Archive for the 'Events' Category
Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009
Twentieth Century Boy :: A new exhibit by Sashie Masakatsu celebrates T.Rex, supports arts school in Sierra Leone.
Masakatsu Sashie – Born to Boogie, oil on canvas. (Image courtesy of the artist)
It’s been nearly 40 years since Marc Bolan and his band released their first album under the T.Rex moniker. Next week, a new one-night exhibition will celebrate the late pioneer of glam-rock’s 62nd birthday, while raising funds to continue his legacy with a new school of arts in Sierra Leone, South Africa.
Taking place Sept. 30th, Twentieth Century Boy will unveil new T.Rex inspired paintings, created by Japanese artist Sashie Masakatsu . As a long-time fan, he has incorporated images of Marc Bolan into his signature culture-dense hovering orbs. A portion of sales will support Light of Love Foundation’s (founded by Bolan’s son Rolan and his mother, Gloria Jones) mission to build the Marc Bolan School of Music and Film in Sierra Leone.
The event is curated by Darren “Dr.” Romanelli and Giant Robot founder, Eric Nakamura, who presented Sashie’s first U.S. exhibit in 2006. Sashie won a Scout Award at the tenth annual edition of Kaikai Kiki/Murakami’s GEISAI fair, and is represented by Mizuma Art Gallery in Tokyo. The gallery quickly sold out all available paintings by the artist during last year’s PULSE Miami Art Fair.
We interviewed Rolan Bolan to find out more about Light of Love Foundation and the upcoming event. Read on for more. Read the rest of this entry »
Wednesday, September 2nd, 2009
Pop-Up Art :: Street Cool, Turned Economic Tool
Ja Pay, 2009 is one of several collaborative works created by artist Peter Harris and musician Lee Scratch Perry that will be on display at the Higher Power art show on Sept. 10 in London.
This September marks three years since Banksy captured the art world’s attention with Barely Legal, the now legendary three-day Los Angeles warehouse show, whose location was not disclosed until opening day. Looking back, its as if the exhibit’s mammoth success spawned the beginning of pop-up art show mania. What was once regarded as a guerilla marketing move used by street-hip artists and dealers a few years ago is quickly catching on. In the past few years, companies like Nike, Scion and Campari have been particularly adept at promoting their brands to young audiences and tastemakers by using such art-events.
Yet, while pop-up galleries – temporary art shows held in vacant commercial spaces – are now a mainstream marketing tactic, they may quickly become a financial necessity in a shaken economy, where both the real estate and art markets have been dramatically impacted.
Earlier this summer, Ad Hoc Art partnered with community development organization, Metrotech BID, to transform a vacant Brooklyn, NY block into a storefront gallery of street art, inviting 15 artists including Chris Stain,Greg Lamarche, Lady Pink and Logan Hicks to create site specific installations in the windows of former businesses. (Its worth noting Ad Hoc has since announced its closing, joining a growing list of galleries who have been unable to fight off the recession)
Artists Cycle and Chris Stain contributed to the Willoughby Windows project. Image: Dave Pinter
This week, the New York Times reported on the recent proliferation of temporary galleries in London, noting “the British government, worried about the economic, psychological and criminal hazards of retail vacancies, announced a $5 million “revival fund” for local governments in hard-hit areas to transform empty shops into something useful, like showrooms for local artists, and another $800,000 to help artists and arts organizations turn vacant high street shops into artistic spaces.” The story was also picked up by Artinfo.
London based Watch This Space has taken advantage of this new space, going beyond the curatorial and acting as facilitator between up and coming artists, who are finding it increasingly difficult to secure galleries willing to take on any new risk, and landlords who find themselves with empty space. The organization launched in June with a group exhibit in a three-story former restaurant that had been empty for two years, and is currently playing host to DIY London Scene (previously reported) in a vacant storefront in London’s Covent Garden shopping district.
Lee Scratch Perry and Peter Harris
Moving outside of the traditional gallery setting also offers opportunities for more varied and ambitious undertakings. Take Higher Ground for example, a one-day multimedia collaboration between reggae pioneer Lee Scratch Perry, legendary dub producer Adrian Sherwood, and artist Peter Harris. The interactive art and music event will take place September 10 at the historic Tabernacle Theater in London’s Notting Hill. Perry will perform songs that relate to themes from Harris’ film Higher Powers, while a ‘VJ’ will respond with live visual interpretations of Perry’s songs. Collaborative works between Perry and Harris will be on display, and the two artists will be complete a live painting on stage, with Sherwood conducting a live mix. Tickets to the event are available here
While many galleries struggle to stay afloat, with some closing their doors for good, perhaps there is hope in a wave of more innovative, cooperative events and exhibits, where synergies between creative and business communities can nurture both the arts and wallets.
