Archive for the 'Publications' Category
Wednesday, September 1st, 2010
KAWS Limited Signed Monograph Available Now
A quick post for all of you who have been anticipating the November release of the upcoming KAWS monograph. The Aldrich Museum, which is currently hosting the artists’ retrospective exhibition, is offering 250 signed copies of the 264 page hardcover book, available for pre-order in their online store here.
Monday, June 14th, 2010
Rosson Crow’s Bowery Boys in Print
Along with Kristin Baker’s exhibit last December, Rosson Crow’s Bowery Boys was easily the best thing to grace the walls of Deitch’s main space during the gallery’s final season, and certainly their best of 2010 – and no, I have not forgotten about Shep or Kehinde’s shows – actually, maybe I have. Painted fast and free, the loose dripping paint of the Bowery Boys series captured and celebrated the history, creativity and renegade debauchery of several decades of the downtown New York scene, in a show that should have been Deitch’s last.
Whether you missed it when it happened, or saw it when it did, you should go buy Crow’s latest publication from the OHWOW imprint. 56 pages, hard-cover, with an essay by former Deitch director Kathy Grayson, who we expect and are eager to see working with Crow in the future. Get it here
The Nest, 2010 (Image via Deitch Projects)
The Cock, 2010 (Image via Deitch Projects)
Wednesday, June 9th, 2010
Thing Quarterly Collaborates with Chris Johanson + James Franco
Chris Johanson (Image via The Thing)
THE THING is gearing up to release the first installment of their new subscription cycle. Each year, the quarterly “periodical” collaborates with four artists to create limited art objects that each incorporates text. Issues 11-14 kick off with Chris Johanson, followed by fashion design team Doo.ri, artist Matthew Higgs, and will wrap up with actor/artist James Franco, who has shifted his recent focus to intellectual and artistic endeavors outside of acting.
To celebrate the launch of issue 11, Chris Johanson will host an event June 17 at SFMOMA, including video and musical performances. The event is free to Thing subscribers, or with museum admission. We’re not sure what Johanson has come up with for his issue yet, but have been promised that “guests can purchase Johanson’s…issue and put it to use while watching video projections of moonrises…”
Get your one year subscriptions here
Wednesday, June 9th, 2010
Historic Haring Mural in Need of Rescue
The faded and damaged Haring mural as it looks today. (Image: Andrew De La Rue via Sydney Morning Herald)
The Art Newspaper reports that the last surviving mural Keith Haring painted entirely on his own, and the first project he completed with the assistance of a cherry picker, is in dire need of preservation. Painted in 1984 during Haring’s only visit to Australia, the mural occupies the wall of the former Collingwood Technical College in a Melbourne suburb. Last restored in 1996, the significant work has not been maintained for almost 15 years, and suffers from significant surface lifting and cracking of the paint. Estimates to stabilize the outdoor work are reported at A$25,000 ($22,000 US), with an additional A$1,000 ($900) for annual upkeep.
Several major Australian arts institutions and local municipalities have banned together to raise support for its restoration. “It is our own government who has lapsed in its duty of care,” said one spokesperson, noting that the building is owned by the Victorian State Government and that the mural sits on its heritage registry.
”Yarra’s mayor Jane Garrett said, “The mural is a part of Yarra and inner-Melbourne’s cultural and physical landscape—and we want to ensure it stays that way,” adding that interested parties were in the process of setting up a working group including representatives from the arts community and other interested parties to “discuss the mural’s future and come to a consensus on the most appropriate way to preserve it.”
The original mural in progress durning Haring’s 1984 visit to Melbourne (Image via The Art Newspaper)
In more productive news, a new series of Keith Haring adhesive wall graphics (pictured below) has been released by Bilk, with several different designs available from $18 – $55.
Monday, June 7th, 2010
Germano Celant Contributes to upcoming KAWS Book
KAWS‘ first comprehensive print survey is set to release September 21 via Rizzoli, one of the most respected names in art publishing. The book includes contributions by Monica Ramirez-Montagut, curator at The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum in Connecticut (where KAWS opens his first museum show later this month) and Germano Celant, whose lengthy credentials include the titles of Director of Fondazione Prada in Milan, Senior Curator of Contemporary Art at the Guggenheim, Artistic Director of the first Florence Biennial in 1996, and Curator of the 1997 Venice Biennale.
This is not the first time Celant has taken an interest in artists who have crossed over from the street. In 2002 he curated Barry McGee’s first major international solo museum exhibition at Fondazione Prada, and interviewed the artist for the show’s catalog.
Celant’s interest in artists whose roots run deep in graffiti culture is easy to understand. His own contributions to contemporary art span more than 40 years, and can be traced back to the 1960s, when he spawned Arte Povera in Italy. Created in support of artists who were creating in mediums beyond those historically accepted, the loose-knit movement (literally translated as “poor art”) championed art made without any material, theoretical, or economic restraints, that, much like modern graffiti, could thrive free of the art-establishment or market place. It’s worth noting, just as many of that movement’s pioneers eventually reached larger levels of critical recognition and financial success, so have artists like KAWS and McGee.
Wednesday, February 24th, 2010
Matsu Bearbrick Release
Medicom Toy has just released a new limited Bearbrick design by our close and much admired friend, Tomokazu Matsuyama. The two figure set was produced in an edition of 300 and includes both 100% (2.5″) and 400% (10″) sizes. Though the product is exclusive to Japan (available here), savvy collectors will undoubtedly find their way to this limited release.
For our review on Matsu’s current exhibit in San Francisco, read here
Thursday, February 11th, 2010
The Los Angeles County Museum of Art has just launched an online reading room, where they are gradually making available a full range of electronic facsimiles of museum publications spanning their history. LACMA’s initial offering comprises ten early exhibition catalogues, mostly from the 1960s, and serves as an invaluable academic resource.
Friday, November 27th, 2009
Phaidon Releases Anish Kapoor Monograph
Phaidon has just released the most up to date and comprehensive monograph on Anish Kapoor, covering 30 years of the sculptor’s work over 528 pages and 446 color photos. The publisher is also running a 20% discount on all purchases in their webstore, now through December 11. Sign up to their email list to receive a discount code.
Friday, November 27th, 2009
Arkitip Celebrates Black Friday
Attention Kmart shoppers, Arkitip is discounting all issues 50%, for one day only. Don’t miss this opportunity to stock up on back issues of this essential publication, including a meticulously curated selection of artist features and limited editions by the likes of Ryan McGinness, KAWS, Thomas Campbell, Shepard Fairey, Jose Parla, Chris Johanson, and more. Sale runs Black Friday, Nov. 27.
Wednesday, November 4th, 2009
A Love Letter for You (and you, and you)
Unless you frequent the Market-Frankford elevated train line in West Philadelphia, chances are you’ve seen very little of Love Letter, artists Steve Powers’ most recent public arts project. While the multi-site mural was painted in 30 parts spanning 20 blocks of West Philadelphia rooftops, you can now take the entire thing home in book format. A Love Letter for You: Love in Transit is available soon via Gingko Press, and documents the entire love affair across 96 pages. $14.95 means buy two and give somebody you love an early holiday present.
