November 24, 2011
Filed under: Exhibitions — Alan @ 1:25 pm
Rugby officials as well as dignitaries and community leaders have all put their support behind the campaign which will give Willie Horne a well-deserved statue at Wembley National Stadium. Horne was responsible for being the captain of his hometown club in the 1950s and led them to many victories.
The Rugby Football League recently announced a list of 10 sporting greats who would have statues erected of them but once they open voting to the public, they decided to add another three names to the list, and one of these was Willie Horne.
The Rugby legend already has a statue erected at Willie Horne Gardens which are located in South Cumbria. Emlyn Hughes will have a statue of himself erected on the corner of Holker Street and Abbey Road in Barrow. The statue of the town’s first may, James Ramsden will also be erected in Ramsden Square.
People from the local area around Barrow have said they would very much like to see the statue of Horne erected outside Wembley Stadium, but they admit that it is unlikely to happen. There are a great many rugby stars from the 1950s as well as stars from the more modern era. He is definitely not the favourite for the statue but a former councillor from Barrow has urged people to go online and vote for him.
Terry Waiting, a former council leader for Barrow has commented, “I think it would be very fitting to see a statue of Horne erected outside Wembley Stadium. He was a model for sportsmen and richly deserves having a statue erected in his honour at such a prominent location.”
Filed under: Exhibitions — Alan @ 1:21 pm
Opinions about the diamond encrusted skull that was created by Damien Hirst has been varied. Some people said that it was a great work of art while others said it was nothing more of a sign that the art industry had far too much money in it and was just a sign of absolute excess.
The piece which has the title For the Love of God is to be displayed in the public gallery for the first time in the UK. It will be displayed in the Turbine Hall of the Tate modern gallery and will be part of a major retrospective showing Damien Hirst’s work.
A special viewing room will be created and very tight security will be in place. The skull was cast in platinum but the original teeth from the real skull are in place. Over 8500 diamonds cover the skull and a 52 carat diamond is on the forehead. In 2007 the skull was valued at £50 million.
At the show featuring Hirst’s work will be over 70 pieces by the artist which have been created over the last two decades. Some of his most famous work will be on show including the cow suspended in formaldehyde as well as the pickled shark.
The director of the Tate modern, Chris Dercon commented, “Most people know the name Damien Hirst because they see his art in the newspaper, being able to experience it in real life is quite a thrilling experience. You get to see the work without the hype that the media has built-up around the pieces. Mr Hirst has stated that he is very excited that is work will be shown to the public.”
November 19, 2011
Filed under: Exhibitions — Alan @ 11:49 am
GEORGE CONDO: MENTAL STATES
Hayward Gallery, Southbank Centre
Until 8 January 2012
George Condo mental states exhibition
To coincide with their current exhibition; George Condo: Mental States, a short story competition has been launched by the Hayward Gallery. The inspiration for the competition comes from the fantasy characters that reside in Condo’s portraits, and in particular those that appear in his painting ‘The Psychoanalytical Puppeteer Losing His Mind’. After meeting with Salman Rushdie in 2001, a description of the figure appeared in Rushdie’s novel ‘Fury’.
The Hayward Gallery wants the public to create short works of fiction which are 300 words long, and inspired by Condo, who will be judging the contest along with the director of the Hayward Gallery, Ralph Rugoff. The best of the stores will be published online on the Hayward Gallery Blog and the winner will receive, amongst other prizes, a signed catalogue and limited edition playing cards by George Condo.
George Condo spoke at the opening of his exhibition at the Hayward Gallery and said of the collaboration with Rushie that the narratives of his paintings are entirely subjective to the individual viewer. He also said that he thought it was a great idea for a writer to sit down along with one of his paintings and try and put down in words what was happening on the canvas. Condo added that it had resulted in an entire chapter of Fury being dedicated to the painting and he loved that his characters have another life.
In the Portraiture section of the Mental States exhibition are works from all periods of the artist’s career, including nine of Condo’s portraits of Her Majesty The Queen and a series of 10 sculptural heads all cast in bronze, nine of which have a gilded surface. More than 30 paintings with a variety of styles and subjects are presented in a ‘portrait wall’ dramatically hung floor to ceiling in a salon style. Featuring a range of fantasy characters, these portraits often incorporate elements from masterpieces by artists including Velázquez and Goya. The characters are recognisable archetypes – butlers, businessmen, clergy and biblical figures – familiar despite their humorously grotesque features.
