Chelsea During ABMB

Many galleries in Manhattan's Chelsea contemporary art district will have been left sparsely staffed this week, as much of the art world partakes in the winter respite and bacchanal that it is Art Basel Miami Beach (ABMB). What's it like holding down the fort in the ghost town of the West 20s? Figure Painting asks the staff of four bold-face galleries.

Jeffrey Rowledge, Gallery Assistant/Receptionist, Paula Cooper Gallery

Figure Painting: Is it dead in Chelsea this week?
Jeffrey Rowledge: It's been really, really quiet. Mainly just groups from schools and stuff. Not really collectors or consultants.

FP: Do you wish you were in sunny Miami instead of in this deep freeze?
JR: Considering the weather, yes. It's so cold here.

FP: When the cat's away, do the mice play?
JR: It's pretty tame here. It's a good week to catch up. That's what I've been trying to do. Catch up on some archiving.

Ryan Milliken, Gallery Assistant, Paul Kasmin Gallery

FP: Do you wish you were in sunny Miami instead of in this deep freeze?
RM: Absolutely.

FP: Do you end up "working" at ABMB from afar?
RM: Yes. We deal a lot with that stuff — looking up clients, sending stuff they need to them, sending images of works.


FP: When the cat's away, do the mice play? Or is it pretty tame?
RM: It's pretty tame.