Kipton Cronkite: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

The Steeple Times asks art curator, advisor and advocate Kipton Cronkite: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?

I surround myself with those who remind me not to take life too seriously and to laugh, no matter what. For new relationships, focus on those who have positive energy and a similar outlook on life.

“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?

Immediately forget timewasters who are negative and dramatic.

Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2013?

I have no clue what Kerry Katona is, but not responding to an invitation is always unacceptable.

Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?

I miss not having more time to do what I love and see the people who make me happy.

What might you swap all your wealth for?

Anything for my family and friends.

Donald Trump was once a case of: “If you owe the bank a thousand, they close you down; but if you owe the bank a billion, you own the bank”. What’s your view on the banking crisis?

Bankers allowed things to happen that caused the crisis but give it time and I’m sure another crisis will happen again. Greediness never wins in the long run.

What phrase or word do you most loathe?

Three words: “gauche”, “boo” and “moist”.

In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?

I support art-related charities: the KiptonART Foundation and the Whitney Museum of American Art.

The judge in Law Abiding Citizen states: “I can pretty much do whatever I want” before being blown up whilst answering her mobile phone. What’s your view on the appropriate use of such devices?

The only time I ever turn off my iPhone is while I’m sleeping.  It keeps me connected to clients, family and friends and I like it that way.

If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?

Too many to list but I would say: John F. Kennedy, Pablo Picasso, Paul Newman, Steve Jobs, Andy Warhol, Elizabeth Taylor, Michael Jackson, Marilyn Monroe and Rembrandt.

If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?

German chocolate cake.

What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?

1pm.

A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?

A martini.

Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?

I’ve never been to a party I didn’t like.

Who is the most positive person you know?

My 96 year old grandmother was the most positive person I knew.

What’s your most guilty pleasure?

Dessert.

If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?

I like tattoos on other people but just not on me.

If you were a car, what marque would you be?

A BMW.

Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.

I’ve been an uncle since I was 11 years old.

What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?

Photos of my family and friends.

New York based Kipton Cronkite is a former financial advisor who launched KiptonART in 2005 and co-founded the @60” e-commerce art gallery in 2012. He is a member of the executive committee for the Whitney Contemporaries and co-founded the Young Patrons Circle of the American Friends of the Louvre.

View the official website of @60” at: http://www.at60inches.com

Read Kipton Cronkite’s blog at: http://www.kipton.com
Follow him on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/kiptoncronkite

View his Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/kiptoncronkite