The Human Condition: The Stephen and Pamela Hootkin Collection Sept. 2014 | Page 57
down. We don’t have that same obsessive drive to be out
there buying every month that we once had. We still look
at what is going on in the field and I would have to say
that if we saw something that really bowled us over we’d
buy it. We are not canvassing everything quite the way
we used to. We are past that, but we try to stay current
with what’s going on. If there were something that really
knocked our socks off we would go after it in a minute.
Akio Takamori, Man in Love, 1987.
SH: Our last exciting purchase was Michael Lucero’s
wooden figures of 1978–79, which we had seen in his
studio on our first visit. For many years we wanted one.
so quickly and dramatically. By focusing on a narrow
Then, a year or two ago, I was talking to Michael and I
field we felt that we could get to know it more than just
reminded him about it, “All these years we’ve been trying
superficially. This is still true today. Of course, we still
to buy one of your wooden figures.” He jokingly said,
read Art in America, Art News, and the other art journals,
“Well, I still have fifteen of them, why don’t you buy them
and we regularly attend museum exhibitions. But we
all?” I immediately said, “Yes.” We bought them sight
stick to what we feel comfortable with. I would hesitate
unseen. That was our last big purchase, and again, it
to prognosticate about where the gigantic art world is
happened by accident. So things like that still happen.
going. It’s become very commoditized, the prices have
Incidentally, we had the fifteen figures sent directly
from the artist’s warehouse to the Chazen. The
exhibition that was mounted shortly thereafter was
only the second time these wonderful figures were
shown as a group. We loved the installation so much
that we donated all of the figures to the museum.
RP: Given your long experience with the art world, is
become extraordinary, and it’s so much about marketing.
I don’t think anyone knows where it will end up.
RP: I have one final question that may be akin to
asking who is your favorite child. Does each of you have
a particular favorite? If you could only have one piece
from the entire collection, which would be it?
PH: There are a half a dozen things that run through
there anything that intrigues you and makes you wonder
my mind that I really feel strongly about and am
where it’s going?
attached to. However, I couldn’t choose just one piece.
SH: We have always been very focused in our collecting
SH: No, I couldn’t pick one piece because for me the
because from the start we were aware of the enormity and
whole is far greater than the individual parts. The whole is
the changing nature of the art world. And it all changes
just exciting, a wonderful plus. It’s impossible to choose.
NEXT PAGE: The Hootkins' bedroom.
55