Modern Art Obsession

2 NYC Women in Art Events not to Miss.. from the Rema Hort Mann Foundation!

So save the dates.. Nov 16th (Lecture / Panel Discussion about Women Artists )and Nov 18th (Charity Auction), with both nights starting at 6:30pm.

These two great "Women in Art" events take place at the wonderful almost too nice to be art dealers P.P.O.W. Gallery. And the Rema Hort Mann Foundation... on of MAO's Favorite..  is possibly one of the best charities to support if you're interested in the Emerging Arts and helping out individuals suffering from Cancer.

MAO will be there. To get more information.. or to buy your tickets/make donations in advance...rhmfoundation@gmail.com.

 

Eve Sussman's "whiteonwhite" to be shown at MOMA.. This Sunday June 6th!

Eve Sussman's   (and her creative think tank group, The Rufus Corporation) "whiteonwhite" film is to be shown at MOMA.. This Sunday June 6th at 5:30pm!

So here's an event not to be missed, if you are interested in the world of cutting edge Contemporary Art Film.

Eve Susman who, is possibly the most well known female Art Film maker of our time. Her work, The Rape of the Sabine Women, has graced the cover on Art in America, and been shown around the world. (Photo 1, from Rufus corporation website, "Vacuum Hallway"..I believe is part of whoteonwhite.. )

By the way... Artist, Eve Sussman, is also one of the many star artists represented by that contemporary art powerhouse, The Winkleman Gallery on 27th street. 

Her film,  89 Seconds at Alcazar, was highly regarded as the "Darling of a Whitney Biennial"..check this interview out.. 

So now, here is your chance to see Eve's latest and greatest Film Noir work...at MOMA. There will also be a Q&A session with the artist after the movie.

Get your tickets soon.. cause this event is sure to sell out. MAO will be there too!

More details here:

whiteonwhite:randomthriller [alphaversion]

• 2010. USA. Eve Sussman and Rufus Corporation.

New York theatrical premiere. Followed by a Q&A with Sussman, Messman, Garneau, and Wood

Sunday, June 6, 2010, 5:30 p.m.

Theater 2 (The Roy and Niuta Titus Theater 2), T2

whiteonwhite:randomthriller [alphaversion]

2010. USA. Written and directed by Eve Sussman and Rufus Corporation. MoMA's Creative Capital exhibition concludes with the New York theatrical premiere of an exciting and provocative new experimental work by the creators of the gallery installation 89 Seconds at Alcázar (2004) and the theatrical feature The Rape of the Sabine Women(2006). Shot primarily in post-Soviet Central Asia and billed as “New Wave futurist noir” and “a study of utopia and desire,” the “alpha” version of whiteonwhite:randomthrilleris a film of indeterminate length whose continuously evolving narrative is generated by computer code. The unfolding project will also manifest itself as an episodic television miniseries and a feature film. In the MoMA presentation, custom-built randomizing software edits the film in real time from a server loaded with thousands of clips, creating suspense through surprising and novel juxtapositions. The story follows the observations and surveillance of a geophysicist code writer held captive in “City-A,” a dystopian metropolis where nouveau riche capitalists preside over the dregs of communism. The film will run for approximately fifty minutes, followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers

MOMA Event - An Evening with Artist Genesis Breyer P-Orridge

MOMA Event - An Evening with Artist Genesis Breyer P-Orridge, Monday March 22nd at 7:00pmin the The Roy and Niuta Titus Theater 2.

OK.. so I'll bet most MAO readers don't know this artist Genesis Breyer P-Orridge, too well.

Up until a year ago.. MAo didn't either.. But we have to say.. you should take a close look at this artist's work if you've not seen it before. Singer, Songwriter, writer, and artist, Genesis is a cutting edge British born gender bending artist from the 60's and 70's who's still working, and relevant today.

Here's the MOMA comment for this Monday Evening's event...

New York–based artist Genesis Breyer P-Orridge (b. Great Britain, 1950) has been testing the limits and conventions of music, language, art, and identity for almost forty years. As a founding member of the seminal industrial band Throbbing Gristle, P-Orridge made music history. More recently, in collaboration with his partner Lady Jaye, the artist started an ongoing experiment in body modification aimed at creating one “pandrogynous” being. For this discussion, P-Orridge focuses on works created with the 1970s British avant-garde performance collective COUM Transmissions. The group’s collaboration culminated in the 1976 retrospective PROSTITUTION at London’s I.C.A. Gallery, which was vehemently attacked by the press and even debated in British Parliament. P-Orridge will show rare footage and images of COUM’s performances. Please note: This program may contain explicit material.

