Arne Glimcher, the 87-year-old founder of Pace Gallery, opened a satellite gallery called 125 Newbury in Tribeca in 2021 after his son Marc, Pace's CEO, told him he would have to wait three years for a show slot. The gallery, named after Pace's original Boston address, operates under Pace's umbrella but focuses on experimental, scholarly exhibitions that often feature artists not represented by Pace. Glimcher recently mounted a Kiki Smith show pairing her 1990s paper mannequins with bronze birds, and he continues to take risks, such as funding a pond for Max Hooper Schneider's exhibition. Despite the gallery not being self-sustaining, Glimcher remains committed to supporting original art and connoisseurship.
The article matters because it highlights a veteran dealer's enduring influence and willingness to challenge the mega-gallery model by creating a space for risk-taking, non-commercial exhibitions. Glimcher's critique of contemporary art's "mannerism" and his emphasis on connoisseurship spark a broader conversation about art education and market pressures. His independent venture, even under Pace's umbrella, underscores the tension between commercial viability and curatorial freedom in today's art world.