Archive for January, 2009
Monday, January 19th, 2009
Lower East Side Printshop Benefit Preview
Lot 10: Robert Longo, Strong in Love, 1991, etching on rivers, Signed Edition: PP 1/2
The Lower East Side Printshop will host a free preview reception for its annual benefit, this Thursday, Jan. 22. Catch an early in-person look of the works included in the Feb. 11th benefit art auction, including editions by Jim Dine, Cindy Sherman, Robert Longo, Dana Schultz, and William Wegman.
Monday, January 19th, 2009
Sonic Youth Sensational Fix Calalogue
A catalog has been published in conjunction with the exhibit Sonic Youth Etc.: Sensational Fix. The exhibit focuses on SY’s multidisciplinary collaborations with visual artists, filmmakers, designers and musicians over the course of their highly influential 28 year history, including Richard Prince, Paul McCarthy, Harmony Korine, Christian Marclay, Raymond Pettibon, Cindy Sherman, Robert Smithson, and Jeff Wall. The 720 pg. book is limited to 600 copies and includes two 7″ records, each one recorded by a different member of the band.
The exhibit (which recently finished its stint at MUSEION in Bolzano, Italy (October 10 – January 4, 2009) will make its next stop at Kunsthalle, Dusseldorf, Germany, from January 31 to April 26, 2009.
Monday, January 19th, 2009
Fairey Inducted into Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery
Image: National Portrait Gallery
A mixed media original rendition of Shepard Fairey’s Obama Hope image was inducted into the National Portrait Gallery, this past Saturday, January 17th. It is worth reminding readers that only a few months ago Fairey was arrested in Denver for postering around the Democratic National Convention. Now his name will appear in the permanent collection of the government-sponsored Smithsonian Institute.
Fairey appeared on the Thursday, Jan. 15 edition of Colbert Report to discuss the creation of the now iconic image. With most of us are already familiar with the story behind the image, our favorite quote goes out to Cobert: “So you’re a criminal…that’s the sort of people who support Barack Obama.”
Watch the full episode here.
The background of the National Portrait Gallery piece is worth mentioning. The stencil and collage portrait was a gift of Tony and Heather Podesta, whose contemporary art collection of nearly 900 works is regarded as one of the most significant in the United States. As noted by the Washington Post, Mr. and Mrs. Podesta have not only carved out an influential niche in the art world, but in the realm of politics as well. He is regarded as a powerful Washington lobbyist, and was retained by both Bill Clinton and John Kerry to spearhead presidential campaigns in Pennsylvania. His brother John served as President Clinton’s Chief of Staff and more recently as an Obama advisor.
Image: Warren Perry/National Portrait Gallery
Monday, January 19th, 2009
15 Years of New Image Art
On Saturday, Jan. 24, New Image Art will celebrate a decade and a half of service to the arts with the opening of 15 Years of New Image Art, a retrospective show/party featuring a truly spectacular roster of contributing artists who have come together to pay tribute. Since 1994, New Image Art has been at the forefront of the increasingly popular art movement to arise from the street, graffiti, and skateboard cultures. Anyone arguing the imprint Beautiful Losers has left on popular culture, and the footing Aaron Rose has established as the personality behind the phenomenon, should enthusiastically acknowledge New Image Art and its founder, Marsea Goldberg.
In fact, this will not be the first exhibit to honor the gallery. Almost four years ago (Feb 4 – March 1, 2005), RVCA hosted The New Image Art Show at RVCA. Taken from the show’s catalog, here’s what a few notable individuals have said about Marsea and New Image:
“Marsea is a whirlwind of big talk and outlandish thoughts.” Under the facade lies the sweetest woman you could ever meet. She champions the underdog. and act as a pied piper of soon to be well known artists. I can’t think of a more unavailable level in this world than the rare one she offers…” – Ed Templeton
“The New Image Art Show at RVCA is much more than a shout out. It should be considered more of a tribute. A tribute to every artist showing here and to Marsea Goldberg and her tireless dedication to supporting artists…” – Aaron Rose
“Marsea Goldberg is a crazy bad ass. She gives artists she beleives in a chance…she is constantly taking risks…which often put her reputation and her livelyhood in the line of fire. But she is so passionate about the art, and so dedicated to the artists she works with, that she has created something really special in her gallery…” – Pat Tenore – RVCA
“She has done LA a great service by simply being open…She has helped hundreds of very talented individuals to have an opportunity when none else existed…Marsea has a generous, warm, caring spirit underneath that east coast shell, and I’ve personally seen her do some very kind and extremely beautiful acts in the name of support and for the sake of helping art(ists).” – Rich Jacobs
As if the commemorative show isn’t enough, Rich Jacobs will present a special edition of his ongoing Move group exhibits. Jacobs and Goldberg met at his first Move show, and shortly after New Image began hosting the ongoing series. Billed as a “show within a show, Move #18 will replicate the original 10 x 10 New Image gallery space and feature works by Jordin Isip, Melinda Beck, Thomas Campbell, Phil Frost, Barry McGee and many more.
