| | Exhibitors Bring their Greatest Works to the World’s Most Influential Art Fair: TEFAF
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2011 TEFAF Maastricht. Photo: Loraine Bodewes.
MAASTRICHT.- Exhibitors at TEFAF Maastricht put their finest works of art to one side to bring to the world’s most influential art and antiques fair. Sometimes tracking them down has involved specialist knowledge and skilled detective work while in other cases their recent history has been more straightforward. But the one unifying factor at The European Fine Art Fair is quality. At the 24th edition of TEFAF, which takes place at the MECC (Maastricht Exhibition and Congress Centre) in Maastricht in the southern Netherlands from 18 – 27 March 2011, the standard of the exhibits is breathtaking. Visitors to the Fair will see one of the last jewels created by Salvador Dali, a pair of porcelain leopards almost certainly made for a Chinese emperor, the only suit of late 15th-century German jousting armour still in private hands and an entire room devoted to the painter Joan Miró.
The Miró exhibition is being mounted by La ... More |
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Sotheby's Sale of Property from The Estate of Queen Juliana Raises More Than €5 Million For Charity
Mark Grol, auctioneer and managing director of Sotheby's, auctions items of the Dutch Royals on the first day of a four-day auction in Amsterdam. AP Photo/Peter Dejong.
AMSTERDAM.- Sotheby’s four-day sale of Property from the Estate of Queen Juliana of the Netherlands concluded today, raising more than €5 million for charity, well in excess of the pre-sale estimate of €1.5 million*. Patrick van Maris, Managing Director of Sotheby’s Europe and the Middle East, said: “After four days and over thirty-four hours of auctioneering, all 10,000 items offered in 1,535 lots have found a new home, resulting in a “white-glove” sale. The illustrious provenance of each and every object attracted competitive bidding from fervent admirers of Queen Juliana, not only in the Netherlands, but also from around the world.” Commenting on the results, Mark Grol, Managing Director of Sotheby’s Amsterdam, and one of the auctioneers, said: “It was an honour to sell all the objects from the property of the estate of Queen Juliana. Many members of the Royal Household hav ... More | | Walker Art Center Acquires Merce Cunningham Dance Company Collection
Andy Warhol, set pieces for RainForest, 1968.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN.- The Walker Art Center and Cunningham Dance Foundation (CDF) announce the Walker’s acquisition of a comprehensive collection of artist-made set pieces, costumes, painted drops, and props, created for the internationally renowned Merce Cunningham Dance Company (MCDC). Over the course of his nearly 70-year career, Merce Cunningham (1919-2009) redefined the visual and performing arts through pioneering collaborations with leading artists, designers, and musicians. More than 150 objects created by such artists as Robert Rauschenberg, Jasper Johns, Andy Warhol, John Cage, and Frank Stella will arrive at the Walker this year and be displayed for the first time beginning in November 2011. The placement of these works at the Walker supports a key goal of CDF’s Legacy Plan—ensuring the preservation and ongoing accessibility of the Company’s singular collection of 20th century art. The acquisition ... More | | Frieder Burda Provides Personal Insight into His Art Collection for the First Time
The collector Frieder Burda before the the work "Concetto spaziale, Attese" from Lucio Fontana. Burda bought this work on 1968 and it was the first in his collection. © Museum Frieder Burda.
BADEN-BADEN.- More than six years after the inauguration of the Museum Frieder Burda, its founder provides a very personal insight into his collection. On the occasion of his seventy-fifth birthday, Frieder Burda selects the exhibits from his meanwhile some one thousand works of art. About 80 works will be on view from March 18 to May 15, 2011, and stand for specific focuses and phases in the assembly of the private collection. Entitled Lebenslinien – Stationen einer Sammlung / Lifelines – Stations of a Collection, the exhibition includes sculptures, objects, and, in particular, paintings. Starting with the brightly colored paintings of German Expressionism, which left a marked impression on Frieder Burda in his childhood home, over the course of the years he has assembled a distinguished collection of art of the 20th and 21st century. It primarily focuses on American ... More |
 | Kofi Annan and His Wife Explore the Sakip Sabanci Collection of Ottoman Calligraphy
Kofi Annan and his wife Nane Marie Annan.
