Why I Love Adam Lindemann's Instagram:
The art world is serious enough and Adam knows it, but, despite that posts endearing weekly videos I love.
When it comes to art world social media, there is a lot to say. We live in a digital age where curation is everything, and often, our social media feeds are meant to be the best versions of ourselves. Or rather, the best curated version. When it comes to the art world, the stakes for this are even higher in a sense because this is an industry that quite literally deals in aesthetics and the buying and selling of them.
Image and brand marketing of course play a role in this and is a certain way a mega gallery, and a mega gallerist want to appear to the world. Often it is projecting an image of luxury, jet setting, and artworks and exhibitions that are shown in the most pristine settings. And frankly, it can all be a bit exhausting to see and be consuming this kind of content a regular basis. There are so many facets to the art world and galleries, and people that are composed of it, many of which don’t have a sense of humor. From my favorite chaotic auction house Instagrammer Simon Shaw, to the refined mega gallerist David Zwirner (celebrating 30 years of existing in this often unhinged social space), to many others. But, what of my most recent favorite accounts, and perhaps is a bit off the beaten path in its own way, is Adam Lindemann's IG feed.
Screenshot from Lindemann’s IG where he is “Standing with the King.”
Lindemann has been in the art industry for several decades, and as far as art dealers and gallerists go, he is as serious as they come. Owner of the successful Venus Over Manhattan Gallery that he has run since 2012, and being married to art powerhouse, Amalia Dayan who is a partner at Levy Gorvy Dayan, Lindemann has charted his own course in the art world, and has been known to make a few jokes along the way. He also has set several records with artworks from his personal collection notably with Jeff Koons and Basquiat, among others.
Adam Lindemann’s IG And the Viral Yves Kline Post
Over the last few months, Adam's IG has become one account I have come to immensely enjoy. It’s also one that I discuss often with my friends. Having never met the man in person, this is what I have gathered from his social media presence. His posts are often folksy, funny, and endearing in their own way. He maintains a real down to earth presence despite being an art world player which is something I have come to appreciate. Earlier this year, Lindemann broke his leg and he documented his various art adventures on crutches and occasional wheelchair as he recovered.
Screenshot of Lindemann’s IG account where he accidentally steps in Yves Kline’s famous blue pigment.
One post that went semi viral in the art world came last month encapsulates some of the best things I have come to appreciate about the account. And is to me in a way, classic Lindemann. In a clip from a surveillance video from LGD, Lindemann, in a boot, can be seen visiting the Yves Klein show at his wife's gallery. Lindemann walks towards the pigment and staircase, and seemingly isn't paying attention and steps right into it.
His wife can be seen walking away then comes back when the boot hits the pigment. Lindemann sits on the nearby step, now with a visible white hole in the famous blue, leaving his inevitable mark. While there's no sound on the video, you can see Dayan and Lindemann interact over it and it's a funny moment for sure. He gestures upstairs and she holds her phone and talks to him. Her body language says it all and other people took note in the comments.
Screenshot of Lindemann’s account where he accidentally steps in Yves Kline’s famous blue pigment and interacts with his wife post accident.
The caption makes it for me, “Caught on security camera! Loved the Yves Klein show so much I stepped in it ! @levygorvydayan ! Je suis désolé Yves!” His regular posts on the IG grid are what you would expect for someone in Lindemann's position. A combination of posts promoting his artists and galleries, selfies with a cute dog and art, some travel photos, and an occasional magazine shout out. However, this one is very special for many reasons.
The Sunday Scratch
For me, it's all about Adam's stories and this is where it gets even more folksy and fun. Every Sunday he posts what he has dubbed a “Sunday Scratch.” In it, Lindmann will usually pick a specific song and play it. While I have yet to get a direct definition from the man himself, I think about them as a cover or rift of a song. Usually a country, blues, or folk song, in the short pieces, we can see Lindemann really stretch himself as a guitar player sometimes he has accompaniment. Two weeks ago it was “Walk The Line.”
This past Sunday, Lindemann broke out a banjo and had an accompanying guitar player perform on a park bench with their guitar cases open for tips. The thing is, Lindemann is pretty good. He plays well and picks songs that capture a moment, and are catchy. Personally, I wish he would upload them as reels because I am sure I am not the only one who wants to see them again.
Lindemann’s Many Lives
I get the sense that he has lived a few lives and inhabits an interesting position in the art world. He was a regular writer for The Observer for several years where he covered a wide range of things. And while writing, he also was working in the art world as a dealer, and collector, offering two different sides of this complicated coin. He also published two books and one that took on an interview format titled Collecting Contemporary Art. Lindemann also attended Yale Law and is a graduate of Amherst College. He was married previously, and he has kids. And he has been in the art world a while, and frankly, has seen some shit.
His father, Georgoe Lindemann is an American businessman who was chairman and chief executive officer of Southern Union,a fossil company and in 2018, he was ranked #703 on the Forbes list of the world's billionaires. He was tied for that place as noted in his Wharton Obit. Lindemann's mother Dr. Frayda B. Lindemann, was deeply involved in the Metropolitan Opera serving as a trustee and VP of its board. There Is a wing of the ICU of the Greenwich Hospital that bears their name, and at Brown University, where some of Adam's siblings attended, there is the Lindemann's Performing Arts Center.
Growing up with a billionaire as a parent sets up a certain kind of dynamic and I am willing to bet an outlook and approach to life. While I can personally speak to this, I can imagine. These are interesting facts about a person who to the outsider seems to be both very aware of the position he inhabits, but also isn't afraid to crack a joke when needed. There is a certain level of self reflexivity I appreciate about Lindemann's social media. It's a little wonky and endearing. He is an actual father of after all. But there is something still intriguing and genuine to me about it all. Perhaps Adam can help Simon with his social media and get him on board with how to use it. Also, I think other serious art world people could stand to take a page out of Adam’s book more often and post the way he does.
Until next time daddies be sure to follow The art daddy substack as well as on Instagram to get your daily dose of daddies. Dm's are always open for news, gossip, and tea sessions.