Global contemporary art events and news observed from New York City. Suggestion? Email us.

Dylan Brant Profiled in New York Times

Friday, July 10th, 2015

The New York Times has a feature on Dylan Brant, the son of collector and publishing magnate Peter Brant in its Style section this week, noting 25 year-old’s passion for curating and dealing, including a recent show, Rawhide, at Venus Over Manhattan.  “As a young man, I’m really aware of the standards for being a man in America, and you see a lot of that represented in cowboys,” he says. “So they’re interesting figures in relation to the disintegration of the American landscape.” (more…)

Alex Katz Creates 60-foot Mural for Barney’s

Monday, May 11th, 2015

Adding an additional facet to his collaboration with Barney’s, Alex Katz has created a 60-foot mural of Yvonne Force Villareal, Doreen Remen and Casey Fremont of the Art Production Fund, his wife, Ada, and longtime muse Elizabeth McAvoy for exhibition in the store’s front windows.  “I’ve been involved in fashion for quite some time and it seems natural to me,” Katz says.  “Art is supposed to be eternal and fashion is always moving, but I’ve learned that art moves just like fashion.” (more…)

New York Times Looks at the Soon to be Completed Prada Foundation Complex in Milan

Thursday, April 23rd, 2015

The New York Times profiles Prada Foundation’s new Milan arts complex, designed by Rem Koolhaas and serving as the arts foundation’s permanent location.  “After more than 20 years of staging exhibitions around the world, my husband said he thought it was about time we do something permanent in Milan,” Miuccia Prada says. (more…)

New York – Francesca Woodman: “I’m trying my hand at fashion photography” at Marian Goodman Gallery Through March 13th, 2015

Friday, March 13th, 2015

Francesca Woodman at Marian Goodman Gallery (Installation View)
Francesca Woodman, I’m trying my hand at fashion photography (Installation View)

I’m trying my hand at fashion photography is the title of the current Francesca Woodman exhibition at Marian Goodman Gallery. Named after one of the many notes the artist inscribed on her photographs, the selection focuses on Woodman’s fashion photographs, a genre the artist worked on during her New York years between 1978 and 1980.  The works are also notable in their oftentimes stark reflection of the final years of the RISD graduate who committed suicide in 1981 following severe depression, possessing elements from her signature photographic style against the backdrop of her own life. (more…)

Paris – Bjarne Melgaard: “The Casual Pleasure of Disappointment” at Galerie Thaddeus Ropac Through March 14th, 2015

Sunday, March 1st, 2015

Bjarne Melgaard, The Casual Pleasure of Disappointment (Installation View)
Bjarne Melgaard, The Casual Pleasure of Disappointment (Installation View), all images courtesy Galerie Thaddaeus Ropac

On view at Galerie Thaddaeus Ropac’s location in the Parisian neighborhood of Marais is the first solo exhibition from the controversial, yet highly respected Norwegian painter Bjarne Melgaard. Entitled The Casual Pleasure of Disappointment, The exhibition is a collaborative effort confronting themes inspired by French film director Catherine Breillat.  Known for confronting taboos and shocking audiences into self-reflection, Melgaard takes his cues for his new exhibition exhibition from Breillat, whom he has elevated to the role of a mythical figure. The works in this exhibition center around the 2014 film Abuse of Weakness, and take a shared interest in the beauty industry’s manipulation and domination of perceptions and judgments of others as a generator of profit and cultural currency.

