TOKYO.- ART FAIR TOKYO, the largest fair of its kind in Japan, began in 2005. This year it celebrates its fifth anniversary. Featuring contemporary art, modern art, nihonga and ukiyoe, in addition to other Asian works of art and antiques, ART FAIR TOKYO is known throughout the world for both the wide genres and periods it covers and for the quality of its exhibits. Last year’s edition of the fair attracted 45,000 people, an increase on the previous year, and an indication of how interest in art has gradually grown in Japanese society. ART FAIR TOKYO 2010 is being held, as always, at the Tokyo International Forum, and it includes 138 galleries. As with last year, a special section that is devoted to new galleries of contemporary art has been set up, this time under the banner of “PROJECTS.” It is being held in the lobby of the main venue. Meanwhile, a fascinating selection of related events are being held, inc
Icon of Art History Henri Matisse’s “Dance” on Loan for Six Weeks at Hermitage Amsterdam
AMSTERDAM.- From Thursday 1 April the painting Dance (1909-1910) by Henri Matisse will be included in the exhibition Matisse to Malevich. Pioneers of modern art from the Hermitage. Dance, which will be seen at the Hermitage Amsterdam only until 9 May, has never previously been displayed in the Netherlands. It is one of the icons of art history and comes from the collection of the State Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg. It is rarely loaned out. Very recently the Ministry of Culture in Moscow gave permission for Dance to be loaned to the Hermitage Amsterdam for six weeks. This monumental painting, measuring 260 x 391 centimetres, is an important addition to the exhibition. Its innovative and unconventional design makes this a key work in Matisse’s oeuvre. Throughout his life Henri Matisse (1869-1954) was inspired by the theme of the dance. He incorporated it in wood carvings, watercolour sketches, drawings in pencil and cha
Kelly M. O’Brien Named Executive Director of Development at Philadelphia Museum
PHILADELPHIA, PA.- The Philadelphia Museum of Art announced the appointment of Kelly M. O’Brien as Executive Director of Development. Ms. O’Brien, who has served as Interim Director of Development since October 2009, has been a member of the staff for the past nine years and during that time has held positions of increasing responsibility, including Major Gifts Officer, Director of Major Gifts, and Director of Individual Giving. Her appointment follows an extensive national search and is effective immediately. Timothy Rub, the George D. Widener Director and Chief Executive Officer at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, stated: “We felt it was critical to appoint someone who understands this institution, can build upon our past fundraising successes, and provide the leadership required to strengthen all aspects of our work in this area, with individuals, foundations, and corporations. Kelly
Rarely Seen Architectural Drawings by Andrea Palladio Go on View at The Morgan
NEW YORK, NY.- Andrea Palladio (1508–1580) is considered among the most significant and influential architects in the Western world. His clean, elegant interpretation of the architecture of classical antiquity was to spread throughout Europe and North America, and his finished buildings, drawings, and writings have become cultural touchstones. Now, for the first time in New York, a collection of thirty-one rarely seen drawings by Palladio from the outstanding collection of the Royal Institute of British Architects Trust is on view in a special exhibition at The Morgan Library & Museum entitled “Palladio and His Legacy: A Transatlantic Journey”, from April 2 through August 1, 2010. The drawings, together with Palladio’s architectural texts and pattern books, highlight the growth of his design sensibility. They range from early studies and sketches to perfectly executed later drawings of villas and other commissioned works. Also on view are a number of detailed
New Museum Presents REDUX, Third Stage of Evolving Exhibition
NEW ORK, NY.- The New Museum presents “In and Out of Context: REDUX,” the third and final stage of the “Museum as Hub: In and Out of Context,” exhibition on view through July 25, 2010. For this final stage, artists Ayreen Anastas, Julieta Aranda, and Rene Gabri will present an evolving series of works, publications, events, and discussions to explore the museum as a site of exchange and catalyst for experimentation. Through individual and collective works, Anastas and Gabri’s project, “Project for a Revolution” in New York, or “How to arrest a Hurricane” explores art’s potential place in economic, national, and urban struggles by activating a pool of collaborators to develop a series of works, events, occurrences, and interventions within the museum and in the city. Opportunities for exchange and