ISTANBUL.- The former Secretary-General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan, and his wife, Nane Marie Annan, visited the Sabanci University Sakip Sabanci Museum in Istanbul. They were welcomed upon their arrival by Guler Sabanci, who accompanied the couple during their viewing of the Sakip Sabanci Calligraphy Collection. Kofi Annan and his wife Nane Marie Annan explored the collection with great interest and admiration. The deputy general manager of the Sabanci Foundation, Zerrin Koyunsagan, and the programme director of Sabanci Foundation, Filiz Bukmen Bugay, were also in attendance. Following the viewing, Guler Sabanci informed Kofi Annan of the Sabanci Foundation’s “Joint Program to Promote and Protect Human Rights of Women and Girls,” which was started five years ago by the foundation, and is currently run jointly with the United Nations. Foll ... More | | United States Government Demands Saint Louis Art Museum Hand Over Egyptian Artifact
The 3,200-year-old Ka-Nefer-Nefer mummy mask. AP Photo/Saint Louis Art Museum.
ST. LOUIS (REUTERS).- A fight between the U.S. government and the St. Louis Art Museum over a death mask from ancient Egypt intensified on Wednesday as the government formally demanded the museum hand over the disputed object. The 3,200-year-old mask of Ka-Nefer-Nefer, a 19th Dynasty noblewoman, sits on display in the basement of the museum. The federal complaint contends the mask was stolen from Egypt before the museum obtained it for $500,000 in 1998. The complaint, which included a request for a restraining order preventing the museum from disposing of the mask during the legal proceedings, came a month after the museum sued the government to try to block the seizure of the mask. U.S. Attorney Richard Callahan said the dispute was "unfortunate" and would be "resolved by the courts ... More | | Canvases and Letters Show how Pink Floyd Founder Syd Barrett Put Painting Before Pop Music
The late Syd Barrett in an undated photo. REUTERS/Courtesy of Pink Floyd Music Ltd Archive.
By: Mike Collett-White
LONDON (REUTERS).- He helped create one of rock's greatest bands, but the late Syd Barrett always considered himself a painter before a Pink Floyd founder. Speaking at an exhibition of the troubled musician's canvases and letters, his sister Rosemary Breen said Barrett could never understand why people put his brief success with Pink Floyd ahead of his lifelong passion for art. "His art was the real him," Breen told Reuters in an interview, surrounded by dozens of works left behind by Barrett, who died of cancer in 2006 aged 60. "He was firstly an artist and secondly a musician. If ever he was asked what he did, the reaction would always be 'I'm an artist', never 'I'm a musician.'" Barrett, she added, did not understand why he was so famous, despite being an original ... More |
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The Victoria & Albert Museum Announces the Shortlist for the Jameel Prize 2011
The Invisible Masters, 2008. Photo: Jonathan Greet, courtesy of October Gallery.
LONDON.- The V&A announce the shortlist for the Jameel Prize 2011 on Thursday 17 March 201 1 at Art Dubai. Ten artists and designers have been shortlisted for this year’s prize, which is awarded every two years. They are: Noor Ali Chagani, Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian, Bita Ghezelayagh, Babak Golkar, Hayv Kahraman, Aisha Khalid, Rachid Koraïchi, Hazem El Mestikawy, Hadieh Shafie, Soody Sharifi. Almost 200 nominations for the Jameel Prize 2011 were received, from countries as diverse as the United States, Spain, Nigeria, Egypt and Pakistan. A panel of judges, chaired by V&A Director, Sir Mark Jones, selected the shortlist of ten artists and designers. Mark Jones said: “The quality of the work shortlisted for this year’s Jameel Prize is outstanding. The output of the finalists is very varied, reflecting the richness and diversity of the Islamic traditions that inspired them. The work shows how
... More | | More than 130 International Artists and Writers Threaten Boycott of Guggenheim in UAE
File photo of laborers working on a newly constructed housing village for construction workers. AP Photo/Andrew Parsons.
By: Michael Casey, Associated Press
DUBAI (AP).- More than 130 international artists and writers vowed Thursday to boycott a branch of the Guggenheim Museum under construction in Abu Dhabi, unless authorities do more to protect the rights of workers on the site. Human Rights Watch released a statement from the artists saying they will refuse to cooperate with the project until Guggenheim and Abu Dhabi authorities ensure that workers are reimbursed for any recruitment fees they paid and hire "a reputable independent monitor" that will make its findings about working conditions public. The Tourism Development and Investment Company in Abu Dhabi, which is the government-owned developer of Saadiyat Island, where the museum is being built, said in a statement that it already was implementing many of the recommendations urged by Human Rights Watch. The artists say "human rights violations are currently ... More | | Christie's New York City Charity "Bid to Save the Earth" Auction Pledges to Benefit Environment
File photo of David Rockefeller Jr. and Susan Rockefeller arriving at Christies Green Auction. AP Photo/Charles Sykes.
