An emerging trend in New York appears to be the return of the private salon. Wherein a generous host opens his/her space to an equally emerging artist””just for the night. Eschewing the politics of the gallery scene, these evenings give a young artist the chance to show work unencumbered by the dictates of the art world or art press (though one suspects a critical following could emerge as well), and to an audience of appreciative collectors looking to find the next hot number; or to simply buy art directly from an artist sans gallery, and gallery fees. One such event, held recently in Harlem, showcased the work of artist and art-impresario, Adrian Kondratowicz (known by the simpler appellation of Adrian) In a show called Face Value, this former Helmut Lang model””who still gives good face””delivered a tidy but extraordinary body of photographic collage self-portraits. Also available for portrait commissions, Adrian and his work can be seen up-close at www.ak-studio.biz. Join us as Theodore Bouloukos is given a guided tour in this first of a series on the private salon trend in New York. Video work is courtesy of Greg VanderVeer.
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