Adrian Paci Continues his Interest in Symbolic and Cultural Rites at Peter Blum
NEW YORK, NY.- Peter Blum presents the exhibition “Adrian Paci: Gestures” opening on April 2nd, 2010 at Peter Blum Chelsea, 526 West 29th Street, New York. This will be Adrian Paci’s second exhibition with the gallery. In the exhibition Gestures Adrian Paci continues his interest in symbolic and cultural rites. Paci often focuses on brief glimpses of everyday gestures that occur during ritualistic festivities. He renders these moments ambiguous, abstract, and open to universal readings. In a new departure from his previous work, Paci plays with the painterly possibility of video while also bringing a cinematographic approach to his paintings. The show comprises two video installations—Britma and Last Gestures—four photographic light boxes, a large-scale painting on wood entitled Passages, a diptych painted on bricks, and several works on paper. In the single-channel video Britma, Paci takes one second of
‘Red’ Examines Rothko’s Art, the Artist, the Act of Creation
NEW YORK, NY (AP).- “What do you see?” They are the tantalizing first words of “Red,” John Logan’s engrossing, often enthralling new play about art, an artist and the act of creation. Not since “White. A blank page or canvas. His favorite. So many possibilities.” — the final thoughts from the Stephen Sondheim-James Lapine musical “Sunday in the Park With George” — has a statement produced such a shiver of anticipation and exhilaration. And like “Sunday,” a musical about French painter Georges Seurat, “Red,” which opened Thursday at Broadway’s Golden Theatre, focuses on a famous artist, American abstract expressionist Mark Rothko. But unlike “Sunday” and its impoverished hero, “Red” depicts a financially successful man, critically lauded in his prime, yet growling about art, his fellow artists and life. And the
Adrian Paci Continues his Interest in Symbolic and Cultural Rites at Peter Blum Gallery
NEW YORK, NY.- Peter Blum presents the exhibition Adrian Paci: Gestures opening on April 2nd, 2010 at Peter Blum Chelsea, 526 West 29th Street, New York. This will be Adrian Paci’s second exhibition with the gallery. In the exhibition Gestures Adrian Paci continues his interest in symbolic and cultural rites. Paci often focuses on brief glimpses of everyday gestures that occur during ritualistic festivities. He renders these moments ambiguous, abstract, and open to universal readings. In a new departure from his previous work, Paci plays with the painterly possibility of video while also bringing a cinematographic approach to his paintings. The show comprises two video installations—Britma and Last Gestures—four photographic light boxes, a large-scale painting on wood entitled Passages, a diptych painted on bricks, and several works on paper. In the single-channel video Britma, Paci takes one second of re
John Moores Judging Underway – Contemporary Painting Prize Receives Nearly 3000 Entries
LIVERPOOL.- A painted canvas smeared in beeswax and another daubed in coffee beans are among the 2,880 entries bidding to win Britain’s biggest painting competition. Now in its 53rd year, the John Moores Contemporary Painting Prize is one of the most prestigious events in the British art world. With a first prize of £25,000, it’s entered anonymously and open to all UK-based artists working with paint. Previous winners include David Hockney, Peter Doig and Michael Raedecker. Reyahn King, director of art galleries National Museums Liverpool, said: “This is one of the largest number of entries we’ve had since the John Moores prize started more than half a century ago. “What’s so special about this painting competition is that anyone can enter. We have the best established artists alongside emerging talent. Today’s prizewinners really are the future stars of the art world. “The illustrious history and ongoing vigour of the John Moores make
Collection of 850 Carved Mineral Easter Eggs to be Unveiled at Bonhams & Butterfields
LOS ANGELES, CA.- Just in time for the Easter, Bonhams announces the sale 850 carved mineral eggs perfect for the connoisseur’s basket. Skillfully produced by noted German craftsman Dieter Jerusalem from the historic carving locality of Idar-Oberstein, Germany, the eggs will be a notable feature of the firm’s spring 2010 auction of Natural History. Not your average Easter egg, this extraordinary collection is composed of carved minerals, most of which are a perfect hen’s egg size (measuring 58 mm). Included are many rare, patterned and vividly colored examples of precious minerals such as Brazilian opal, amber, lapis lazuli, amethyst, chrysoberyl, jaspers and agates mineral deposits and mines now long closed. The collection, which is estimated to bring $150,000-200,000, will be unveiled in Los Angeles with a public exhibition from May 6-7, 2010. The sale will also preview at Bonhams New York May 22-25, 2010 and include othe