Paul Schimmel

curator
on hauser wirth & schimmel gallery, los angeles

interview by OLIVIER ZAHM and RITA ACKERMANN
photography and portrait by DANIEL TRESE

RITA ACKERMANN — What’s a “curator” now?

PAUL SCHIMMEL — When I started in the ’70s, people didn’t know what the word meant: “What’s a curator?” Now, it’s arguably the most professionally abused of all titles. There are curators in every commercial endeavor, including food, fashion, and real estate. I suppose there are curator pimps now. The meaning of the word “curator” has been expanded and to some degree convoluted. However, my sense of a curator is someone who comes from an academic background, who has a solid foundation in art history, who is a good speaker, and must be a good writer.

OLIVIER ZAHM — Writing’s that important?

PAUL SCHIMMEL — It’s critical. There are good curators who are excellent writers, and there are excellent curators who…