Exploring LACMA: Art and Unsavory Characters on the Board
Need for a more Ethical and Humanist Art World
I recently saw this blockchain art collection of LACMA, Los Angeles County Museum of Art. "22 works from Cozomo de Medici collection including works spanning from 2017-2022 from 13 international artists added to the Permanent Collection of LACMA." 1
The works have zero aesthetic value. There is an an old fashioned word for promoting this: a snake oil salesman, is a term used to describe a person who sells fake or fraudulent products or services, often using dishonest or exaggerated claims to make sales. That is probably one of the reasons they call it the Cozomo de Medici Collection, hoping to appropriate the Cozomo’s reputation as a great cultural visionary, and in typical postmodern fashion, making sure they are anything but. Consequently, it is not surprising to find some unsavory characters on its Board.
Terry Semel, Co-Chair Emeriti.
From Wikipedia:
"As CEO, Semel approved Yahoo!'s cooperation with Chinese officials to release previously confidential Yahoo! information to the Chinese government."2
Robert A. Kotick, Vice Chair.
My summary from Wikipedia:
"The article describes a series of legal and ethical issues involving Bobby Kotick, the CEO of Activision Blizzard. In the past, Kotick was involved in a sexual harassment and wrongful termination lawsuit against Cove Management, a company he co-owned, where a flight attendant reported harassment by a pilot and was fired shortly after. The case was settled for $200,000 and additional legal fees, but Kotick later faced a lawsuit from the legal firm that represented him, as he only paid them $200,000 when the full amount was over $1 million.
"More recently, in July 2021, the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing filed a lawsuit against Activision Blizzard for workplace misconduct and discrimination by several employees, but Kotick was not named in the initial suit. In response, Kotick promised to begin a series of reforms and reduce his salary until the situation was resolved. However, in November 2021, an investigative report from The Wall Street Journal revealed that Kotick had been aware of past allegations of misconduct within the company and had protected an employee who harassed others from being fired. The report also claimed that Kotick himself had threatened to kill an assistant. While the board of Activision Blizzard supported Kotick's leadership, many employees, shareholders, and industry voices called for his resignation or replacement.
"His home in Beverly Hills is filled with Abstract Expressionist art."3
Elaine P. Wynn, Co-Chair of the Board.
From Wikipedia:
"Wynn is an avid art collector. In 2013, she acquired Francis Bacon's "Three Studies of Lucian Freud" for a US$142.4 million, and loaned it to the Portland Art Museum."4
Frances Bacon (artist) had an unsavory personal life with alcholoics, presuming he was one as well, his art reflects this, and he often sees the disgusting side of humanity. 5
Why would Wynn spend $142.4 million on a triptych, only to loan it out?
In conclusion, while the Cozomo de Medici Collection and the new additions of blockchain art to LACMA's Permanent Collection are undoubtedly a scam, it's important to consider who is running the museum. As we've seen, some members of LACMA's Board of Trustees have been involved in questionable and even unethical behavior in the past. As patrons of the arts, they shape the cultural landscape, but it's up to us as viewers and consumers to shine a light on them. By holding those in positions of power within museums accountable for their actions, we can work towards a more ethical and humanist art world for the benefit of future generations.