The Human Condition: The Stephen and Pamela Hootkin Collection Sept. 2014 | Page 57

down. We don’t have that same obsessive drive to be out
there buying every month that we once had. We still look
at what is going on in the field and I would have to say
that if we saw something that really bowled us over we’d
buy it. We are not canvassing everything quite the way
we used to. We are past that, but we try to stay current
with what’s going on. If there were something that really
knocked our socks off we would go after it in a minute.

Akio Takamori, Man in Love, 1987.

SH: Our last exciting purchase was Michael Lucero’s

wooden figures of 1978–79, which we had seen in his
studio on our first visit. For many years we wanted one.

so quickly and dramatically. By focusing on a narrow

Then, a year or two ago, I was talking to Michael and I

field we felt that we could get to know it more than just

reminded him about it, “All these years we’ve been trying

superficially. This is still true today. Of course, we still

to buy one of your wooden figures.” He jokingly said,

read Art in America, Art News, and the other art journals,

“Well, I still have fifteen of them, why don’t you buy them

and we regularly attend museum exhibitions. But we

all?” I immediately said, “Yes.” We bought them sight

stick to what we feel comfortable with. I would hesitate

unseen. That was our last big purchase, and again, it

to prognosticate about where the gigantic art world is

happened by accident. So things like that still happen.

going. It’s become very commoditized, the prices have

Incidentally, we had the fifteen figures sent directly
from the artist’s warehouse to the Chazen. The
exhibition that was mounted shortly thereafter was
only the second time these wonderful figures were
shown as a group. We loved the installation so much
that we donated all of the figures to the museum.
RP: Given your long experience with the art world, is

become extraordinary, and it’s so much about marketing.
I don’t think anyone knows where it will end up.
RP: I have one final question that may be akin to

asking who is your favorite child. Does each of you have
a particular favorite? If you could only have one piece
from the entire collection, which would be it?
PH: There are a half a dozen things that run through

there anything that intrigues you and makes you wonder

my mind that I really feel strongly about and am

where it’s going?

attached to. However, I couldn’t choose just one piece.

SH: We have always been very focused in our collecting

SH: No, I couldn’t pick one piece because for me the

because from the start we were aware of the enormity and

whole is far greater than the individual parts. The whole is

the changing nature of the art world. And it all changes

just exciting, a wonderful plus. It’s impossible to choose.

NEXT PAGE: The Hootkins' bedroom.

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