Dia Art Foundation's director, Philippe Vergne, announced today that Dia would construct a new space in Chelsea and finally have a more visible NYC presence. The new site in West Chelsea will be located at 545 W. 22nd Street. The address is currently the location of the large, versatile Pace Wildenstein space. Galleries such as D'Amelio Terras are across the street. This is the first time in the organization's 35 year history that it has elected to construct a new building.
In a press release sent early this morning, Vergne stated, "Dia is a conduit for artistic production and experimentation. By establishing this site in Chelsea, Dia reaffirms and deepens its commitment to artists and their vision, as well as to New York City. Dia:Chelsea will facilitate the creation and presentation of new works, new ideas, and new discourse. It will expand Dia's ability to enable exceptional works of art and inspire dialogue. We want to build a 'dream house' for artists."
Pace Wildenstein has been renting their current space from Dia and, sources confirm that the lease for the space is up in 2011. We are waiting for a representative to get back to us regarding Pace's plans for the future and will update when we do.
Dia vacated its former space across the street at 548 W. 22nd in 2004, and it is currently being used by X-initiative. They had explored various spaces, including one along the High Line that is now where the new Whitney museum designed by Renzo Piano is in the planning stages. We spoke with someone representing Dia who confirmed that Dia is still in the early planning stages and no architect or design has been decided at this time. But the press release states that it will be a "utilitarian space." Vergne told the Times that they didn't want a starchitect, or "bling." They also plan to install Dan Graham's “Rooftop Urban Park Project,” a 1991 architectural pavilion fashioned from two-way mirrored glass, on the building's roof.
Kate D. Levin, New York City’s Commissioner of Cultural Affairs, released this statement: “Dia has led the way in providing a home for artists, and in demonstrating the power of cultural organizations to transform communities. In renewing its commitment to new work and to New York, Dia is playing an essential role in our City’s creative future.”
Dia has collaborated with the Hispanic Society in Washington Heights over the past couple of years to exhibit works and continues to maintain Walter de Maria's The Earth Room and Broken Kilometer in Soho, among other sites in the city. But their only large-scale exhibition space has been Dia: Beacon. One of the most famous works they maintain is Robert Smithson's Spiral Jetty (pictured) in Utah.
