Swedish-born artist Claes Oldenburg attends a press view of his exhibition, titled 'Claes Oldenburg The Sixties,' at the Museum Moderner Kunst Stiftung Ludwig (mumok) in Vienna, Austria. The exhibition opens to the public from 04 February to 28 May. EPA/HERBERT NEUBAUER.
VIENNA.- With his humorous and profound depictions of everyday objects, Claes Oldenburg is one of the most important and popular artists since the late 1950s. Not only has he been a major figure in Pop art, performance art, and installation art but he has also been in partnership with Coosje van Bruggen a profound influence on art in public spaces with his monumental “Large Scale Projects” in numerous major cities worldwide. One central point of reference in Oldenburg’s oeuvre is the industrially produced object—the object as commodity, which in ever new metamorphoses of media and form becomes a conveyer of culture and symbol of the imagination, desires, and obsessions of the capitalist world. Organized by mumok, this is the largest show ever of Oldenburg’s path-breaking and emblematic early work of the 1960s. Numerous icons of Pop art will be seen in the exhibition, beginning with the installation The ... More
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LOS ANGELES.- Autorretrato (Self-Portrait), by Rosa Rolanda in 1952 is seen at a preview showing of “In Wonderland: The Surrealist Adventures of Women Artists in México and the United States,” at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Wednesday Feb. 1, 2012. AP Photo/Reed Saxon.
Mike Kelley, the daring and influential contemporary installation artist. AP Photo/Walker Art Center/Gagosian Gallery.
LOS ANGELES, CA.- The late artist told Artillery magazine about his failed attempt to buy his childhood home; his years of therapy, and his art-world fatigue: "Now I'm not in the mood to make art" When Tulsa Kinney interviewed Mike Kelley for a cover story of Artillery, the bi-monthly magazine about contemporary art, it was because she believed the Los Angeles-based conceptual artist was creating his magnum opus. "Mobile Homeland," an installation that recreates Kelley's childhood home in Detroit, "is almost too fraught with psychology and dysfunction [ … ] things that could easily feel like an emotional burden," Kinney wrote in the February/March issue of Artillery, which appeared with exclusive photographs of Kelley. (The magazine is sold on newsstands, Barnes and Noble bookstores, and is distributed free in art galleries in Los Angeles.) Kinney didn't know that the article—featuring Kelley's last interview—would offer insight into his apparent suicide on Tuesda ... More
Vilhelm Hammershøi, Interior with the Artist's Easel, 1910. Oil, on canvas, 84 x 69 cm. National Gallery of Denmark.
COPENHAGEN.- This year’s major spring exhibition at the National Gallery of Denmark adds a new chapter to the story of Vilhelm Hammershøi and marks the first time that a major selection of his works are shown side by side with masterpieces by some of the greatest European artists of his day. Loneliness, intimacy, and alienation. With his timeless and universal subject matter and his unmistakable, carefully restricted palette Vilhelm Hammershøi is one of the most important and distinctive figures in the history of Danish art. His reputation reaches farther beyond his native soil than that of any other Danish painter, and over the course of the last 15 years a number of retrospective exhibitions in Europe, USA, and Japan has firmly established Hammershøi’s position as the equal of the other main artists from the period. Vilhelm Hammershøi (1864-1916) is most frequently portrayed as a singular figure within Danish art. His n ... More
Greg Brooks, co-manager of Sub Sea Research, is seen aboard the salvage ship Sea Hunter in Boston Harbor. AP Photo/Winslow Townson.
By: Clarke Canfield, Associated Press
PORTLAND (AP).- A treasure hunter said he has located the wreck of a British merchant ship that was torpedoed by a German U-boat off Cape Cod during World War II while carrying what he claims was a load of platinum bars now worth more than $3 billion. If the claim proves true, it could be one of the richest sunken treasures ever discovered. But an attorney for the British government expressed doubt the vessel was carrying platinum. And if it was, in fact, laden with precious metals, who owns the hoard could become a matter of international dispute. Treasure hunter Greg Brooks of Sub Sea Research in Gorham, Maine, announced that a wreck found sitting in 700 feet of water 50 miles offshore is that of the S.S. Port Nicholson, sunk in 1942. He said Wednesday that he and his crew identified it via the hull number using an underwater camera, and he hopes ... More
PURCHASE, NY.- Internationally acclaimed artist Kiki Smith became one of the leading artists of her time by revitalizing the body as subject matter, for herself and her generation of artists, as well as her successors. “Now at the height of her career, Smith continues to be an extremely inventive and prolific artist motivated by endless curiosity about the world,” notes Helaine Posner, Chief Curator of the Neuberger Museum of Art of Purchase College, who organized Visionary Sugar: Works by Kiki Smith, an exhibition of Smith’s new work, that opens on February 4 at the Neuberger Museum of Art of Purchase College. “She has an enduring desire to explore the range and possibilities of figuration linked to an expansive engagement with nature, spirit, and the imagination.” The exhibition includes ... More
WASHINGTON, DC.-The Phillips Collection highlights a gift of 27 works on paper by modern masters active in France in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It marks the first drawing by Edouard Vuillard (1868–1940) to enter the collection and the Phillips’s first holdings by Bernard Lamotte (1903–1983), Fernand Léger (1881–1955), and Kees van Dongen (1877–1968). The rich array of portraits, nudes, landscapes, and cityscapes offers a glimpse into the essential role drawing played in the modern artist’s creative process. French Drawings from the Aaronsohn Collection is on view Feb. 2 through April 29, 2012. The gift from the D.C.-based collectors Jonathan and Roseann Aaronsohn enriches The Phillips Collection’s important holdings of work by Pierre ... More
Beck Building at night, north side.