Monday, August 31st, 2009
Mike Shinoda’s Glorious Excess (Dies)
LA’s Japanese American National Museum is now hosting a prodigious art exhibition by Mike Shinoda entitled Glorious Excess (Dies). The massive creative effort is a pivotal point in the career of the young artist, as he establishes himself outside of his work in music. Shinoda’s adroit use of all types of media to channel his voice is remarkable. The show signals the artist’s ability to create his vision in a plethora of mediums, including digital platforms. It’s clear that the concept of the exhibition has been thoughtfully embedded into each rendition. It’s not too early to opine that Glorious Excess (Dies) provides one the year’s most memorable moments. On view until October 4.
Thursday, August 6th, 2009
Sea Shepherd Art Benefit to feature Shepard Fairey, Jeff Soto, Greg Simkins, Anthony Lister + more
Anyone who has seen an episode of the enthralling Animal Planet series, Whale Wars, is familiar with Captain Paul Watson and his Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, who risk life and limb to police the world’s waters and preserve marine life, often directly confronting poachers on the open seas. On August 29, the Sea No Evil Art Show will be held in Riverside, California (near Los Angeles), with all proceeds benefiting the non-profit environmental organization. Watson is scheduled to speak and Shepard Fairey (along with donating art) will act as DJ. See below for the full list of 60+ participating artists.
Those not able to attend but who want to support the Sea Shepherd cause can donate directly to the organization or make a charitable purchase of additionally available artwork here.
Sea No Evil Art Show 2009
Saturday, August 29
Riverside Municipal Auditorium
3485 Mission Inn Ave.
Riverside, CA 92501
info: erin@seashepherdartshow.com
Participating Artists: Anthony Lister, Arnold Cornelio, Ashley Macomber, Bwana Spoons, Cathie Bleck, Cali Dewitt, Chivo, Chris Rubino, Chris Ryniak, Greg Craola Simkins, Dave Cooper, Dave Kinsey, Deph, Jose Mercado / Dire, Dustin Ortiz, Dylan Martorell, Fabian Iezzi, Jonathan Garcia, Justin Heathcoat “Faceless”, George Thompson, Glen E. Friedman, Gregory Euclide, Gretchen Ryan, Heather Carlton “Hezaa”, Joshua M. Smith / Hydro74, Iqvinder Singh, Jeff Phillips, Jeff Soto, Jeffrey Pidgeon, Jennifer Becker, Jon Chase, Kevin Christy, Kevin Peterson, Logan Hicks, Lola, Louis Henderson, Madsteez, Marc Hemeon, Mario Martinez (Mars-1), Maxx242, Maya Hayuk, Melinda Read, Michael Muller, Michael Sieben, Mike Stilkey, Munk One, Nathan Fischer, Neko, Oliver Sutter, Peggy Oki, Priscilla Iezzi, Renee Lawter, Renta, Ryan Jacob Smith, Scott Morse, Shaunna Peterson, Shepard Fairey, Six Gun Drums, Steven Daily, Tim Biskup, Travis Millard
Tuesday, August 4th, 2009
Island Hopping with Dalek
After recently completing his largest free-standing piece to date, commissioned for the opening of Hurley’s new Laguna Beach store, Dalek (James Marshall) now finds himself in Hawaii, taking a week to prepare new work for the upcoming show, 2D: The Art of 2Day, at SoHo Mixed Media Bar. Images from both events (courtesy of Hurley and Curatedmag) provide an insightful look into Dalek’s creative and technical process.
2D: The Art of 2Day opens Friday, August 7, during First Friday Art Walk in Honolulu. In conjunction with the event Dalek and event sponsor In4mation have created a limited edition t-shirt and print, with proceeds benefiting The Contemporary Museum of Honolulu, the only museum in Hawaii devoted exclusively to contemporary art.
Next up for Dalek will be a UK exhibit at the influential Elms Lester’s Painting Rooms in London with Amsterdam-based artist, Delta. The show opens August 28 and runs to September 26.
Read on for pics and video Read the rest of this entry »
Monday, July 20th, 2009
Elizabeth Peyton Photography Book Signing
For those in NYC, Elizabeth Peyton will sign copies of her recent book Portrait of an Artist this Tuesday, July 22nd at 6pm at Dashwood Books, located at 33 Bond St. Peyton’s new publication focuses on her photographic portraits, first seen in the artist’s 2008 exhibition at the Adrich Contemporary Art Museum.
Not in New York? Live Forever, Peyton’s exhibit which premiered at the New Museum last year, is currently on view at Whitechapel Gallery in London and will travel to the Bonnefantenmuseum, in Maastricht, Netherlands this October.
