In our second story of the day involving Disney and cultural appropriation, the world’s largest mouse-based media conglomerate has begun selling a new t-shirt riffing celebrity graphic designer Peter Saville’s now legendary cover art for Joy Division’s 1979 classic, Unknown Pleasures. As Pitchfork aptly notes, “Does Disney know that the singer of this band hung himself?! Do they know where the name “Joy Division” comes from?! Do they know how stupid this guy looks wearing this T-shirt?” Amen…
The word is KAWS and Medicom will release their latest figure collaboration, Partners, this Saturday. This time, the artist appropriates a bronze statue of animation legend, Walt Disney , which can be found in Florida’s Disney World (souvenier miniatures of the original also exist.) Take it or leave it, KAWS seems to be commenting on his own biography, which includes a stint working for Disney’s animation studios after college. Instead of holding his character creation’s hand, as Disney was holding Mickey’s in the original, we see Companion cowering away from his creator. Our old friend markilepsyhappens to be visiting the amusement park right now with his family, and quickly snapped this for us:
This weekend, DB Burkeman unveils the 2nd installment of the Stuck Up Tour, a traveling exhibit that accompanies the meticulous ethnography of Stuck Up Piece of Crap (Rizzoli), his book chronicling the history of sticker art in pop culture. Those in Chicago should brave the storm and head out to Maxwell Colette Gallery on Saturday Jan 21, for an afternoon (1-3pm) book signing featuring DB and celebrated photographer, Martha Cooper.
Coinciding with the show are a number of exiting new additions. First, there’s the free Stuck Up iPhone ap, which allows users to browse, upload and geotag stickers around the globe. It is a fascinating addition to the overall project. Next, a new video short called Gate Wars (watch below) presents a mesmerizing montage that weaves together a tale of competition and sticker rivalry amongst New York City’s locksmiths. It really is worth viewing. And don’t forget the swag! – go cop a truly cool t-shirt here.
Plane Folded Flight 11, 175, 2002, pencil on handmade paper, folded as schematic.
Fans of New York City icon, Patti Smith will want to check out 9.11 Babelogue, on view now at Hunter College’s Leubsdorf Art Gallery. While best known for her pioneering contributions to NYC’s downtown music and poetry scenes, the exhibit presents Smith’s role as a visual artist. Comprised of 26 works on paper created between 2001 and 2002, the series responds to the destruction of the Twin Towers in 2001, while offering them as symbols of the universal resiliency of the human spirit. Coinciding with the 10th anniversary of 9/11, the exhibit marks the first time these pieces will be shown together in their entirety in NY.
Ground Zero and Gold Poured Forth, 2002, silkscreen, colored pencil, graphite, and acrylic paint on nineteenth- century handmade paper.
South Tower Skyline, 2002, silkscreen on canvas.
Patti Smith: 9/11 Babelogue
Leubsdorf Art Gallery at Hunter College
Sept. 8 – Dec. 3, 2011
68th Street & Lexington Ave., West Lobby
New York, NY 10065
After much quiet, Matt Leines has launched a new website, blog and online store. Go get yourself one of these t-shirts while they last. Matt has promised more cool stuff to spend your money on shortly…check back.
Barry McGee has quietly opened a new solo show at Worshop Arte Contemporanea, a new gallery in Venice, Italy. The show marks a continuation of the artists shift in presentation. Rather that engulfing space in wall to wall panel installations, McGee is increasingly moving toward single isolated pieces, consisting of clusters of paintings on wood or framed photographs, and a greater use of white backgrounds as opposed to his past practice of overwhealming viewers with dizzying geometric color patterns. Recent exhibits at Modern Art (London) and Ratio 3 (San Francisco) also signal this move. The show runs through October 14.
