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

Archive for March, 2008

GO SEE: Raymond Pettibon at Contemporary Fine Arts, Berlin, March 15 – April 26 2008

Wednesday, March 19th, 2008

 
“No Title (On That Hard)” via CFA

Contemporary Fine Arts gallery in Berlin is hosting Raymond Pettibon’s exhibition “No Title” from March 15 until April 26. This is his sixth solo exhibition at CFA Berlin, it features 50 new drawings and one painting.

“No Title, 2008” [Contemporary Fine Arts]
Raymond Pettibon
[Artnet]
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A Damien Hirst goes from Leeds Fish-n-Chips shop to the auction block

Tuesday, March 18th, 2008


The work for sale via Guardian Uk

Back in the 1990’s– after his now-famous Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living, (aka the shark), was first shown at the Saatchi gallery in London, but before he won the prestigious Turner Prize – Damien Hirst gave a fish in formaldehyde to the owner of a fish-n-chips shop in Leeds as a gift. Bonhams has just announced they’ll offer the work this Fall for an expected £100,000- 150,000.

Hirst’s takeaway fish [Telegraph UK]
Hirst gift to sell for up to £150,000 [Guardian UK]
About Damien Hirst [White Cube]

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Asian Art Week Continues, Sotheby's fails to sell most expensive antiquities lots

Tuesday, March 18th, 2008

Rare 10th Century Bronze vessel for sale at Sotheby’s via The Economist

Rare Chinese bronze vessels dating back to the Western Zhou dynasty, belonging to an Asian collector, were expected to sell for record prices at Sotheby’s today, but were left unsold along with other high priced Chinese antiquities. However there was some positive news yesterday at the contemporary sale, where Chinese painter Zeng Fahnzi’s Mask Series No.11 (Triptych) sold for $1.05 million. There are still several days of sales and other events as Asian Week in New York continues.

Asian Contemporary Art Week [ACAW]
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International Asian Art Fair [Haughton]
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Sotheby’s Contemporary Art Asia [Sotheby’s]
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Christie’s Asian Art Week [Christie’s]
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East comes to NYC [Financial Times UK]
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Had good art becomes scarce at Asian Art Show? [New York Times]
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A bidding frenzy over Chinese art [Economist]
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Huge market for Chinese painters in New York [New York Sun]
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How Asian art has risen from obscurity [New York Times]
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Sotheby’s finds no takers [Economist]
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Sotheby’s contemporary sale results [Economist]

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Warhol’s Jewish Portraits to Re-Open at the Jewish Museum March 16

Saturday, March 15th, 2008

Warhol’s portraits installed via c-monster

This weekend the Jewish Museum in New York will open Warhol’s Jews: Ten Portraits Reconsidered. When Warhol completed the series in 1980 — which he referred to as his “Jewish Geniuses”- it raised many eyebrows. This exhibit considers not only how and why Warhol made the works, but how the broad cultural concept of “Jewishness” has evolved in the past 25+ years.

Warhol’s Jews: Ten Portraits Reconsidered [Jewish Museum]
Andy Warhol Biography [warholfoundation.org]
Remounting a Controversy [New York Sun]
Reaction then and now [c-monster]
Jewish for Fifteen Minutes [New York Post]

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NEWSLINKS 03.13.08

Thursday, March 13th, 2008


The New Museum via Gawker

New Museum’s first tag [via Gawker]
Rembrandt up for $49 million, reportedly less than 1/2 estimated value [New York Post]
Richard Dupont’s sculpture exhibition at the Lever House [The New York Sun]
NY Debut of Italian art publication FMR aka “most beautiful magazine in the world” [New York Sun]

GO SEE: Georg Baselitz at Galerie Thaddaeus Ropac, Paris, Fe. 20 to March 29

Thursday, March 13th, 2008


Georg Baselitz via Galerie Thaddaeus Ropac

Galerie Thaddaeus Ropac is hosting Georg Baselitz’s exhibition ‘Remix’ from February 20, to March 29. Georg Baselitz was born in 1938 in Deutschbaselitz, Saxony. His work has been marked by a reaction to human trauma and tragedy, particularly in regard to German history. Baselitz was also influenced by “Art Brut,” the writings and drawings of Antonin Artaud, and African sculpture.

