After last year’s outrageous outbreaks of insurgency—invited bribes, on-the-hoof rule changes, projectile French fries—last night saw a new and stricter regime in place at The Arts Club’s annual Art Quiz, organised by Alia Al-Senussi and Abdullah Al-Turki. However, an air of amiably uproarious anarchy still prevailed at this much-loved bunfight, now in its fifth year, at which tables of art world luminaries— including artist Roger Hiorns, Ikon Gallery’s Jonathan Watkins and the Whitechapel Gallery’s Iwona Blazwick—along with your correspondent, gather at the club in Dover Street to air their knowledge (or lack of it). Each year the quiz raises funds for a selected non-profit organisation—this time the contemporary visual art organisation Gasworks, in south London.
Despite the introduction of cash penalties and the imposition of a Naughty Corner (which proved rather popular), joint quizmasters ICA supremo Gregor Muir and Sotheby’s Oliver Barker had their work cut out to keep the unruly hordes in check. Particular rowdiness emanated from the M+ table, headed by the patron and collector Maya Rasamny—ably supported by the National Portrait Gallery director Nicholas Cullinan—who, largely due to lungpower, were the eventual winners. But at least this year they didn't have to contend with the recently departed Tate Modern director Chris Dercon, who despite being a quizmaster himself had in the past been responsible for some of the more severe lapses in discipline.
Nonetheless, the absent Mr D made his presence felt by submitting a series of annoyingly obscure questions (Sample Q: Who is designing the new extension for the Beyeler? A: We don’t know, there is only a shortlist for now), which Muir and Barker delivered wearing flamboyant scarves in honour of the great man.
Other more entertaining questions included guessing the favourite crisp flavour of various artists (Jeremy Deller: Marmite, Idris Khan: sweet chilli, Sarah Lucas: smoky bacon). At the end of the evening, everyone departed better informed and hoarser of voice, with Gasworks nearly £3,000 better off. Roll on next year!
