Blair Clarke
Founder of Voltz Clarke
Photo by Jason Frank Rothenberg
1) Your spouse, significant other, or best friend?
I would give my husband Alistair a new hammer and measuring tape... The 25-year background in the auction world is great but his hanging skills are stellar!
2) Your favorite artist?
All of my roster are favorites, but Natasha Law uses the most high maintenance materials making her the most in need of a gift. For her, I would give a gift certificate to a day at the Cornelia Spa at The Surrey Hotel uptown for some post studio production pampering since she's always working with such labor intensive materials. The Champagne & Pearl Sugar Glow treatment and Botanical facial are both out of this world.
3) Your favorite art world personality?
For my favorite art world personality, I would give them air tickets to Positano and a prime hanging position in the lobby of Le Sirenuse. Their new art program is highlighting blue chip talent from across the globe attracting collectors and curators to this magical part of the world.
Benjamin Genocchio
Director of the Armory Show
1) Your spouse, significant other, or best friend?
My wife, Melissa Chiu, is th e director of the Hirshhorn Museum in Washington DC, so she spends a lot of time commuting between DC and our home in New York. My dream gift for her would be true high-speed rail service between DC and NYC.
2) Your favorite artist?
My favorite paintings are some of the still-lifes by Jean-Baptiste-Siméon Chardin. I would get him a juicer, he wouldn't want those berries to go to waste.
3) Your favorite art world personality?
I think my favorite art world personality is pretty obvious to the readers of artnet News! For Milo Moire a Remington cordless shaver.
Nir Hod
Artist
Photo by Monica Salazar
1) Your spouse, significant other, or best friend?
To my significant other, I would give a painting of our son Shawn, as a Genius --holding a cigarette, with an elegant, dandy, seductive style.
2) Your favorite artist?
I always say that I can not point to one artist that I like, I love art too much to do that. Most of my favorite artists are already dead. Sometimes I have the desire to put flowers on Da Vinci's grave.
3) Your favorite art world personality?
This Holiday, I want to give a new scarf I made with my dear friend Yigal Azrouel to Paul Kasmin, and some people in the art world who have supported me and have become good friends.
Ambre Kelly
Co-Founder of Spring Break Art Show
1) Your spouse, significant other, or best friend?
Spouse (Andrew Gori). He's a writer and director when he's not doing art stuff, and every filmmaker needs the essentials. So for him, The Criterion Collection's Essential Art House: 50 Years of Janus Films (50-DVD Box Set).
2) Your favorite artist?
Favorite Artist (Deceased) Louise Bourgeois. I would commission artist Cai Guo-Qiang to create Sky Ladder (firework laddy to heaven) so I could climb up and take Louise a cocktail, likely some Vodka tincture. We would float on the clouds, admiring Cai's ladder and she'd give me the low down on what's what.
3) Your favorite art world personality?
Kenny Schachter. A spin in my dad's old car (1956 American Classic Corvette Hardtop Convertible)
Doreen Remen
Co-Founder of Art Production Fund & Founder of Art Markit
1) Your spouse, significant other, or best friend?
A Galaxy Collide photo portrait by Stephanie Hirsch. It's an interactive process that begins with a photograph that the artist integrates into an image of the Galaxy. The result is very special and empowering.
2) Your favorite artist?
LoveMe pillow by Curtis Kulig. Because everyone can relate to love.
3) Your favorite art world personality?
Nir Hod's multi-colored set of The Night You Left coasters, a special edition with Art Markit. Because the art world loves to host in style.