MAO was impressed during Armory Week, we got to visit the collections and homes of some of NYC most well respected art collectors (think the posh, stuffy, and polite society of NYC!), and we saw the work of Genesis Breyer P-Orridge proudly on display. WHat??  ...Who??..   Really? ....Genesis! YES!!

So, We were a bit surprised to say the least to see such smutprovocative Artwork on the walls of an Upper East Side Mansion.. what would the neighbors Biff and Buffy say??. But there it was, for all the VIP's to see!

Well.. Here's just one example...

 

Photo #1 by Genesis Breyer P-Orridge

Sigil (Full Strength)/B-Right-On, 1985/2002

Mixed media

20 x 14.75 inches

on 23.5 x 19.5 inch paper

 

MAO has never been a big art collage fan.. It always seems a bit too crafty and some times childlike..

but when

we saw how powerful and a bit shocking, the works of Genesis can be, we were intrigued.

 

It's certainly worth a second look.

 

The first show of this artist's  work we ever saw was in a small bleeding  cutting edge Lower East Side Gallery..

Invisible--Exports.. which is where you'd think this type of Art work would stay.

 

But we guess some smart people on the Upper East Side in High Society have an dark adventurous side! YEA!

 

So, My little MAO-ettes, get your tickets for this MOMA lecture today.  This event is going to be popular.. and if nothing else, it's bound to be very interesting!!

 

Photo #2 by Genesis Breyer P-Orridge

English Breakfast, 2002-2009
Mixed media
14 x 11 inches
Edition of 3

 

See you MONDAY at MOMA!

James Welling Talks at Aperture Foundation.. Tuesday Oct 6th @ 7pm

MAO has never heard James Welling speak in public before, so we have no idea if he's any good, but it should be interesting.

This photographer's abstract art work is among the most innovative in the industry. You probably saw his work which was recently featured in the 2008 Whitney Biennial.

(Photo #1, James Welling, Flowers, 2005, c-print, 14 x 10")

Represented in NYC by David Zwirner and in the UK by the Maureen Paley Gallery, James Welling is almost a living legend in the art photography world.. so clearly this is a free talk not to be missed!

It's probably going to be packed.. so get there early!
Here's the Aperture / Parsons press release...

Artist's Talk with James Welling

Tuesday, October 6, 2009
7:00 pm

FREE

Aperture Gallery
547 West 27th Street, 4th Floor
New York, New York
(212) 505-5555

Aperture and the Parsons Department of Photography at The New School present an artist's talk with James Welling as part of the ongoing Parsons lecture series. Welling's career constitutes a comprehensive conceptual examination of the many forms of photography: from documentary and staged to nonrepresentational. He was recently featured in the Aperture publication The Edge of Vision: The Rise of Abstraction in Photography.

JAMES WELLING(b. 1951 in Hartford, Connecticut) studied drawing at Carnegie-Mellon University before transferring to the California Institute of the Arts, where he studied video. His work has appeared in over sixty solo and group exhibitions, and is included in many public collections, including those of the Museum of Modern Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Whitney Museum of American Art, all in New York, among others. Welling was the recipient of a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship and has taught at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Bard College. Since 1995, Welling has lived in Los Angeles, where he is head of the photography department at the University of California, Los Angeles. His work was featured in issue number 190 of Aperture magazine

Artist Mark di Suvero Talks with Renzo Piano At The Morgan Library

Artist Mark di Suvero talks with Renzo Piano At The Morgan Library this Wednesday, May 13th at 6:30pm.

This is one NYC event not to miss... a talk between one of the worlds greatest Architects, talking with one of the greatest contemporary sculptors at one of NYC best Libraries. Can life it get any better??

Photo of Mark di Suvero amazing sculpture "Beethovan's Quartet, 2003"  at Storm King.

Get your tickets here while they last... or email tickets@themorgan.org

Here's their press release...

