Archive for March, 2014

Christie’s To Auction Works From Collection of Edgar Bronfman

Monday, March 31st, 2014

Christie’s New York Impressionist and Modern Auction on May 6th will sell off over $34 million in art from the collection of late collector Edgar Bronfman, Bloomberg reports.  The sale will feature strong works from Picasso, Matisse and Monet, among many others. (more…)

Virginia Overton Prepares to Open New Work at Storm King Arts Center

Monday, March 31st, 2014

When Storm King Arts Center opens for the 2014 season, it will prominently feature a new work by Virginia Overton, a 488-foot long, undulating line of brass tubing, meant to roll and shift with the land as if a line on a topographic map, but which also conducts the sounds of the space around it.  “I wanted to make something that had an impact but spoke to the environment,” Ms. Overton says, “something that fit into the landscape.” (more…)

The Met Makes Room for New Work in Its Collection Following Sale of $5.4 Million in Art Last Year

Monday, March 31st, 2014

Over the past year, the Metropolitan Museum of Art has sold off nearly $5.4 million in art, with another $3 million in paintings expected to sell this year, the New York Post reports, including a series of pieces donated by former Met president George Blumenthal.  “The museum is perpetually engaged in assessing its own collections, refining them, and making room for new acquisitions that merit display,” says spokesman Harold Holzer. “The Met owns more than 1.5 million works of art in all, and even in this vast building, storage space is finite.” (more…)

Documenta Director Bernd Leifeld to Step Down

Monday, March 31st, 2014

Bernd Leifeld, who has served as the director of the Documenta art festival since 1996, has announced that he will step down from his post, having organized four successful editions of the event during his tenure.   “I am leaving with two weeping eyes,” Leifeld said in an interview with the German Press Agency. “But I wanted to decide for myself when I leave.”  (more…)

Cornelius Gurlitt to Return Collection of Looted Artworks

Monday, March 31st, 2014

Cornelius Gurlitt, the Munich man at the center of the discovery of hundreds of artworks potentially looted from Jewish collectors during World War II, has announced that he will begin returning the works to their rightful owners.  The return will begein this week, as Seated Woman/Woman Sitting in Armchair, an iconic Matisse, is delivered to the descendants of French collector Paul Rosenberg.  “Mr. Gurlitt has given us free rein to return those pictures that belonged to Jews to their previous owners or their descendants,” says court-appointed lawyer Christoph Edel. (more…)

New York – Maria Lassnig at MoMA PS1 Through May 25th, 2014

Monday, March 31st, 2014


Maria Lassnig, Lady with Brain (1990), via Art Observed

The work of Maria Lassnig is deceptive in its simplicity.  Bright, seasick colors and sloping, often pathos-inspiring, self-portraits seem to fade in and out of focus, occasionally giving away to the staunch white of the surrounding canvas.  In others, the artist blends cool tones and and an even smoother application to create pieces almost completely vacant in their emotional intensity.  But in each work, a powerful subtext can be detected, a self-awareness both vocally present and consistently self-aware in its definition and re-defining of itself.  (more…)

New York- Trevor Shimizu at 47 Canal Through April 6th, 2014

Sunday, March 30th, 2014


Trevor Shimizu, Girlfriend Wants a Baby, (2010), all images Courtesy 47 Canal

Again, a solo show of the work of Trevor Shimizu, is currently on view at 47 Canal now through April 6.  From the work itself to the press release of this show, the dry wit and intense self-awareness of Shimizu’s voice reverberates throughout each work.

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London – George Condo: “Ink Drawings” at Skarstedt Gallery Through April 5th, 2014

Saturday, March 29th, 2014


George Condo, Standing Bather (2013), via Skarstedt

On view at Skarstedt Gallery in London are a series of ink on paper drawings by George Condo, combining styles and techniques from different modes of painting, often subverting, but always focused around the commonly accepted conventions of the portrait.

