By Sarah Khuwaja 2/22/12 12:40pm

For the Masses

Indiewalls curator Sabrina Wirth and cofounder Ari Grazi with artist Marysia Schultz

Indiewalls Wants to Decorate Your Apartment: One Coffee and Painting to Go, Please

Art may be deemed democratic in theory, but that doesn’t always hold as true in practice. Collectors ran up a $5.7 billion bill at Christie’s in 2011, a notable 14% higher than its 2010 sales. It appears that the affluent have turned to Picasso and Warhol now that Morgan and Goldman are no longer dutifully holding up their end of the bargain with returns from stocks or other investments.

Collecting art has always been earmarked for a select few, typically reserved for those who tend to their Arabian horses or oceanside estates on the weekends. But Indiewalls, a new startup venture, is looking to change the way people think about art. Read More

By Jimmy Vielkind 7/24/09 1:52pm

NY-23: The Democratic Bench

Now that State Senator Darrel Aubertine is out of the running, here’s a quick review of the other potential Democratic candidates to replace John McHugh in Congress:
–Daniel French, a former federal prosecutor and aide to Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan, considered by many to be one of the strongest choices.  He would offer a Read More

By Jimmy Vielkind 7/24/09 12:34pm

Morning Read, Upstate: Aubertine Out

New Jersey. Whoa.
The Post says federal indictments need not stop at the Hudson’s western bank.
State Senator Darrel Aubertine, considered the best Democratic candidate for a congressional seat in the North Country, announced he will not run.
Other potential candidates have not submitted paperwork to Democratic leaders indicating interest, and it’s Read More

By Azi Paybarah 7/24/09 12:00am

De Blasio Removed

Bill de Blasio was removed from the ballot for telling the city Board of Elections officials he had 131 pages of petitions, instead of the 132 pages he actually filed.
I reached out to de Blasio’s three opponents in the Democratic primary and asked if they thought he should be reinstated.
“This is Read More

By Jimmy Vielkind 7/23/09 10:57pm

Aubertine Bows Out

ALBANY—State Senator Darrel Aubertine is not running for Congress.
“My priority must continue to be the work I have started in the state Senate, representing Oswego, Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties. My commitment is to the people of the 48th Senate District and has been all along. Before I could even consider the possibility of Read More

By Azi Paybarah 7/23/09 9:46pm

The Council Upgrades Its Web Site

The City Council just upgraded its web site to make it easier to search for legislation, part of a year-long overhaul that was started around the same time they were sued by the New York Times for charging thousands of dollars for that kind of information.
The change is fairly significant and should help Read More

By Jimmy Vielkind 7/23/09 8:30pm

How Legislators Eat (When the Campaign Is Paying)

ALBANY—Jeff Klein likes the filet mignon at 677 Prime, with a side of chopped salad. Dean Skelos is partial to the eggplant at Amo la Bella. Malcolm Smith enjoys the mussels at the Brown Derby. And you can find Tom Libous at Lombardo’s on Madison.
During the six months of the legislative session, the Read More