Art organization Kadist, known for its global focus, closes its San Francisco location following a 14-year tenure.
In a surprising turn of events, Kadist, a renowned Paris-based nonprofit organisation, has announced the closure of its San Francisco space after 14 years. However, the closure does not mark the end of Kadist's operations.
Established in Paris by Vincent Worms and Sandra Terdjman, Kadist has been a significant player in the global art scene for over a decade. The organisation, which holds a collection of over 2,000 artworks, has been known for its extensive collaborations with museums across the Americas and the world.
Joseph Del Pesco, Kadist's Americas director, confirmed that the organisation will continue its work despite the closure of the venue. Del Pesco, in an interview with Mission Local, a San Francisco-based publication, stated that Kadist did not face funding issues.
The closure of Kadist's San Francisco space, which was opened in 2011, five years after the organisation was founded in Paris, was announced on social media. However, the announcement did not include details about the upcoming exhibitions, events, residencies, and conversations that Kadist has been known for.
Kadist's San Francisco space was defined by its globalism, featuring solo shows for artists such as Hank Willis Thomas, Jota Mombaça, Wadada Leo Smith, Pio Abad, Ad Minoliti, and Erick Beltrán. The space also staged group shows, including a 2015 version of "A Journal of the Plague Year."
The closure of Kadist's San Francisco space marks the end of one of San Francisco's richest non-commercial art venues. Lynn Hershman Leeson, a San Francisco-based artist, expressed that the closure is a loss to the city.
Despite the closure, critics and dealers based in San Francisco have rebutted reports suggesting a decline in the city's art scene. Over the last 10 years, Kadist has shifted more of its attention and work to international collaborations. The organisation will continue to operate a space in Paris, and its international collaborations will continue post-closure.
Marie Secrétan, the head of Kadist in the Americas, has been instrumental in the organisation's success in San Francisco. Kadist's international collaborations will continue, ensuring that the organisation's impact on the global art scene will persist.
