Archive for March, 2009
Thursday, March 5th, 2009
Going, Going, Gone – Corporate Philanthropy to Arts Plummeting
We’ve already seen the dramatic effect of the reeling economy on the arts, as several museums announce layoffs, cuts in programming, or outright closure. As reported by ArtInfo, a new study by business analysts, The Conference Board, predicts that corporate philanthropy will plunge further throughout 2009, with charitable giving to the arts taking the biggest hit. According to the survey of 158 companies, 45% had already implemented a reduction in their 2009 giving budgets and 41% reporting a decrease in funding for the arts. These numbers are likely to rise as the year unfolds.
Thursday, March 5th, 2009
Weekend Opening :: Ryan McGinness at Deitch Projects
As if there isn’t enough must-see art going on in NYC this weekend, Ryan McGinness launches a new exhibit at Deitch Projects this Saturday, Feb. 7th. The show will coincide with a new 288 page hard-cover monograph, published by Rizzoli, which highlights McGinness’ creative process through a behind-the scenes look at his last Deitch installation in 2005.
Master of Reality, 2008, Acrylic on Linen, 96 x 144 inches
Ryan McGinness – Works
March 7 – April 4
Opening Reception: March 7, 6-9pm
Deitch Projects
18 Wooster St.
NY, NY 10013
Wednesday, March 4th, 2009
KAWS for New York Magazine
This just arrived in the mail at TAC headquarters. Continuing his main-stream media attack, KAWS lends an illustration to the cover of New York Magazine’s latest Best Of New York issue. Intentional or not, we were particularly amused by how easy it was to squeeze in an OriginalFake “OF” reference. Nice one…
Wednesday, March 4th, 2009
Preview :: Tomokazu Matsuyama in NY
Tomokazu Matsuyama opens Glancing at the Twin Peak, a new exhibit of painting and sculpture, at Joshua Liner Gallery, this Friday, Feb. 6th. While we don’t want to reveal too much, we can say the scale and techniques employed clearly indicate an artist challenging his boundaries and entering a new phase of ambitious levels of production and creative output. Not to be missed. Read on for a brief teaser.
Tomokazu Matsuyama – Glancing at the Twin Peak
March 6 – April 4
Opening Reception: March 6, 6-9pm
Joshua Liner Gallery
548 W. 28th St., 3rd Floor
NY, NY 10001
info@joshualinergallery.com Read the rest of this entry »
Tuesday, March 3rd, 2009
Plot Thickens Over Laurent Looted Art Controversy
One of the two controversial sculptures is auctioned at Christie’s in Paris, on Feb. 25th.
Image: Patrick Kovarik/AFP/Getty Images
The controversy over two Chinese relics looted during the second Opium War some 150 years ago, and sold at last week’s record shattering Yves St. Laurent auction, has taken an unexpected turn. Prior to the Feb. 25th sale, a Parisian court rejected the Association for the Protection of Chinese Art in Europe’s appeal to have the pieces returned to the Chinese government.
Now, it looks as if the winning bidder, antiques collector and Chinese auction house owner, Cai Mingchao, has no intention of making good on his $40 million purchase. It seems Mr. Cai’s actions are an intentional political manoeuvre, attempting to drum up publicity over the disputed statues and larger concern over the sale of looted Asian art. “I have done my part. I am not going to pay,” said Cai at a news conference in Beijing on Monday.
Interestingly enough, Mr. Cai advises the Lost Cultural Relics Recovery Foundation, which is overseen by China’s Ministry of Culture. Yet, a spokesperson for the government agency overtly avoided any official stance on Cai’s actions, instead choosing to speak in broader terms.
“We ask that the relics be returned to China…I urge everyone to pay attention to what is the essence of this issue. These cultural relics belong to China, they were looted by the West in time of war and illegally taken abroad,” stated Qin Gang, speaking on behalf of China’s Foreign Ministry.
Christie’s is holding the art in France and has not commented on its next move, which could include suing Mr. Cai for breach of contract and re-offering the tainted treasures at a lower price to the next highest bidder. Pierre Berge (Laurent’s lifelong partner who brought the 700+ lots to auction) on the other hand, has been quite vocal on the situation.
“I am prepared to offer this bronze head to the Chinese straight away, he said. “All they have to do is to declare they are going to apply human rights, give the Tibetans back their freedom and agree to accept the Dalai Lama on their territory. If they do that, I would be very happy to go myself and bring these two Chinese heads to put them in the Summer Palace in Beijing. It’s obviously blackmail but I accept that.”
Video coverage and extensive reporting of Cai Mingchao’s press conference, courtesy of China’s Xinhua news agency here
Read more here:
The Guardian
Bloomberg
The London Telegraph
Wall Street Journal
Monday, March 2nd, 2009
LA :: Rock Paper Scissor @ Berman
With an impressive line-up, curated by Jon Cournoyer, Rock Paper Scissor opened Feb. 28 to a thick crowd at Santa Monica’s Robert Berman Gallery. Featuring Raymond Pettibon, Daniel Johnston, Ron English, Thurston Moore, Kim Gordon, Lee Ranaldo, and Gibby Haynes, the show has broad appeal. Check it out if you’re on the Westside…Pics follow.
Monday, March 2nd, 2009
LA :: Choque Cultural @ Scion
Choque Cultural, in association with Jonathan LeVine Gallery, opened their latest culmination of the Brazilian urban art scene at the Scion Installation art space in Los Angeles, Feb. 28. Running for the next few weeks, it’s worth a visit. Pics follow.
Monday, March 2nd, 2009
On View :: Yoshitomo Nara at Marianne Boesky
Yoshitomo Nara launched a new New York exhibition this past Saturday, at Marianne Boesky Gallery. As expected, the show serves up a playful mix of drawings and paintings at recession-resistant price points ranging from $18,000 to $500,000. The most ambitious works are two large-scale sculptural dwellings, done in partnership with his design team, graf, who Nara began collaborating with in 2003. The evening was topped off with live music by Orutaichi, M.A.G.O., and a performance by Yo La Tengo side-project, Dump. Read on for our extensive photo recap and click images for larger views. On view till March 22. Read the rest of this entry »