Archive for December, 2008
Wednesday, December 31st, 2008
Asian Art Fair Cancelled
In a move reflecting the current slump in the global art market and mixed results at Basel Miami fairs earlier this month, The International Asian Art Fair, (previoulsy scheduled to be held at the Park Avenue Armory from March 11-15) has been cancelled by London-based Haughton International Fairs.
A statement released on the fair organizer’s website states: “Due to the present global economic situation we have regrettably taken the decision to cancel The International Asian Art Fair for 2009…Many of the dealers who had contracted to take part are not in a position to go forward in the current climate and as such we have decided a fair would put an untenable strain on their resources. We hope to be able to re-launch the fair in 2010 and look forward to working with our exhibitors again.”
With just a few remaining hours of the year left, indeed this is one more reminder that tonight we should all party like its 1999.
Wednesday, December 31st, 2008
David Choe Signing at GRNY
David Choe will be on hand signing his new Choegal figure, this Saturday, Jan. 3, at Giant Robot NY. Limited to 1000 pieces, the wooden Choegal is hand painted (in a factory – not by Choe) and features a head with three rotating facial expressions that reminds us of this childhood favorite
Wednesday, December 31st, 2008
Last Chance :: Elizabeth Peyton
Earl’s Court, 1997. Oil on board, 10×8 in.
The Art Collector’s strongly urges anyone in the NY area to see Elizabeth Peyton’s exhibit at the New Museum before it closes on January 11. Consisting of more than 100 works from the past fifteen years, Live Forever: Elizabeth Peyton marks the first comprehensive survey of the artist’s career to be held in an American institution.
Peyton’s works are at once nostalgic and completely fresh, an ode to the forgotten art of figurative painting and a celebration of modern subjects. Through depictions of instantly recognizable cultural icons to her most intimate friends, Peyton inspires us to rejoice in the beauty that arises from the remarkable individuals who have impacted our lives.
The exhibit travels to The Walker Art Center in Minneapolis from Feb. 14-June 14, 2009, and then moves on to Whitechapel Gallery in London and the Bonnefantenmuseum, Maastrciht, Netherlands.
Pati, 2007. Oil on board, 9×7 in Zoe’s Kurt, 1995. Oil on board, 14×11 in.
Tuesday, December 30th, 2008
Shepard Fairey 1984 + Animal Farm Print Release
A few months back Penguin Books re-released the George Orwell classics, 1984 and Animal Farm, with newly inspired cover art by Shepard Fairey. A limited edition of 200 signed and numbered offset prints of both covers sold out quickly to UK customers who acted fast enough to grab the promotional book and poster set. Now, ObeyGiant is releasing the remaining poster sets to U.S. fans. Keep hitting refresh here between 12 and 3pm EST tomorrow, 12/31, and pick up a pair for $140 – if you’re lucky.
Monday, December 29th, 2008
Aurel Schmidt Is Getting Huge
Miami’s Oh Wow Gallery has just announced the release of this life-size poster of one of Aurel Schmidt’s most accomplished pieces. Entitled Supernatural, the open edition measures 34 x 72 inches and is available for $90. The original work has found a home with prestigious Greek collector, Dakis Joannou, who is creditied with holding one of the most siginficant private collections of European contemporary art and founded Athens’ Deste Foundation Center for Contemporary Art in 1983. You may recall the billionaire collector commissioned Jeff Koons to design the entire exterior of his 114 ft. yacht, which he unveiled this past September. Clearly Aurel is in good company – so why don’t you pick one of these up and hang it on your bedroom door for a nice morning welcome?
Thursday, December 25th, 2008
Neckface Gets Nasty
El Neckface – East Village, NYC, Christmas Eve.
Thursday, December 25th, 2008
Fairey / Obama Rift
Image: obeygiant.com
Shepard Fairey has publicly spoken out against President-elect, Barack Obama’s, decision to have Evangelical minister, Rick Warren, deliver the invocation during Obama’s inaugural address. In a message posted to his popular OBEYGIANT website earlier this week, Fairey said, “Rick Warren is against gay marriage and reproductive rights, and he does not believe in evolution (maybe he offers himself as proof of lack of evolution). I understand that Obama is trying to appeal to conservatives and evangelicals, but this move is symbolically a slap in the face to many people. Warren is not a uniter, but a divider… he is intolerant in many of his views. I still think Obama is the best choice for president, but I can’t condone Warren’s involvement in Obama’s inauguration, no matter how insignificant it is.”
