This year, The Bare Square brought you art news and comment on a globe-spanning range of topics. From Ai Wei Wei, to New York gallery openings, from the depths of the sea to deep space, you’ve come to The Bare Square and nibbled on our bite-sized art news. Thank you for making the Bare Square part of your art experience!
Because we’re rapidly approaching 200 articles, picking a Top Ten wasn’t easy–so we picked eleven. That didn’t make it much easier, but it did give you a bonus article!
Without further ado, here are the Top 11 ARTicles of 2011 from The Bare Square! See what you missed, revisit what you liked, and PLEASE share with your friends and “Like”. Thanks again!
Jen Wallace, host of our web video show Art Seen, also contributes to The Bare Square. We published her story about actor James Franco’s art project in mid-July.
On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, The Bare Square focused on Charles Wilbert White and David Hammons, African-American artists who paved the way for others.
Frederick Douglass Lives Again by Charles Wilbert White
Kulsoom contributed to this profile of nAscent artist Jack Laroux. The article holds the honor of having the most “Likes” of any article this year–way to go Kulsoom! (And thanks to Jack for all his fans and supporters!)
The Bare Square felt a deep sense of shock, loss, and despair over the earthquake in Japan. The article at #3 discussed the role of art in the wake of tragedy.
Being based in New York City, we at The Bare Square appreciated the work of street artist “Moustache,” having seen his handiwork ourselves many times. Sadly, the NYPD put an end to his vandalism, failing to see the humor in his clever “improvement” on public ads. People responded well to our remembrance…and we still miss him.
By far the most popular article in terms of ratio of “Likes” as compared to page views, and a just plain cool and romantic story, The Bare Square interviewed the creator of the best proposal story we’ve ever heard. Do yourself a favor–click the link, re-read the article, and watch the video (even if you’ve watched it before). With New Year’s Eve coming, let this story inspire even more romance!
A two-man show consisting of innovative industrial landscapes opens Thursday in Soho, and you should go. Disintegration and Sprawl, presented by Christina Ray gallery, shows off compelling works by Amze Emmons, based in Philadelphia, and Kevin Haas, who lives in Washington state.
The two artists’ work explores relics of industrialized cities. They examine concepts of repurposing ruins from an industrial, capitalist society into that of sustainability and future purpose.
Suitable for Mass Transit by Amze Emmons at Christina Ray gallery
Amze Emmons adds playful color to desolate scenes. A multi-disciplinary artist with experience in drawing and printmaking, Emmons’ work surprises with it’s playful nature set in stark contrast to the landscape. Emmons’ work can inspire introspection, at times somber, at other times hopeful.
I-90: Exit 109 by Kevin Haas at Christina Ray gallery
Kevin Haas uses webs of lines to spin out his urban landscapes. Haas layers line drawings of billboards, trees, cars, and street signs to create vibrancy. Through the works’ energy and tension, Haas, like Emmons, breathes life into barren scenes.
The two artists’ unique voices approach similar subject matter in different ways. Their works play nicely together, and create an interesting dialogue about our country’s landscape.
Both of these artists are sure to impress. Check them out at the opening reception this Thursday or during gallery hours through October 30th.
- Jen Wallace
Disintegration and Sprawl Amze Emmons and Kevin Haas Christina Ray gallery
Oct. 6 – Oct. 30 Opening Reception: THIS THURS. 10/6, 7-9pm 30 Grand Street
New York NY 10013
Artists for Haiti, a collaboration between the Stiller Foundation, David Zwirner gallery, and Christies, recently raised over $13 million for education and health programs in the troubled Caribbean country. The bare square first reported on Artists For Haiti on August 10th andAugust 30th.
With top contemporary artists like Louise Bourgeois, Chris Ofili, Ed Ruscha, Jeff Koons, Chuck Close, Jasper Johns, and Zhang Huan…raise funds they did! Throw a few celebrities into the mix and, you have $13,662,000 in relief funds for Haiti. All night, competitive bidders went blazing past artwork estimates.
