The power outage in India left over 600 million people in the dark. While we certainly don’t want to make “light” of the catastrophe…ahem…we couldn’t help but think of the role that darkness plays in the art world.
Traditionally, a valued piece of art is placed in a strategically lit, bright viewing area. But not always- see how these contemporary artists experiment with light in their work.
Born in 1933, renowned artist Dan Flavinwas a key player in the introduction of electric light as fine art.
Dan Flavin, image from LondonSE1
Flavin used commercially available fluorescent lights to create minimalist, colorful installations- one of which is currently on view at the MoMA.
Today, New York City based artist Ryan McGinnesstakes this idea of using light as art one step further. His most recent artwork features geometric-like female figures that, when lit up with black light, makes viewers’ jaws drop.
Ryan McGinness, Women Painting3, 2010 studio view & black light view, image from The Standard’s Tumbler
McGinness uses the unexpected medium of fluorescent paint to create a glowing effect. The result: a painting that transforms with the flip of a switch.
Glenn Friedel, an artist with nAscent Art New York, the publisher of The Bare Square, uses light itself as a medium in his artwork. In a completely dark room, Glenn has models lie down on photo sensitive paper and exposes them to light in new and creative ways. In this way, Glenn is ultimately “painting” with light.
Glenn Friedel, photogram, Mirror Princess, at nAscent Art New York
Yayoi Kusama, Fireflies on the Water, mirror, plexiglass, 150 lights and water, Whitney Museum
Want to become enlightened today? Step inside Yayoi Kusama’s installation, Fireflies on the Water, now being shown at the Whitney Museum of American Art through September 30!
While the power has thankfully been restored in India, artists like Flavin and Friedel will continue to illuminate those willing to experience art in the dark.
Leave your 3D glasses at home and head to Paul Kasmin Gallery for Sculpted Matter, a group show of significant contemporary sculpture.
Bernar Venet, Grib 1, torch-cut, waxed steel at Paul Kasmin Gallery
The landmark show spans both of Kasmin’s ground floor Chelsea gallery locations – one on 27th & 10th and the other just around the corner on 27th between 10th & 11th Ave.
Sculpted Matter touts a list of 21 very accomplished contemporary sculptors including Carl Andre, Tara Donovan, Dan Flavin, Sol LeWitt, Alyson Shotz, and Frank Stella (just to name a few).
Jill Magid, I Can Burn Your Face Vincent IV, 7mm neon, transformers and wires at Paul Kasmin Gallery
Museums like the Guggenheim, National Gallery of Art, and the Museum of Modern Art as well as publications like Wall Street Journal, Art in America, ArtNews and the New York Times celebrate these artists’ work. Find out why with an in-person 3D experience at Paul Kasmin.
- Jen Wallace
Sculpted Matter Paul Kasmin Gallery
June 21 – August 17 Opening Reception: THIS THURS, June 21, 6-8pm
293 10th Ave & 515 W 27th St.
New York, NY
Next Tuesday opens a preview exhibition of major works donated to the Artists for Haiti Auction at David Zwirner Gallery.
The auction includes work donated by twenty-five significant artists. Jeff Koons, Chuck Close, Louise Bourgeois, Dan Flavin, Jasper Johns are just a few names off of this star studded list of artists.
The full collection of works available for auction will be on view at Christie’s from September 17-20th and the auction will be held on Thursday September 22nd at 7pm.
It’s wonderful that art dealer David Zwirner and actor Ben Stiller conceived an event that is sure to have a positive impact on Haiti. With the support of President Bill Clinton and a list of all-star artists this auction is sure to make a splash.
The Bare Square team plans to head to David Zwirner Gallery on Tuesday to be one of the first to preview these works. You can be one of the first too…head to David Zwirner on Tuesday. The preview exhibition is only up for 4 days…then it moves to Christie’s.
David Zwirner
525 West 19th Street
New York, NY
Preview Exhibition Tue 9/6, 6-8pm
Make sure to check out Kulsoom’s article about Artists for Haiti for more detials, images, and a really cool/funny video with Ben Stiller & President Bill Clinton.
Check back at The Bare Square on Tuesday when I’ll be recommending another awesome opening for next Thursday 9/8!
“Artists for Haiti”, a charity auction, will raise funds for education and health programs in Haiti by selling artworks by famous artists at Christie’s New York auction house. President Bill Clinton, American actor Ben Stiller, and gallerist David Zwirner host the star-studded Haiti benefit Sept. 22 and 23 at Christies and Skylight Soho in New York.
The charity art auction will benefit The Stiller Foundation, launched by the actor in January 2010, the same month as Haiti’s devastating earthquake. The foundation’s mission, displayed on its website, is to provide educational opportunities and promote the well-being of children around the world.
According to a report by the United Nations, as many as 8,000 schools which held 1.8 million children were destroyed or damaged in Haiti’s capital Port-au-Prince alone. Stiller’s humanitarian efforts in Haiti began in 2009. In the wake of the earthquake, Stiller created the Haitian School Initiative as part of the work of the foundation.
For the auction, attendees will bid on donated artworks by renown contemporary artists like Louise Bourgeois, Chris Ofili, Ed Ruscha and Jeff Koons, Chuck Close, Jasper Johns, and Zhang Huan.
Check out the Artists for Haiti website to see the full list of artists donating to the art auction.In early September, Zwirner’s gallery will preview the art up for auction. (Readers may remember the Zwirner Gallery from “Jen Recommends” March coverage of Marcel Dzama’s show there.)
Here’s a preview of some of the work from the auction:
No Title (But the sand…), Richard Pettibon, 2011
“monument” for V. Tatlin, Dan Flavin, 1967
mappemonde, Adel Abdessemed, 2011
Both Stiller and Zwirner will join President Clinton the day after the auction to co-host a gala at Skylight Solo in New York, celebrating the auction results and the artists’ generosity. Like Stiller, Clinton has been involved in the Haiti effort since the launching of the Clinton Foundation Haiti Fund in 2010.To support The Stiller Foundation, text STILLER to 85944 to give $5 to help build schools in Haiti or buy one of the foundation’s cool headbands!
Stiller talks about the idea for the headbands in this video–check it out!
