Leica Gallery in NYC - Closed

[DennisM]

The Leica Gallery in NYC appears to be permanently closed at least a/o 2/19/16. I assume the closure was due either to poor attendance or cost issues. No details or explanation on the website. Does anyone have any more information?

 

[Calzone]

The Leica Gallery in NYC appears to be permanently closed at least a/o 2/19/16. I assume the closure was due either to poor attendance or cost issues. No details or explanation on the website. Does anyone have any more information?

Dennis,

Been closed for a while.

On the street I heard that the building was purchased for $20M.

At PhotoPlusExpo the guys in the Leica booth were unaware that the Leica Gallery NYC was closed.

Cal

 

[troym]

Yes, it's been closed for a while now. I dropped by a couple months ago and saw the gallery was no more. Visitors were directed to the Leica store in SoHo, which has some art on display, but is really much more of a store than a gallery.
The Leica Gallery was great--quirky and stimulating, with a personable (and knowledgeable) couple minding the front desk. Of course it wasn't the Met or MoMa. What is? It's still a loss for downtown.

 

[troym]

Yeah "Troym," I am being too hard on it. May be that photography has changed so that it is everywhere, so their shows just could not compete in such an off the map location?

That could be it. Or perhaps the proprietors just decided to retire. I don't know the backstory. But my sense is that the gallery scene in NYC is very different than it was 15 or 20 years ago. It's more upscale, more closed in, more exclusive. Then again, maybe it was always that way, and I'm suffering from the unreliable memories caused by nostalgia.

 

[Baipin]

All I know is that it was one of the biggest highlights of my NYC trip a few years ago. I dragged my family to the place; part of my photography pilgrimage, according to them. When I first tried to go, they closed ten minutes before we got there. The next day's attempt was more successful. I was, as they were, pleasantly surprised to see such excellent work in the gallery and such a personal atmosphere to the place, in what often seems like a very impersonal city. It was wonderful talking to Rose and Jay Deutsch about all things Leica. I'm glad I went when I did; it's sad to see it go.

 

[noisycheese]

That's what happens when a lease costs $500 million a month. 🙄