Le Conversazioni FMR: An Evening with Renzo Piano and Mark di Suvero
Renowned architect Renzo Piano (recipient of the Pritzker Prize and designer of The Morgan Library & Museum’s recent expansion completed in 2006) and noted sculptor Mark di Suvero discuss the varied-and often surprising-intersections of the arts, conceptions of beauty, and inspirations on their work with Antonio Monda, Director of the Le Conversazioni literary festival, Capri, Italy. Presented by FMR White Edition (a bimonthly art magazine published by Marilena Ferrari-FMR Casa editrice d'arte e Fondazione) and The Morgan Library & Museum.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009, 6:30 p.m.

The Current State of the Art Market - Free Public Symposium

The Current SAD, SHITTY,  State of the Art Market - A Free Public Symposium at FIT, this week!

So my little MAO-Ettes.. Here is a free event that is clearly not to be missed. 

Some of the Art Industries most in the know professionals will talk somewhat openly about their views on the future of their jobs the Art Market.  It should be very interesting to hear.. See you there!

Here are the details.... For more info, you can also go to The FIT website...  

A discussion of the current state of the art market

 

PANELISTS

Yvonne Garcia - director of development, bronx museum
Florence Lynch - curator; director, florence lynch gallery
Paul Morris - vp of art properties, merchandise mart properties, inc. 

Lowell Pettit - lowell pettit art advisory; independent curator

Walter Robinson - editor, artnet magazine; critic; artist

Sheri Pasquarella, moderator - co-founder, new art dealersalliance (nada);

art consultant; faculty, fashion institute of technology

 

APRIL 22 at 7:00 - 8:30 PM

fashion institute of technology
katie murphy amphitheatre, pomerantz center for art and design,

seventh avenue at 27th street (D building)

(This event is free and open to the public)

 

Following years of wild expansion and commercial vitality, the last six months in the art world - as in all business sectors - have seen rocky auction and art fair sales, abrupt gallery closures and publicly expressed dealer woe. This discussion will assess the current state of the art market and the long-term picture for the industry.

Save the dates.. Paul Graham, and Jamel Shabazz free public Photography Lectures..

Save the dates.. Photographers Paul Graham, and Jamel Shabazz give free public lectures..

Some of the best things in NYC are free.. and in this shit crashing economy recession.. also a cheapstimulating date!  Both are 2 photographers who's books, and photographic work we just can't get enough of. So MAO has already put February 3rd, and February 9th on our photo art obsessed calendar. 

See you there!

1. February 3th.. Jamel Shabazz at Powerhouse Books in Brooklyn.

Yes.. my little MAO-ettes.. for great photography..sometimes MAO will even cross a river to experience it!!  Here are the details

 

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2. Then.. Paul Graham on February 9th.. At the SVA.

Here are the details...

THE BFA PHOTOGRAPHY DEPARTMENT AT SCHOOL OF VISUAL ARTS AND DEAR DAVE, MAGAZINE
PRESENT A CONVERSATION WITH PHOTOGRAPHER PAUL GRAHAM 
 
Monday, February 9, 7pm
Visual Arts Theater
School of Visual Arts
333 West 23 Street  

Free and open to the public 
 
The BFA Photography Department at School of Visual Arts(SVA) and Dear Dave, magazine present photographer Paul Graham in conversation with New York Times writer Philip Gefter. Graham is the subject of the exhibition “a shimmer of possibility,” which will be on view at The Museum of Modern Art from February 4 – May 18. The first in a series of monthly conversations exploring contemporary photography among noted artists, critics, curators and editors, the event will take place on Monday, February 9, 7pm, at SVA's newly-opened Visual Arts Theater, 333 West 23 Street, New York City. Admission is free.
 
British-born Paul Graham is recognized for his innovative and experimental contextualization of images and particularly tender observation of daily life. Since relocating to the U.S. in 2002, he has traveled extensively to photograph the country. The resulting work, a shimmer of possibility, was published in twelve volumes by steidlMACK in 2007.
 
Philip Gefter writes frequently about photography for The New York Timesand was its front-page picture editor. A collection of his essays will be published in April by Aperture as Photography After Frank. He is writing a biography of the collector Sam Wagstaff.

Dear Dave, is a magazine of photography and writing that has been published three times a year since 2007

Photographer Tod Papageorge Talk and Book Signing

OK.. this is a free chance to meet a living photo history legend.. Tod Papageorge.

