Visual Art Mar 8, 2007 at 4:00 am

The Iffy Dealings of Seattle's Most Widely Published Art Critic

As originally printed, 3-8-07, PAINTING BY LEIV FAGERENG

Comments

1
I'm not surprised. I had not seen Matthew Kangas for thirty years until I went to a class reunion. At lunch, I was trying to be in two conversations at once, following both threads, so at one moment I said to Matthew, "What? What did you just say?" He said to me, "Do you have a hearing problem? Do you have a hearing problem? Do you have a hearing problem?"
2
In my experience, Matthew Kangas is a creation of his myth of an art critic, when critics mattered. Kangas cares deeply about art, and that is sincere. It's not an act. But Kangas obviously doesn't come from money, so do the math. Beneath the sheen, this is often the case for art critics.

As far as alleged extortion goes, Greenberg was notorious, but the rumors whisper that Henry Geldzahler was the most shameless at shaking down artists. That was just the tip of the corruption iceberg. When Sotheby's and Christie's were caught manipulating prices, the head of Sotheby's actually went to prison. Frankly, everyone who gets close enough finds out the big money art world is heavily involved in all sorts of questionable transactions. So Kangas isn't the player this article implies.

The most important art critic of the 20th century was also its most honest: Frank O'Hara. I don't think Kangas can place himself at the same level as O'Hara and Greenberg. They were critics with vision. They helped shape movements.

I wish Kangas well, but the mythical power of critics is lost in a NYC art world that has long since vanished.
3
I'd like to add that Matthew Kangas, for all his eccentricities, has done more for Northwest art than any other art writer.
4
I'd like to add that Matthew Kanges, for all his eccentricities, has done more for Northwest art than any other art writer.
5
I'd like to add that Matthew Kangas, for all his eccentricities, has done more for Northwest art than any other art writer.
6
I'd like to add that Matthew Kangas, for all his eccentricities, has done more for Northwest art than any other art writer.
7
Whoops! Ouch. How embarrassing. The comment wouldn't go through so I resubmitted it until it showed. Something in the server process got stuck, but apparently it submitted all the attempts to post the comment.

Oh well, I guess I made my point.
8
Guy sounds like a pompous ass who cannot anymore see how rules apply to him as they do everybody else. With that said, very good article. Also, i friggin' LOVE the artwork of the critic, Outstanding.
9
No excuse for this type of treatment of naive and gullible artists! LOL! Only Love and War are supposed to be fair! The rest of our beautiful mosaic is arbitrary and nonsensical as we are. Keep working to your dream But remember both cream and scum can rise to the top!

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