This Spring, ICI launches ICI CONVERSATIONS, a new series of 6 thought-provoking events that give you exclusive access to the people—artists, critics, collectors, advisors, gallerists, curators, and museum directors—who are influencing the contemporary art world today.

With events hosted in a range exclusive settings throughout New York City from March to May, ICI CONVERSATIONS will bring you insider’s perspectives on hot topics, from how a world-class collection is made, to what the art critics really think of this season’s biennials and triennials; as well as insights from leading curators on their current top picks of artists under 35, and intimate conversations with artists who are on the rise this year.
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SERIES SCHEDULE

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Building the Collection
HOWARD RACHOFSKY in conversation with ALLAN SCHWARTZMAN
Thursday, March 8, 5:30–6:30pm, followed by a wine reception

Hosted by Sotheby’s, New York

Since 1997 Cindy and Howard Rachofsky have worked with internationally renowned curator and advisor Allan Schwartzman to create one of the nation’s most important private collections of contemporary art, housed in the Rachofskys’ Richard Meier-designed home in Dallas, Texas. Join ICI to learn first-hand how the collection’s curatorial themes have shaped the acquisition process, what both men look for in deciding what works to collect, and which artists they are keeping their eyes on now. 

To celebrate the launch of ICI CONVERSATIONS, all “series” and “series companion” ticket holders will receive a one-off complimentary pass to bring a friend to this event. Following the talk there will be a reception hosted by ICI and Sotheby’s, where you will also have the opportunity to preview Sotheby’s contemporary art sale that will take place on March 9.
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Critical Outlook
LINDSAY POLLOCK in conversation with RICHARD VINE and MICHAEL WILSON

Monday, March 26, 6:30–8pm
Hosted by Art in America, New York

Be one of the first to see Art in America’s new editorial suites in SoHo while joining Editor-in-Chief Lindsay Pollock as she debates the highs and lows of the Whitney Biennial 2012 and the New Museum triennial The Ungovernables with her fellow critics: Richard Vine is Art in America’s Senior Editor, and Michael Wilson is an independent writer and editor, who was invited to review this year’s Whitney Biennial for the magazine.

See the exhibitions before and add your views to the discussion:
Whitney Biennial, March 1–May 27
The Ungovernables, February 15–April 22
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Curators’ Top Picks Under 35
SUZANNE COTTER, NEVILLE WAKEFIELD, and JOÃO RIBAS
Monday, April 16, 6:30–8pm
Hosted by Sotheby’s, New York

This is a unique opportunity to gain insight from three of the most progressive curators working today: Suzanne Cotter (Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation Curator, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Project), Neville Wakefield (curator, writer, and commentator on contemporary art, culture, and photography), and João Ribas (Curator, MIT List Visual Arts Center). Join ICI for a presentation in which each curator will discuss five artists under 35 years old that they believe could become the most influential practitioners of their generation. 
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The Artist’s Voice
KERSTIN BRÄTSCH in conversation with MASSIMILIANO GIONI
Wednesday, May 2, 6:30–8pm

Hosted by Gavin Brown’s enterprise, New York

Artist Kerstin Brätsch will discuss the diversity of her practice—from her large abstract paintings to the installations made in collaboration with artist Adele Röder under the name DAS INSTITUT—with Massimiliano Gioni, Associate Director and Director of Exhibitions at the New Museum, Artistic Director at the Nicola Trussardi Foundation, and recently named Artistic Director of the upcoming Venice Biennale. Brätsch gained widespread attention in the 2009 New Museum triennial Younger than Jesus, co-curated by Gioni, and she is currently working towards her highly-anticipated first solo exhibition in New York, which opens in September 2012 at Gavin Brown’s enterprise.
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The Artist’s Voice
DAVID LAMELAS in conversation with CHRISTIAN RATTEMEYER
Tuesday, May 15, 6:30–8pm
Hosted by Michele Maccarone at her Lower Manhattan loft, New York

Long respected as an “artist’s artist,” David Lamelas has divided his time between his native Buenos Aires, Los Angeles, and London since the 1960s, when he occupied an active role in Argentina’s avant-garde. To insiders the veteran artist is known for his influence on generations of conceptual artists but now he is also gaining widespread international recognition for his ground-breaking work. Hosted by Michele Maccarone at her Lower Manhattan loft, this conversation will give you fresh insight on the surprising subjectivity and humor that underpins Lamelas’s structuralist films, media installations, and performances. Lamelas’s most recent solo exhibition was at Maccarone Gallery, New York, in January 2012.
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Dinner at the Home of EILEEN and MICHAEL COHEN with special guest RICHARD ARMSTRONG
Wednesday, May 30, 6:30–9pm
SoHo, New York

The series finale is an event not to miss, with the exclusive opportunity for dinner with Eileen and Michael Cohen at their SoHo loft, in the company of special guest speaker Richard Armstrong, Director of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and Foundation. Share the evening with friends amidst an esteemed private collection while Armstrong imparts his unique insight on recent developments in the international artworld garnered as he leads the way forward for the Guggenheim in New York, Venice, Bilbao, and Berlin, as well as the Abu Dhabi Project, and plans for a Museum in Finland.
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ICI has pioneered behind-the-scenes events for its patrons since 1980 when it established the acclaimed New York Studio Events annual series. 30 years on, the organization is breaking new ground with ICI CONVERSATIONS to increase access to a wide range of the people and places that are important in contemporary art now.

* As space is limited for all ICI CONVERSATIONS events, tickets will be available on a first-come first-served basis. Please sign up now to secure your place. Full addresses for each event will be emailed after tickets are purchased.

Please contact Bridget at 212.254.8200 x124 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) for more information or with questions.

ICI would like to thank:
Richard Armstrong
Kerstin Brätsch
Jill Brienza
Gavin Brown’s enterprise
Eileen and Michael Cohen
James Cohan
Ann Cook
Suzanne Cotter
Bridget Donahue
Terry Fassburg
Massimiliano Gioni
David Lamelas
Ben Lerner
Michele Maccarone
Lindsay Pollock
Howard Rachofsky
Christian Rattemeyer
João Ribas
Ann Schaffer
Allan Schwartzman
Patterson Sims
Sotheby’s
Barbara Toll
Richard Vine
Neville Wakefield