The Perils of Sloppy Juxtapositions

Now I've done it. Through a careless bit of editing, I've gone and offended the emperor of art listings. Today I got an email from the original art lister extraordinaire, Mr. Douglas Kelley. I have an immense respect for Douglas as a writer, journalist, TV host, art world insider, bon vivant, and person. And I knew there was a chance he'd respond the way he did to my careless editing in the "It Begins..." post, but I never took the time to fix it...and now, my world has turned all Shakespearian...

In an email with the subject header, Et tu Winkleman, Mr. Kelley writes:

According to Douglas Kelley's list, there are at least 84 openings this evening to choose from. Barry Hoggard and James Wagner's ArtCal offers a more selective list, providing suggested PICKS (it's simply the most useful source of gallery info available online). Still, no matter how you measure it, there's art, and lots of it, to be seen starting tonight.

Oh thanks brother! I can retire now that I am so passe. Et tu Winkleman. What did I do to you to deserve this?

Passe? I can't fathom anything would ever make Mr. Kelley or his efforts passe. I wrote him back:

Dear Douglas,

You'll never know how many times I considered re-editing that. Honestly. For the very reason you've now written. I guess I was hoping you wouldn't see it, because, well, my editing was sloppy, but...it all got so complicated for me...

Here's the chronology. I originally directed folks to your list (first) and then James and Barry's, but told them to be careful with James and Barry's because the listings were not sorted by date. Barry then corrected that problem and mentioned it in the comments. I felt bad that I had criticized what was clearly a labor of love and since they had fixed it, I felt compelled to correct my text. I never meant to suggest folks should compare yours and theirs [I forgot the golden rule of editing...re-read the whole thing to ensure you're not fucking up the context]...they're useful for different reasons. Yours is the most exhaustive list, and I still print it out to take it along when heading to openings. I suspect I always will. It's like an old friend and I love having it with me.

But, to be honest, why ArtCal is more helpful than yours is the way it's organized and the way the listings stay up until the show is over. In otherwords, your list is better for openings, but theirs is better for post-opening gallery hopping. [I'm not sure I was helping much here, I now realize...]

Obviously, I should be more careful in juxtaposing my recommendations, as unintended consequences are bound to happen.

But here...let me tend to that knife wound in your back...it appears a mere flesh wound, me thinks...surely for a man of your strength and constitution it's virtually undetectable, no?

Sorry Douglas...never meant it to be read that way. I promise to be more careful moving forward.

all the best,
Edward

And I promised to make this a public apology. Mr. Kelley's list is also a labor of love and I do, myself, love it.