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BIOGRAPHY

Uri Vaknin

Uri Vaknin is one of the partners of Vaknin Schwartz, a fine art gallery in Atlanta. Since the opening in September of 1997 Uri Vaknin has organized several high profile exhibitions introducing important internationally renowned artists to Atlanta including Nan Goldin, Ed Ruscha, Ross Bleckner, Jenny Holzer, Dan Flavin, Laurie Simmons, and Louise Borgeious.

Broad Experience

Mr. Vaknin's involvement in the art world is not limited to the gallery. He participated in two art fairs and has traveled extensively, meeting with artists and visiting exhibitions, Mr. Vaknin was on the Gallery Committee for Nexus (now called The Contemporary), assisting with marketing and directing the gallery programming. Mr. Vaknin has been an invited guest curator at Nexus and was co-chair of the Nexus Contemporary Art Center's 25th Anniversary Gala. An event that was the institution's top grossing fund-raiser in its 25 year history.

Mr. Vaknin was also on the board of Artists in Residence International, where he played an active role in facilitating international exchanges of artists.

He has been profiled in numerous magazines and newspapers – most recently in a cover story in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution as the "Go-to Gallery" in Atlanta. Atlanta's Dossier magazine selected him for their 1998 Hall of Fame: The men and women who shape our destiny.

Eve Mannes Arts Advisory

Prior to founding Vaknin Schwartz, Uri Vaknin was director of the Eve Mannes Arts Advisory, formerly the Eve Mannes Gallery. In that position, Mr. Vaknin worked on a number of high profile projects. These included: assisting with the management of the International Sculpture Exposition/Atlanta (ISE/A), a project of ACOG and the Michael C. Carlos Museum; facilitating the commission of the Baron Pierre de Coubertin sculpture in Centennial Olympic Park; managing a 30 sculpture commission project for the Georgia Hall of Fame; managing and promoting the Olympic lighting projects for the BellSouth Tower and NationsBank Plaza.

Electric Blanket

Prior to working with Eve Mannes, Mr. Vaknin independently curated and organized two exhibitions: Electric Blanket and The AIDS Cure Project Art Show. Electric Blanket, a visual projection developed by Nan Goldin, was exhibited on the front lawn of the High Museum to commemorate World AIDS Day. Mr. Vaknin worked with the Curator of Photography for the High Museum on the project. Electric Blanket received positive critical review and extensive media coverage.

The AIDS Cure Project Art Show

The AIDS Cure Project Art Show at King Plow Arts Center was conceived, curated and organized by Mr. Vaknin. The exhibition presented works in all media by over forty nationally recognized artists including: Nan Goldin, David Wojnarowicz, Sue Coe, Keith Haring and Nancy Burson. The show was profiled on CNN and Mr. Vaknin received critical praise for his curatorial expertise.

Dorothy McRae Gallery

From 1991 to 1994, Mr. Vaknin was the director of the Dorothy McRae Gallery. In that position, he oversaw the addition of a new 7,200 square foot gallery space and was responsible for all aspects of the gallery's operations, including: sales, organizing exhibitions, marketing, creating invitations and ad designs, and managing staff and interns. Mr. Vaknin organized over twenty-five exhibitions during his tenure at the Dorothy McRae Gallery. among those he curated, the exhibition of Ed Serotta's photography of the Sarajevo Jewish Community became a touring museum show and has been published in a book.

Awards and Lectures

In 1989, Uri Vaknin was the recipient of the Congress-Bundestag Exchange for Young Professionals Scholarship from the governments of the United States and Germany. As one of fifty-two americans selected, Mr. Vaknin had the opportunity to study German language at the University of Hanover. This and his studies at Georgia State University made him fluent in German. Mr. Vaknin also studied the Russian language and worked with many Russian artists in his numerous visits to the former Soviet Union.

Mr. Vaknin has also lectured at the High Museum of Art, Georgia Tech and the Atlanta College of Art.

APG shows juried by Uri Vaknin

Year 2000 Alternative Processes Show, August – September, 2000