Condo’s approach to making art unsettlingly conjoins the beautiful and the grotesque, seriousness and outlandish wit. His portraits, which for all their oddness and outrageous humour and their caricatured features, are deeply immersed in the traditions of European and American painting. Focusing on his ‘imaginary portraits’, which conjure varied mental states with a mixture of absurdity and pathos, the exhibition also features portraits of historical subjects such as Jesus and the Madonna, exploring the breadth of Condo’s artistic vision.
This Hayward Gallery exhibition is the first major retrospective in the UK of the American artist George Condo. Condo emerged in New York’s influential East Village art scene in the early 80s with his ‘fake Old Master’ canvases. He has since created one of the most adventurous, imaginative, and provocative bodies of work in contemporary art. George Condo: Mental States is the first major survey of paintings and sculptures from the past twenty-eight years of the artist’s career.
About George Condo
American artist George Condo was born in New Hampshire. He has occupied a prominent position in the art world for nearly three decades. Along with painters such as Keith Haring and Jean Michel Basquiat, Condo was active in the influential East Village art scene during the 1980s. Condo studied art history and music theory at the University of Massachusetts I Lowell.
The first public exhibition including his work took place in New York City in 1981 and he has since exhibited extensively in the United States and Europe. His works have been acquired by museum collections including the Museum of Modern Art, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York. George Condo also works across fashion, music and street culture.
He has collaborated with Kanye West on the rapper’s latest album cover design, as well as on a series of limited edition silk scarves (with design duo M/M Paris). Last autumn, characters from Condo’s paintings came to life during the catwalk show of New York fashion designer Adam Kimmel, during which the models wore masks designed by the artist.
George Condo: Mental States is organised by the Hayward Gallery, Southbank Centre and curated by Hayward Director, Ralph Rugoff. The exhibition was shown previously at the New Museum, New York and Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam. After the Hayward Gallery it will travel to Schirn Kunsthalle, Frankfurt (22 February – 28 May 2012).
The exhibition is accompanied by a fully illustrated catalogue featuring essays by Ralph Rugoff and Laura Hoptman, Curator at the Museum of Modern Art and contributions by the writers Will Self and David Means. ISBN 978 1 85332 289 1 Special exhibition price £24.99 (RRP £34.99). A highly collectible set of playing cards featuring portraits selected by Ralph Rugoff and the artist is available at Southbank Centre shops and online at £12.50.
In the lower galleries of the Hayward the first major UK survey show of the pioneering video artist Pipilotti Rist opened on 28 September 2011. Separate press release available.
Competition information
- Short story submissions should be emailed to competitions@southbankcentre.co.uk with ‘George Condo Short Story Competition’ in the subject line.
- All stories must be original fiction and no more than 300 words long.
- The deadline for the competition is 6pm on 18 December 2011.
- The authors of those stories shortlisted for the overall prize will be alerted by email. Due to the volume of submissions, the Hayward Gallery may not be able to reply to all entries.
- The winning short stories will be posted on the Hayward Gallery blog: http://thehayward.southbankcentre.co.uk/
Listings information
George Condo: Mental States opens on 18 October 2011 and runs until 8 January 2012 at the Hayward Gallery, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX
Information and tickets: 0844 847 9910 www.southbankcentre.co.uk
Ticket Prices:
Joint ticket prices for George Condo: Mental States and Pipilotti Rist
Full Price £10.00
Seniors 60+ £9.00
Concessions £8.00
Students £8.00
Young People (12 -18) £7.50
Under 12’s (out of school hours) Free
Southbank Centre Members Free
All prices include a £1 voluntary donation in support of the Hayward Gallery and Southbank Centre through the Gift Aid Scheme.
November 18, 2011
Filed under: Art events — Alan @ 3:16 am
Another landmark point in the construction of the Olympic Park has been reached as the Arcelormittal Orbit structure has been completed. Now it is the largest sculpture in the UK and reaches nearly 115 m high. It is located next to the Olympic Stadium and has been designed by Anish Kapoor, the Turner prize-winning artist. The structural design has been completed by Cecil Balmond and has cost nearly £23 million.
You can climb the structure by its 450 steps up to 2 observation decks and there is even a restaurant at the top. The idea is that visitors will travel to the top of the sculpture in a lift and walk down the staircase to be able to fully enjoy the artistic detail of the sculpture.
