Contemporary Art « Arrested Motion

Category Archives: Contemporary Art

Streets: Shepard Fairey x Levi’s Time Square Mural

Posted by juggernut3, November 11, 2009

Recently. AM had a chance to catch Shepard Fairey and his crew hard at work in the middle of Times Square for the launch of a special collaboration with Levi’s. In usual bold Obey fashion, the boys set up shop at the heart of the city to build a mural anchored by Shepard’s classic icon with a “pocketed” Levi’s twist. Not surprisingly the mural creation process drew a big crowd of fans and tourists eager to get pictures of Shepard much like his mural creation […]

Openings: Aya Takano – “Reintegrating Worlds” @ Skarstedt Gallery

Posted by AM Editor, November 11, 2009

Last Saturday night, Upper East Side’s Skarstedt Gallery hosted the opening of one of the most exciting shows so far this art season – Japanese pop-art star Aya Takano’s “Reintegrating Worlds.” The exhibition, which is Takano’s second solo with the gallery, consists of a brilliant collection of 15 new paintings filled with fantastic scenes of waifish girls and all kinds of animals. Contradictions abound in the work, most importantly in the figures, which are at once sensual and childlike. Among the champagne-sipping, gallery-goers was hip-hop […]

Openings: Chloe Early – “Clouded Apollo” @ StolenSpace Gallery

Posted by sleepboy, November 9, 2009

Chloe Early’s (interviewed) solo show “Clouded Apollo” opened at StolenSpace Gallery last week in London. Just as we suspected after our studio visit earlier in the month, her new body of work was well-received with lots of fans attending to show their support. Chloe mixed buildings, sun-bathers, tanks, and what looked to be a common theme – roses and butterflies together in an pleasing eclectic composition. More images after the jump…

Video: Jeff Soto – “The Sun Rises Again” Timelapse

Posted by sleepboy, November 8, 2009

Jeff Soto (interviewed) recently sent us this timelapse video of his piece “The Sun Rises Again” that he painted for the Giant Robot Biennale this year. It was definitely one of the standout pieces from that exhibition, and we are happy to see that Jeff is continuing to paint these ambitious pieces as his work is really suited for the large scale (like on the streets here and here). Check out one he’s working on for Art Basel this year here.

Releases: Hi-Fructose Volume 13

Posted by Ken, November 8, 2009

Hi-Fructose Magazine has long been a favorite here at AM headquarters, their refreshing take on contemporary art and culture is one administered with a keen eye, airtight writing and some of the most dynamic and compelling artwork from a vast variety of genres. Volume 13 looks to be no exception with interviews and features from a multifarious and eclectic collection of artists, including Lori Earley, Kris Kuksi, Dave Kinsey, Eric Fortune and more….. Hi-Fructose Volume 13 is currently available at your local bookseller or online […]

Teaser: Scott Belcastro @ LeBasse Projects

Posted by sleepboy, November 7, 2009

Scott Belcastro isn’t an artist we have featured here before but we really like the direction he has been taking recently. Take a look at this teaser for his upcoming show at LeBasse Projects in December. He’s known for his melancholic landscapes and his skillful use of dead space. Take a look at another piece he was working on at the Beyond Eden Art Fair. Discuss Scott Belcastro here.

Baby Tattooville ’09 – Reverse Studio Visits – Philip Warner

Posted by juggernut3, November 6, 2009

Ever wonder how GQ, Rolling Stone, Vanity Fair and Playboy get those awesome covers and how those photographers create those brilliant pictures? Short answer: Lots of HARD WORK! That’s what AM learned at Baby Tattooville as Philip Warner gave us a demonstration of what it’s like to be a professional photographer. With clients such as MTV, Playboy, SonyBMG and CSI: New York, it’s not hard to see that his expertise is highly sought after. Phil set up shop in his hotel suite and transformed it […]

Studio Visits: Tat Ito

Posted by AM Editor, November 6, 2009

AM recently had the pleasure of visiting with Tat Ito at the Queens, NY, studio that he shares with his assistant Yuyu Yang. Readers may remember that we thought that Ito was one of the standout new artists included in Joshua Liner Gallery’s excellent summer group show (covered). Well, Mr. Liner must have agreed with us, because Ito has a show with the gallery scheduled for February 2010, and from what we saw during our studio visit, it’s going to be a stunner.

Releases: “Lord of the Flies” Illustrated by Sam Weber for Folio Society

Posted by AM Editor, November 5, 2009

London’s Folio Society recently released a new printing of William Golding’s classic novel “Lord of the Flies,” illustrated by uber-talented, Brooklyn-based artist/illustrator Sam Weber. The edition contains several beautiful images painted especially by Weber in watercolor, finished digitally, and reproduced in four-color offset printing for the book. In addition, the front cover binding is a single color lithograph on red book cloth with white letterpressed accents. This amazing edition, however, is only currently available for members of the Folio Society, so if you want to […]

Preview: Liu Ye – “Leave Me in the Dark” @ Sperone Westwater

Posted by AM Editor, November 5, 2009

Opening this Saturday is the second solo show by noted Chinese artist Liu Ye for New York’s Sperone Westwater Gallery. The show, entitled “Leave Me in the Dark,” consists of a new collection Liu Ye’s narritive and illustrative paintings of solitary figures, mostly young women. His cartoonish style may seem simple at first glance, but like Yoshitomo Nara, Liu Ye’s works often convey quiet but powerful emotions and stories. See other images, after the jump.