Damian Hirst saves Bergamont Station

I have to admit that, besides my purpose to promote Romanian jewelry designers to some Los Angeles art dealers  I also rushed to Ikon Gallery to see Damian Hirst work on display during my visit in US. 

Ikon Gallery is located at Bergamont Station, ( a 4 acres abandoned railway station turned into several galleries) in Santa Monica. Besides the show of Hirst there is just poor art to be seen in the whole compound. At the moment, Ikon is the only gallery worth to be visited. It has a coherent curatorial program showing museum quality art of importance.

Only this year ( as an example) Ikon gathered a show of Warhol, Sam Francis, Larry Rivers, last year Botero. Dubuffet, Lichtenstein. Focussing on pop art, Ikon gives us a good idea about the work of Indiana, Ramos, Pettibon, to name a few from the show “A Slice of Summer”  (2011).

 Obviously, due to a poor economy,the rest of gallery curators lost the enthusiasm that was back in the days  at Bergamont  What is left? The old good arrogance of gallery employees trying to pose like business is still good.  Among them, the people from Ikon, really make a difference.