Private View Review - Damien Hirst and Francis Bacon @ Gagosian - London

Britannia Street in London’s Kings Cross was alive last night with private views from Rove TV and Gagosian. Exhibiting an awesome collection from Damien Hirst, alongside a fabulous group of works from Francis Bacon, the show could not be faulted at Gagosian. Admittedly most of it had been seen before, but, nonetheless, the selection was outstanding. Bacon’s Cardinals, Hirst’s fly ridden cow's head and Pharmacy shelves were breathtaking – breathtaking, as is the Gagosian, though, last night, unfortunately, for completely opposing reasons.

From the old guard to new, I’ve been to many private views. All offer up art, while some provide champagne and canapés and others, out of date beer and dodgy wine. And it’s fun. It’s fab. It’s an essential schmoozing tonic that oils the wheels of PR and industry. Yet, last night, Gagosian, the grand dame herself, forgot her manners. With a drink section cut off, VIP nightclub style, and the toilet only available to celebs, the message from the London gallery was clear; only a small section of attendees matter here.

These elitist values, while fairly omnipresent elsewhere, have no place in the art world – least not within such a social and public situation. Indeed, this type of snobbery is the antithesis of street-level art; street-level art, which inevitably hits the high end of the art scene's hierarchy during later years.

Think about it; Hirst, who was surrounded by film crews and press at the private view, working it like a bona fide pro, once knocked around Soho with the best of us, living it up large, trying to make it. And make it he did. Yet, there's no doubt he too, in his pre-celebism days experienced the blank stare of the velvet rope holder (or she who holds the golden toilet key). And it’s all so ironic. Though perhaps the most ironic factor lies with the big kahuna, Larry Gagosian. You see, I imagine he would shun such snobbery. Why? Because Mr. Gagosian is a power house, a professional who is likely aware that today’s pleb may be tomorrow’s somebody.