Galerie Thaddaeus Ropac [Thaddaeus Ropac]

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NEWSLINKS 03.12.08

Wednesday, March 12th, 2008


Melissa Bent and Mirabelle Marden via Style.com


Interview with Melissa Bent, Mirabelle Marden, founders of Rivington Arms [Style.com]
Former Guggenheim director Krens looking for other New York projects[Bloomberg]
Emmanuel Perrotin’s review “La Louvre – Paris” exhibition by Gelitin
[The Moment]
Ralph Rugoff’s blunt critique of Damien Hirst’s “decorative” £50m skull [The Independent]
Hirst work sells for 500 times €380 paid for it last year [The Independent]
A Rare Richard Prince Interview [Dejour Magazine via Raw art weblog]

Go See: Rothko Retrospective, Munich, February 8 – April 27

Wednesday, March 12th, 2008


Mark Rothko via Kunsthalle München

Mark Rothko, the influential American painter known for his large abstract paintings consisting of blocks of color, currently has a retrospective at the Kunsthalle in Munich. The exhibition at offers an extensive look at the entire oeuvre of the Russian-born artist, with over 100 paintings and drawings on view.

Exhibition Information[Kunsthalle]
Mark Rothko biography [National Gallery]

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Go See: John Baldessari at Galería Pepe Cobo, Madrid, Feb. 1 – March 19

Wednesday, March 12th, 2008


Baldessari installation at Pepe Cobo via artnews.org

Galería Pepe Cobo in Madrid is currently showing recent work from the series Arms & Legs (Specif. Elbows & Knees), etc., Part II by American artist John Baldessari. The exhibit is a group of over-painted photographic prints to which three-dimensional collage elements are added, featuring detached human body parts in cool primary colors.

Official Website [baldessari.org]
Exhibition information [Pepe Cobo]

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Maastricht Art Fair – Top Sales roundup, diamond thefts…

Tuesday, March 11th, 2008

Willem de Kooning, ‘Untitled XV’ 1986 via bloomberg

The European Fine Art Fair (TEFAF), in Maastricht, South Netherlands, started off its festivities with a twist on Thursday, March 6th. The fair, which has been an annual event for over 30 years, was robbed at its VIP reception, which attracted 10,000 major collectors, before even opening to the public this year.

Collectors Forum [Hamilton FitzJames]
Million dollar diamond necklace stolen during Dutch art fair [Europe World News]
Maastricht Art Fair, Pollock sells for $8 Million [The New York Times]
TEFAF: Antiquities, Old Masters and Furniture sell [Telegraph]
Willem de Kooning’s painting sells for 5 million [Bloomberg]
Maastricht Fair Offers $1 Billion of Artworks to Collectors [Bloomberg]
TEFAF Sales Rise [ARTINFO]
Fair opens with a twist [ARTINFO]
Deutsche Bank sponsors 30 year old tradition in 2008 [Bloomberg]
TEFAF Roundup [Bloomberg]
Major collectors, dealers and artists [Wall Street Journal]

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Herzog & de Meuron’s CaxiaForum, Contemporary Art Museum, opens in Madrid

Tuesday, March 11th, 2008

The CaxiaForum [BigFishJavi]

A striking addition to its already thriving art scene, a new contemporary art museum designed by superstar Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron has opened in Madrid. The CaxiaForum is located in the heart of the cultural district, very near the Prado, Reina Sofia and Thyssen-Bornemisza musuems.

Madrid museum opens as an ‘urban magnet’ [artnewspaper]
–>CaxiaForum Madrid [Official website]

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Go See: Antony Gormley at White Cube Mason’s Yard, London, March 6-April 12

Tuesday, March 11th, 2008


Firmament at White Cube via antonygormley.com

Antony Gormley’s solo exhibition at White Cube Mason’s Yard is comprised of two installations, “Firmament” a sculpture made of 1,770 steel rods welded together in a giant structure depicting the human form, and “Lost Horizon,” 32 life-sized solid iron copies of Gormley’s body adorning the floor, walls and ceiling of one room in the gallery.

Antony Gormley: Firmament [White Cube]
Official website [antonygormley.com]
Guardian interview [Guardian UK]

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NEWSLINKS 03.10.08

Monday, March 10th, 2008


Rembrandt self-portrait via the New York Times

Last for sale Rembrandt self-portrait is at Maastricht Art Fair [NY Times]
Update: Review of Jeff Wall at the Marian Goodman Gallery [NY Sun]
Warhol, Emin to have solo exhibitions at Hayward Gallery, London [Bloomberg]
Chris Burden, next public art piece at Rockefeller Center [artinfo]
“Biba,” at Coningsby Gallery, London: Kate Moss buys, notables attend [The Moment]

Richard Prince Video Interview in his Upstate Studio

Monday, March 10th, 2008


Richard Prince Video Interview via VBS TV (Click for link)

VBS Tv’s series Art Talk, has a four part session with Richard Prince detailing his studio located in Rensselaerville, NY. The videos show Prince’s personal collection, local inspirations, and studio/hunting lodge. Additionally he opines on his methodology, what makes art successful or unsuccessful, and the public’s opinion of art in general.

