ART Punctuate!

Blood Art: How Vile is Painting with Vials?

 

Would you be grossed out or intrigued if someone told you they had just purchased the most magnificent painting ever...and it was all made with human blood?  

I have been thinking about the Daily News article my friend sent me the other day reporting on celebrity photographer/artist Tyler Shields' latest artistic endeavor; painting an artwork using celebrity blood. My emotional pendulum  regarding this concept is still oscillating. 

At least 20 of Hollywood's famous have offered up their veins to give Shields the "ink" he needs for this sanguine artwork . The finished piece will be the focal point of his latest show "Life is Not a Fairytale" scheduled to open up on May 7th in Los Angeles.

I think about all that blood commingling, on the canvas and get a little unsettled....ok, strike that, I'm skeeved out.  

The Daily News reports, "We drew vials and vials of blood from people," Shields explained, as we grew weak in the knees. "I have a refrigerator full of blood right now in my bedroom, which is hilarious." ...or gross depending on your particular sensitivities. 

Like a rubber-necker staring at a train wreck,  I am curious about artists who have the desire and stomach to create this way.  I think it is macabre and slightly creepy, but nevertheless fascinating.  

Intrigued by the whole concept, I found a few more artists who paint in blood, including the Australian tattoo artist Rev Mayer who uses his own blood to create intricate works of art. At a recent Tattoo and Body Art festival Mayer was supposed to paint live, but the Health Department shut the whole operation down citing health reasons.

The next two artists on the list, Tinet Imgren and Vanessa Tiegs come with an extra caveat. Not only do they paint in blood, but the way they procure it is, well, very unorthodox.   I am too squimish and grossed out to go into details here... but if you dare, follow the link under each painting to see how these female artists get the blood they need to create.  

Double Eckk. 

Tinet Imgren

Vanessa Tiegs, Menstrala

 

Rev Mayer, The Blood Painter

Delphine Diallo: How to Crash an Art Viewing Party

 

Last week, after receiving an announcement through the "internet grapevine", I went to see the work of Delphine Diallo and ended up having quite a unique experience. The collaged photograph on the invitation intrigued me so much that I decided I would go and see her work up close and in-person. I hadn't encountered Ms. Diallo's work before but it was reminiscent of the renowned photographer Peter Beard's style.  I rsvp'ed to the event and asked for a confirmation. Radio silence. I decided to go anyway.  Little did I know that I'd be crashing her private art viewing party.

Work of Delphine Diallo

As soon as I walked into the studio space on 20th Street, I could tell that I had stumbled into a party that was a little bit more "exclusive" than I expected. The space was small and intimate. Everyone knew each other and exchanged the hugs, kisses and banter of familiar friends. I was the orange at this party of apples.  But, life is entirely too short to pass up an interesting opportunity, so I stayed and eased my way into the mix...  

 

Love for Japan & Queens of New York

It's a another rainy, dreary day in New York, but once again there are a few things going on to feel sunny about.  Joe Mangrum, a New York City "sidewalk artist" that I have been following has donated some of his art work for a silent auction in support of Japan.  The fundraiser is hosted by Martha Stewart, and Wynton Marsalis will be performing. It's being held at EN Japanese Brassiere, a modern day izakaya, which seems to be the Japanese version of a tapas bar.  All of the proceeds (100%) will be donated in support of the Japanese Society's Earthquake Relief Fund & the Japanese Red Cross in New York City.  Unfortunately, at $250 for an advanced ticket and $300 at the door, I will have to live vicariously through the media reports on this one. However, in the meantime, I am scouring my sources to find charity events that may be less impactful to the pocket. One another note, En's very reasonable  lunch prices, do entice me to check them out at a later date to see what the Saikyo Miso Black Cod is all about. 

 

I sure do hope for better weather tomorrow, because I plan to attend the event "Queens of New York" featuring work by photographer and mixed media artist Delphine Diallo. Either way, rain or shine, I will be there to see Ms. Diallo's show based on the announcement for her exhibition alone. The featured piece on the publication is reminiscent of the collaged photographic images in Peter Beard's art diaries that I used to thumb through on my father's bookshelf years ago.  I am curious to see what the rest of her work looks like. 