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New York – Chuck Close: “Nudes 1967-2014” at Pace Through March 29th, 2014

Friday, March 28th, 2014


Chuck Close, Untitled Torso Diptych (2001), all images courtesy Pace Gallery

Taking an inside look at the meticulous creative process of artist Chuck ClosePace Gallery in New York presents an exhibition featuring Polaroids, daguerreotypes and an acrylic painting exploring the artist’s continually shifting approach to the human figure.  The exhibition focuses on “the body,” a subject long-investigated by the artist.  Born in 1940 in Monroe, Washington, Chuck Close is best known for his many renditions of the human face. Mostly large in scale and based on photographs, his works are in the permanent collections of major museums and galleries around the globe, and have been the subject of more than 200 solo exhibitions in more than 20 countries.

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Stockholm – Brad Kahlhamer: “The Four Hairs” at Andréhn-Schiptjenko Through March 29th, 2014

Thursday, March 27th, 2014


Brad Kahlhamer, The Four Hairs (2012), All images courtesy Andréhn-Schiptjenko.

New York-based artist Brad Kahlhamer is currently on view at Stockholm’s Andréhn-Schiptjenko. The artist, who works across mediums ranging from painting and sculpture to video and music the gallery has chosen to invite viewers to access his unique understanding of his surroundings or perhaps, alternative reality, through his painting, assemblage and sculpture.


Brad Kahlhamer, Kill Chiefs, (2010)  (more…)

London – Georg Baselitz: “Farewell Bill” at Gagosian Gallery Through March 29th, 2014

Thursday, March 27th, 2014


Georg Baselitz, Untitled (2013), all images courtesy Gagosian Gallery

On view at Gagosian London is an exhibition of recent works by German painter Georg Baselitz, focusing the artist’s distinct style through a series of paintings focused on the self-portrait, while paying direct homage to the gestural figures of Willem de Kooning. The exhibition will remain on view through March 29, 2014.

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Cory Arcangel’s “Surfware” Line Gets a Release Date

Wednesday, March 26th, 2014

Arcangel Surfware, the line of internet inspired clothing and accessories by Cory Arcangel will see release at a one-day pop-up shop at the SoHo Holiday Inn, the artist has announced.  “I’ve always looked to disperse my artwork in as many different arenas as possible. I’ve been surfing the world wide web nearly since its inception, and I just haven’t seen a fully integrated and consistently designed line of products aimed at making the experience more comfortable, more personal, and ultimately more relaxing,” Arcangel says. (more…)

Manifesta 10 Announces Artist List

Wednesday, March 26th, 2014

The list of artists participating in this summer’s Manifesta biennial has been released, including Guy Ben-Ner, Maria Lassnig, and Francis Alÿs, among others.  The 10th edition of the event will begin on June 28th in St. Petersburg. (more…)

ArtNews Profiles Rauschenberg Foundation’s Commitment to Ambitious Works

Wednesday, March 26th, 2014

The Rauschenberg Foundation is profiled in ArtNews this week, following the institution’s ambitious Marfa Dialogues event last fall, and its ongoing commitment to ambitious commissions and artist projects.  ““We look at our grant making through the lens of the values that defined Bob,” says Executive Director  Christy MacLear.  “So you don’t only say, ‘What would Bob do?’ Instead, you set up a framework so that a hundred years from now you can ask: Is it collaborative? Is it boundary-breaking? Is it risk-taking?”  (more…)

New York – Kiki Smith: “Wonder” at Pace Gallery Through March 29th, 2014

Wednesday, March 26th, 2014


Kiki Smith, Rogue Stars (2012), all images courtesy Pace Gallery

On view at New York’s Pace Gallery is artist Kiki Smith’s first major New York exhibition in four years, presenting new works made from aluminium, bronze, fine silver, textile, stained and hand-blown antique glass, and paint.