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Kehinde Wiley’s Recent Models Don Spring Fashions for New York Magazine

Monday, February 9th, 2015

Kehinde Wiley is in New York Magazine this week, showcasing gowns from the spring fashion season worn by a number of female models the artist painted for his soon to open Brooklyn Museum exhibition.  “What we wanted to do was to play up the real world within the language of glamour,” Wiley says. “I wanted to have a reprise of that moment, to go back to this idea of fashion and art having something in common, the idea that fashion could change the perception of an individual.” (more…)

Converse Previews its Andy Warhol Chuck Taylor Line

Thursday, January 1st, 2015

Andy Warhol Chuck Taylors, via ConverseConverse has offfered the first images from its upcoming series of Andy Warhol-inspired Chuck Taylors, featuring iconic imagery from the artist’s career.  The collection, which features a number of recognizable Warhol screenprints, will be released in January.   (more…)

Bjarne Melgaard Releases New Fashion Line

Thursday, November 27th, 2014

Artist Bjarne Melgaard has unveiled a new fashion collection he designed himself, inspired by the 2013 Catherine Breillat film Abuse of Weakness.  “I was thinking about creating clothes that are about the mental state you’re in and the faults you feel you have,” the artist says. “And rather than do that in sculpture, I wanted to try it with a commercial fashion line.” (more…)

Miranda July Designs Limited Edition Handbag

Monday, October 6th, 2014

Artist Miranda July has designed a special edition handbag, created in collaboration with designer Laurel Consuelo Broughton of Welcome Companions, including remarkably specific titles for each compartment (“Almond in Case of Low Blood Sugar”) as well as a series of cards bearing questions and phrases like “I can’t understand you because my cell phone has a bad connection.”   (more…)

John Baldessari Collaborates with Visionaire on Selfie Series

Sunday, October 5th, 2014

John Baldessari has created a series of “selfie collaborations” for the limited edition art and fashion publication Visionaire, featuring images taken by famous celebrities and embellished by the artist using some of his trademark images and iconography.  “I’ll probably be most remembered for putting dots over people’s faces,” Baldessari comments. “So it’s funny to do an issue devoted to selfies of famous people.”  (more…)

Raymond Pettibon Latest Artist in Supreme Collaboration Series

Wednesday, September 17th, 2014

Continuing its ongoing series of artist collaborations, New York streetwear brand Supreme has announced a capsule collection incorporating the work of Raymond Pettibon.  The Californian artist will lend his work to a pair of skateboard decks, a hooded work jacket, a hooded sweatshirt, and two tee-shirts.   (more…)

Former Girlfriend of Jean-Michel Basquiat Unveiles a Series of Polaroids of the Young Artist

Monday, August 11th, 2014

Paige Powell, a former girlfriend of Jean-Michel Basquiat, has released a series of polaroids of the young artist near the apex of his creative output, and sat down with Wall Street Journal this week to discuss the artist’s life and work. “He was so young and he was almost at the height of—you know, before he died—acknowledgement in the art world of his talent, his genius,” she says. “He had people coming at him all the time.” (more…)

New York – “A Machinery For Living” Curated by Walead Beshty at Petzel Gallery Through August 8th, 2014

Thursday, July 24th, 2014


A Machinery for Living at the Petzel Gallery, installation view, via Art Observed

On view at Petzel Gallery is a group exhibition organized by Walead Beshty entitled “A Machinery for Living.” Composed of over 100 photographs, drawings, paintings, sculptural and installation works, the exhibition approaches a concept of embracing the subversive within everyday life.

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Raf Simons and Sterling Ruby Launch Fashion Project

Wednesday, July 16th, 2014

Sterling Ruby has launched his collaborative fashion project with designer Raf Simons this week, with an online store titled inthenameof.be.  The site will look to launch weekly products, starting this week with a  work shirt and jeans spattered with typically messy splashes by Ruby. (more…)

Foundation Louis Vuitton Sets October 27th Opening for Museum

Tuesday, June 24th, 2014

The Foundation Louis Vuitton is set to finally open its museum this coming October, showcasing the LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton corporate art collection, Bernard Arnault has announced.  It will express the artistic, cultural and emotional values, as well as the art of living, promoted by Bernard Arnault and the LVMH Group, but it is truly a charitable foundation, devoted to the public as a whole,” says advisor Jean-Paul Claverie. (more…)

New York – Dominique Gonzales-Foerster: “Euqinimod & Costumes” at 303 Gallery Through May 31st, 2014

Sunday, May 18th, 2014


Dominique Gonzalez-Foerster, Ludwig II (M.2062) (2013), via Art Observed

Currently on view at 303 Gallery is French born artist Dominique Gonzales-Foerster’s exhibition, euqinimod & costumes. Being the artist’s first collaboration with the Chelsea gallery, the exhibition stands out as Gonzales-Foerster’s autobiographical investigation using clothes from her own wardrobe.


