Voices: Steven Sacks, bitforms, New York
Steven Sacks
Steven Sacks is the owner of bitforms, located in New York City’s Lower East Side.
Quayola, Pleasant Places – Diptych, 2016 Two-channel video (color, sound), media player, screen or projector Dimensions variable, landscape orientation 15 min 20 sec, loop. Courtesy of bitforms.
Tell us about why you decided to open a gallery.
In early 2000 there were numerous new media art exhibits, including the Whitney’s “Bitstreams” which had an indelible impact on me. After seeing this new media influx in museums I felt there was an opportunity to open a gallery with a devotion to that experimental genre. Almost 20 years later, bitforms gallery represents established, mid-career, and emerging artists critically engaged with new technologies. Spanning the rich history of media art through its current developments, the gallery’s program offers an incisive perspective on the fields of digital, internet, time-based, and new media art forms.
Why are you passionate about art?
Art offers an unrestrained freedom of expression. It’s nice to be around that 24/7.
Sara Ludy Nest 1 (2018) Waken Glass: copper mesh and glass 4 x 8 x 7 in. Courtesy of bitforms.
How have you grown as a dealer over the years?
I've grown a lot. It’s a challenging business. Especially as a small gallery with a focus on more experimental art forms. I have learned how to better navigate the fine art world, while keeping an eye on broader contemporary cultural influences, helping me grow and further develop our unique program.
Sara Ludy, Ether Flow (2019) Inkjet on linen, oil paint. Courtesy of bitforms.
Name a big overall lesson you've learned in running a gallery.
Be prepared not to sell. Mentally and fiscally.
What are you busy working on right now?
Everything. It’s a constant flow of shows, fairs, artist relations, social media and outreach. We are currently in San Francisco with a pop-up at Minnesota Street Project and will be back again when our artist Rafael Lozano-Hemmer has a SF MoMA solo show in April 2020. Planning for our 20th year anniversary in 2021 is also on the current agenda.
What is your favourite thing about your gallery space?
I love our location on the lower east side. The history and multicultural connections add an authenticity to our neighborhood that feeds and inspires the gallery.
Sara Ludy (2019) Clumps in a Meadow, Inkjet on linen, oil paint. Courtesy of bitforms.
Sara Ludy (2018) Perch 2, Waken Glass: copper mesh and glass 11.5 in / 29.2 cm, length. Courtesy of bitforms.