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Category Archives: Contemporary Art

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…

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, […]

Indoors: Ryan McGinness – “Black Holes” @ Phillips de Pury (NYC)

Posted by juggernut3, January 11, 2011

After our NYE stroll on the Highline peeking in on the Black Holes exhibition at Phillips de Pury, we simply need couldn’t get enough of Ryan McGinness’ masterful silkscreens and took another trip back. This time, we headed inside the auction house to enjoy the 24 works in detail. Take a look at this up close and personal look at the magical circular paintings and their unique black light installation environment. Check the magnificent details after the jump.

Openings: Gardar Eide Einarsson – “Power Under Construction” @ Honor Fraser

Posted by Khoi, January 10, 2011

This past Saturday saw the opening of Gardar Eide Einarsson’s second exhibition with Honor Fraser. The politically rebellious artist’s show included minimalist black & white artwork using found objects and appropriated imagery. The main piece of the show consisted of a installation of rubber car tires and casts of sharpened bamboo sticks. Meant to recreate and recontextualize the makeshift street barricades found in Thailand, the piece references ’60s installations and happenings, such as Allan Kaprow’s Yard. See more of it and the rest of the […]

Openings: Hajime Sorayama – “1970 – 2010” @ Gering & Lopez Gallery

Posted by juggernut3, January 10, 2011

Gering & Lopez Gallery sure knows how to kickstart the new year by working hard to bring a jaw-dropping exhibition with acclaimed Japanese artist Hajime Sorayama. The show “1970 – 2010” (teased) is a tremendous display of the “four corners” of Sorayama’s illustrious style that he’s created over the past four decades. We experienced his sexy Robots & Gynoids to iconic figures in Pin Up poses to his sultry Myth & Fantasy femme fatales to his risqué erotic & fetish illustrations. The beauty and raw […]

Preview / Setup: Thais Beltrame – “Gravity” @ Art Association of Jackson Hole

Posted by sleepboy, January 10, 2011

AM first encountered Brazilian artist Thais Beltrame’s wistful work a couple years ago at Carmichael Gallery. We are glad to see she’ll be returning to the States for a another show, this time at the Art Association of Jackson Hole in Wyoming. Entitled Gravity, the opening is set for January 14th with a workshop today for those interested. A couple more images after the jump…

Teaser: Kenny Scharf – “Naturafutura” & “Three Dozen!” @ Paul Kasmin Gallery

Posted by lowpro, January 10, 2011

With an impressive December to serve as a launch pad, including his traffic-inducing mural completed at the iconic Houston and Bowery location (covered), a playful blacklight infested mobile trailer installation at Wynwood Walls during Basel Week (covered), and his colorful retrofitting of The Hole’s gallery space with Hot Glue Hullabaloo (covered), Kenny Scharf will launch into the new year with not one but two exhibitions on tap the same night with Paul Kasmin Gallery. Opening on January 27th at one of their two Chelsea locations, […]

Studio Visit: Remi/Rough

Posted by sven, January 9, 2011

Continuing on from our look into Steve More’s Edinburgh studio, AM now brings you a peek into the bottom-of-the-garden studio of Remi/Rough. The artistic pairing of Agents of Change collaborators Rough and More are realised in the upcoming exhibition entitled ‘A’, opening on Tuesday 1st February at Blackall Studios in London. Remi works out of a purpose built log cabin style studio located in deepest, darkest East Dulwich. He paints using the natural light of daytime, and the immediate connection you make when visiting the […]