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NOTA BENE: This Week in the Art World

NOTA BENE: This Week in the Art World

By Benjamin Godsill & Nate Freeman

NOTA BENE is the podcast version of a boozy lunch at Sant Ambroeus in which adviser Benjamin Godsill and Vanity Fair art columnist Nate Freeman dish fresh art world gossip from Dimes Square to Mayfair, peel back the curtain on auctions, galleries and fairs—and, critically, tell you where to eat and drink in every museum-stuffed port of call. Plus there’s a special guest each week, and we’ll roast them good regardless of how much clout they carry on the circuit. It’s NOTA BENE. Don’t close the deal until you tune in.
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The Jet Set: Reports from London, Paris, Dallas & The Bowery

NOTA BENE: This Week in the Art WorldOct 27, 2021

00:00
29:54
With Special Guest - Artist Chloe Wise
Mar 24, 202401:03:17
Dean Kissick on the 2024 Whitney Biennial

Dean Kissick on the 2024 Whitney Biennial

Nate and Benjamin are back. First to talk about Larry's JMB in LA show, the Vanity Fair Oscar Party, our migration back east and other events of the past week including Christopher Wool's astounding self produced show in the Financial District.

We are then joined by cultural critic Dean Kissick to discuss his and our immediate reactions to the 2024 Whitney Biennial ("Even Better Than the Real Thing"). It is a incisive discussion covering what we liked, what we didn't AND what that means... This is a conversation you truly won't want to miss.

All that AND MORE on THE ONLY ART PODCAST!
Mar 18, 202401:19:43
Bi-Coastal Elite

Bi-Coastal Elite

Nate is (still) in LA and Benjamin is back in the greatest city in the world. We discuss openings in LA and NYC as well as iconic restaurants in both cities.

All that AND MORE on THE ONLY ART PODCAST
Mar 09, 202436:12
Stuck in Traffic - Frieze LA 2024 Wrap up

Stuck in Traffic - Frieze LA 2024 Wrap up

Nate and Benjamin are back to break down the week that was. We threw an epic party and attended several more and we are here to spill all the goss on those, as well as the fancy dinners, lunches and MOST IMPORTANTLY the celebrities in attendance at the Vernissage.


We cover great LA restaurants, big (and not so big) sales at the fairs and MUCH MUCH MORE.


You won't want to miss this episode of THE ONLY ART PODCAST.

Mar 02, 202446:13
Happy Birthday from LA

Happy Birthday from LA

Welcome Back (finally)!

We are reporting live from the beginning of a busy Frieze Week in Los Angeles. Catch-up on all the art world gossip, parties, personalities and SO MUCH MORE.


On the ONLY ART PODCAST.

Feb 27, 202436:16
Saint Brigid's Day with Special Guest Bridget Donahue

Saint Brigid's Day with Special Guest Bridget Donahue

At the top of the episode Nate and Benjamin gab about their latest dinners in architecturally iconic New York apartments, Sotheby's legal victory, the Venice Biennale List, artists making Met's swag and more.


We are then lucky to be joined by iconoclastic downtown gallerist, the brilliant and soulful Bridget Donahue who speaks to how she arrived in the art-world and how she has sustained a rigorous and influential program. She is as fun as she is smart and you won't want to miss a word.


All that and MORE on THE ONLY ART PODCAST

Feb 02, 202458:51
Food talk with a dash of art

Food talk with a dash of art

Nate and Benjamin discuss meals that were, dueling Gagosian gallery dinners and other tidbits from the artworld.


All that AND MORE on THE ONLY ART PODCAST

Jan 23, 202424:50
What a week!

What a week!

Nate and Benjamin are back to debrief the week that was. We cover the epic opening and afterparty for our show Friend of the Pod at the Broadway Gallery as well as a raft of other meals and events in the world of art.


We get into the story behind the story of some of the headlines in the art market and look forward to another big week ahead.


All that AND MORE on THE ONLY ART PODCAST.