Monday, July 13th, 2009
We’re Throwing a Party
We’re throwing a party this Tuesday to help Hunters, Run! celebrate the release of their second Artist Series 7″ record, available this week (via At Arms Ltd.) with artwork by Eric Beltz. Our friends over at The Accidental Genius have co-sponsored the evening and rounded out the night with some other great NY bands.
Hunter’s, Run! will have copies of the new record (as well as a few remaining copies of their last artist series release with Josh Keyes) for sale.
$5, 5 bands – Come on down and party with us!
Monday, July 6th, 2009
Lance Armstrong Stages Art Benefit
Kaws designed Lance Armstrong Tour de France Bike, 2009. Image: Emmanuel Perrotin
Official information is becoming available about Stages, the traveling art show and sale co-sponsored by Nike to benefit the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LIVESTRONG). The group of participating blue-chip and emerging art stars (see below) is near monumental and will undoubtedly entice an A-list of philanthropic spending. The exhibit opens July 17 at Galerie Emmanuel Perrotin, Paris and runs till August 8 before heading over to NY and LA this fall, with a final destination at the Portland Art Museum in early 2010. To coincide with the occasion Armstrong will ride on bikes designed by Damien Hirst, KAWS and Marc Newson during the 2009 Tour de France.
Ed Ruscha – Vital To The Core, 2009. Image: Gagosian Gallery
Stages (Destination 1)
July 17 – August 8
Galerie Emmanuel Perrotin
76 rue de Turenne, 75003 Paris
+33 (0)1 42 16 79 79
Contributing artists: Cai Guo-Qiang Rosson Crow, Jules de Balincourt, Dzine, Shepard Fairey, Andreas Gursky, KAWS, Geoff McFetridge, Yoshitomo Nara, Catherine Opie, Jose Parla, Raymond Petibon, Lari Pittman, Richard Prince, Ed Ruscha, Tom Sachs, Kenny Scharf, Eric White, Christopher Wool, and Aaron Young.
Wednesday, July 1st, 2009
Hydra School Projects’ 10th Anniversary Exhibition
Hydra School Projects 2009: Alpha Exotica show poster featuring lettering by Robert Wilson.
Mathew Barney and Elizabeth Peyton’s site specific collaboration isn’t the only installation on the Greek island of Hydra worthy of a pilgrimage. Entering its 10th year, is Hydra School Projects, an annual art exhibition housed in the the historic Sachtoureion, the old Hydra High School which once functioned as a sea captain’s house. Each year Hydra Projects joins together a select group of established and emerging contemporary Greek and international artists to fill the building’s former class rooms. This year’s exhibit, Alpha Exotica, opens July 4th and groups seven participants around the theme of portraiture, ranging from video installations by experimental theater icon Robert Wilson, to the ultra-pop Kurf (rebranded Smurf) “product paintings” of the increasingly popular New York artist KAWS (who exhibited alongside the event’s founder and curator, Dimitrios Antonitsis, at Gering Lopez Gallery’s 2007 PopCentric group show in NY). The other artists on view are Margarita Bofiliou, Carsten Fock, Gerald Förster, Sissel Kardel, and Kostas Sahpazis. The 2009 pack are certainly in good company. Past participants include Marilyn Minter, Brice Marden, and Vik Muniz, who, along with other Hydra Projects alumni, have lent additional installations to scatter the island in honor of the 10th anniversary celebration.
Read on for images of the complete Alpha Exotica exhibit catalog, appropriately printed in the style of a traditional exam booklet, as well as a map of installation locations around the island. View the 2008 catalog here. Read the rest of this entry »
Wednesday, June 24th, 2009
Subway Art 25th Anniversary Special Edition
There is no arguing the pivotal roles Martha Cooper and Henry Chalfant played in the documentation of New York City hip hop and graffiti from the late 70s through the 1980s, and that their images have been just as crucial to these movements’ recent resurgence in popularity. Many of Cooper’s and Chalfant’s now iconic photos were collected in the 1984 publication Subway Art, limited to an initial run of 5000 copies. It has been in print ever since. To celebrate the book’s 25th anniversary, Thames and Hudson have produced an updated and expanded edition of Subway Art, along with a special limited edition of 100 copies produced in collaboration with Black Rat Press, including two signed photos by Cooper and Chalfant.
On Thursday, June 25, Black Rat Press welcomes Martha Cooper, Henry Chalfant and subway artist Blade to London for the official book launch of Subway Art: 25th Anniversary Edition. More info here
Cooper and Chalfant at Revolutionary Books, NYC signing in May.
Image: Joe Conzo via Martha Cooper