Case Study

With or Without You: Art in Harlem, 2000 - 2006 (April 23 - August 15, 2010)

Artists: Sanford Biggers, Ann Craven, Ellen Gallagher, Deborah Grant, Nicolas Guagnini, David Hammons, Dave McKenzie, Julie Mehretu, Wangechi Mutu, Senam Okudzeto, Paul Pfeiffer, Michael Queenland, Jessica Rankin, Marc Andre Robinson, Nadine Robinson, Karin Schneider, Dana Schutz, Nari Ward, and others

In early 2005 Triple Candie began research on a survey exhibition of art made in Harlem since 2000. "Made in Harlem: 2000 - 2006" was to celebrate the high level of work being created in a neighborhood devoid of art spaces or any collective artist community. The exhibition proved impossible to realize.

Artists at the time -- particularly those from groups who had been historically marginalized, such as those just out of school or of African descent -- were experiencing unprecedented commercial success. In an effort to meet the demands of a red-hot art market, they were sending their best works straight from the studio to their galleries, museum exhibitions, or biennials. Smaller non-profit spaces like Triple Candie could not compete with these more powerful venues for artists' attention.

When we approached Ellen Gallagher for a painting for our show, she offered us an older print. We approached Dana Schutz and her gallery and neither had any work available. David Hammons' collector AC Hudgins refused to lend any work because Hammons himself wouldn't authorize it. Julie Mehretu didn't return phone calls.

When it became clear that we could not get access to museum-quality work, we cancelled the show. Five years later, we are offering up this substitute.