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Monthly Archives: January 2011

Teaser: Laura Ball – “Growing Pains” @ David B. Smith Gallery

Posted by sleepboy, January 13, 2011

You may remember back at 2009’s Art Basel in Miami, we became enamored with the work of SF based artist Laura Ball. Well, we are delighted to learn that she will be showing a new body of work entitled “Growing Pains” at the David B. Smith Gallery in Denver alongside Ryan McLennan at the end of the month. We’ll have more to follow but for now, enjoy this complex animal assemblage painting from the upcoming show.

Openings: Mrzyk & Moriceau – “The Man With The Golden Gun” @ Ratio 3

Posted by rhinomilk, January 13, 2011

Last Friday evening, Ratio 3 hosted the opening of the French art duo, Mrzyk & Moriceau’s show: The Man With the Golden Gun (previewed). On display were clusters of their ink drawings, masks, animated video (featuring a woman’s swaying bottom, which eventually becomes exposed and releases diamonds) and wall paintings. This was a really fun exhibition to take your time and inspect each piece to look for commentary, humor and recurring themes. More photos of the opening after the jump…

Openings: Otto Schade @ LAVA Gallery

Posted by sleepboy, January 12, 2011

Otto Schade aka Osch, the East End artist that has made his name with his intricate entwined portraits, opened up his solo show at LAVA Gallery last week. The Chilean painter, now residing in London, brought with him works featuring familiar subjects with his signature twist, some of which has been replicated in the streets in recent weeks. Take a look at more photos courtesy of paul nine-o and Gutchinlondon.

Shepard Fairey and the Associated Press Settle Their Lawsuit

Posted by lowpro, January 12, 2011

In an apparent win for appropriation and fair use, Shepard Fairey’s copyright infringement lawsuit with the Associated Press has ended not with a bang but with a whimper. With neither Fairey backing down from his stance that his use of the AP photograph for the now iconic Obama Hope campaign poster constituted fair use, nor the AP surrendering their views that Fairey misappropriated the image without proper licensing, the much ballyhooed legal proceedings have grinded to a halt in a stalemate of sorts. Of course, […]

Preview: Yoshimasa Tsuchiya – “Private Myth” @ Megumi Ogita Gallery

Posted by sleepboy, January 12, 2011

On January 18th, Yoshimasa Tsuchiya’s new body of work will be on display at the Megumi Ogita Gallery in Tokyo. Featuring enchanting and delicate creatures from his imagination, the new collection of wood carvings challenges the viewer to examine their own Private Myth. Tsuchiya states – “I think that mythology is a series of allegorical stories referring the origin of a group of people. Regardless the historical facts, mythologies are always taken over from generation to generation so that we maintain our connections to each […]

Ai Weiwei’s Studio Demolished

Posted by sleepboy, January 12, 2011

Despite his international success as an artist (see Sunflower Seeds), the demolition of Ai Weiwei’s studio by the Chinese government serves as a chilling reminder that there is still a dark side to the Middle Kingdom. Although the arts complex, which can be seen in his upcoming Never Sorry documentary, was cited for not having the proper building permits and is being torn down, it has been suggested this was actually done as a warning to the outspoken dissident and artist. Ironically, it was the […]

Openings: Paul Barnes – “Happy Valley” @ Thinkspace Gallery

Posted by sleepboy, January 12, 2011

Last Saturday night in Culver City, Paul Barnes, opened up his newest show, Happy Valley in the Thinkspace Gallery’s project room. AM stopped by to take a look at his new set of paintings featuring his familiar cast of characters and landscapes all rendered with a soft touch and in a muted palette. More photos after the jump…

Releases: Retna with Modern Multiples

Posted by sleepboy, January 11, 2011

Straight off an impressive showing at Art Basel week with a solo at Primary Projects (covered), Retna (featured) is already hard at work on his next project. It looks like he has an upcoming nice-sized release with Modern Multiples – hopefully with some hand-finished options like Saber’s Art Work Rebels Flag. More pics after the jump…

Auction Results: “Urban Art” @ Bonhams 1/11/11

Posted by Khoi, January 11, 2011

If today’s Urban Art auction at Bonhams can be seen as an indicator for the overall health of the Urban/Street Art market, then things are looking absolutely strong, exciting, and prosperous. Most lots found buyers and all the major pieces in the sale found new owners. The most notable result was Shepard Fairey’s Peace Goddess on maple from the Sea No Evil benefit auction in 2008, which surpassed everyone’s expectations and sold for over double the high estimate, at $43,000. Among in-the-know Shepard Fairey collectors, […]

Cai Guo-Qiang Taipei 101 Fireworks

Posted by sleepboy, January 11, 2011

Chinese artist Cai Guo-Qiang recently choreographed the 2011 New Year’s Eve fireworks display for Taipei. This year’s celebration was special because it was the Centennial of the Republic of China’s (Taiwan) founding in 1911. Although different than his gunpowder paintings, the explosive artist is definitely not new to pyrotechnic displays as he also coordinated the Beijing Olympics and World Expo Shanghai’s fireworks. “Respecting life, heaven and earth was the theme of the event, which highlighted natural disasters such as the 7.3-magnitude earthquake of September 21, […]