Here’s a photo we posted on our social media feeds Saturday afternoon — a big crowd swarming the former Germania Bank Building at 190 Bowery for an alleged one-night-only art show. Most all of those people were turned away, being told by a woman backed up against the front door that only those on her list would be gaining admittance.
When news broke early last week that the new owner of the mysterious building, Aby Rosen, and his pal Vito Schnabel planned the public show, people pretty much went bonkers. The building has not been open to the public since 1966. Then, on Friday, Artnet News reported that the exhibition had been abruptly closed. The masses were not at all pleased.
And the reaction online?
P.R. stunt and people are mad as hell! “@MissMita: Disappointed that the event at #190Bowery was invite only.”
— Diva Design (@DivaDesign) May 16, 2015
#190Bowery is a total fiasco. Hundreds of art fans getting stuffed by 6 security guards letting in about a dozen middle-aged Art snobs — Scott Heins (@scottheins) May 16, 2015
Disappointing #190Bowery @JulianSchnabel what a joke or publicity stunt or whatever this was pic.twitter.com/sdMoARUs1v
— Kelly Wallace (@kellythewriter1) May 17, 2015
A message on Vito Schnabel’s website reads:
The show will be open by appointment May 18 – 29, Monday through Friday from 12-6pm. Please email rsvp@vitoschnabel.com with your requested time and we will do our best to accommodate you.
Artnet posted a few photos from inside the building yesterday.