Dominique Gonzalez-Foerster, Euqinimod & Costumes (Installation View), via Art Observed (more…)

Serpentine Galleries Teams with Comme de Garçon for Unisex Fragrance

Tuesday, April 29th, 2014

Serpentine Galleries has announced a collaboration with Comme des Garçons to create a special unisex fragrance, inspired by the gallery’s location in Hyde Park, with a bottle designed by Tracey Emin.  “The result is a fresh, light, yet deceivingly complex, unisex scent composed of grass, leaves, pollen (galbanum, iris leaf), oxygene (aldehyde, ozone), asphalt (black musks, nutmeg), labdanum and smoked cedar with a little bit of pollution (benzoin, juniper wood, gaïac wood),” the gallery notes on its site. (more…)

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…)

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…)

Larry Gagosian Interviewed in Financial Times’ “How to Spend It” Style Section

Sunday, February 16th, 2014

Larry Gagosian is featured in the Financial Times’ How to Spend It section this week, recounting his personal style inspirations, and his current reading list.  “I tend to mix it up, so I might read a biography and then follow it up with a page-turner,” he says. “I used to read Dostoyevsky and Tolstoy, but now I stick to contemporary fiction and books related to current events.”  (more…)

Opening Ceremony to Launch Line of Magritte-Inspired Clothes

Friday, February 14th, 2014

Fashion line and retailer Opening Ceremony has announced that it will present a collection of ready to wear clothing inspired by Magritte next week at London’s fashion week, including a capsule footwear collection in collaboration with Manolo Blahnik, Birkenstocks, and Vans.  “We really wanted to think about this triptych of footwear, and think about different types of people,” said creative director Humberto Leon. “Everyone in the office wants it.” (more…)

Fashion Editor Derek Blasberg Signs on with Gagosian Gallery

Friday, February 14th, 2014

Former Harper’s Bazaar and V Magazine Editor Derek Blasberg has reportedly joined on with Gagosian Gallery in an unspecified position.  “Derek brings a new perspective to the gallery, and as one of the leading media voices in fashion and the creative arts, I think he will make a valuable contribution,” Larry Gagosian said in a statement. “Our aim is to create a diverse program, to inspire our audience and promote our artists. I look forward to working with Derek to broaden our reach.” (more…)

Sotheby’s Hires Domenico De Sole as Lead Independent Director

Tuesday, December 17th, 2013

Continuing its run of appointments and in-house changes, Sotheby’s has appointed Domenico De Sole as Lead Independent Director.  The co-founder and Chairman of Tom Ford International, former President and CEO of Gucci Group, De Sole turned around Gucci while he was there, taking it from nearly bankrupt to a multi-billion dollar conglomerate.  “We’re very excited that Domenico has joined the Board and has also agreed to serve as Lead Independent Director. He brings blue chip experience in the high-end luxury space, in Board leadership, and in strategic executive roles envisioning the future of elite brands,” said Sotheby’s Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer William F. Ruprecht(more…)

Yayoi Kusama Art Directs George Clooney Cover Shoot for W Magazine

Thursday, December 5th, 2013

The newest issue of W Magazine is out, featuring a cover shot of actor George Clooney dressed by artist Yayoi Kusama.  Dressed in Kusama’s signature polka dots, Clooney is also profiled in the issue, promoting his film The Monuments Men, about a group of American G.I.s stealing masterpiece artworks back from the Nazis.  “Art takes different forms,” Clooney says in the interview. “But it represents something that is basic in all of us—our history.” (more…)