Global contemporary art events and news observed from New York City.
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Damien Hirst video interviewed by TIME about his use of assistants, the origin of the spot challenge, and the meaning of his art overall: “That’s the world. You have these massive polarities and extremes all the time, and I try to make work that reflects that.” [AO Newslink]
Lawsuit filed against Larry Gagosian for $14 million by 93-year-old collector Jan Cowles, whose daughter alledgedly sold works to Gagosian without Jan’s knowledge from 2008-2009, including a Lichtenstein allegedly damaged then resold. Another Cowles’-owned work,”Innocent Eye Test” by Mark Tansey, was previously embroiled in $4 million ownership suit [AO Newslink]
Damien Hirst at Gagosian Gallery in Chelsea. All photos on site for Art Observed by Elene Damenia.
Damien Hirst, The Complete Spot Paintings 1986-2011, has opened in all 11 Gagosian Galleries in eight cities worldwide: New York, Beverly Hills, London, Paris, Geneva, Rome, Athens, and Hong Kong. It took over two years to amass the 331 works from 150 lenders in 20 countries, and the New York Times reported in December that less than one-third of the displayed works are intended for sale, with prices undisclosed for those that are. 115 of the spot works are on view in New York, with earlier works at the Madison Avenue location, and larger works in the Chelsea spaces. In addition to the artist’s high-profile reputation informing the exhibition, Gagosian has marketed the global exhibition with The Spot Challenge. Inspired by the Golden Tickets of Willy Wonka, enthusiasts are challenged to fill an entire stamp card by visiting every gallery—with valid government-issued ID in hand—and winners will receive a ‘personally dedicated’ signed spot print by Damien Hirst himself.
Gagosian Gallery announces ‘Damien Hirst: The Complete Spot Paintings 1986-2011,’ to be shown at all 11 galleries worldwide, simultaneously [AO Newslink]
Gagosian Gallery quietly releases info on its representation of the visual art of recording legend Bob Dylan [AO Newslink]
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Gagosian Gallery now represents critically acclaimed Chinese painter Zeng Fanzhi [AO Newslink]
Cecily Brown, St. Anthony on the Bridge (2010). All images via Gagosian Gallery
Small-scale paintings and works on paper by Cecily Brown will be on view at Gagosian Gallery in London through July 29th. The exhibition opened on June 8th, and is Brown’s first exhibition of gouaches and watercolors together. The exhibition is a continuation Brown’s use of imagery adapted from German children’s book series of cautionary tales, Struwwelpeter’s The Story of Fidgety Phil, as began in 2006.
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Glenn Brown, Layered Portrait (After Rembrandt) 7 (2008), via Gagosian Gallery
On display through July 23rd 2011 at Genevas’s Gagosian Gallery, are etchings by the artist Glenn Brown. Known for his appropriation of images, here Brown employs portraits by Lucien Freud, Rembrandt van Rijn, and Urs Graf. By first digitally altering the source images and then layering his reworked interpretations, Brown creates composite paintings which serve as the basis for his etchings.
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Elizabeth Peyton, Isa (2010), courtesy of Gagosian Gallery
The recently opened Paris branch of the Gagosian Gallery presents a collection of recent work by the much loved American contemporary artist Elizabeth Peyton. The small presentation of paintings and drawings represents the artist’s first solo exhibition in Paris.
Peyton’s work, consisting mostly of small “jewel-like” portraits, is surprisingly immediate and fresh although her subjects maintain a considerable distance from the viewer. Her works present both contemporary and historical subjects, some of whom have been rendered from photographs and others from life, often Peyton’s own friends.
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Image via New York Times.
Celebrated painter Cy Twombly died today at the age of 83. Twombly passed away from cancer in Rome, where he has been living since 1957. Known as somewhat of a recluse, Twombly usually did not write about his work or give interviews. One of the exceptions to this was made in 2008 when Twombly spoke to Nick Serota, director of the Tate. “I had my freedom and that was nice,” he said.
Born Edwin Parker Twombly, Jr. in 1928 in Lexington, Virginia, and nicknamed “Cy” by his father, the artist was known for his calligraphic style. Writer, critic and assistant professor at the San Francisco Art Institute Claire Daigle writes, “Twombly arrived in Manhattan in 1950 while the New York School painting of Pollock and de Kooning was in full swing. Upon Robert Rauschenberg’s encouragement, Twombly joined him for the 1951–1952 sessions at Black Mountain College near Asheville, North Carolina – a liberal refuge [staffed by] influential teachers present at this time [such as] Charles Olson, Franz Kline, Robert Motherwell and John Cage.” In 2001, Twombly won the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the Venice Biennale.
