Events: Torino Artissima

Since surprise trips seem to be the theme for my Fall art calendar, I thought I would share some quick images from my most recent 10 hour trip to Turin, Italy. I went specifically to see (and be seen) at Artissima, the city's annual art fair.


Artissima is neither the largest nor the smallest of fairs. It is pretty mid-sized and includes a book and magazine area, a print shop, 4 different bars/cafes, a theater space called the House of Contamination, and a lecture space. This year was the fair's 15th anniversary.

I say "and be seen", because this was all courtesy of my internship at the Secretariat Schlemmer due to the fact that the fair hosted the reconstructions of Oskar Schlemmer's Bauhaus Dances, as interpreted by Debra McCall in 1984 in it's House of Contamination.

Instead of just showing close-ups of work that really struck a chord, I realized as I walked around the fair that to many people the concept of the art fair is very abstract. Therefore, this time I took some general pictures of the fair itself.

The day I went was the preview, so it was much less packed than it will be. Or at least, that is what the galleries hope. More people equals more prospective buyers.

After Basel and Berlin, I feel like I might actually be getting the hang of these fairs. However, as visually stimulating as they are, let's not forget that it is the galleries job to sell, sell, sell! Which is definitely the part I hate.

An exciting and entertaining part of these fairs is that they are the perfect opportunity for performance artists to venture out and "do their thing." In one of the pictures below you may notice a woman in a white dress. She was one such performance artist who strolled around the fair in a type of LSD induced serenity and randomly gave fair-goers amazing hugs.

As always, enjoy the pictures!

 

On wall: Germaine Kruip, Counter Composition II, 2007

On ground: Amaya Gonzales Reyes, Estrategias Formales, 2009

Parra & Romero, Madrid, Spain

Aida Ruilova, unknown

Kaufman Repetto, Milano, Italy

Per Barclap, Ballerina (Chatrine), 2001

Giorgio Persano, Torino, Italy

Masbedo, The Art of Happiness, 2010
Marco Noire Contemporary Art, Torino, Italy

Recap: Art Forum Berlin

Okay, you guys know the drill we these posts. Enjoy the work. It left an impression or I would not have photographed it!

Here are my picks from Art Forum Berlin!

 

Florian Slotawa, SG.06.1; SG.06.2; SG.06.3; SG.06.4, 2010

Sies + Hoke Galerie, Dusseldorf, Germany

Thomas Hirschhorn, Woodchain IV (The little Mermaid), 2004

Alfonso Artiaco, Naples, Italy

 

 

Douglas Gordon, 2010

I Am The Director Of My Own Downfall

I Am The Author Of My Own Addictions

Yvon Lambert, Paris (FR) and New York (USA)

Christian Hoischen, Rücken, 2010

Galerie Barbara Thumm, Berlin, Germany

 

Oliver Voss

Galerie Eva Winkeler, Frankfurt and Koln (DE)

Basel Recap: Satellite Fairs- Volta

Take the experience I had at Liste and consider its opposite: that’s what Volta turned out to be. Engaging, lively, and friendly. Perhaps because it is located in a difficult part of the city to reach, it was great to feel like my presence was welcome. And of course, the art also impressed.

The intersection between historical subject matter and contemporary issues seemed to prevail at the fair.  As seen in Nandipha Mntambo’s hanging relief sculpture as well as in Alexander Tinei’s painting which intersected well with the scientific in Herwig Weiser’s Death before Disko and Rafael Lozano-Hemmer’s The Company of Colours. Also the edition artist of the fair was Troels Carlsen. His work was set apart from the other galleries and artists and given its own wall, much like at Robert Montgomery’s installation piece at the entrance of the Scope fair.

Death before Disko was particularly spellbinding. As I stood in front of the noisy and bright glass container, I realized that within the central area the very cold hardware was moving. The liquid was pulsating and it became very alive in my mind. When intersected with the electric sounds from below the contraption and warmth emitting from the sides, it felt like I was in the midst of a Frankenstein experiment. This very technological work was coming to life before my eyes.

After a few minutes I broke free from my trance and asked the gallerist some questions. She explained that the black ‘goo,’ for lack of a better term, dimples and spins due to a dual magnet pull. The gallery describes that the piece is meant to “return to the foundations of hardware” to “show how our relationship towards technology is more often emotional than rational.” Considering my initial reaction, I think the piece is rather successful. 

