Artnet News's Wet Paint column reports that Lomex gallery founder Alexander Shulan and art advisor Ralph DeLuca are partnering to open a new gallery, Lomex Las Vegas, in an old atomic ranch home three miles from the Strip. The space, located in a historic neighborhood where parts of Martin Scorsese's 'Casino' were filmed, will feature seasonal exhibitions, performances, and events curated by Shulan, with a new roster of artists distinct from Lomex's existing lineup. Separately, the column introduces Marvin, an AI-generated Instagram influencer who mimics a techno-optimistic art speculator and leaves ChatGPT-style comments on art world accounts.
This matters because Lomex Las Vegas signals a growing interest in Las Vegas as a serious art destination, challenging the dominance of traditional hubs like New York and Aspen. The venture reflects a desire to inject fun and irreverence back into the art world, which DeLuca and Shulan see as having become overly serious and political. Meanwhile, the emergence of Marvin highlights the ongoing, often controversial, experimentation with AI in the art sphere, raising questions about authenticity and value in digital art engagement.