HOUSTON, TX.- Cornelia Long, chair of the Board of Trustees of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, announced that Steven Holl Architects has been selected to partner with the board and staff of the museum in developing an expansion that enlarges the museum’s presentation of its collections, exhibitions and myriad educational programs. The project will entail the construction of a new museum building intended primarily for art after 1900 to complement the Audrey Jones Beck and Caroline Wiess Law Buildings. Further, the project will address the integration of the Lillie and Hugh Roy Cullen Sculpture Garden and the expansion of the Glassell School of Art. A new parking facility will be added, as well. The decision follows a comprehensive international search that resulted in three firms—Steven Holl Architects, Snøhetta and Morphosis—developing site-specific concepts for the planned expansion. Following presentations by ... More
Photographer unknown, “Ram”, Bat’y ‘A’ 2d U.S. Cord Artl’y, Lt., 1865. Albumen silver print, 5 1/4 x 7 1/4 in. Collection of Julia J. Norrell.
WASHINGTON, DC.- This winter, the Corcoran Gallery of Art presents Shadows of History: Photographs of the Civil War from the Collection of Julia J. Norrell (February 4–May 6), an exhibition that explores how photography was used to document the Civil War. The exhibition’s 36 works include early tintype, ambrotype, and cartes-de-visite portraits, rare images of African American regiments, and an installation by contemporary artist Whitfield Lovell. Shadows of History is organized by Philip Brookman, Chief Curator and Head of Research at the Corcoran Gallery of Art, and Kaitlin Booher, assistant curator of photography and media arts, and drawn primarily from the collection of Washington collector Julia “Judy” Norrell. The American Civil War, one of the first conflicts to be extensively documented by photography, for the first time brought home powerful images of human devastation and the destructive impa ... More
Robert Ryman, Grey Drawing #8, 1962. Charcoal, graphite pencil, pastel on cream paper, 10 x 10 inches (25.4 x 25.4 cm).
NEW YORK, NY.-Peter Blum announces the exhibition Drawing a Line in the Sand, a group exhibition of works on paper at Peter Blum Soho, 99 Wooster Street, New York. Drawing a Line in the Sand is a continuation of the gallery’s ongoing interest in drawing. It follows the tradition begun with earlier exhibitions such as Drawing a Line and Crossing it (1997) and Line and Surface (2006). Over the past century the definition of drawing has broadened its boundaries significantly. As drawings were once perceived as preparations for other artworks or illustrative images, they have in recent times transformed into an art form that stands on its own. Like with painting and sculpture, artists have pushed the limits of drawing, expanding the meaning of line and surface. Drawing a Line in the Sand presents an array of drawings by twelve artists spanning a period from the 1960’s to the present. Focusing on the importance ... More
In this Oct. 26, 2004 file photo, actress Lauren Bacall arrives for the premiere of her new movie " Birth", with her son Stephen Bogart. AP Photo/ Louis Lanzano.
By: Brett Zongker, Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP).- That famous movie line, "Here's looking at you, kid," will have time to echo in the halls of the Smithsonian this weekend as the son of Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall opens the first film festival at the National Mall's new movie theater. "Casablanca" will be the first film shown at the new Warner Bros. Theater at the National Museum of American History on Friday night, followed by free weekend screenings of "The Maltese Falcon," ''The Treasure of Sierra Madre" and "The Big Sleep." Bogart's suit worn in "Casablanca" also is on display, on loan from Warner Bros. Stephen Bogart, 63, said he didn't really know his famous father because he died when his son was just 8 years old. "All I knew him as was on celluloid," said Stephen Bogart, who is now a real estate agent in Naples, Fla. Still, he said his ... More
Members of the Mashco-Piro tribe. AP Photo/Diego Cortijo,Survival International.
