Take on Art

Step Into Liquid

Wess Dahl-berg at Amanda Harris Gallery of Contemporary Art, Las Vegas, Nov.-Dec. 2011


Liquid paint that is.  Dry or wet, here's the lowdown on Highbrow Shamanism and the paintings of Wess Dahl-berg (formerly known as Dahlberg).  They are golden in Las Vegas, where everything is liquid no matter how dry the weather.  The exhibit includes his newest body of work, Nocturnal Landscapes, layered paeans to the desert just before nightfall.

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IRWIN

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Robert Irwin

Way Out West

Fluorescent Light Tube Sculptures

On Or Off 

 L&M Arts Venice CA

Sept – Oct 2011

(images – details)

 

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Being There

Untitled 08-4-8, Zeng Fanzhi, 2008, oil on canvas, 260 x 360 cm. (in 2 panels). Photo: Christie's Images Ltd. 2011.

Being There

HONG KONG–Christie's auction house and the Rockbund Art Museum, the contemporary art showcase in Shanghai, will present “BEING” (界線的共鳴), an exhibition featuring approximately 30 paintings by Zeng Fanzhi.  Sponsored by the François Pinault Foundation and focused on a theme close to the artist’s heart – the interaction between people and the environment – the exhibition will be held at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre in May 2011, coinciding with Christie’s spring auctions at the same site. 

Zeng Fanzhi will reportedly select one work estimated at HK$10 million for auction at Christie’s Asian Contemporary Art & Chinese 20th Century Art Evening Sale on May 28.  Proceeds from the sale of his painting will go to The Nature Conservancy.  In addition, Christie's will waive its commission.  

François Pinault noted, “Whether drawing from abstract or figurative paths, whether resounding in expressionist or meditative tones, works by Zeng Fanzhi derive their exceptional power from a permanent tension between memory and the present, between a strong historical legacy and a contemporary reality that is constantly shifting.”

The Nature Conservancy works around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people.  At present, the Conservancy is involved in more than 30 countries across the globe addressing threats to conservation involving climate change, fresh water, forests, and marine ecosystems.

The Nature Conservancy commenced work in China in 1998, in a partnership with the Chinese government, and together has launched a number of important initiatives including mapping out China’s biodiversity, promoting sustainable forest management and forest restoration, strengthening the nature reserve system, combating climate change, protecting the Yangtze River, as well as many projects working to protect the natural and cultural heritage of northwest Yunnan’s “Three Parallel Rivers” area.  The artist serves on the Board of Trustees of the Conservancy's China Program.  To visit The Nature Conservancy on the Web, go to www.nature.org and www.tnc.org.cn (source: Christie's press release, March 11, 2011).

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Joseph's Garage

 
School of the Viking Spaniard: Reconstruction of the Garage, Joseph Burwell, 2009

mixed media, redux at the IMPULSE section of PULSE Contemporary Art Fair, NYC, March 2011

 

Joseph's Garage

The Vikings and the Moors crossed paths again.  This time they came in peace to the shores of Brooklyn.  Ambassador Burwell flew the colors and brought his coat for the occasion.  Details at MIYAKO YOSHINAGA art prospects, NYC www.miyakoyoshinaga.com/artists/Joseph_Burwell, and PULSE www.pulse-art.com/newyork/exhibitor-list.php?exhibit=791.

 

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Son of SAAB

Folke Köbberling and Martin Kaltwasser, Jack Hanley Gallery

Son of SAAB

Son of Saab sprang to life at Independent, the contemporary art fair staged last week at the former Dia art museum in Chelsea.

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High Seas

Armada, 2009-present, Jessie Henson; found paintings, dimensions vary; at SCOPE NYC www.scope-art.com/index.php/new_york, March 2011

The Endless Sea

Oh baby, what a place to be
In the service of the bourgeoisie 
Where can my believers be
I wanna jump into the endless sea

Oh, oh the endless sea
Oh, oh the endless sea
I wanna jump into the endless sea
Let it wash all over me

--Iggy Pop

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California Cool

Mary Corse White Light Painting (inner band series) at Franklin Parrasch Gallery and Nyehaus at the Armory Show contemporary art fair, Pier 94 

 

California Cool

 

It is cold in New York this week.  To warm your bones you can chill out with some of the coolest art at the Armory Show.  Parrasch and Nye have assembled a group of the California light, space and fetish classicists to throw down with young turks.  Take time to look.  The real surprise in this display is a large white light painting by Mary Corse.  Photographs cannot do it justice.  Far out.

www.thearmoryshow.com/cgi-local/exhibitor_info.cgi?e=1051

 

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Oreo Forever

Oreo, ca. 2010-11, cast iron, edition of 3, Andrew Lewicki, Charles James Gallery, Los Angeles(Chinatown)

 

Oreo Forever

A lasting testament to those who still prefer the cookie over the cream, Oreo on view at Pulse Contemporary Art Fair in Manhattan.

www.pulse-art.com

 

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Bling Theory

 

Bling Theory, 2010, Martin Kline, encaustic on panel

 

Bling Theory

As visitors enter the Modern half of this week's Armory Show art fair at Pier 92 in Manhattan, Bling Theory sets the stage.

www.thearmoryshow.com

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Behind the seen

YVR (Immigration) 2008
Acrylic latex / screenprinting in canvas
Components 24"x96" or 72"x96"

Scott Bowering at SOIL, Seattle, July 3-31, 2008

www.soilart.org

Behind the seen

Without walls, what would paintings adorn?  Scott Bowering’s appropriation of the unseen – the insulation behind our walls – pokes fun at a recent dent in art and architectural history, Deconstructivism.  Intentionally or not, that gap never really resolved itself unlike its postmodern predecessors – Pop, Minimalism, Site-specific, and Conceptual art.  His rearview mirror bridges these precedents and will leave no holes when de-installed.

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