A wizard behind the curtain winks
Filed Under Curtain Rods | Posted on August 21, 2008
All around nice guy, soft spoken, quick to laugh and slow to kvetch—Rob Curcio has a lot of irons in the fire. As an art world mover and shaker he performs myriad duties, from writing to curating. Whether he’s organizing a festival or marketing a publication, his trademark personal touch is perennially smooth.
Bitten by the curating bug, he began working with Ward Nasse Gallery in Soho. In addition to producing art shows he invited poets like Max Blagg and Hal Sirowitz to read. He recruited other organizers and the gallery also hosted open video screenings, cabaret nights and performances.
I remember the fun and freewheeling spirit of Scope at the Gansevoort Hotel. Each gallery or artist had a room. Rob was hanging out with the husband-wife team called Praxis. They were breaking every rule in the book.
Though not a part of the Scope team any more, Curcio is still involved with consulting and working with a few art fairs. He also helps with marketing and expanding the Toronto-based magazine “Dart International.”
Currently, Curcio is the guest curator of an open invitation show in the East Village at the Umbrella Gallery on East Ninth Street. Taking advantage of the two owners’ summer vacation, Curcio approached Margaret Bodell and Mary Ann Fahey. Bodell has been a fixture in the East Village art scene for two decades. She made a name for herself specializing in outsider art.
A solo show for Ginna Triplett inaugurated Curcio’ summer run and was reviewed in “Resolve.”
Operating on many levels as Curcio does, makes for lots of friends and opportunities. “After all these years of doing all these different things, I know a few people. So it’s nice to try to get everyone connected.”
Reaching out once again, Curcio has earned some angel wings. “Something I’ve been involved in for the past two years is the Center Against Domestic Violence. I help with their annual silent art benefit.”
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