By: Frank Bajak, Associated Press
LIMA (AP).- Peruvian authorities say they are struggling to keep outsiders away from a clan of previously isolated Amazon Indians who began appearing on the banks of a jungle river popular with environmental tourists last year. The behavior of the small group of Mashco-Piro Indians has puzzled scientists, who say it may be related to the encroachment of loggers and by low-flying aircraft from nearby natural gas and oil exploration in the southeastern region of the country. Clan members have been blamed for two bow-and-arrow attacks on people near the riverbank in Madre de Dios state where officials say the Indians were first seen last May. One badly wounded a forest ranger in October. The following month, another fatally pierced the heart of a local Matsiguenka Indian, Nicolas "Shaco" Flores, who had long maintained a relationship with the Mashco-Piro. The advocacy group Survival International released ... More
This MoPac (Missouri Pacific) railroad lantern with ruby-colored glass is one of approximately 160 lanterns from various train lines in the Roy Gay collection. A&S image.
WACO, TX.- There is no more enduring symbol of how the Old West became part of the New World than the American railroad, with its steam-powered “iron horses” that linked East to West. It is the lifelong fascination with early trains and the culture that surrounded them that inspired the late Roy Gay’s 65-year collection of railroadiana, which will be auctioned in its entirety on March 10-11. A&S Antique Auction Co., specialists in Western Americana, will conduct the sale of the approximately 2,000-piece single-owner collection at its Waco, Texas gallery, with Internet live bidding through LiveAuctioneers.com. “Mr. Gay, who passed away on January 11th of this year, gave his whole working life of 40-plus years to the Union Pacific Railroad. He was an auditor for the company and traveled a three-state region in the course of his job, so that opened all the necessary doors to acquire railroad relics. When a depot closed down, he would know about it and be in a po ... More
Cheryl has been a major force in the Museum as a catalyst for community engagement and as an advocate for the arts on behalf of the Museum to government officials.
PHILADELPHIA, PA.-The Philadelphia Museum of Art today announced that Cheryl McClenney-Brooker, the Museum’s Director of External Affairs since 1987, will retire on March 2, 2012, after 29 years of service. Over the years, Ms. McClenney-Brooker has been a key member of the Museum’s senior administration, serving to generate a broad range of initiatives to attract, engage, and build audiences for the Museum and to advocate on behalf of the Museum to elected officials and many other constituencies. Timothy Rub, the George D. Widener Director and Chief Executive Officer, said: “Cheryl will leave behind an exemplary legacy of public service on our behalf. Her efforts have positioned the Museum well in relation to numerous cultural organizations, government agencies, and community groups.” “Cheryl has been a major force in the Museum as a catalyst for community engagement and as an ... More
Quote Art is the most frenzied orgy man is capable of. Jean Dubuffet
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First U.K solo exhibition of art works by great Syrian poet opens at the Mosaic Rooms LONDON.-The Mosaic Rooms announces a tribute to the Arab world’s greatest living poet, Adonis. From February to March 2012, the Mosaic Rooms hosts an exhibition of Adonis’ exquisite drawings alongside a series of literary events celebrating his life, poetry and criticism. This is the first solo exhibition of Adonis’ artwork in the United Kingdom. Adonis, who is now in his eighties, has been painting and creating works of art for the past 12 years. His pictorial pieces are beautiful collages, made up of rags, yarn, fabric, documents, ancient papyri, used cans, and other found objects that have inspired him. By unifying these materials which belong to different cultures, Adonis aims to give sense to objects that have previously had no significance. Each collage has a background of Arabic writing, not only used because it is Adonis’ native language, but also because he considers the language to have ... More
Tragic composer Peter Warlock's hand written score for masterwork for sale at Bonhams LONDON.- The autograph manuscript of Peter Warlock’s masterpiece The Curlew is to be auctioned at Bonhams Fine Books, Maps and Manuscripts sale in London on March 27th. It is estimated at £4,000-6,000. The Curlew, a setting of four poems by W B Yeats, is seen as his best work, a view shared by the composer – “for the first time in my life I really felt pleased with something I had written” as he told a friend after the premiere. Warlock had toyed with the composition for a number of years and one of his early – now lost – works - was a setting of the individual poem The Curlew written in 1916. His friend and mentor, Delius, heard the song and was moved to write to the aspiring composer, “Your song ‘The Curlew’ is lovely, and gave me the greatest pleasure. Turn to music, dear boy, that is where you will find the only real satisfaction” It took seven years and many false starts ... More