Herwig Weiser, Death before Disko, 2006

speaker, plexiglas,motor, magnetic liquide, light-emitting diode, pc

Galerie Colletpark, Paris

Nandipha Mntambo, Title and Date Unknown, cowhide, resin

Brodie/Stevenson, Johannesburg

Troels Carlsen, View of Several Works at Volta 

Alexander Tinei, Haircut, 2010

120 x 100 cm, Oil on Canvas

Erika Deák Gallery, Budapest

Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, The Company of Colours, 2009,

Shadow Box 9, Edition 1 of 6, 1AP

High resolution interactive display with built-in computerized surveillance system

bitforms gallery, New York

Special Edition: Favorite Art Websites

For a few months now I have been writing about art events, festivals, artists, and galleries. But I've realized that you might be wondering, where does she get all this great information?The answer is, the internet. The real skill lies in knowing where to look. So, I decided this week I would post about the websites I visit most often.


The websites are listed in no particular order. Search through them and find out which one works best for you. If you have any questions, as always feel free to email or comment.


Buying Art Online
- Etsy
- 20x200
- artnet


News
- ARTINFO
- artnews.org
- Mutual Art
- FAD art fast news

- Dallas Fine Arts Examiner*

- artandseek


Social Networks
- ArtReview
- ARThood
- Art Education 2.0


Blogs
- Art Re-Source
- Art Fag City
- Art Rabbit
- Art: 21 Blog
- Art Observed
- Contemporary Art Daily


Academic
- Cornucopia
- The Social History of Art
- History of Art Timeline
- ArtLex: Art Dictionary
- Berger Foundation World Art Treasures


To find more websites try:
- Exploratorium
- Incredible Art


Note: I am taking a little vacation time to travel through Europe, but I will be back on mid-June.  Enjoy perusing through these websites in the meantime! 


* The Dallas Fine Arts Examiner and artandseek are specifically catered to North Texas events. If you are not interested in knowing about art events in Dallas, do a quick search of your local newspapers to find an art news section you like in your area.  

Event and Art Fairs: Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas

Okay, I have to admit something, because of how events have fallen into place the next two weeks are switched a bit. Instead of enjoying a Gallery or Exhibition Review this week, you will get an awesome listing on Events and Art Fairs in Dallas, Texas. Yes, the art:SAGE letters will then be out of order, but the art world will continue to spin.

For those of you who missed out on the CityArts Fest that took place from the 7th-9th of May, no worries, you still have plenty of art festival fun coming your way. The Wildflower Festival will be held at the Galatyn Park Urban Center in Richardson, Texas this weekend. The event is still going strong after 18 years of success. Although mainly a music festival, you can enjoy great events for families with plenty of festival food and some art exhibitions. It's sure to be a good time for all.  There are so many activities packed into these three days that I suggest checking  the website for the full lineup of events! 

If you don't get enough art during the Wildflower Festival, be sure to head to McKinney for the Art Walk  on Saturday, May 22nd from 10 am to 6 pm. Unlike the Wildflower festival, this is event is FREE! Yes, my favorite word! So enjoy the 75+ artists that have gathered in McKinney's Historic Downtown. 

Like art and movies (or artsy movies), well then try something different this summer.  The Modern in Fort Worth just started a film series called Magnolia at the Modern. The selection of films presented by the Magnolia Theater at the Museum includes The Secret in Their Eyes, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, and City of Your Final Destination. It began last weekend and will happen every weekend until July 25th. Although tickets are $8.50 a pop, its a great way to opportunity to get out to Fort Worth! My suggestion, give your car are break and take the train from Reunion Station to Fort Worth. Then spend the day in the Cultural District (yes, on foot)! 

Alright, tune back next week for my gallery review. (And don't worry, it will all go back to normal after that!) 

Events and Art Festivals: Austin Art Week

What: Austin Art Week & Austin Art City

Where: Austin, Texas

When: From Sunday the 18th of April to Sunday the 25th of April

For those of you in Texas, Austin Art Week is in full swing! The brainchild of the Art Alliance of Austin this event is a great reason to head down to the Lone Star State's capitol. Anyone who has ever been to Austin will agree, you never need a reason to go there. However, just in case you like to have reasons, Austin Art Week is a fabulous one. Why? Well perhaps because of the explosion of diverse activites that are featured, including happenings, live music, great food, and nearly 200 juried artists installations.*


So as typical of an event this great, there must be a catch. Unfortunately, it's not free. But it is pretty cheap. 15 bucks will get you a two-day pass to the Art City Austin event, free entrance to selected museums, plus a 10% museum store discount. 8 dollars gets you in on either the 24th or 25th. Not a bad deal for those on an art budget.** 


If you are not able to make it for the events from the 21st-23rd, just head down on the 24th for the weekends culminating Art City Austin events. Here is a link to the entire schedule of times and locations. Check it out and tell me how it went! 








