Dave Hickey is also a good topic of discussion at an art-world lunch. If you don't know who he is yet, ask. Don't be afraid to show you naivet . Not knowing is a great opportunity to ask for information or advice, which makes you less threatening. Ask questions about art world things that interest you.
Information is power.
People love to give free information and free advice. Art Issues is also very important because everybody's talking about Dave Hickey. It's like the CNN of the art world. Also read the art reviews in the New York Times every Friday. It's even valuable to read the art reviews in the New York Observer and the Village Voice, at least to be informed about the uncool opinions of reactionary critics like Hilton Kramer and Jerry Saltz.