Cy Twombly, Untitled, (Peony Blossom Painting), 2007. Image courtesy Gagosian Gallery.
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Installation view of John Chamberlain sculptures at the Gagosian, all images courtesy of the Gagosian Gallery
Gagosian‘s 24th Street location is currently exhibiting a selection of works by American sculptor John Chamberlain, in conjunction with their show in London, which closed recently. Chamberlain’s industrial-style sculptures are made up of used-car parts that he terms “art supplies,” here he continues a technique begun in the late 1950′s that results in beautiful objects that contrast with the mundane origin of their material. The two Gagosian shows are the artist’s first with the gallery following a rumored dispute over the use of a Belgian fabricator for his most recent pieces, the work was refused by former representation Pace but purchased by Gagosian for $20 million.
John Chamberlain, AWESOMEMEATLOAF (2011)
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Arshile Gorky, Untitled (Study for Pastoral) 1947 via Gagosian
Arshile Gorky‘s ’1947,’ currently on view at Gagosian‘s Madison Avenue location, operated around the recent discovery of a painting, Untitled (Pastoral), that was produced in this same year but has otherwise never before been exhibited. Hidden for sixty-four years, resting beneath Pastoral on the same stretcher, the work was only uncovered in 2010 during a reframing. Surrounding this new work, the exhibition also shows paintings and drawings drawn from the world’s collections of Gorky – most of which haven’t featured in New York shows for twenty years.
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Marie-Thérèse avec une guirlande (1937) by Pablo Picasso, via Gagosian Gallery
Currently on view at Gagosian Gallery in New York is Picasso and Marie-Thérèse: L’amour fou, an exhibition which reveals the paintings, drawings, prints, and sculptures inspired by Marie-Thérèse Walter, one of the most inspiring models of Picasso’s life. The exhibition is a love story of the artist and his muse told through art and is curated by the renowned Picasso biographer, John Richardson in collaboration with Marie-Thérèse’s granddaughter, art historian Diana Widmaier Picasso. It spans the years from 1927 to 1940 and includes several works which have never before been exhibited in the United States.
Following the success of Picasso: Mosqueteros in New York in 2009 and Picasso: The Mediterranean Years in London in 2010, the exhibit presents the next chapter in a continuous exploration of Picasso’s fundamental themes.
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Mark Tansey, Invisible Hand (2011), via Gagosian
Painter Mark Tansey shows recent work at the Gagosian Gallery Beverly Hills through May 27th. Known for his monochromatic composite figurative paintings, Tansey has chosen works done in ultramarine to display in the gallery. His work is well known for crossing the boundaries of illustration and perception- works seem to depict single narratives or settings, but when given a second look, the figures begin to separate from one another and an assortment of new narratives form on the canvas.
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Yayoi Kusama, Reach Up to the Universe, Dotted Pumpkin (2010). All images via Gagosian Gallery.
Following a solemn exhibition of black and white photographs by Gregory Crewdson at the Gagosian Gallery Rome is a psychedelic installation of recent works by Yayoi Kusama, on view now through May 7th. Five bold canvases, including two self portraits, are hung in the main gallery. Around the floor’s perimeter are dozens of highly polished and reflective chrome balls that are a later incarnation of a piece Kusama presented at the 33rd Venice Biennale in 1966 (though back then she was not invited to do so).
Yayoi Kusama, Installation View at Gagosian Gallery Rome
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Untitled (de kooning) (2008) by Richard Prince, via Gagosian Gallery
Currently on view at Gagosian Gallery in Paris is “Richard Prince: De Kooning” an exhibition of paintings and works on paper by American artist Richard Prince which pays homage to the late abstract expressionist. The show takes places at the same time as “Richard Prince: American Prayer” at the Bibliothèque nationale de France. Prince’s “De Kooning” series references iconic images from the work of the renowned American-Dutch Abstract Expressionist Willem de Kooning. Also, relevant to this show’s continuation of Prince’s appropriative artistic dialog, is the artist and the Gagosian Gallery’s recent loss of a lawsuit (which will likely be appealed) against Patrick Cariou regarding Prince’s “Canal Zone” exhibition at Gagosian in 2008.
