Tonight director Joyce Zylberberg premieres her documentary film “Off the Canvas” at Art Basel’s Art Video Lounge. The film traces the careers of nine top gallerists: Andrea Rosen, Holly Solomon, Ileana Sonnabend, Paula Cooper, Barbara Gladstone, Virginia Zabrinskie, Mary Boone, Marian Goodman and Annina Nosei. The film takes a hard look at the difficulties these female dealers faced, through interviews with artists, curators, collectors, museum directors, and dialogue with each of the gallerists concerned. Far from being a pat on the back, the film offers insight on how these women have built their businesses. Neal Benezra. Eric Fischl, Jeff Koons, Eli Broad, Ross Bleckner, Agnes Gund, Gary Garrels, Gerhard Richter, Jay Fisher and Miami collectors, Don and Mera Rubell are just a few of the people who offer personal stories about the dealers. Some interesting tales are Virginia Zabrinskie’s account of how she bought the Korman gallery, including their stable of artists, for $1 and Annina Nosei explains that she gets a thrill from discovering new artists, but does not want to support them. In response to one dealer’s claim that she is the “tragedy of the art world,” she says, “Don’t feel sorry for me. I have more houses than all of them.”
“Off The Canvas” is being screened today at 10 pm in the Art Video Lounge located in the Rotunda, next to the Miami Beach Public Library between 21st and 22nd Streets.
Originally appeared in The Art Newspaper as 'Dishing the dirt on NY’s women dealers'