It stands over 20 m higher than the Statue of Liberty and it is hoped that it will remain a popular attraction even once the games have completed. The company responsible for funding the project have said that the structure should be a symbol of regeneration for this part of London and a sign of things to come.
Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London has given the sculpture his full support and said it is an iconic symbol that has been added to the skyline of London. Mr Johnson continued saying, “This is a spectacular piece of modern art and should drive visitors to this part of London for a long time to come. What we are witnessing here is a historic moment in London skyline.” It is expected that the structure will bring 50 jobs to the area and bring in £10 million of revenue every year.
November 17, 2011
Filed under: Art events — Alan @ 3:33 am
Glasgow next year will be a hosting new art exhibition that is going to feature unused sports trophies, the piece will be made up of over 2500 trophies and will be on display at the Glasgow International Festival of Visual Art. Another work of art will feature debris that was collected after the London riots that took place earlier in the year.
Richard Wright, the Turner prize-winning artist will also have work on display at the 18 day festival which starts in April. It will span over 50 venues in the country. The program will be hosting a large variety of new art and nine out of every 10 pieces is on display for the first time in the UK.
Katrina Brown is the director of the festival and she has said, “This event really shows the Glasgow Art scene at its best and its most lively. Museums, galleries, and artists come to the city and its architecture will make a fantastic backdrop to this memorable event.
Karla Black who was nominated for the Turner prize this year is hosting the largest show to date in Scotland, several new sculptures she has created will be on show at the Gallery of Modern Art. Alexandra Mir piece will be on display and it is called ‘Triumph’ and this is the first time that it has been seen in the country. It is made out of trophies that she managed to find through adverts in local newspapers.
The piece of art focuses on the issue of personal triumph and the ultimate replacement by a more young and capable person. A temporary radio station will also exist while the festival is on.
November 15, 2011
Filed under: Uncategorized — admin @ 12:57 pm
At its core, art is an ambient and tactile experience. We see it, feel it and even sometimes hear it; it guides our thinking and can influence our feelings in many different ways.
For most of us, “corporate art” means nothing more than bland landscape paintings, generic abstract prints or inane motivational posters mounted in cheap frames that hang, crooked and ignored, on the walls of our offices. However, art in the workplace doesn’t have to be boring; in fact, corporate artwork can be one of the most effective – and affordable – ways to inspire your staff and bring new life to your office.
Over the course of an average career, most of us will spend as much as a third of our lives at the office. No matter what sector you work in or the size of your company, success depends on channelling creativity for the benefit of the organisation. So how can we increase that creative stimulation at work? Free espresso and snacks in the break room can help, but great art is an even better way to encourage employees to recharge and embrace innovative ideas.
Modern trends in office space planning focus on technological innovation and improved mobility in the workplace – open workspaces, communal break-out rooms, alternative spaces and shared task areas are now the norm. This means that many employees are subjected to a larger corporate cultural aesthetic. They are no longer able to decorate their desks and workspaces with personal photos and other mementos that create a sense of ownership and personalisation. This can create a disconnected feeling between workers and their workspaces. To that end, the right artwork can help employees feel happier and more comfortable when they are at the office, which fosters improved motivation and creativity.
There is virtually no limit to what kinds of art are acceptable in the workplace. Conventional artwork like paintings, photography, bespoke murals, mixed media installations, sculpture, limited edition prints, ceramics or textiles are ever-popular options, while more non-traditional pieces like water features, floral arrangements, textured wall treatments, interesting architectural details and lighting can also create an atmosphere that is both inspired and inspiring.
When selecting new art for your office, asking a few key questions can help guide your choices to the most appropriate pieces. For example: what is your corporate mission and image? How should your office artwork make workers feel – happy, amused, calm, energised? Where does your company fit in your particular business sector? Are you an established organisation with traditional values that could benefit from a fresh artistic perspective or a trendy start-up who needs a more subdued collection that won’t compete with an already vibrant brand? Who is your target client base and how might they respond to the artwork you choose?
The point is that corporate art doesn’t have to be generic or uninspired. It can be anything you want it to be, so long as the pieces you select have the power to inspire creativity in your staff.