Jan 14, 202430:17
FRIENDS OF THE POD: with Special Guest Pascal Spengemann

FRIENDS OF THE POD: with Special Guest Pascal Spengemann

We are BACK on the eve of the exhibition Nate and Benjamin organized for the Broadway Gallery with one of the founders of that space, the legendary Pascal Spengemann.


We discuss OUR SHOW but also his long and varied history in the art world as a gallerist and curator.


All this AND MORE on THE ONLY ART PODCAST.

Jan 07, 202441:29
Friends of the POD with special guests Al Freeman and Ellie Rines
Jan 04, 202401:00:07
The Sandbar: Miami Recap with James Michael Cardoso Schaeffer

The Sandbar: Miami Recap with James Michael Cardoso Schaeffer

Nate and Benjamin are joined by James Michael Cardoso Schaeffer to discuss the highs and lows of the week that was in Miami Beach. Recorded live on Thursday in the crappiest hotel room 600 bucks a night can buy we cover all the parties, dinners, people and ART that was. This is an epic rundown you won't want to miss.


All that AND MORE on THE ONLY ART PODCAST.

Dec 09, 202350:53
Magic City Monday

Magic City Monday

We are BACK live from the Magic City for a quick hit podcast previewing the week of art and events. Catch us before we run off to an outstanding dinner at Joe's followed by the first ever (and very epic) Not Bene Miami Party.


Download it to listen in traffic on the Causeway, this one is full of nuggets you WONT want to miss.


All that AND MORE on THE ONLY ART PODCAST

Dec 05, 202319:56
Auction and LA Recap

Auction and LA Recap

Nate and Benjamin are done with the auctions and back from (separate) trips to Los Angeles. In this episode we recap everything that happened in the sales rooms, on the west coast PLUS reportage from a very special private club opening party in Manhattan. All that AND MORE on THE ONLY ART PODCAST

Nov 18, 202333:04
Pre Auction Extravaganza with Special Guest Lock Kresler

Pre Auction Extravaganza with Special Guest Lock Kresler

We are once again joined by market expert and our friend Lock Kresler to break down all the lots in the chock-a-block November auctions in New York.


Learn about the stories behind all the key works up for sale and what to look for in this key market testing moment. This is a special episode you won't want to miss.


All that AND MORE on THE ONLY ART PODCAST!

Nov 07, 202301:21:32
Don't Fear the Reaper with Guest Josh Smith

Don't Fear the Reaper with Guest Josh Smith

You might want to skip past the audio quality challenged introduction with Nate and Benjamin right to the meat of the episode.


From the Fifteen Minute, Fifty-Two second mark to catch this poetic conversation with artist Josh Smith that is not only more interesting, but also sounds way better.


Nov 05, 202357:16
Postcard From Paris

Postcard From Paris

LIVE FROM (the worlds smallest hotel room in) PARIS


The boys are break to break down all the happenings in the city of light this week. Gallery openings, museum shows, art fairs AND FOOD.


All that AND MORE from THE ONLY ART PODCAST!

Oct 20, 202351:30
Catching the next Eurostar - Frieze Week in Review

Catching the next Eurostar - Frieze Week in Review

Benjamin and Nate are back, together, podcasting live (to tape) from a hotel room in Europe (kind of).

The gents report on all the museum shows, gallery exhibitions, auctions, dinners, parties and of course the 2003 edition of the Frieze Art Fair.

All that AND MORE on THE ONLY ART PODCAST

Oct 14, 202335:45
London Frieze Preview

London Frieze Preview

Aaaaaaand we are (finally) back. With a gossip packed preview of the 20th year of FRIEZE in the tents in Regents park.

Nate and Benjamin catch up on our travels and events over the past two weeks, recent concerning auctions in Hong Kong, real estate transactions on the UES and preview the shows in London.


All that AND MORE on THE ONLY ART PODCAST

Oct 10, 202330:46
The Canvas with Special Guest Jeremy Hodkin

The Canvas with Special Guest Jeremy Hodkin

We are joined by the editor of the influential & essential art market newsletter The Canvas to discuss recent gossip from the upper regions of the art world. Jeremy is well sourced and thoughtful and there are lots of juicy nuggets in this extensive chat.


All that AND MORE on the ONLY ART PODCAST.


