THE NIGHT OF THE REGIME CHANGE IN AMERICA

It felt like the night of a regime change, like the ones we see on TV in Ukraine or Georgia. Last time I experienced this type of outpouring of public emotions was the day after the Islamic revolution in Iran back in 1978.

There were no slogans. No banners, only one word and one picture: OBAMA. Everyone screamed Obama. The cab driver, the people on the street, neighbours hanging from their windows.

The night started for us in midtown in front of the Rockefeller centre and CNN and it continued on to Gavin Brown's Gallery at the southwest corner of Soho where an election exhibition was about to open. The artist had replicated the portraits of all 43 US presidents and had hung them around the room, with Obama's framed picture waiting to be hung on an empty spot in the row of portraits. There was also a big bag of balloons hanging from the ceiling waiting to come down in case of an Obama Victory. (PICTURES)

There were free food, free drinks, wine, beer and champagne for everyone and the city's art community more or less had gathered to experience the night. We were sitting next to Dan Colen, Tomma Abts and Gavin Brown himself. At one point someone ordered 1000 dollars of Mexican Takeout for our side of the room. It was an amazing experience of collective joy. Socialism seemed very close.

The sharing didn't stop among the artists. Outside, on the way to the Lower East Side hang out Nowhere Bar, people were giving away drinks, food and even drugs. I received so many hugs and kisses it felt like a very special new year's eve.

Next morning, I had to fork up 10 dollars for a copy of New York Times that right now trades for up to 500 dollar on EBAY.

Check out the pictures. I will post more pics, videos and commentary very soon.

Welcome to change!