Large photographs of London 2012 hopefuls to be shown in open-air city centres LONDON.- Over 30 stunning printed panels showing newly-commissioned photographic portraits of top athletes and key figures involved in the staging of London 2012 can be seen outdoors twenty- four hours a day in British cities throughout this Spring and Summer. Highlights of the largest photographic commission ever undertaken by the National Portrait Gallery, London, made possible by London 2012 sponsor BT, will include large-scale portraits of Jessica Ennis, Victoria Pendleton, Tom Daley, David Weir, Seb Coe and Danny Boyle. The free outdoor exhibition will go on show at the heart of three of Britain’s busiest cities opening in Cardiff on 30 March 2012 before touring to Edinburgh and Birmingham. All three venues and their nations or regions have connections with the sitters and photographers on show. Scotland is represented by Olympic rower Katherine Grainger and photographer Finlay MacKay ... More
Cooper-Hewitt announces new Board President, Secretary and appointment of new Trustee NEW YORK, NY.-Smithsonian’s Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum announced the appointment of Beth Comstock as president and Judy Francis Zankel as secretary of its board of trustees. The Smithsonian’s board of regents voted Jan. 23 to appoint Dr. Alberto Eiber to the board of Cooper-Hewitt. “We are excited that Beth and Judy have assumed these leadership roles during this important time in the museum’s history,” said Bill Moggridge, director. Cooper-Hewitt’s main facility, housed in the Carnegie Mansion, is undergoing renovation as part of a $64 million capital campaign that includes enlarged and enhanced facilities for exhibitions, collections display, education programming and the National Design Library, and an increased endowment. During the renovation, Cooper-Hewitt’s usual schedule of exhibitions, education programs and events will be staged at various off-site locations, includ ... More
Cheekwood announces new 2012 Officers and Board of Trustees NASHVILLE, TN.-Cheekwood Botanical Garden & Museum of Art has recently announced new officers of the Board. The new officers, who will serve for two years in these roles are: George Stadler is a founding partner of HMS Capital Management. George is responsible for business development, client service and is a contributing manager for HMS’s stable risk portfolios Prior to forming HMS, he was Regional Managing Director for the Personal Asset Management group at SunTrust. George graduated from Washington & Lee University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and German. He received his MBA with a concentration in Finance from the Owen Graduate School of Management at Vanderbilt University. A Nashville native, George is well known for his work with several local charities and their investment committees. Lillian Bradford, known to her friends as Tooty, has been active in the Nashville community ... More
Art Fairs
David
Shrigley: Brain Activity exhibition opens at Hayward
Gallery
On a day like today, Finnish architect Alvar Aalto, was
born
February 3, 1898.- Hugo Alvar Henrik Aalto
(February 3, 1898, Kuortane– May 11, 1976, Helsinki) was a
Finnish architect and designer. His work includes architecture, furniture,
textiles and glassware. Aalto's early career runs in parallel with
the rapid economic growth and industrialization of Finland during
the first half of the twentieth century and many of his clients were
industrialists; among these were the Ahlström-Gullichsen family.[1]
The span of his career, from the 1920s to the 1970s, is reflected
in the styles of his work, ranging from Nordic Classicism of the
early work, to a rational International Style Modernism during the
1930s to a more organic modernist style from the 1940s onwards. What
is typical for his entire career, however, is a concern for design
as a Gesamtkunstwerk, a total work of art; whereby he - together
with his first wife Aino Aalto - would design not just the building,
but give special treatments to the interior surfaces and design furniture,
lamps, and furnishings and glassware. The Alvar Aalto Museum, designed
by Aalto himself, is located in what is regarded as his home city
Jyväskylä. In this image: Finlandia Hall (1962-71).
, by Rosa Rolanda in 1952 is seen at a preview showing of “In Wonderland: The Surrealist Adventures of Women Artists in México and the United States,” at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Wednesday Feb. 1, 2012. AP Photo/Reed Saxon.');)
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 by US artist Dorothea Tanning who died on 31 January 2012 at her home in Manhattan, New York, USA. She was 101. EPA/DOROTHEA TANNING COLLECTION AND ARCHIVES.');)
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 by Spanish photographer Alberto Schommer at a retrospective exhibition on his work that was presented in Valencia, Spain, 02 Frebuary 2012. The exhibition presents his early works starting in 1957 until his most recent pictures in 2007, including his famous portrait of Andy Warhol wraped in the US flag. EPA/KAI FOERSTERLING.');)
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