Art Talk (VBS TV)

Don’t Miss: Christopher Williams at David Zwirner, NY through March 29

Monday, March 10th, 2008

Christopher Williams “Linhof Technika V fabricated in Munich, Germany. Salon Studio Stand fabricated in Florence, Italy. Dual cable release. Prontor shutter. Symars lens 150mmm/f 5.6 Schneider kreuznach. Sinar fresnel lens placed with black tape on the ground glass. (Yellow) Dirk Sharper Studio, Berlin, June 19, 2007, 2008 C-Print Framed: 33 3/4 x 29 1/4 x 1 1/2 inches 85.7 x 74.3 x 3.8 cm Matte Window: 17 1/2 x 13 3/4 inches 44.5 x 34.9 cm Print: 20 x 16 inches 50.8 x 40.6 cm” Courtesy David Zwirner, New York

Christopher Williams’ solo exhibition, “For Example: Dix-Huit Leçons Sur La Société Industrielle (Revision 7),” is currently on view at David Zwirner Gallery. The artist makes a concerted effort to remove himself from all actions that usual define a photographers relationship to his subject.
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Go See: George Condo at Luhring Augustine, February 23- March 29

Sunday, March 9th, 2008


“Jesus” by George Condo via Luhring Augustine via Bloomberg

In “Christ: The Subjective Nature of Objective Representation,” George Condo depicts God, Jesus and the two thieves, Dismas and Gestas, who were crucified next to Jesus, in four large-scale painting. Condo’s style, which quotes old masters, cubism, surrealism and cartoons, focuses here on religious iconography and its implications.

Christ: The Subjective Nature of Objective Representation [Luhring Augustine]
George Condo Biography [Luhring Augustine]

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Newslinks 03.09.08

Sunday, March 9th, 2008


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Gustav Klimnt, Beethoven Frieze via secession.at

Klimpt’s historic ‘Beethoven Frieze’ to be reconstructed at Tate Liverpool [NY Times]
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Old master stolen by Stasi (East German secret police) valued at $2 million [Bloomberg]
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The architectural intelligence of the New Museum
[Financial Times]
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Update: Goat farm video, other favorites, at Whitney Biennial [Bloomberg]
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Brooklyn and Manhattan street art gains fans, collectors [NY Times]
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A case against art for Trafalgar Square’s Fourth Plinth [Financial Times]
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Gagosian’s Uptown Gallery Expands, with a new director (former Picasso biographer) [Art Info]
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Bulgaria Summons National Security Council over New Strategy.

Sofia News Agency September 12, 2010 Bulgaria’s President Georgi Parvanov has summoned the National Security Council over the draft of a new National Security Strategy.

The meeting is scheduled for Friday, September 17, 2010, at 1:30 pm, the Presidency announced on Sunday. web site national security council

The meeting has only one issue on its agenda a discussion of the draft for Bulgaria’s National Security Strategy.

Interior Minister and Deputy PM Tsvetan Tsvetanov has been invited to report on this topic.

According to the National Security Council Act, the Council includes, in addition to the President, the Parliament Chair, the Prime Minister, the Ministers of Defense, Foreign Affairs, Interior, and Finance, the head of the State National Security Agency (DANS), the Head of Defense (i.e. formerly known as the head of the general staff of the army), and the chairs of all parliamentary groups. go to website national security council

Bulgaria’s President Parvanov and Defense Minister Anyu Angelov have been tangled in a conflict over the appointment of a new head of the Military Information Service, i.e. Bulgaria’s military intelligence. On Friday Bulgarian PM Borisov said he hoped the conflict will be resolved before the meeting of the National Security Council.A

Go See: Dan Flavin at Zwirner & Wirth, New York, March 6-May 3

Sunday, March 9th, 2008


The nominal three (to William of Ockham), 1963 [telegraph uk]

Zwirner & Wirth is re-staging a seminal exhibition of Dan Flavin’s fluorescent light sculptures which first took place in 1964 at Green Gallery in New York. The show marked the first time his work was entirely composed of fluorescent lights– a practice which would characterize him for the rest of his career, making him commonly regarded as one of the most influential artists of the late 20th century.

Exhibition information [Zwirner and Wirth]
Biography of Dan Flavin [NGA]
More [The New York Times]

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AO On Site: WHITNEY BIENNIAL 2008

Saturday, March 8th, 2008


Opening of the Whitney Biennial

The 2008 Whitney Biennial opened last night to throngs of people. It was curated this year by Shamim Momin and Henriette Huldisch and reverted back to the Biennial’s original mission to create a time capsule out of a far reaching art world that, as Adam Weinberg says, “… is, essentially, out of control.”