Kiki Smith, Crescent Bird (2011), (more…)

Opening Ceremony Launches Magritte Capsule Line

Tuesday, March 25th, 2014

Opening Ceremony has unveiled its collection of designs influenced by Rene Magritte, featuring a full line of apparel and footwear branded with the artist’s signature surrealist exercises.  The capsule collection was launched during London Fashion Week, and will be available starting in May 2014. (more…)

W Magazine Spotlights Maxwell Graham and his Essex Street Gallery

Tuesday, March 25th, 2014

W Magazine has published a profile on dealer Maxwell Graham and his Essex Street Gallery space.  Having worked previously with Greene Naftali, Graham has run Essex Street for the past several years, and discusses his approach to running his space.  “It’s good to not do things properly sometimes,” he says. “I don’t always like the shows that happen here—but sometimes it’s not about me. It’s okay if something fails, as long as it’s taking a risk. I don’t want my artists to rely on art to make a living. I almost wish my younger artists would take after the older ones and disappear for 30 years. And, hopefully, I’ll be here for them to come back to.”  (more…)

Martin Creed Interviewed in the Guardian

Tuesday, March 25th, 2014

Martin Creed is interviewed in The Guardian this week, giving a typically elusive, cheeky interview covering his greatest fears, his most embarrassing moment, and his thoughts on dinner parties: “I hate dinner parties,” he says. “I don’t even like dinners particularly. I hate eating because I am scared of most food a lot of the time. I am disgusted by meat and fish.” (more…)

Shigeru Ban Wins 2014 Pritzker Prize

Tuesday, March 25th, 2014

Toyko-born architect Shigeru Ban has been awarded with the 2014 Pritzker Prize, recognizing his work with low-cost emergency shelters and temporary structures at natural and man-made disaster sites around the world.   “Receiving this prize is a great honor,” Ban says, “and with it, I must be careful. I must continue to listen to the people I work for, in my private residential commissions and in my disaster relief work. I see this prize as encouragement for me to keep doing what I am doing — not to change what I am doing, but to grow.” (more…)

Gagosian Gallery To Open Two More Spaces in New York

Tuesday, March 25th, 2014

Larry Gagosian is preparing to add another pair of New York exhibition spaces to his already impressive set of spaces, including a new space at Park Avenue and 75th, and a temporary exhibition space on Delancey Street in the Lower East Side, both of which will open next month with shows of new sculpture by Urs Fischer.   (more…)

Hans Ulrich Obrist Writes on Being a Curator

Monday, March 24th, 2014

Hans Ulrich Obrist has published an essay in The Guardian this week, discussing the current state of curatorial practice, and the importance he sees for curators in contemporary arts.  “When I became a curator,” he writes, “I wanted to be helpful to artists. I think of my work as that of a catalyst – and sparring partner.” (more…)

Sarah Lucas Selected for 2015 British Pavilion Exhibition in Venice

Monday, March 24th, 2014

The British Pavilion at next year’s Venice Biennale will spotlight the work of Sarah Lucas, the BBC reports.  “Having consistently pushed the limits of her practice, there’s a sense that Lucas – seemingly more active than ever – is coming into her own,” says Gregor Muir, executive director of the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London, and a member of the selection committee. (more…)

Auction Houses Gear Up to Fight Proposed Artist Royalty Act

Monday, March 24th, 2014

The upcoming vote on an artist resale royalty in the United States has major auction houses sending high-powered lobbyists to Washington, in an attempt to prevent the bill from passing.  The bill, which would pay artists a percentage of any auction sale, has many resellers nervous over the ostensible impact the additional charges would have on growing sale prices, while advocates are pushing the bill’s inclusion of artists in the creation of new wealth.  “To me, the bill is a question of fundamental fairness,” says Representative Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), who introduced the bill. (more…)

Nan Goldin Profiled in The Guardian

Monday, March 24th, 2014

Photographer Nan Goldin is profiled in The Guardian this week, as the artist prepares for the release of her new book, Eden and After.  Reviewing the impact of her early series The Ballad of Sexual Dependency, Goldin discusses ties between her work and the ubiquitous nightlife photography present on Instagram today.   “Most of that stuff is so easy and lacking in any kind of emotional depth or context,” she says. “Nowadays, people forget how radical my work was when it first appeared. Nobody else was doing what I did.” (more…)