And despite what this blogging quitter Mr. Soth had to say.. MAO would firmly put Tod Papageorge in the category as one of the last undervalued photographers of the 60's, 70's & 80's. (Photo by Tod Papageorge, Central Park, NY 1973)

So, here are the event details..MAO will be there so you know it will be fabulous!

Plus, you'll get to say.. you whiteness the re-discovery of a great American photographer.

FYI.. his new Aperture book,  American Sports, 1970 is wonderful, witty & totally relevant in today's war time era. The book will clearly become an immediate "must have" for any art photography collector.

----------------------------------------------------------

Tod Papageorge
American Sports, 1970: or How We Spent the War in Vietnam
Talk and Book Signing

Tuesday, February 05, 2008
6:30 p.m.

Free Admission

Aperture Gallery
547 West 27th Street, 4th Floor
New York, New York
(212) 505-5555

Tod Papageorge will discuss the coolly observational yet intensely engaging work featured in his new Aperture monograph American Sports, 1970 or How We Spent The War in Vietnam. These remarkable images, taken over the course of a watershed year for popular opinion against the war, draw a subtle but sharp parallel between the war in Vietnam and the American attitude toward spectator sports during a time of conflict.

Young Collectors Panel discussion At Aperture Foundation

OK.. and now for some totally gratuitous self promotion.... And just remember.. Any event that refers to MAO as young.. has to be humorous a good thing!!

We're sure it's going to be a great night. MAO will just be getting back from Art Basel Miami 2007 (or better known as the last big party before the huge Art Crash of 08)...so hopefully our hangovers will be gone, and we'll have some fresh perspectives to share with the class. And just think.. When MAO speaks...art collectors laugh sleep throw rotten tomatoes listen!

Here's the Official Aperture Press Release.. Please say hi if your stop in.. thanks!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

YOUNG COLLECTORS
Panel Discussion

Aperture is pleased to present a special evening dedicated to the first steps of collecting photography. Moderated by esteemed collector and dealer, William Hunt from Hasted Hunt Gallery, this panel discussion represents a great opportunity to discuss the transition from being a photography lover, to making occasional purchases of prints, to defining oneself as a “collector”. The panelists will address the typical questions asked by a fledgling collector, such as: What are the joys and pitfalls of starting to build a collection? What do you need to know? At what stage does it matter?

An eclectic group of experienced and noted photography collectors will share their experiences on how to start collection, and answer audience questions. Panelists include: David Kronn and Gael Zafrany, from Charles Schwartz, Ltd., whose activity is to preserve and create collections for both museums and private individuals; Mike from the Amazing Art Blog, Modern Art Obsession.com; and internationally renowned designer, Todd Oldham.

WHEN AND WHERE:

Tuesday, December 11

6:30 p.m.

Aperture Gallery

547 West 27th Street, 4th floor

New York, NY

(212) 505-5555

FREE

Photographers.. LIVE from The New York Public Library

Thanks to our good friends at Blind Spot Magazine... there will be a series of interesting Photography talks by some of the biggest movers and shakers in the biz. For all those Art photo obsessed.. these are not events to miss. 

Here's their announcement.... (and one of MAO's favorite Philip-Lorca di Corcia photo's.. W.March 2000, #14, from Cuba Libre, 2000..which just sold for $48,000 at Phillips lot 203 and worth every penny!!)

As a counterpoint to the visual conversation provided by Blind Spot magazine, the Collapsing Images forum gives a voice to the issues surrounding photography and explores the role of photography in the media and popular culture. Collapsing Images presents three vital discussions led by leading photographers, filmmakers, critics, and thinkers.

Collapsing Images at LIVE from The New York Public Library
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Celeste Bartos Forum, Humanities and Social Sciences Library — Fifth Avenue & 42nd Street

2:00pm
A Conversation between Jack Pierson & Jerry Schatzberg

4:30pm
Money, Money, Money, Money — Moderated by Glenn O'Brien
Panelists: Vince Aletti, Philip Lorca di Corcia, Dennis Freedman, Doug Lloyd, Glen Luchford, Andy Spade, Olivier Zahm

7:30pm
Truth and Authenticity in Photography
Panelists: Mitch Epstein, Paul Graham, Katy Grannan, Danny Lyon, Taryn Simon

$15 general admission and $10 library donors, seniors and students with valid identification

FYI.. These events always sell out VERY fast.. but, you can still click here to order your tickets.