Director, actor and producer Justin Theroux, accompanied by superstar girlfriend Jennifer Aniston, bought Glenn Ligon’s “Stranger #44″ for a record $450,000 (estimated to sell for $150,000-200,000). Aniston applauded her man’s winning bid which was, of course, for her collection.
Check out this fun video update on Theroux & Aniston’s win from celebrity gossip experts, PopSugar:
Tennis star John McEnroe and Acquavella Gallery got into a bidding war for Zhang Huan’s “Chinese Flag No.1. McEnroe backed down when bidding reached $200,000 and Acquavella Gallery won the piece. Jon McEnroe wanted to walk out a winner, so he snagged Elizabeth Peyton’s colored pencil and pastel portrait of “Jay-Z, Glastonbury” for $85,000 (above the estimated $60,000-70,000.)
(L to R) John McEnroe, President Bill Clinton, a guest, Susan Sarandon and others at the Artists for Haiti dinner to benefit the Stiller Foundation at Almond in New York City. Photo from the-slice.com.
The biggest ticket item of the evening was Marlene Dumas’ autobiographical portrait, “My mother before she became my mother” (2010), a painting made shortly after her mother’s death. A lucky telephone bidder won the lot for $2 million (est. $600,000-800,000).
Having set a record for a charity auction at Christies, the action-packed event and jam-packed room ended the night with roaring applause for a wildly successful night of art fundraising for a good cause.
If you take a stroll down 14th St. this weekend, be prepared for an unexpected art encounter.
Art in Odd Places (AiOP) presents their fourth consecutive annual showcase: a variety of performances, theatrics, public installations, small and large-scale interventions, and–well–happenings between October 1 and October 10, all on 14th street.
The exhibition, named Rituals, revolves around the ideas of rituals, habits or traditions.
Find performance works and art encounters scattered on 14th Street from the High Line all the way to Avenue A. Some of the projects have specific schedules while others are installations. Check out AiOP’s projects page to decide what you’d like to see and when.
Are you a tech geek like me? If so, grab your smart phone or tablet, scan the QR code (like the one here), and enjoy the self-guided audio tour.
The events kick-off with an opening reception/party this Friday September 30th at Theaterlab (137 W 14th Street) from 6-9pm. It features musical performances and several of the performance art pieces from the Rituals exhibition. In addition to the opening reception there are other special events and tours here.
We plan to have some encounters with art in odd places. Post your pics and stories of AiOP suggestions on our Facebook or Twitter pages!
- Jen Wallace
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If you haven’t yet had the experience of walking trough, around and looking up at Richard Serra’s massive experiential steel sculptures, then this is a must-see show. If you’ve already experienced Serra’s work, then I know you’re probably hungry for more.
Richard Serra is one of the most influential and accomplished artists of his generation. MoMA held a (great) retrospective of his work in the summer of 2007. There is currently a retrospective of his drawings at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. His works can also be seen in public spaces all over the world.
The show will consist of two large, new, complex steel works, Junction (2011) 13′ tall & 75′ x 49′ and Cycle (2010) 14′ tall & 57′ x 55′.
Juction by Richard Serra
Serra’s monumental, minimalist steel sculptures transform the space surrounding them. Walking through a Serra sculpture often makes me introspective and contemplating ideas of structural creation, cities, strength, isolation, and “how can little me make a big impact on the world?”
“I consider space to be a material. The articulation of space has come to take precedence over other concerns. I attempt to use sculptural form to make space distinct.” – Richard Serra
I first saw Serra’s work in person at a Chelsea gallery in 2003 when I was in school and had just moved to New York…and I think it left me forever changed. His work can have that large of an impact.
Although I gave you short notice on the opening, the show is up for over two months. If you can’t make it tonight, make sure to see it while you still can.
Gagosian Gallery Richard Serra – Junction/Cycle
Sep. 14 – Nov. 26 Opening Reception TONIGHT (9/14) 6-8pm
555 W 24th St.
New York, NY
- Jen Wallace
(For more this week, if you want a little more Gagosian and a dose of Andy Warhol head to the opening of Liz on Friday from 6-8 at their21st St. Gallery.)
