Independent Curators International (ICI) just announced that Michael Govan, director of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), will be presented with the 2015 Leo Award this November for ICI’s 40th anniversary. The annual award, named after dealer Leo Castelli, honors those who have demonstrated outstanding support of contemporary artists and have made groundbreaking contributions to the field.
Before he receives the Leo, Govan will be in Houston for Glasstire’s “OFF ROAD: Conversations with Artists Offline” on October 17 at the new MATCH center. The pioneering “Light and Space” artist Robert Irwin will join him in the conversation with “no rules, no limits, and no podiums.” From 1994 to 2006, Mr. Govan was president and director of Dia Art Foundation, where he spearheaded the creation of Dia:Beacon, a museum in New York’s Hudson Valley, with grounds designed by Irwin. Since Govan’s arrival at LACMA, he has orchestrated the commission and installation of the artist projects that dot the museum’s campus, including Irwin’s evolving palm garden.
Earlier this year, Irwin began a giant installation for the Chinati Foundation in Marfa, which is expected to open to the public next year. The installation will be the first major installation added to the Chinati Foundation since 2004 as well as the first freestanding structure designed by Irwin that is devoted solely to his work.
