titus kaphar and the de maria estate to bring out the best of their art 
. and i love how she's all about balancing market stuff with curatorial fidelity 
like, who else is gonna make sure an artist's work stays true to themselves while also getting the recognition it deserves? 
. And the growth rate? A staggering 4% annually for the next 5 years! 
it's not just about making sure the art gets shown but also about preserving its meaning & impact in the long run 
anyway, this program is def a game changer 4 all the artists out there who wanna make sure their work lives on 
. I think this movement is going to have a huge impact on the art world, especially when it comes to issues like community projects and philanthropy – let's get more of that support! 