Whitney Biennial 2008
Opening of the Whitney Biennial [New York Times]
Whitney Opening [NewsDay]
The Launch of the Whitney [ArtInfo]
Biennial 2008 [New York Times]
Newslinks 03.03.08 [ArtObserved]
Round-Up: Whitney Biennial opens in New York [ArtObserved]

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NEWSLINKS 03.08.08

Saturday, March 8th, 2008


Alec Wildenstein via Telegraph

Obituary for Alec Wildenstein, of major art world dynasty[Independent UK]
Update: D’Offay wants ‘iconic’ gallery to house £125 million gift [The Scotsman via ArtForum]
In Brooklyn, DUMBO’s most controlling real estate family keeps 1,000 artists and arts organization in the neighborhood [The New York Times]
De Kooning sells for $5 million at the European Fine Art Fair [Bloomberg]
Bill Ruprecht continues to navigate Sotheby’s through uncertain times [Economist]
Future of Metropolitan and Guggenheim is controlled by same exec search firm [NYSun]
‘Gallery condos’ as artist and dealer space for sale in Chelsea [ChelseaNow]
Jeff Koons studio visit is auctioned off, for charity [c-monster], [charitybuzz]

GO SEE: Othoniel at Galerie Emmanuel Perrotin, Miami March 8-April 5

Saturday, March 8th, 2008


Jean-Michel Othoniel “Diary of Happiness” (detail) 2008 via Galerie Emmanuel Perrotin

Jean-Michel Othoniel’s solo exhibition opens tonight, March 8th at Galerie Emmanuel Perrotin in Miami. The French artist has constructed a huge installation measuring 7 by 15 feet. The piece makes evident the passage of time and the collective contemporary experience within and without it.

Galerie Emmanuel Perrotin [Galerie Perrotin]

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Report cites 60% of London auction lots failed to achieve expected prices; Sotheby’s stock falls 7%

Friday, March 7th, 2008


Francis Bacon portrait being auctioned via Sotheby’s via sgallery.net

The evening sales at Christie’s, Sotheby’s and Phillips de Pury & Co. this February raised the most money ever for a series of contemporary sales. However, a report issued by an art market firm on Thursday indicated that the majority of items sold at the low end of their estimates, meaning that the enormous sales numbers may be masking a more disappointing trend.

Sotheby’s sets auction record with sale of Bacon nude [ArtObserved]
Sotheby’s stock down 7% after report is issued [Bloomberg]
Art Report say 60% of February sales lots missed estimate [Bloomberg]
February auction activity roundup [ArtObserved]
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Round-Up: The Whitney Biennial Opens in New York, Spills into the Armory

Thursday, March 6th, 2008

 


“Animal Estates” by Fritz Haeg via the New York Times

The 2008 Whitney Biennial opened this Thursday at the Whitney Museum of American Art, to usual fanfare and anticipation. The exhibition will take place from March 6 until June 1, 2008 and will host eighty-one artists, selected to tell us ‘where American art stands today.’ The Biennial was founded in 1932 and has evolved into the most important survey of the state of contemporary art in the United States.
Whitney Biennial 2008 [Whitney]
Interactive installation view with audio commentary [ New York Times]
Opening of the Whitney Biennial 2008 [New York Sun]
Whitney and Park Avenue Armory Collaboration [City Guide NY]
By-the-numbers: New York, Los Angeles well-represented [artinfo]
Opening night photos: artists, curators and friends [ArtForum]
Whitney Biennial opens with ‘casual idealism’ [New York Sun]
Mood of Biennial reflects ‘slowness’ in art economy [New York Times ]

Going prices for seven most talked-about artists [Portfolio]
Best of show and worst of show [artfagcity]
Podcast: Portraits of past biennial participants [Whitney]
Most represented dealers in the show[Portfolio]
Some say witty, some say ingratiating [culturegrrl]
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Don’t Miss: Francesco Clemente at Galeria Javier Lopez, Madrid through March 27

Thursday, March 6th, 2008


Virgine by Francesco Clemente via Galeria Javier Lopez

The work of Francesco Clemente is on view at Galeria Javier Lopez, Madrid through March 27. In this exhibition, a selection from his series New York Muses, the artist brings his musical, lyrical, slightly melancholy style of playing with time and space to the women walking the streets of New York City.

Galeria Javier Lopez
Francesco Clemente [Gagosian Gallery]
Biography of Francesco Clemente [Guggenheim]

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