Notes:
* In Texas, food is considered to be a particularly important social activity.
** Packages for the entire Art Week Events are $175 for the collector badge. 
The Art After Dark event did not occur this year. Sorry for any inconvenience that may have caused!

Event Listing: Valentine's Day Weekend

Put the art in heart on Valetine's Day this year by checking out a few a FREE event in cities near you!


Stateside


Dallas
Sweet Start to the Chinese New Year!
Crow Collection of Asian Art
2010 Flora Street
Dallas, TX 75201-2335
Sunday, February 14th 2010
12:00 PM to 2:00 PM
"Start the New Year sweetly with performances, complimentary tea and hot chocolate, and a Chinese candy "bar" at the Crow Collection." While you are there, check out the museums collection of traditional Chinese snuff bottles!


San Diego
Have a Stroll in the Park
Balboa Park
1549 El Prado San Diego, CA 92101-1699
Every Day, All Day
Museums and Attractions are not free, but bring a thermos of hot chocolates and walk around the largest urban park in North America! The park is filled with beautiful architecture and lush landscape. (Don't forget an umbrella!)


Cambridge
Community Gymcraftics Series
The West Cambridge Youth Center
680 Huron Ave. Cambridge, MA 02138
Sunday, February 14th  
4:30 PM - 6:00 PM
What do you get if you mix art, exercise, music, and movement? Gymcraftics. This is a great activity for single people and couples to build a sense of trust and community...and have fun!


Europe


Bristol
Love Food Festival
at Paintworks, off Bath Rd
Arnos Vale, Bristol, United Kingdom BS4 3EH
Sunday, February 14th
10:30 AM- 4:00 PM
Local food, drinks, and crafts, the Love Food Festival is great place for couples, friends, and families to go. Enjoy art and music by local artisans. There are plenty of stalls that should grab your attention!


Brussels

Bozar !Mexico! Festival
at the Center for Fine Arts
Rue Ravenstein 23, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
January 16th until April 25th 2010
Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00AM - 6:00PM, until 9:00PM on Thursdays
Add a little spice to your Valentine's Day weekend with a series of exhibitions on Mexican art and artists. 

Roquemaure
Lover's Festival
all over Roquemaure
Roquemaure, France 30150
Visit the website for information on the various events throughout the weekend, as well as some nifty information on the roots of St. Valentine's Day. On Sunday, the relics of St. Valentine are held in the church and processed through town, there are also fireworks and markets in the town square. 

Don't forget that Mardi Gras/Carnival passes over Valentine's Day this year, so there are plenty of festivals throughout Europe and the States! These events are typically great places to grab some unique art finds! 

Not Another Art Blog!

But really, why do we need another art blog?

I have spent the better part of ten years studying art history and studio art, but even I find keeping up with the current trends in the art market daunting. Aside from needing to read every new review, article, and thesis, it is incredibly difficult in our globalized world to keep up with the international, national, and the virtual art world.*

So I am starting small. This blog was made in part to help educate others and in part to guide me. I believe that the "everyday Joe" is intimidated by the contemporary art gallery, just as a latte-sipping, beret-wearing gallery owner might be intimidated by a football game. Its only natural that people like to stick with what they know.

In hopes to one day become an advocate for the arts in the 'real' world, I thought I would try to keep up with the arts in a less formal and more inviting forum. So I open up myself to your thoughts, suggestions, praises, and complaints about where this journey should lead.

Criticism, like rain, should be gentle enough to nourish a man's growth without destroying his roots. -Frank A. Clark

Okay, now to the nitty-gritty, here are a couple of notes on the topics I will choose. Due to the fact that well-known artists, museums, and art centers have been covered by every art blog, art museum, and curator, this site will focus on local modern and contemporary artists, exhibitions, and events.** This will provide me with a challenge and you with rare tidbits. However, local may mean something different to you than to me. I live in several different places in one year, depending on season, holiday, and job,  so my topics will range from city to city. Enjoy!

*If you do want to read every article, my links are a good place to start!
**Although for most of my topic choices this is true, I will need to cover a range of well known and less known styles and movements.