Barry McGee
Sept. 3 – Oct. 14
Workshop Arte Contemporanea
Dorsoduro 2793 / A, 30123
Venezia, Italia
Transitions features large-scale still-life photographs and video installation by photographer/director/cinematographer Samuel Bayer. In this latest body of work Bayer uses both video and photography to explore consequences of man-made actions and natural occurrences. Bayer uses the butterfly to argue that complex structures and vexing situations are a dramatic catalyst in building depth, character and ultimately, beauty. Bayer does this by staging magnificent creatures on the outside of a cocoon while inside, a transforming event occurs. The event within is at times violent, painful and tragic. Yet Bayer believes that dramatic transitional experiences are keys to yielding beauty, creativity and achievement beyond belief.
The video installation is based on a documentary film Bayer is currently directing about a young man named David Anguiano. At a very young age David was severely injured. Since that injury David has been through a world of physical and emotional trauma yet, somehow, has managed to maintain an uplifting spirit and has literally found his voice through the arts. David, now 20, has taught himself how to play the guitar and is an accomplished actor. For the past five years David has written and directed plays for hospitalized children. Because of his involvement with The Art of Elysium and their volunteers, David has had the opportunity to direct a variety of actors including Eva Mendes, James Franco, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Kristen Dunst and many others in his annual Christmas play. They all call him a genius.
It’s been some time since I’ve gotten around to posting here, but this one’s important. This Thursday, July 28 Joshua Liner Gallery will be hosting a silent auction fundraiser for Assistant Gallery Director, Tim Strazza, who was recently diagnosed with MS. Tim cannot work at the moment and all funds generated will help offset his growing medical bills as well as day to day living expenses. Tim is a wonderful guy, and as a testament some great artists and friends have donated art towards the evening, including pieces by Shepard Fairey, Swoon, Ian Francis, Dave Ellis, Ron English, Dave Kinsey, Marc Dean Veca, Mars-1, Greg Lamarche, Tony Curanaj, Tomokazu Matsuyama and Damon Soule. With works ranging from substantial original paintings and drawings to prints and editions, there’s something for everyone. Bids will start low! Every dollar counts! Hope to see you all there.
A blog has been set up and images of the works available are slowly trickling in. Check it here
The Strazza family has also set up an additional donation site here
Joshua Liner MS Fundraiser
Thursday, July 28, 2012
7-10 pm
Joshua Liner Gallery
548 W. 28th St
NY, NY 10001
Hypebeast and HighSnobiety recently unveiled a view into the KAWS collection I’ve been focused on building for the past several years, including an interview that covers a bit of the journey up to this point. Shot by Brandon Shigeta, the photos present works in a variety of mediums including ink, watercolor, pastel, acrylic, bronze, resin, wood, and vinyl. Here are some exclusive photos that were reserved for this space:
Nefariously clever Nouar is on the eve of letting us taste her latest visual treats at the Corey Helford Gallery, Culver City’s jewel. We’ve been fans for years, having interviewed the artist when she exhibited with Jonathan LeVine Gallery. Today, her evolution continues to provide delectable interplay of a highly personal narrative. The works in “Internally Yours” feature three-dimensional sugary confections, gelatin dessert molds and a bright, beguiling color palette that lure the viewer in. However, like Jeff Koons’ brightly-colored balloon animals, the characters have a significance beyond their deceptively innocent appearance. “For this show,” Nouar says, “I used food as a visual metaphor to symbolize how dangers are hidden, and how we don’t see them coming until it is too late.” For example, in her painting “Sweet Entrapment,” a bright-pink gummy bear smirks at the doe-eyed brunette trapped inside its stomach.
‘“Internally Yours” represents the idea of confinement, submission and eternity,” Nouar explains. “Sometimes, we find ourselves in situations we don’t want to be in. It feels like the world has swallowed us up whole.”
The techniques used in this exhibition were inspired by the 2009 group show at Corey Helford Gallery,“The Multi-Plane Show”, for which artists were asked to paint transparent panes in order to achieve a three-dimensional effect. “For my submission, I wanted to utilize the idea of actually being able to see through an object to see what is inside or behind it,” Nouar says. “After several attempts to tint the glass, I realized I would have to create a new transparent layer altogether. Thus I begun experimenting with sculpting and casting resin to achieve the effect I wanted in the final finished piece.”
Don’t miss the special ‘takehome’ tidbits on opening night.