Sep 24, 202355:36
San Gennaro

San Gennaro

Nate and Benjamin are back and we are eating, looking, gossiping, reading and snarking.


All that and MORE on the ONLY ART PODCAST.

Sep 16, 202328:27
We Back

We Back

Oh baby, we back. And we've got you covered with all the news from a busy "back-to-school" week across the artworld. From Seoul to NYC and all points in between we take you to the openings, the parties, the afterparties and always the stories behind the story.


All that AND MORE on THE ONLY ART PODCAST

Sep 10, 202337:12
Poolside August Edition

Poolside August Edition

Recorded live, next to a pool and at one of the best cribs in the hamptons nate and benjamin debreif the Ballroom Marfa dinner, artworld news (and gossip) and so much more.


You won't want to miss this rare summer edition of Nota Bene.


The ONLY art podcast.

Aug 16, 202332:00
The GoGo profile
Jul 28, 202329:15
Live from Sag Harbor

Live from Sag Harbor

And we are back! With an episode recorded live from the eastern end of long island as Nate visits Benjamin as he summers.


We discuss the Parish Gala, the hungry FREIZE acquisition machine, and needless summer auctions.


All that AND MORE on the ONLY ART PODCAST

Jul 17, 202327:50
DRAWING with Jonas Wood

DRAWING with Jonas Wood

In this week's special bonus episode we are joined by our friend, the Los Angeles based artist Jonas Wood.

We discuss Jonas' artistic journey with a focus on his drawing practice, a twenty-year retrospective of which opened this week at KARMA in New York.

This is a fantastic conversation with one of contemporary art's most important and warm hearted practitioners and one you won't want to miss.


All that AND MORE on THE ONLY ART PODCAST.

Jun 29, 202344:52
UGLY PAINTING with curators Dean Kissick and Eleanor Cayre

UGLY PAINTING with curators Dean Kissick and Eleanor Cayre

At the top of the episode the gents wrap up their weekends and the top stories in art.


We are then joined by Eleanor Cayre and Dean Kissick to discuss their show UGLY PAINTING which opened at Nahmad Contemporary last night. This is a wide ranging conversation about the state of painting RIGHT NOW with two fun and intelligent thinkers and you won't want to miss a second of it.


All that AND MORE on THE ONLY ART PODCAST.

Jun 27, 202340:20
IDEAS ARE FUN with special Guest Darren Bader
Jun 22, 202301:09:43
WICKELFISCH: Basel Mega Episode with Guest Host James Michael Cardoso Schaeffer

WICKELFISCH: Basel Mega Episode with Guest Host James Michael Cardoso Schaeffer

We are back in Basel, Baby. Or at least Benjamin is. In Nate's inexplicable absence we are joined by guest host James Schaeffer to help break down all the sales, parties, gossip and MORE. We eat Weisswürste, see art, swim in the Rhine and let you know what everyone is talking about on the terrace of The Three Kings at 1:30 in the morning.


All that and SO MUCH MORE on THE ONLY ART PODCAST.

Jun 15, 202347:00
Did you get your hotel room in Basel yet, Nate? With Special Guest Meredith Rosen

Did you get your hotel room in Basel yet, Nate? With Special Guest Meredith Rosen

Benjamin and Nate meet up in New York where Nate breaks the devastating news that he will not be in attendance at ArtBasel next week.

But they rally to discuss all the happenings in the global art-world before being joined by a very special guest.


Meredith Rosen has an eponymous gallery on the Upper East Side of Manhattan where she has been showing some of the most radical and interesting artists imaginable in two charmingly idiosyncratic spaces. Meredith discusses the vision of her her project, how she got her start in the art world and where to get a decent bite on the UES.


All that and MORE on the ONLY ART PODCAST

Jun 07, 202341:04
It's Problematic

It's Problematic

From York Avenue to Madison, and all the way out to Brooklyn join Nate and Benjamin for a deep dive into this week’s most intriguing and talked about stories in the art world.


All that and more on THE ONLY ART PODCAST!