November 14, 2011
Filed under: Exhibitions — Alan @ 1:12 pm
- Meetings in Marrakech: the paintings of Hassan El Glaoui and Winston Churchill
- NEW Exhibition at Leighton House Museum, Holland Park Road, London W14 8LZ. 20 January – 31 March 2012
- First time the paintings of Winston Churchill have been exhibited with another artist
- Exhibition of 24 paintings unveils the unique and binding relationship of two men from different worlds who shared a common love for Morocco and painting.
The work of two vastly different artists are brought together in a unique exhibition being held at Leighton House, at Holland Park Road. The artists in question are Hassan El Glaoui and Winston Churchill, two people from as radically different cultures as you can possibly get.
There will be 24 paintings in total on display; 15 from El Glaoiu and 9 from Churchill, and many of those in from the former have never been seen on display previously in the UK. It is also the first time that works by Churchill have been exhibited in public along with the work of another artist. The exhibition will open to the public on January 20th 2012 and will run through March 31st 2012.
Churchill and El Glaoui’s bond is unique: it was only through Churchill’s intervention that Hassan El Glaoui, the young Berber tribesman, was permitted to pursue professionally his passion for painting. Hassan El Glaoui, the son of the Pasha of Marrakech, Hadj Thami El Glaoui – also known as the Black Panther – was born into one of the oldest Berber families in Morocco, who for generations were considered the most fearless warriors of the Atlas region. Against his father’s wishes, Hassan chose to follow an artistic path and become a painter – something that was at the time considered highly unsuitable for a Berber tribesman.
During a trip to Marrakech, while visiting the Glaoui Family in 1943, Winston Churchill was shown some paintings by the young Hassan El Glaoui, and seeing the high quality of the work insisted to his father, his old friend the Pasha of Marrakech, that he be allowed to pursue his passion for painting. It was at Churchill’s behest that El Glaoui was allowed to continue to paint, and in doing so set El Glaoui on the path to becoming one of Morocco’s most significant artists, who’s work today is among the most sought after contemporary North African art in the world, commanding huge sums at auction.
Sir Winston Churchill, who as well as being Britain’s iconic war-time Prime Minister was also an accomplished landscape painter, first visited the Moroccan city of Marrakech in 1935. He would develop a lasting affection for the city, which Churchill considered “one of the loveliest spots in the whole world”, and would paint the city many times.
Now for the first time El Glaoui and Churchill’s paintings are brought together, revealing surprising similarities between these two men. El Glaoui’s depictions of warriors riding on horseback into battle, such as those shown in this exhibition, would have been familiar to Churchill, who was part of the cavalry engaged in the Battle of Omdurman in 1898. Churchill often gave his paintings as gifts to visiting Statesmen, such as the American President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Today El Glaoui’s work is presented by the King of Morocco to visiting dignitaries and statesmen such as George Bush and Jacques Chirac.
Daniel Robbins, Director of Leighton House Museum said: “We are extremely fortunate to have these unique collections here at Leighton House, not only because they are outstanding paintings from a beautiful part of North West Africa, but because they tell such a remarkable story. They reveal both a hitherto unseen glimpse into the private and artistic life of one of Britain’s most significant figures, Winston Churchill, and the beautifully expressive work of one of Morocco’s most significant painters, Hassan El Glaoui”.
Hassan El Glaoui said: “Painting has always been my life – it is unthinkable to me not to paint. However I often realise that without that fateful meeting with Winston Churchill in 1943 my parent’s attitude to me painting might have prevented me enjoying such a wonderful and fulfilling life as an artist.
It is a wonderful privilege to share this exhibition with the work of a man who not only is so historically significant, but with whom I share such a profound personal significance with as well”.
Celia Sandys, Granddaughter of Winston Churchil said: “I hope that my grandfather is smiling down on this exhibition. He would have liked the idea of the paintings which gave him so much pleasure, in a country that he loved so much, hanging side by side with those by Hassan El Glaoui, the son of his old friend the Pasha of Marrakech.”
The private view for Meetings in Marrakech: the paintings of Hassan El Glaoui and Winston Churchill takes place on 19 January in the intimate surrounds of Leighton House – an international symbol of East meeting West. The exhibition, which includes previously unseen work by both artists opens to the public 20 January and runs until 30 March.
