In the art world, the name PaceWildenstein provokes many reactions. There is reverence for the New York-based gallery's heritage. There is envy for its stable of leading artists and the publishing and research that support them. There is fury among rivals who have seen their star painters defect to Pace. And there is the at times grudging acknowledgment of the knowledge and acumen of its chairman, Arne Glimcher.
Glimcher's latest foray - Pace Beijing, which opened last week - may well stir similar emotions among the galleries in the Chinese capital. The signals are already out. Firstly, no expense appears to have been spared on the gallery, a 22,000 sq ft former munitions factory. Secondly, two leading Chinese artists, Zhang Xiaogang and Zhang Huan, have signed with the gallery. Thirdly, and perhaps most importantly, Glimcher has hired curator and critic Leng Lin to be Pace's president for China.
Leng is the founder of Beijing Commune, the gallery cum museum in the 798 art district, which has sprouted in place of disused factories in the northeast of the capital. He has also been an early instigator of domestic art auctions and is well connected to leading artists. So why has Leng, who has been a curator for 15 years, joined Pace?
'Pace will provide me with a broad international platform on which I can extend my experience as a curator,' says Leng. 'And I believe that Pace Beijing will contribute to the culture of Beijing. It's also a chance to widen the concept of art in China. This is why I accepted the position.'
Leng first met Glimcher and Peter Boris, Pace's dealer with responsibility for Asia, last year. The two were on a fact-finding mission when they dropped in at Beijing Commune. The self-effacing Leng says Glimcher was evidently impressed.
'We exchanged views on many art issues and came to a deep understanding. We also spoke about the development of contemporary art and recent changes in the global art market,' says Leng.