art blog since 2009
You cannot see them, but you believe them to be there. Sewn into the lining of this greatcoat are hundreds of coins. They give it both physical and metaphorical weight. But were it not art, the monetary value would still not amount to much. Gallery notes reveal the coinage to be nickels and dimes. Not …
November 26, 2012
Few sights can be as alienating as a group of healthy grown adults spassing out in imitation of the most retarded members of our wider society. Such scenes are the enduring images of a 1999 film by Lars Von Trier called The Idiots. The Danish director’s community of spass-ers act out one mentally backwards flashmob …
November 21, 2012
One major presidential election later . . . this blog brings you a largely indifferent set of links: Obama’s uxoriousness may not be just what the world needs now. But this photo did the rounds and Phaidon has the story behind it. Seriously, it’s a relief. Meanwhile in British politics, cash strapped councils are selling …
November 12, 2012
Is it fair to say that a monarchist in Britain has an easier life? Certainly, they have a less paranoid one. They have got behind the head of church and state and can accept all that is bidden. It is, strangely, as easy for a contemporary artist. Your collectors are rich. The Queen is rich. …
November 8, 2012
Sad week, as the extent of a hurricane’s destruction becomes apparent: But Chelsea gallerists are a resilient breed. So discovers the New York Times as Roberta Smith assesses damage caused by Sandy Art is no longer cool, according to Jacob Willer. This could be the best thing to happen to art since, well, since it …
November 5, 2012
Even as he maintains his emolient sales pitch for rich customers, it is worth bearing in mind the real world catastophe at which Jeff Koons’ puppy was at the centre. This piece of inoffensive topiary is as cuddly as any 43ft high sculpture could ever be. Containing 60,000 plants it is said to be a …
November 3, 2012
Storms have pushed art somewhat off the agenda this week. Imagine what Sandy might have done to a Frieze tent, anyway, I digress: Hyperallergic art blog catered for all your climate news needs, with a collection of photos compiled from social media by Hrag Vartanian. On the Guardian’s Northerner blog, Liverpudlian Kenn Taylor takes the …
October 31, 2012
Just as Joseph Beuys once declared his reciprocal love for America, in this film you will see a Haitian artist state: “I like vodou and vodou likes me.†He goes so far as to add, “Everyone likes vodou.†But whatever ghetto sculptor Guyodo might think or say, not everyone does like vodou. Not unless you …
October 30, 2012
Between the condoms by the notorious bed to the film about abortion, childlessness has emerged as a major theme in the work of Tracey Emin. As if she has traded creative fecundity for motherhood, her prolific art has more in common with masturbation rather than procreation. She sketches the former activity at length. In a …
October 24, 2012
Unless you live in Ilfracombe, it’s been a relatively quiet week. Anyhow, here are the links: The Independent predicts that over time the Great British Public may grow to love Verity by Damien Hirst. But The Telegraph gives the former YBA a kicking over animal rights. Butterflies are people too. Art Info reports on a …
October 22, 2012