15 Years of New Image Art
Saturday, Jan. 24, 7-11pm
7910 Santa Monica Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90048
Special Live Performance by No Age
Participating artists:
Ed Templeton, Barry McGee, Clare Rojas, Deanna Templeton, Jo Jackson, Chris Johanson, Thomas Campbell, Judith Supine, Eddie Martinez, The Uncomfortable Jams, Rich Jacobs and Move, Tauba Auerbach, Chris Lindig, Shepard Fairey, Cleon Peterson, Cheryl Dunn, Geoff McFetridge, Jim Houser, Rebecca Westcott, Jeff Soto, Matt Leines, Swoon, Faile, David Ellis, Bast, Aiko, Date Farmers, Leigh LeDare, Os Gemeos, Neckface, Kelsey Brookes, Megan Whitmarsh, Misaki Kawai, Taylor McKimens, Anthony Lister, Skullphone, Caroline Hwang, Suzannah Sinclair, Clayton Brothers, Christopher Garrett, Sean Cassidy, Liz Young, Cody Hudson, Karen Finley, Johanna Went, Various and Gold, Shay Nowick, Antonio Diaz, Christopher Garrett, Tony Cox and Rich Jacobs.
Thursday, January 15th, 2009
Weekend Gallery Openings
Crash (John Matos) – Courtesy of Joshua Liner Gallery
This weekend brings yet another round of 2009’s first gallery openings. Here’s a few we’ve got our sights on:
CRASH (John Matos) – Unfinished Business / Oliver Vernon – Unexpected Occurrences, Joshua Liner Gallery, opening reception 7-9pm, Jan. 17 – Feb.
Cleon Peterson – The Occupation, New Image Art, opening reception 7-10pm, Jan. 17 – Feb. 14
Jim Houser, Doze Green, Adam Wallacavage + Tara McPherson – Americana 2009 – Choque Cultural, Jan. 17 – Feb. 27.
Mark Mothersbaugh – Andenken Gallery, opening reception 7pm, Jan. 16 – Jan. 31.
Aaron Rose – Born to Cry, Hope Gallery, Jan. 17 – Feb. 11.
Andy Warhol – Warhol from the Sonnabend Collection, Gagosian Gallery, opening reception 6-8pm, Jan. 20 – Feb. 28.
Wang Zhijie, Zhang Hui, Fan Xiaoyan and others – 14 Chinese Contemporary Artists – Eli Klein Fine Art, Jan. 15 – March 2.
Robert Williams, Robert Crumb, Rick Griffin + S. Clay Wilson – Zap Masters, Copro Nason, opening reception Jan. 17 8-11:30pm – Jan. 31.
Wednesday, January 14th, 2009
Choque Cultural Presents Americana 2009
Americana 2009 opens this Saturday, Jan. 17, at Choque Cultural Gallery in São Paulo, Brazil. The group exhibit features four artists represented by New York based Jonathan LeVine Gallery, including Tara Mcpherson, Jim Houser, Doze Green, and Adam Wallacavage. The show marks the continuation of an ongoing cross-cultural dialog between the two galleries, the first of which ocured at LeVine almost two years ago, with the presentation of Ruas de São Paulo: A Survey of Brazilian Street Art From São Paulo.
Tuesday, January 13th, 2009
Aaron Rose Shows His Art (Finally)
Aaron Rose will open his first gallery show since exhibiting at his fabled Alleged Gallery in the 1990s. Regarded as the pioneer of Beautiful Losers, these days Rose describes his job as putting people and things from the cultural landscape together. Don’t miss his public return to visual art.
Born to Cry: Object Paintings by Aaron Rose opens Saturday, Jan. 17 at Hope Gallery in Los Angeles and runs through Feb. 11.
Tuesday, January 13th, 2009
New Print From Josh Keyes
David B. Smith Gallery is gearing up to release a new print by Josh Keyes. Entitled The Call I, the giclee print has been produced as a signed & numbered edition of 750 measuring 20″ x 26.5″. Put your $175 aside now – this one should go fast.
In other news, Keyes has contributed cover art to the upcoming limited edition record release by the New York based rock band, Hunters, Run! More on that soon….
Tuesday, January 13th, 2009
Say It Ain’t So
Here’s an interesting ridiculous find – a printed canvas baring a photo of some signs Steve Powers (ESPO) created as part of Creative Time’s Dreamland Artists Club in Coney Island. Available, if you dare, from the always ahead of the curve, CB2.
Tuesday, January 13th, 2009
James Jean – Kindling @ Jonathan LeVine
Acclaimed illustrator, James Jean, celebrated the opening of his first ever solo exhibit this past weekend at Jonathan LeVine Gallery. Since finishing his studies at the School of Visual Arts in 2000, Jean has built up a substantial and almost fanatical fan base as an illustrator for DC/Vertigo Comics. Over the span of few short years, he has been the recipient of numerous awards within the comic book industry, grown an endless list of commercial clients including Nike, Atlantic Records and Playboy, been honored with two gold medals from The Society of Illustrators, and most recently, has entered the MOMA’s permanent collection.
With such credits to his name, it is astounding that an exhibit dedicated solely to Jeans’ art did not come sooner. His gradual and careful development of craft is clearly evident in this massive new body of art, which demonstrates a mastery of mediums including oil, acrylic, and mixed media works on both paper and canvas. The show’s title is an appropriate one. Having ceased illustration and commercial projects, Kindling ignites a new chapter in Jean’s bold redefinition as a fine artist, and if this is just the stuff of starting fires, we can only anticipate what will come next.
The Art Collectors was on hand for preview night and present an extensive photo recap. Make sure to click images for larger views.