Is abstract expressionism dead

Last weekend I went to the Scottsdale Museum of Contempory Art, the commercial art galleries on Main Street in Scottsdale, AZ, and the Phoenix Art Museum, and looked to see what was there. I noticed that most of the abstract art that was paint on canvas, board, or cardboard was painted between about 1900 and 1920 in the show 'Kandinsky, Modrian, and the Russian Avant Guard.' Of course many of the glass peices were abstract. There was very little Abstract Expressionism anywhere else. Lots of impressionism, lots of realism, and lots of cowboy art. Is this the way it is in other cities or is this just the south west?

Norman Strand

commercial art :galleries on Main Street in Scottsdale, AZ, and the Phoenix Art Museum, and looked to see :what was there. I noticed that most of the abstract art that was paint on canvas, board, :or cardboard was painted between about 1900 and 1920 in the show 'Kandinsky, Modrian, and :the Russian Avant Guard.' Of course many of the glass peices were abstract. There was :very little Abstract Expressionism anywhere else.

These artists aren't Abstract Expressionists Norman. This is an important show and I haven't been up to see it yet. When does it close? I would like to see it.

Lots of impressionism, lots of realism, :and lots of cowboy art. Is this the way it is in other cities or is this just the south :west? : :Norman Strand

Just the southwest. I've seen some incredible exhibitions there my favorite being an installation exhibit by Sandy Sklogland (sp?) and they do have a very *contemporary* flavor, but Arizona is very *southwestern* and unfortunately, they have to throw in a cowboy or two to get public funding. they have a difficult job of trying to bring exposure and as a result, arts education to a region that isn't too receptive to anything contemporary. But, many galleries in Scottsdale (though not the majority) can hold their own with any in the rest of the world. Have you been to Riva Yares Gallery? or her magnificent Sculpture Garden? or Lisa Sette?

Lots of $$$$$$$$$$$ in Scottsdale! Are you rich Norman?

Scarlett

Norman- I live in the Phoenix area, and don't worry, all those cheezy southwest, cowboy art galleries in downtown Scottsdale are just for tourists. Go to the galleries in downtown Phoenix, and there is more abstraction and less tacky southwest art.

There is one called Three Car Pileup as well. Lots of my friends go to the ones in the downtown area, I'm not quite sure what they are called, but I'm 75% positive they are there