Marilyn Minter - Artist Talk and First Major Retrospective Catalog Published

Marilyn Minter was probably one of the only true art super star painter/photographers to emerge from the terrible 2006 Whitney Biennial.

Do you think, Marilyn will be better known for her paintings or her photo's??

Like every other contemporary woman artist, Her work was once completely taken for granted, but now Minter's hot lip paintings and shit kicker stilettos are contemporary art auction eye candy.

Well you're in luck.. my little MAO-ettes.. She's giving a free talk with Matthew Higgs and Mary Heilmann on this Monday night June 4th at White Columns. It's bound to be standing room only.. so get there early! Here's the announcement :

Marilyn Minter in conversation with Matthew Higgs and Mary Heilmann to celebrate the publication of

Minter’s major new monograph

, New York (entrance on Horatio Street between 8th Avenue and Hudson Street ) 212.924.4212 / www.whitecolumns.org Monday, June 4 6:30pm 320 West 13th Street

Marilyn Minter is the artist's first book and covers her entire career.

Essay by art historian Johanna Burton. Interview with Mary Heilmann

and "Twenty Questions" assembled by Matthew Higgs.

FYI..This new 224 page book Marilyn Minter from D.A.P/Gregory R. Miller & Co, it was scheduled to be released on 5/1/2007 but it's currently unavailable.... maybe they will have some copies at the party.

Trenton Doyle Hancock and Fred Tomaselli at James Cohan Gallery

Last night my pal JG and I went to a well attended book signing and lecture by two hot artists,
Trenton Doyle Hancock, and Fred Tomaselli at The James Cohan Gallery.

Well..as expected.. these are two very colorful people!! Just take a look at Trenton's last show catalog (Photo #1)! He's not exactly a stuffy, too serious for themselves, ego manic successful painter!

Trenton's work was included in the 2000 Whitney Biennial where the catalog stated

"While Hancock's art is often spun from dream and life experience, much of his subject matter deals with basic human needs and urges, the exploration of life's bottom lines - eating, digesting, defecating - as typified in, And for My next trick, I'll...

Fist of all, his new book, "Me A Mound," published by Picturebox (WHO?) and distributed by D.A.P. is a true work of Art.

Even the always difficult to please thoughtful JG was impressed with the book, and he's an art book publisher!  And everyone knows what those book people are like!! The new book is a retrospective of Hancock's work complete with an amusing storyline in an almost comic book style.

Secondly, the panel moderator was a total bore bit too formal! So luckily Fred Tomaselli did more of the questioning. (see photo's 2 & 3)

Trenton seems like a pretty down home boy modest guy, with a very funny creative mind. Plus, he was super engaging when he signed our book! (Photo #4). THANKS Trenton!!

In the new show.. we just loved the Me Mound waves around the room, plus the work Vegan Arm, 2006, has a Me Mound filled bucket in the front gallery (Photo #5). Now.. here's a secret.. Trenton told us the Hot Pink Me Mound in the bucket is really just Cherry Pepto Bismol!!!

So, after looking at the work, It's not hard to tell why Trenton and Fred seem like friends. While their styles are very different, their work both share similar wacky and whimsical social messages.

For what it's worth.. David Velasco wrote up The Current Show in Artforum's Critic's Picks this month.

Here is David's write-up.. Download Hancock_06show.pdf

Trenton Hancock's show at the James Cohen Gallery is both funny and his complex images, amazing.  So, if you haven't seen it yet, it's well worth rushing over before the show closes on April 15th!

And don't worry, if after seeing the show you have heart burn, or indigestion.. you'll know where to find a few gallons of Pepto-Bismol !!

John Currin Talks at The New School

I think I need a MAO Clone.. too many art events to go to, not enough of me to see them all! I'm freaking missing the art openings, and Teun Hocks new book signing & lecture @ Aperture tonight.. to take Mom and Daddy MAO to dinner and then to Jersey Boys the Musical.. I know I must be going to hell heaven for this one!

Next Week... A MAO Must..  "Public Art Fund Talks" with John Currin  (from the New School Website)

Tues., March 28, 6:30 p.m. $5. Audiocast at www.online.newschool.edu.

Location: Tishman Auditorium, 66 West 12th Street.