Untitled (de kooning) (2009) by Richard Prince, via Gagosian Gallery
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Richard Serra, Calvino (2009) via Artnet.com
Currently showing at Gagosian Geneva, is Richard Serra‘s ”Greenpoint Rounds,” featuring large-scale drawings using a paint stick and showcasing a medium Serra is not often associated with. Primarily know for his sculptural work, Richard Serra plays on minimalism through methods that encompass both shape and texture. The gallery’s rounded, sparse walls emphasize the shape and movement in the new drawings, which will be on display through May 15th.
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Rudolf Stingel, Untitled (2010). Via Gagosian Gallery
The Gagosian Gallery, Chelsea will showcase Italian artist Rudolf Stingel‘s exhibition through April 16th, as curated by Francesco Bonami. This is Stingel’s first show with Gagosian, although he has shown frequently in New York at Paula Cooper Gallery. This is also his first show using color in a portrait, a departure from his memory-based black and white installations.
Rudolf Stingel on view at Gagosian Gallery
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The artist, Richard Prince. All pictures by Caroline Claisse for Art Observed.
Art Observed was on site for the opening “American Prayer” featuring works by American artist Richard Prince at the Bibliothèque Nationale de France in Paris. A book enthusiast and collector of American pop culture and counter culture ephemera, on view are works by the artist relating to American literature books, a consistent source of inspiration and a material he often incorporates into his oeuvre. The exhibit includes two examples of his famous “Nurse” paintings from his personal collection presented to the public for the first time.
Vitrine 16: Sex & Drug & Rock & Roll. Untitled (Jimi Hendrix), 1992-93 by Richard Prince, T-shirt and oil on canvas © Richard Prince, Courtesy Gagosian Gallery
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Prince, Richard. Inquisition (2008). Via Gagosian Gallery
On Friday in Manhattan, federal Judge Deborah A. Batts ruled against Richard Prince, Gagosian Gallery and Rizzoli Books on behalf of French photographer Patrick Cariou. The case regarded allegations of Richard Prince’s copyright infringement and unlawful image appropriation of 41 Cariou photographs for commercial gain, as used in Prince’s “Canal Zone” exhibition at the West 24th Street Gagosian in 2008. As a result of the ruling, all unsold works from “Canal Zone” are being impounded, and anyone currently in possession of one of 22 paintings will be notified of the legal violation.
Prince, Richard. The Blue Cowboys (1999). Via Gagosian Gallery
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Alexander Calder, Blue and Yellow Sickles (1960). All images courtesy of Gagosian Gallery
Larry Gagosian brings yet another big-ticket artist to his London location with a survey of Alexander Calder’s sculptures made between 1939 and 1960. The exhibition occupies one long gallery and consists of three of Calder’s iconic mobiles: Triangles, Blue and Yellow Sickles, and an untitled composition. Each work reflects the artist’s facility with wire and metal used to create tenuous “drawings” which float in mid-air.
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Tansey, Mark. The Innocent Eye Test (1981). Via the Metropolitan Museum of Art
British collector Robert Wylde filed federal suit against Gagosian Gallery on Thursday over a Mark Tansey painting, “The Innocent Eye Test.” Wylde alleges that the Manhattan gallery concealed the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s 31 percent partial ownership of the work, and the fact that the museum planned to eventually reclaim the painting altogether.
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Kazimir Malevich, Rectangle and Circle (1915). Via ibiblio
Through a collaboration with the heirs of Kazimir Malevich, the Gagosian Gallery is displaying six of Malevich’s paintings as the centerpiece in their current show, ‘Malevich and the American Legacy.’ Surviving paintings by this trailblazer in geometric abstract art are a rarity, and it is uncommon to see them on display outside of a museum. ‘Malevich and the American Legacy’ affords viewers some intimacy with these influential paintings while displaying works by a sampling of the artists Malevich inspired, including Carl Andre, John Baldessari, Alexander Calder, Dan Flavin, Donald Judd, Ellsworth Kelly, Agnes Martin, Barnett Newman, Ad Reinhardt, Ed Ruscha, Robert Ryman, Richard Serra, Frank Stella, James Turrell, and Cy Twombly.
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