In response, Fairey will be re-directing a portion of funds from his upcoming Obama inauguration poster to the movement to overturn Prop 8. Rather than pulling the porject all together, Fairey said putting money “into a cause I care about is actually more constructive. Plus, I wouldn’t want withdrawing the image to come across as a blanket boycott of Obama.”
Thursday, December 25th, 2008
First MOCA, Now The National Academy
Image: National Academy
In a picture all too similar to MOCA’s recent troubles, the National Academy of New York is on the verge of financial collapse. Following MOCA’s lead, the museum has been dipping into its restricted funds (stipulated for costs other than day to day operations, such as new acquisitions) to meet operating costs. To make matters worse, the National Academy committed the ultimate art museum sin by selling off two significant paintings from the Hudson River School to help pay bills. This offense got them tagged a “pariah” by the Association of Art Museum Directors, who has gone on to ask its members to stop any and all support to the National Academy.
It doesn’t stop there – The National Academy’s leaders, which are made of a disjointed mix of 20 board members (known as the council), professional artists (called academicians), and an advisory board, can’t seem to agree on how to deal with the looming crisis. A plan approved by the council to sell off several buildings and relocate was firmly rejected by the artist members. Speaking of the academicians, Advisory Board Vice President, argued, “they just live in another world and don’t understand fiduciary responsibility.”
While MOCA found its saviour in Eli Broad just this week, we have to wonder if the National Academy will be as lucky.
Read More: New York Times – “Branded a Pariah, the National Academy Is Struggling to Survive”
Thursday, December 25th, 2008
MOCA Accepts Broad’s $30 Million Bailout
MOCA’s new CEO Charles Young listens to Eli Broad at a press conference held
Wednesday, Dec. 23. – Image: Gary Friedman / LA Times
After weeks of speculation, Los Angeles’ MOCA has accepted billionaire collector and founding museum trustee, Eli Broad’s offer of $30 million to help resuscitate the desperate institution, whose finances have been reeling closer and closer towards demise.
The move comes less than a week after the Los Angeles County Museum of Art announced its offer to partner with the struggling museum – a manoeuvre criticized by some as more of a bid for takeover than philanthropy. That agreement would have dissolved MOCA’s independent board and put LACMA director at the helm of a single entity. Broad’s proposal however, allows MOCA to continue functioning as an independent museum. “We’re a donor — we’re not on the board, we’re not running MOCA in any way, shape or form,” said Broad in an interview with the LA Times earlier this week.
The terms of the agreement state The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation will provide an initial cash injection of $15 million for exhibition support ($3 million over the next 5 years), and match up to an additional $15 in donations raised by the museum. “It’s very simple,” said Broad, “they raise a dollar, the foundation puts in a dollar.” In addition, the plan stipulates MOCA may not sell off any works of art and must keep its collection intact. While not mandated as part of the Broad agreement, museum director, Jeremy Strick has resigned and will be replaced by UCLA Chairman, Charles E. Young, who will take on the role as the museums first chief executive.
It will be interesting to see if Broad’s bailout puts strains on his already intimate relationship with LACMA. Just last year, LACMA opened the doors to its new Broad Contemporary Art Museum, funded entirely by the mogul’s foundation. However, Broad’s aid to MOCA clearly put the museum in a position to reject LACMA’s attempted merger, thwarting any possibility of taking control of MOCA’s collection.
Read More:
Bloomberg – “MOCA Accepts Broad’s Grant, Hires Chief”
LA Times – “MOCA Accepts Broad Lifeline, Appoints CEO”
Art Info – MOCA Accepts Broad Offer, Appoints CEO
Wednesday, December 24th, 2008
Happy Holidays + New Year
A safe and joyous season to you from us at TAC.