New York City-based painter John Currin has had more than 20 solo shows, including John Currin, organized by the Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago, which traveled to the Whitney Museum of American Art (2003) and a works on paper show organized by the Des Moines Art Center which traveled to the Milwaukee Art Museum (2003). His work is the subject of a new monograph co-published by Rizzoli and Gagosian Gallery in 2006. Now in its 11th year, with a new title, Public Art Fund has produced this ongoing lecture series of presentations and discussions by some of today's most influential artists, critics, and curators, including Takashi Murakami, Jeff Koons, Rachel Whiteread, Matthew Barney, Gabriel Orozco, Pipilotti Rist, Tony Oursler, Catherine David, Kasper Konig, Okwui Enwezor, and Lynne Cook. For information, call Public Art Fund at 212.980.3942. Presented by Public Art Fund in association with the Vera List Center for Art and Politics at The New School.

The MAO Grand Slam - Wolfgang Tillmans at P.S.1

Thursday Night I went to see Wolfgang Tillmans give a gallery walk through of his new show Freedom From The Known, at P.S.1  (On view now - Till May 29th, also FYI, P.S.1 will stay open late till 9pm this Saturday March 11th for all the Armory Show visitors in town)

    As you might expect, this night was already looking like a certain "deep hit to the outfield, stand-up double".. seeing a new show by one of my favorite hot artists at one of my favorite museums, and getting to hear the artist describe it in his own words. 

Now most people won't completely understand this.. but, for the Modern Art Obsessed, nights with Dr Quiz don't get much better than this!
     Well... it did.  As it turns out.. they had just arrived fresh off the Steidl presses..For only $25, copies of Wolfgang's newest book!  Freedom From The Known. And we have an "In the Park Triple!!!" Can things get any better???

    Yes.. they can.. cause Wolfgang turned out to be an outstanding speaker (see photo's).  The show is great! Don't miss it!  He gave the group of (about 50 lucky) people a candid and insightful 90 minute talk.  Plus he took questions, plus stuck around afterwords to chat with all interested Tillmans Groupies, plus received a big endearing hug/kiss from PS1 Curatorial  Adviser Bob Nickas in front of the crowd, and even signed copies of his new book for his fans! (FYI...There's a singed copy now listed for sale online now for $125.00) And we have an "Out of the Park Home Run!! The crowd cheers!"
   OK. Now, I'm sure by now most of you are green with "Modern Art" envy.. Sorry.. Not everyone was obsessed lucky enough to attend the lecture.  I'm sure many of you were probably busy drinking bad wine at one wise ArtBloggers Grand Opening party for Chelsea's newest hot Art Gallery last Thursday night. Which I regretfully missed. Sorry Ed.. I promise to stop by soon!

But then something truly miraculous happened Thursday night!  It must have been a high tide, or my new haircut or something.... cause the people from the uber rich/all important gallery representation for Wolfgang Tillmans, a notoriously un-MAO friendly dealer, who typically would effortlessly step right over a small time collector, in their tall cold black leather boots, if we were spewing blood on the sidewalk, actually acknowledged us when I said hello.  Can you say total shock and awe??

They even almost remembered my name. Wow.. I almost blushed!  What was more shocking, They stuck around for a few extra minutes, from their all self important schedule, to actually ask if we had liked the lecture, and if we'd been enjoying the dozen or so Tillmans photographs they had allowed us to purchase over the years.  Wow.. so how nice is that..?? A big time gallery actually being human and nice to a mere small time private collector.  See.. it must be the art BLOG I thought!  This just made the night a truly remarkable "MAO Bases Loaded, Out-of-the-Park, Grand Slam" Event! WoooHooo!

Now.. Lastly.. what's with the Sunday NY Times..??  Have the editors completely lost their minds??
So instead of running a review (or interview) of The Wolfgang Tillmans PS1 show, they run this foolish story titled "POSSESSED, The Sent of a Man" featuring Wolfgang Tillmans.. in the weekend STYLE section. Download TillmansScent_NYT060305.txt   

It's a totally pointless wasteful article about Tillmans and Mennen Speed Stick Deodorant. I'm not kidding, read it for yourself.  The writer David Colman should be shot makes the claim "Wolfgang is a traitor to his art" and goes on to say "he does precious little more than point..." What is he talking about??  Why is he writing this? Why did they print that? Just my opinion..But, David should probably stick to interviewing runway models or writing about dresses, hemlines and Project Runway.. and leave the interviews with Turner Prize winning Artists to the Arts writers. Yikes!!

