Leading artists call to action against the Frick expansion plans

2015-05-06T18:58:00-04:00

While the museum describes the 42,000-square-foot addition as something that would “further fulfill Henry Clay Frick’s long-standing vision to offer public access to its works of art," others, including a group of 51 prominent artists and architects — Jeff Koons, Cindy Sherman [...] among them — think it would undermine exactly what they love about the place. Under the banner of Unite to Save the Frick, this group sent a letter to the city, copied to the museum, expressing their displeasure.

Here's the letter that Unite to Save the Frick sent to NYC leaders today:

May 6, 2015

Dear Mayor de Blasio and Chair Srinivasan:

The residential scale of the Frick Collection exerts a special power over those who walk its halls. To have visitors experience the feeling of living with art was the intention of founder Henry Clay Frick as he envisioned his personal residence being opened to the public. Up until now, the Frick’s fidelity to its founder’s vision of a “house museum” has been laudable. Those of us in the art world who cherish the unique and tranquil ambiance offered by the Frick are urging the Frick to withdraw its proposed plan and consider alternative methods of expansion that would preserve the character essential to its appeal.

As professionals working in the art world (sculptors, painters, critics, journalists, dealers, gallerists, financiers, and more), we strongly believe that the Frick’s effectiveness as a display space lies in its intimacy. Viewing highlights of the co...

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Leading artists call to action against the Frick expansion plans