Rudi Fuchs, that jolly old elf

This former director of the Stedelijk Museum, in Amsterdam, is not that old, really, or all that jolly, either, but he is definitely an elf. Or is he? Maybe the Awful Truth is that he just plays one the stage of international art, living on his knees, the better to offer his obeisances to certain artists who have found niches in the upper reaches of the auction market. At least he's consistent. I mean, what are we to see but a sign of rock solid-solid integrity in his decision to champion not only Robert Ryman but Tracey Emin? Even elfish Rudi couldn't claim that Emin's drawings are any good, so he praised them for their “salty line”--“salty,” I suppose, as in “risqué.” More about Ms. Emin in my next post . . .