It's The Contemporaries... Darling? I almost had to Puke!!

     OK.. So was I the only NYC Museum member to cringe when reading this weekend's NYT story, "Darling, You Look Marvelous in Matisse" by Dana Vachon about the Young Museum Collectors Groups?  Why does the NYC print this crap?

     If the title was not irritating enough, in her article,  Ms. Vachon managed to push every single hate hot button I have when it comes to the show off, elitist, name dropping, look-at-me, want-a-be-self-important NYC art society.  In fact just the ridiculous term "Junior Gala" almost makes me VOMIT.. it sounds like something out of the New Junior Miss Beauty Pageant Circuit.

      Was it really necessary to include the cute little fluffy story about Mr. Hammerstein and his barely legal date? Who cares that this no-body can't satisfy keep a girlfriend, so has four X's at the party?  So, all this story managed to do is reinforce the idea that these museum events are a great place for hungry sex-in-the-city little black dress sporting husband hunters need to attend.

     So, what am I trying to say..??   Ok,  SO  NO !  The staff at MAO was not invited to any of these events in 2005!!  But, like we would want to be caught dead at some fancy schmancy, get all dressed up, party anyway??   And besides... our Black Tie and Tails were still at the consignment shop  cleaners from the last important gala we attended. 

      But seriously, is this really the best idea a museum as amazing as the Met, can come up with to improve young people's interest in the institution.  But the more shocking question remains, why in the world does the New York Times have to waste devote an entire page of the coveted Weekend Art Section to it?  I sincerely hope not!

      Well.. if you still feel the need to belong to the Pomegranate Martini sipping muffy and buffy UES circuit.. and daddy doesn't have a few extra million bucks to donate.. check out these cool events.. sponsored by an independent art interest group.. www.thecontemporaries.org

Thursday January 19th  7pm - ART after Dark @ Dream Lounge with noted art advisory Mary Hoeveler. The Contemporaries is taking over Dream Lounge for a swinging cocktail mixer and conversation with Ms. Marry Hoeveler. Marry is the head of Citigroup’s Art Advisory practice. http://www.mollyguard.com/event/23259570

Monday January 23rd 7pm - Curatorial Tour: Frequency at the Studio Museum in Harlem. The Contemporaries is invited to join the Studio Museum's Contemporary Friends and other young collector groups for a tour of Frequency led by Studio Museum Associate Curator Christine Y. Kim. Please RSVP at RSVP@thecontemporaries.org.  http://www.studiomuseum.org/exhibitions_new.html for more info.

Thursday January 26th 7pm - ART after Dark @ Home of Gracie Mansion, esteemed dealer, collector, and force behind the 80's Neo-Expressionism movement. Ms. Mansion invites members of The Contemporaries into her home for cocktails, a discussion with her artists, and a viewing of her personal collection.  Space is very limited. RSVP@thecontemporaries.org.

        See you there..!!  But bring your own Pomegranate Martini !!  I'll be the one in the old downtown flannel lesbian chic and blue jeans outfit !

Gregory Crewdson Self-Proclaimed Realist

OK.. first off..

I just have to say.. I'm home watching the new season premier of Bravo's Project Runway. Am I the only person who thinks It's by far the Best GAY Comedy on TV??

   Last night I attended a panel discussion sponsored by The New School and Aperture. And something very strange happened.. moderated by Author, Susan Bright.. The Super Star Photographer Gregory Crewdson stated, "I'm a Realist Artist in the same tradition as Walker Evans, Diane Arbus, and Edward Hopper..". WHAT?? Is he smoking crack kidding?? Needless to say.. most of the photo aficionado crowd and I disagreed!

Granted almost any photograph can be considered a realist image.  But, within the medium of photography, I'd have to classify Mr. Crewdson pretty far away from a Realist!

I like Crewdson's work, and if it weren't so outrageously expensive/overpriced I'd have some of his staged fanciful dreamlike photos on my wall... But is it possible he really thinks of himself as a realist??  It's just surprising to think the public opinion of an artist's work can be so different than the artist's view of their own work.