At the age of 17, Dani Levinas was swept away by the world of art collecting as he immersed himself in New York exhibitions, acquiring museum posters that would ignite his lifelong passion. Now, he's assembled a tome that chronicles the current state of contemporary collecting, The Guardians of Art, featuring 34 conversations with leading names in the game, the Rubells, Dakis Joannou, and Martin Z. Margulies among them.
With an extensive background serving on the boards of institutions such as the Phillips Collection and the Hirshhorn Museum, Levinas himself effortlessly navigates the multifaceted realm of collecting and patronage. Here, CULTURED turned the attention to Levinas, getting the details of the inception and ascension of his journey in the art world.
How did the idea for The Guardians of Art first come about?
The original idea was to write a column for El País interviewing collectors and sharing their experiences to encourage a new generation. After writing the first several, my late wife, Mirella encouraged me to gather them into a book. It transformed into the book I wish I had the opportunity to read when I began to collect.
How did you choose who to feature?
It was my intention to feature those who share their collection with the public in different ways: by opening a public space or home to visitors, lending works, supporting artists, etc. For this reason, the original title for the column featuring these interviews in El País was Encounters With Great Patrons of the Arts.
After having talked to so many collectors, did you discover anything about the current state of the art world?
In the words of Bob Dylan, “The Times They Are A-Changin.”
What do you think makes the DC art scene distinct?
There are few cities in the world that have such beautiful museums, both public and private. Washingtonians are very lucky to have the opportunity to visit these museums, which mostly have free admission. Many of these museums began with private collectors. A great example is Mr. Duncan Phillips [of the Phillips Collection] who opened a museum 100 years ago with his private collection.
Where does the story of your personal collection begin?
I traveled to New York for the first time when I was 17 and began collecting posters of different exhibits I visited at the museums.
What was your biggest influence in fostering your passion for art?
My mother, Renée Levinas. The most sweet, elegant, and loving person in the world.
What is the first piece you ever bought?
I don’t recall exactly, but one of the first was a work on paper by an Argentinian artist, Carlos Alonso—a woman drinking mate. I still have the work.
Which work or works provokes the most conversation from visitors?
There are two. One is Anish Kapoor’s Untitled, 1997. The piece produces an optical illusion with its beautiful ceramic glaze. The viewer doesn’t know if it’s inside the wall or out, and often sticks their hand in. Always a conversation piece. The other is Gabriel Sierra, Hang It All, 2006. It’s an edition of two. The second is at the Guggenheim.
Which artists are you currently most excited about and why?
Darío Villalba, Mateo López, and Lee Lozano. The latter currently has an exhibition at the Bourse de Commerce in Paris. It was a new discovery for me, and I was very impressed.
Is there one piece that got away, or that you still think about?
Too many to count.
