ArrestedMotion logo
Category Archives: Contemporary Art

Overtime: Oct 16 – Oct 22

More stories from the week that ended Oct. 22 (click on bolded words for more information): Yayoi Kusama will debut two new Infinity Rooms at David Zwirner next month. Yayoi Kusama Museum sells out tickets for the year. The 30-second rule for her installations at The Broad. RIP: Lawrence Argent who died at the age of 60. Beatrix Ruf resigns as director of the Stedelijk Museum after potential conflict of interest. Norman Rockwell’s family meets with Mass. AG in attempt to halt sale of Berkshire Museum’s […]

Interviews: Igor Ponosov

It would give a certain pleasure to Walter Benjamin if he could know that 81 years from the first publication of his The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction, it would be quoted by a Russian artist in a perfectly poetic manner just right on the waters of the Norwegian port city of Stavanger. The artist, Igor Ponosov, through his Too far, Too close artwork, not only reminded us about the “aura” and “unique appearance of a distance,” but also interacted with […]

Releases: KAWS – “BFF” Vinyl Figures

Following up the unveiling of his BFF statue in Bangkok last year (covered), as well as plush versions in blue and black, KAWS will be releasing vinyl versions of the figure tomorrow (October 18th). The blue version can be purchased starting at 10 AM EST online at MoMA and at its two NYC shops while the black iteration will be available on KAWSONE.com starting at 12 PM EST. These are mostly likely open editions. Images via Hypebeast. Discuss KAWS here.

Previews: Ian Francis – “Artificial Winter” @ Corey Helford Gallery

On October 28th, Corey Helford Gallery in Los Angeles will be opening a new show from Ian Francis (featured) entitled Artificial Winter. The Bristol-based artist returns with a series of rich mixed-media works that once again walks the line between photorealistic and abstract, his ghostly figurative elements mixed in with evocative looser elements. Francis explains – “It’s been ten years since my first solo show, which was here in Los Angeles. I’ve always loved technology and been fascinated by our relationship with it, but I’d have found it […]

Recap: Tom Sachs x Nike – “Nikecraft” (Space Camp)

One of the more epic happenings this past summer was held by Tom Sachs at New York City’s remote Governor’s Island. Entitled NikeCraft: Mars Yard 2.0, the event saw the American artist reunite with Nike to create a “Space Camp” to train participants in the art of visiting space through the lens of the renowned “D.I.Y.” master. This latest chapter of Mr. Sachs’ unique take on space travel and its missions into the unexplored frontiers of the cosmos brings the viewer back to square one […]

Overtime: Oct 9 – Oct 15

More stories from the week that ended Oct 15 (click on bolded words for more information): Leonardo da Vinci’s Salvator Mundi, which could sell for over $100mil., to be auctioned at Christie’s. Eight things to know about the painting. RIP: Holly Block (1958–2017). Bronx Museum launches fund in honor of Block. US government withdraws from UNESCO, creating profound implications for cultural institutions. Event at 356 S Mission cancelled due to protests from anti-gentrifiers. Photos comparing black people from Africa with continent’s wild animals pulled after accusations of […]

Streets: Jen Stark – “Chromatic Cascade” (Los Angeles)

It looks like Jen Stark recently completed a mural in the downtown LA arts district (1828 Conway Pl. Los Angeles, CA 90065), her largest to date. Entitled Chromatic Cascade, the impressive piece spans two walls on the facade of a building and measures 27 x 200 ft. Featuring bold colors and intricate patterning, the wall painting is a classic example of Stark’s psychedelic drippy imagery, one of the reoccurring motifs in her work. Discuss Jen Stark here.

Previews: Handiedan & Eric Basstein – “The Fourth Dimension: Time” & “Made to Stay” @ Jonathan LeVine

On October 14th Jonathan LeVine Projects in New Jersey will be presenting two solo show by two Dutch artists – Handiedan and Eric Basstein. Both showing with the gallery for the first time, they will present their significantly different styles that are somewhat based on a similar production concept. Handiedan well known for working with mixed-media by creating collage based reliefs of classic female pin-ups. Using both digitally created and found components, she is deeply influenced by scientific and spiritual interests – from Quantum Physics, Cosmology and Numerology to Sacred Geometries, Metaphysics […]

Previews/interview: Haroshi – “Gallery Show” @ Arsham/Fieg Gallery

NYC-based artist Daniel Arsham along with footwear & clothing designer and owner-operator of Kith, Ronnie Fieg, recently teamed up for their newest project that will open doors on October 11th. Arsham/Fieg Gallery will launch with a solo show by Haroshi (featured) who will introduce his newest series of Guzo figurines which were introduced earlier this year at Nanzuka Gallery in Tokyo (covered). With his exceptional work process and skilled craftsmanship, the Japanese artist is a perfect match for a debut show in a gallery operated by the likes of Arsham […]

Showing: Emily Mae Smith – “The Sphinx or The Caress” @ Simone Subal Gallery

A solo from Emily Mae Smith will be showing through the most of this month in New York at Simone Subal Gallery. Entitled The Sphinx or The Carress, the new body of work sees the locally-based artist continue to pull together disparate sources of inspiration to go along with some of her recognizable characters like the “broom lady” and spectacled figures. Rendered at times in a flat perspective and at times photorealistic, her imagery spans riffs on classic paintings (this time Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres’ Oedipus and the […]