ArrestedMotion logo
Category Archives: Contemporary Art

Upcoming: Emily Mae Smith – “Avalon” @ Galerie Perrotin (Tokyo)

On August 28th, Emily Mae Smith will be opening her first show in Japan at the local branch of Galerie Perriton. Entitled Avalon, the exhibition will no doubt include pieces like the one above (Gleaner Odalisque) that feature the American artist’s signature broom figure as well as other works that reference a range from the history of painting (ie: Symbolism, Surrealism, and Pop Art) to Art Nouveau graphics to animation. Underlying all of Smith’s work are subtle feminist ideals of which “Exhibit A” is her choice of […]

Showing: Keith Haring Retrospective @ Tate (Liverpool)

Tate Liverpool is currently staging the first retrospective of Keith Haring’s work in the UK. The exhibition touches on Haring’s early investigations into semiotics, where he was deconstructing, deciphering and seeking the meaning attached to language. The show includes examples of him creating a vocabulary of geometric shapes but also, atypically for a young artist, how he consciously moved away from abstraction because he felt it “wasn’t really communicating to the outside world.” His work retained the foundational structure provided by William S. Burroughs’ and Brion Gysin‘s cut-up technique but Haring was […]

Showing: Urs Fischer – “Error” @ Brant Foundation Art Study Center

Through the end of September, a monumental show from Urs Fischer is on view at the Brant Foundation’s space in Greenwich, Connecticut. Entitled Error, the solo exhibition features works by the Swiss-born artist from the last two decades including large-scale sculptures and paintings (four of which are new paintings created digitally on an iPad). The New York-based artist’s versatile practice is on full display with pieces ranging from his famous hanging raindrop installation to a decaying life-size cabin built from loaves of bread, expandable foam, and wood. Take a look […]

Showing: Jamian Juliano-Villani – “Let’s Kill Nicole” @ Massimo De Carlo (London)

The London branch of Massimo De Carlo is currently hosting Let’s Kill Nicole, the newest solo show from Jamian Juliano-Villani. For her second exhibition with the gallery, the American artist has painted a series of surreal pieces (as well as created a cheeky installation featuring a stuffed animal) that showcase her skill with melding photorealistic elements with more abstract and cartoonish details as well as her unique sense of humor. Referencing a diverse mish mash of source material ranging from pop culture to art history, Juliano-Villani’s unlikely amalgamations are surprising and […]

Showing: “Reshaped Reality: 50 Years of Hyperrealistic Sculpture” @ Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall (Taipei)

Continuing its travel throughout the museums of the world, Reshaped Reality: 50 Years of Hyperrealistic Sculpture has now touched down at the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall in Taiwan. Showing through September 22nd, the exhibition features hyperrealistic sculptures from a roster of internationally recognized artists like Patricia Piccinini, Ron Mueck, Kazuhiro Tsuji, and more. As referenced but the title, the artists explore the human form rendered in deceptively and disturbingly realistic detail but oftentimes with a surreal touch. Take a look at more photos below… Photo credit: Hi-Fructose, c5h1e6r2r4y, wliomsky, […]

Showing: Joakim Ojanen – “Island” @ Dio Horia

An exhibition entitled Island from Joakim Ojanen recently opened at Dio Horia in Mykonos featuring four oil paintings he created during his residency at the gallery as well as a group of ceramic sculptures crafted after his time on the Greek island at the artist’s studio in Stockholm. The character-based works loosely reference his experience on the island including the large centerpiece, situated in what looks like a cobbled Mykonian alley and featuring a smiling Greek amphora full of daisies. Take a look at more photos below… Photo credit: The […]

Releases: Felipe Pantone x Hennessy – V.S Cognac Bottle @ Complexcon (Chicago)

Recently at Complexcon in Chicago, Felipe Pantone was on hand to present his collaboration with Hennessy on his design for the V.S Cognac Bottle. Featuring his special form of glitch effects and optical art, the event featured original pieces, wall graphics from the project, as well as samples of the product, kicking off with the help of rapper A$AP Ferg. The Argentinian-Spanish artist follows in the line of some distinguished artists such as Kaws, Futura, Os Gemeos, Shepard Fairey, Ryan McGinness, and Scott Campbell who have previously worked on the bottle. Discuss […]

Openings: Mr. and Pharrell Williams – ‘Call to Action’ @ Musee Guimet (Paris)

The Guimet National Museum of Asian Arts (MNAAG) in Paris, home to the largest collection of Asian arts in Europe, recently gave carte blanche to a site-specific installation created by artist Mr.. and curated by Pharrell Williams. Located on the fourth-floor rotunda beneath the dome of the main building, Call to Action runs until September 23rd. The project started five years ago based on an idea by Pharrell Williams, who is a self-proclaimed fan of the Japanese artist’s work. The result of this longstanding collaboration is an […]

Showing: “KAWS:HOLIDAY” (Japan)

Earlier today, another leg of the Asian KAWS:HOLIDAY tour (see Korea, Taiwan, and Hong Kong) was unveiled at the Fumotoppara Camping Ground in Japan with the iconic Mt. Fuji looming in the background (on view through July 24). Teaming up with AllRightsReserved again to present larger than life versions of his signature Companion figure, the American artist has opted this time for a massive reclined 40-meter inflatable. As in the other countries, the public showing featured a release at DING DONG Takuhaibin of related merchandise including vinyl figures, t-shirts, cushions, […]

Releases: Todd James – “Tank Pool Float”

Just in time for summer, Todd James has released one of his iconic characters as an inflatable for your pool time enjoyment. The Tank Pool Float, available through Case Studyo, comes in an edition of 200 and costs €302.50 (including VAT). Add this to your floatie collection if you want to go to battle with the summer heat in something straight out of James’ cartoonish paintings. Discuss Todd “REAS” James here.