Jun 03, 202334:48
Technical Difficulties (on the pod and in the market)

Technical Difficulties (on the pod and in the market)

In this technologically truncated episode of the pod Benjamin and Nate discuss hiccups in the art market, the Frieze that was and and AMAZING event.

It may be short but my goodness is this episode sweet and we discuss everything you need to know on the ONLY ART PODCAST.

May 24, 202321:37
Auction Extravaganza with expert guest Lock Kresler
May 16, 202301:27:15
Checkpoint Charlie with James Michael Cardoso Schaeffer

Checkpoint Charlie with James Michael Cardoso Schaeffer

We are back to discuss all the art world happenings in New York

PLUS a dispatch on Berlin Art Weekend from our buddy James Cardoso Schaeffer.

All that and MORE

on THE ONLY ART PODCAST!

May 04, 202339:01
Just the Two of us

Just the Two of us

This week Nate and Benjamin report back from exhibits, parties, art fairs and restaurants in New York and Dallas.

This is a classic episode documenting the week that was in the world of art. All that AND MORE.


on the ONLY ART PODCAST

Apr 24, 202340:33
Dragged through the Garden with VERY Special Guests Jim Dempsey and John Corbett

Dragged through the Garden with VERY Special Guests Jim Dempsey and John Corbett

Nate and Benjamin are in CHICAGO to attend Expo Chicago and to eat a lot of hotdogs. We discuss the fair, boat tours, museums and SO MUCH MORE.


We are then joined by the incredible proprietors of CORBETT V. DEMPSEY, John Corbett and Jim Dempsey. These guys are absolute legends - and the conversation covers the founding of the gallery, the Chicago scene, their backgrounds (and continuing interest) in art cinema and music, and great Chicago bar's and restaurants. We also get into how they have situated the global with in the local while staying true to their Chicago roots. This is the type of conversation we started the pod to have.


All that AND MORE on THE ONLY ART PODCAST.

Apr 14, 202301:20:10
Hot Wet American Paint with special guest Annie Armstrong
Apr 08, 202342:35
The Captain's Bar with guest Andrew Russeth

The Captain's Bar with guest Andrew Russeth

The boys are back. Benjamin and Nate meet up in NYC to discuss The Knicks, AI, Wylie Dufresne's new pizza spot, dinner with an artworld insider and an insane offer from the Independent Art Fair.


We are then joined by arts journalist and confection aficionado Andrew Russeth who shares everything we missed at last week's Art Basel Hong Kong.


All that and more on THE ONLY ART PODCAST!

Mar 30, 202359:09
Vanities: With Special Guest Sarah Douglas

Vanities: With Special Guest Sarah Douglas

Nate is back from la-la-land and rubbing shoulders with the A-List.  He tells us all about attending the Party of the Year (TM) and we discuss some recent art and meals back New York way. Of course we have to touch on what museum curator seems to have side hustle in helping patrons....  deaccession works from their collection via the private market. 


We are then joined by Sarah Douglas, Editor-in-Chief, ARTnews and Art in America to discuss her life in the arts, the recent history and trajectory of art media AND some juicy gossip.


All that AND MORE on the ONLY ART PODCAST. 

Mar 17, 202301:21:10
Lobster Rarebit

Lobster Rarebit

The Gents are back and in person together in the greatest city in the world. Benjamin and Nate report on a very special lunch in New York by St. JOHN sponsored by Drake's - it took Fergus and Co to get Mr. Godsill to Brooklyn. And of course all the gossip from the art world in London, New York, LA, Costa Rica and BEYOND.


All that AND MORE on THE ONLY ART PODCAST

Mar 06, 202324:51
Not Friezing Anymore

Not Friezing Anymore

Nate and Benjamin report on all the events, gossip and art from Frieze Week (LA) 2023

Feb 24, 202323:43
Tennis & Tents, Frieze Week (LA) Begins

Tennis & Tents, Frieze Week (LA) Begins

Join Nate & Benjamin as we download our artword travels in the past week that took them to events in London, New York, Copenhagen and now finally back together in Los Angeles. In the second half we are joined by Frieze America’s director Christine Messineo to discuss all the exciting aspects of the Fair’s new Santa Monica location.
Feb 14, 202334:41
Advisor to the Stars Ralph DeLuca

Advisor to the Stars Ralph DeLuca

And we are (finally) back. Join Nate and Benjamin through a guided tour of all the openings and dinners in New York last week.

