28 Days Later for Jerry's Kids

For the past month or so, out of sheer force of habit, I've kept getting my weekly copy of The Village Voice with the knowledge of, "Hello!! You know he's no longer there. Why are you still getting this rag?"

I think I've been unable to come to terms that my free midweek treat is no longer there to accompany my sushi dinners on 17th street.

So truth be told, as of this afternoon, (it's been a bit of a holy grail quest for me over the past few weeks-- with each newsstand and store having NO COPIES) I picked up my week-old copy of New York Magazine for one reason-- to see venerable art critic Jerry Saltz's work.

(Jerry checking out the tunes photo at right credited to http://www.uudam.net/)

Since Saltz departed the Voice's key reviewer position for his April 2007 magazine launch, I find it kind of humorous that I have fallen victim to such standard marketing science-- that an audience always follows wherever the star ends up.

But I must say, also out of loyalty, I've kept reading the Voice.

But truly the Voice has never felt so dead than it has in the past month and a half since Saltz's departure.

It's like his immense shoes to fill might have been proven irreplaceable.

Each of the reviews since have been truly uninspiring.

I find that they are now tending for the more "uptown" or museum shows, or a bit more conservative.

So the $3 per issue of New York might be worth it-- Saltz already nailed the Ririkrit Tiravanija/Matta-Clark exhibit at David Zwirner last week.

(My own review of that show has been forthcoming for over a month now-- a mixed bag, I originally thought, but Saltz once again is able through persuasion to make me rethink my own opinions with his keen eye, utilizing the multiple layers of experience he possesses.)

So what does Saltz's move mean in the long-term for the Voice?

Less out-of-the-way galleries to be given the spotlight?
Female artists highlighted in decreasing numbers?
Critical market demand no longer balanced with artistic credibility?

I think it remains unclear, given the fact art readership probably doesn't play nearly as an important a role as I'd like to think it does in circulation.

But it will be interesting to see how it affects New York Magazine's own reputation and readership in the upcoming months.

I've always thought of New York as a bit highbrow; concerned more with the fashionista socialite sect than the downtown crew.

I had my own Saltz close encounter not too long ago-- being that I was the last human being allowed in to the Warhol retrospective at Gagosian not too long ago.

There was Jerry getting a private tour right next to me.

I watched how he examined each work, noting his 100% attention to the task at hand.
His bespectacled eyes never deviated from the large-scale works hovering above his tiny frame.

My weeks without Jerry in this interim period have been boring indeed.
It felt nice to have an old love back in my paws.

Cheers to NY Mag for seeking out the world's best.

Bring it on, Jerry.