November 10, 2011
Filed under: Art events — Alan @ 9:39 am
Shopping at a Christmas fair is a wonderful way to get in the shopping for the festive season while avoiding the rush that is seen on the high street. The Country Living Christmas Fair which is taking place from the 9th to 11th November in Islington, London, will host the Nelson & Forbes Sculpture Company. The sculpture company is particularly known for its bronze sculptures which will be for sale at the event.
One of the most impressive pieces is cast from 4 kg of bronze and depicts a lioness pouncing. This piece of art costs £2000 and will be an excellent addition to the home of any bronze collector. The dimensions of the piece are 18 cm high and 30 cm long and there are only 150 available worldwide and they are all handmade in the UK.
For a little over £500 visitors can buy a bronze statue depicting a rhinoceros with her young. This piece is limited to just 250 castings and comes with a certificate of authenticity that has been signed by the artist.
All of the bronze pieces created by Nelson & Forbes are made through the use of wax casting, which is a technique that has a history dating back over five millennia. Since this time the method has not changed a great deal and has been most famously used to create the Lions that are seen at Trafalgar Square as well as the creating the doors at the front of the Bank of England. The entire collection on show at the fair is made up of 36 pieces and they have all been created by Jonathan Sanders and Sue Maclaurin.
November 7, 2011
Filed under: Art News — Alan @ 8:56 am
It’s been years coming but federal regulators have finally approved the ‘Over the River’ project that has been planned by the artist Christo. The project is going to cover part of a river in Colorado with over 6 miles of luminous, silvery panels that are made out of fabric.
The entire installation will cost $50 million and has received a great deal of criticism for its potential impact on the environment. Federal regulators were urged by the wildlife commission in the state to refuse the project but regulators have approved it and insisted that the artist take over 100 steps to prevent any damage to the environment.
The project is being funded by the artist through the sale of previous drawings. The installation is predicted to bring around $100 million of tourism to the state of Colorado. Ken Salazar is the interior secretary and he has commented, “this is going to bring a great amounts of recreation opportunities for visitors to Colorado and is going to see the jobs in tourism industry thrive.”
Christo, who is now 76 years old has commented to the New York Times, “The greatest compliment an artist can be paid is the people to think about their work and the thought people have put into approving this piece of art is flattering”. This is the first piece of art to ever have an environmental impact statement drawn up. There are several local regulations that will have to be met before construction can start however.
November 5, 2011
Filed under: Art News — Alan @ 6:47 am
Next summer the Hayward Gallery which is located in London will be turned into an art school that will be open to the public. Such famous artists as Martin Creed, Mark Wallinger and Jeremy Deller will be offering lessons. There will also be internationally famous artists at the school such as Marlene Dumas and Thomas Hirschhorn. The school will consist of a series of workshops and lectures, and at the end of the exhibition there will an art show which includes some of the public’s work.
Patrick Brill has commented, “This is going to be a great place where people all come together and share their artistic ideas.” Jude Kelly is the artistic director on the Southbank and she has said, “It will be running for a month and anyone is welcome and it would be a great experience for people to gain a better understanding of art.”
The event is tying in with the Festival of the World which is taking place on the Southbank next year. Date wise it will coincide with the Olympic Games and should be one of the highlights of the festival. Other events that are taking place at the festival include a world record-breaking gathering of poets and several orchestral performances. The event is very diverse and there will be performances by deaf and disabled artists and these events will run at the same time as the Paralympic Games.
The director of the Hayward Gallery is Ralph Rugoff who has commented, “The Olympic Games are the inspiration for running the school next summer and is intended to encourage people to get off the sofa and do something more productive than just sitting at home. The art event is something that can appeal to those who do not have sporting talent but talent in other areas.”
At the event over 200 poets will be present where they will be running a workshop and performing readings. At the end of the event will be a final gala for all of the writers. A representative has commented, “We want to make the Southbank next summer a place where poets can come together as a community.”
Music will also be a large part of the festival and several temporary concert halls will be assembled on the Southbank and musicians will be offering teaching sessions to young musicians. There will also be a Latin music fiesta as well as music from Africa being performed. There will also be a series of debates and talks surrounding African music and what the African continent can bring to the international community. Debates on social change will be held using African examples and those of the events will involve a mix of young and old people.
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Rugby officials as well as dignitaries and community leaders have all put their support behind the campaign which will give Willie Horne a well-deserved statue at Wembley National Stadium. Horne was responsible for being the captain of his hometown club in the 1950s and led them to many victories.