We are then joined by one of the most amusing gentleman in the art-world, Ralph DeLuca. Ralph has been an obsessive collector of objects since childhood and is an expert in, and has one of the most significant collections of, vintage movie posters. In recent years Ralph's obsession moved to contemporary art, first as a collector and now as a respected advisor to bold faced names and publicly traded companies. Ralph is witty, honest, passionate and not afraid to call 'em like he sees 'em. You won't want to miss his stories and his hot takes.


All that AND MORE on THE ONLY ART PODCAST. 

Jan 30, 202301:05:58
The 415

The 415

Nate and Benjamin are back!

We report on food, friends and FOG in San Fransisco.

Plus - terrible art advisor instagram.

All that, AND MORE on THE ONLY ART PODCAST!

Jan 22, 202323:50
Spicy Art and Hot Food

Spicy Art and Hot Food

In this perfect episode Nate and Benjamin discuss recent meals at area hot spots. Plus: bawdy art and animatronic nonagenarians. All that and MORE on the ONLY ART PODCAST
Jan 14, 202329:20
If you're not outraged your not paying attention: featuring the Burns Halpern Report authors Julia Halperin & Charlotte Burns

If you're not outraged your not paying attention: featuring the Burns Halpern Report authors Julia Halperin & Charlotte Burns

Nate and Benjamin quickly recap the beginning of the New Year and are then joined by superstar journalists Charlotte Burns and Julia Halperin. Charlotte and Julia are the authors of The Burns Halpern Report, a deeply researched and data driven look at the state of representation in art institutions and the art market. By investigating museum acquisitions and  art auction results Halpern and Burns have key - and frankly depressing - answers about how reflective these key components of the public sphere are of the racial and gender make-up of the world we live in. We learn how they have assembled their data set, what they have discovered and some hopeful thoughts about how we might move towards a more equitable future. You won't want to miss this special episode.


All that AND MORE on the ONLY ART PODCAST

Jan 10, 202350:31
Silly Season

Silly Season

Nate and Benjamin are back to say goodbye… to 2022. All of the holiday parties, all the food, all the vibes as 2022 fades to an end. All that and more on the ONLY ART PODCAST
Dec 23, 202222:19
twenty twenty two in review

twenty twenty two in review

Nate and Benjamin are joined for the full hour by advisor James Michael Cardoso Schaeffer to discuss the year that was. All the best (and worst) in exhibitions, parties, travel, meals and so much more. You won't want to miss this special episode with one of our favorite people.

Only on THE ONLY ART PODCAST.

Dec 09, 202258:28
After Action Report - Miami 2022

After Action Report - Miami 2022

Benjamin and Nate give a quick report on all the Miami hi-jinx. 

Dec 02, 202222:33
We're in Miami B!T&H

We're in Miami B!T&H

Nate and Benjamin have touched down in Miami Beach with Art Basel about to open, and start to go over the terrifying number of art fairs, museum shows, brand activations, fashion parties, and dumb NFT shenanigans. We parse through what’s unmissable, what’s skippable, and break down how to deal with going back and forth across the causeways. Plus we reveal the CORRECT way to order at Joe’s Stone Crab.
Nov 27, 202224:08
Auction Previews with Lock Kresler

Auction Previews with Lock Kresler

We are back with our auction ringer Lock Kresler to dissect all the stories behind the top lots coming up on the block this week in New York.  We preview the sales on Park Avenue, York Avenue and in Rockefeller Center and let you know what to look for as over a billion dollars of art gets sold by the three main houses this week (not including the 1.5 billion sale of Paul Allen's collection last week). 


Whether you are bidding for yourself on the phone, on behalf of clients in the saleroom or just following along via the livestream at home you won't want to request a condition report until you've listened to this special broadcast.


All that and more on the ONLY ART PODCAST!

Nov 15, 202201:11:22