Delphine Diallo

  Peter Beard Fayal Tall, 1987

 Gelatin silver print with gelatin silver print collage, found objects, ink

40 x 30 inches

How Wonderfully Bazaar!

Art & Gallery Shows

theartbazaar.com

As promised, I am reporting back on the "goings-ons" over at The Art Bazaar. I tried to drag my friend Sherry with me to the gallery, but she feigned having to work on some special project...something to do with her wanting to advance her career or something silly like that.

Anyway, it was just as well that I went alone because I got a chance to stay awhile and managed to have a great conversation with the gallery's co-owner and one of the exhibiting artists. Let me tell you, if there is one thing an emerging artist could get excited about in this dreg of an economy, The Art Bazaar is definitely it. 

The Art Bazaar is a space managed by gallerist Michael Lyons Wier. Fourteen artists were selected on a first come, first served basis by The Art Bazaar to showcase their works in this bright and open space on a high traffic Chelsea corner.  The exhibitors paid a fee of $250 to participate and from what I could tell, received an excellent platform for exhibiting works and drawing an audience in a very respectable and professional space.

Cassandra

 

Tobias Batz , Damon Pablo , Melissa Silverman

The most impressive thing about the Art Bazaar is that according to them, they do not do any preliminary screening. None. It is completely on a first come, first served basis. That essentially means that, well, "they get is what they get."  My mind couldn't help but question if  The Art Bazaar is ever concerned that they will wind up with bad stick figure drawings scribbled in cheap finger paint or, in essence, "bad art." But Ms. Deanne Shashoua, the The Art Bazaar's Co-Founder/Director and also wife of gallery owner Michael Lyons-Wier, suggests that the process of giving all artists the fair chance to exhibit adds and element of freshness, excitement and surprise. That fact that they don't know what they will get is part of the appeal, in this "democratically curated" show.  It just so happens that the “pluck of the draw” in this year’s crop of participants appear to be a nice mix of styles, techniques, mediums and expressions; balanced nicely within the space.  A stand out favorite of mine is Yeji Jun, whose paintings are displayed in an installation of small canvases featuring abstract designs along with whimsical sayings and platitudes. 

  Oscar Dotter 

 

Yeji Jun

 

John Kneapler

I speculate to Ms. Shashoua, that in order to apply to The Art Bazaar, most artists must already have  self-confidence that they are good enough to cut the mustard at an NYC gallery, because after all no one wants to embarrass themselves, right? Ms. Shoshoua interjects and counters that in fact many artists are still finding their voice, exposing their work for the first time and observing the audience's response---and the Art Bazaar is a good place to help them in that process.  She says that the event is also a place for established artists to test out a new medium or technique on an audience. 

The Art Bazaar's event was first organized in 2009, out of the gallery's desire to make good use of the slow gallery season. It was a huge success coming right out of the gate. Ms. Shashoua says that the first time the event was advertised they received a line of artists that wrapped around the corner. Now, potential participates must apply online. To-date, they have sold $100,000 worth of artist's work. 

One of the participating artists, Edward Eichel, stops by to take some photos of his work. He is a well travelled artist for over 30 years, full of life experience and art tales. He and I get into an interesting conversation about science, agriculture, traveling ...and of course, his artwork. His portion of the exhibit features English Bulldogs drawn in black ink. The Art Bazaar for him it seems, is a way to keep his creative juices flowing. 

Any artist who is interested in getting their work out there for the first time, or keeping their creativity fresh should get to know The Art Bazaar. Right now, the gallery is transitioning into its next exhibit, this time for photographers.  From March 15-27, they will be holding the Photo Bazaar. The exhibit is held alongside AIPAD Photography Show (The Association of International Photography Art Dealers).

 

 

The Art Bazaar!

Art & Gallery Shows

I have been like "art on speed" lately, dragging my friends to see this show and that,  but I am hoping to trick convince one of my friends into going to this fair with me. I will report back for all those who can't attend. 

 

 
 

Gearing up for The Amory

Get ready...The Amory is back in town!

                         www.thearmoryshow.com