NEW YORK (AP).- A day of golfing and lunch with former president Bill Clinton, flying with Harrison Ford on his private aircraft and sailing off the coast of Maine with the Rockefellers are just a few of the celebrity and luxury items being offered at an auction to benefit four leading environmental organizations. The online component of the second annual Bid to Save the Earth auction was launched Thursday and runs through April 7. A live companion sale is scheduled for March 29 at Christie's auction house. The event will benefit the Central Park Conservancy, Conservation International, the Natural Resources Defense Council and Oceana. It raised $2.4 million for the four organizations last year. "It's a fabulous opportunity to raise awareness about nonprofit organizations that are doing some of the most innovative and important work," said Sue Rockefeller, the chair of Oceana's ocean council, who with her husband, David Roc ... More |
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Photographer Mitch Epstein Wins the 2011 Prix Pictet Photography Prize for Environmental Sustainability
The two photographers were selected from a shortlist of twelve.
LONDON.- Kofi Annan, Honorary President of the Prix Pictet, announced this evening, Thursday 17 March 2011, Mitch Epstein as the winner of the third Prix Pictet photography prize for environmental sustainability. The prize is sponsored by the Swiss bank, Pictet & Cie, with a value of 100,000 Swiss Francs (100,000 dollars, €80,000). The announcement was made at the opening of an exhibition of the works of the 12 shortlisted photographers at the Paris gallery, Passage de Retz. Jacques de Saussure, Senior Partner of Pictet, awarded the 40,000 Swiss Francs (40,000 dollars, €30,000) commission to the US photographer Chris Jordan to undertake a field trip to Northern Kenya where Pictet & Cie is currently supporting the work of the environmental charity, the Tusk Trust. The two photographers were selected from a shortlist of twelve, namely Christian Als, Edward Burtynsky, Stéphane Couturier, Mitch Epstein, Chris Jordan, ... More | | Michelangelo Pistoletto to Orchestrate Bordeaux's Urban and Artistic Rendezvous
Michelangelo Pistoletto. © F Deval Mairie de Bordeaux.
BORDEAUX.- Evento 2011 will be held in Bordeaux from 6 to 16 October 2011. This year’s version of the city’s urban and artistic rendezvous is being orchestrated by Michelangelo Pistoletto, an emblematic figure in contemporary art. The twofold hub of his artistic project and intellectual approach involves art as a vehicle of social transformation, and a desire to turn Bordeaux into one huge experimental platform. The event will summon all manner of artistic expression to explore new perspectives in the economic, political, social and ecological fields. Michelangelo Pistoletto’s goal is to produce both with and in Bordeaux an alternative model for living better together, a novel linkage between cultures; and, through art, he aims to achieve an “urban re-evolution” for tomorrow’s cities. Bordeaux is giving carte blanche to Michelangelo Pistoletto and the Cittadellarte. After the success o ... More | | $125,871 Paid for Kate Middleton's See-Through Dress at Kerry Taylor Auctions
A bidder, representing an anonymous buyer, raises his buyer card, foreground, to bid, successfully, for the see-through knitted lace dress. AP Photo/Sang Tan.
By: Aaron Edwards, Associated Press
LONDON (AP).- A revealing piece of royal history was sold Thursday for 78,000 pounds ($125,871) when an unidentified buyer bought the infamous see-through dress Kate Middleton wore back in 2002 when she and Prince William were university friends. Some reports maintain that the sight of Middleton in the transparent dress as she walked down the catwalk at a charity fashion show helped convince William that she was someone he wanted to get to know better. Whether or not the see-through black dress was a major factor, they soon became boyfriend and girlfriend, starting a long-term romance that will bring them to the altar of Westminster Abbey on April 29. The dress was supposed to be a skirt, but Middleton wore it as a dress showing her black underwear ... More |
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 New York Gallery Week Announces Its Second Annual Event to Be Held May 6-8NEW YORK, NY.- New York Gallery Week announced its second annual event, scheduled from Friday, May 6 to Sunday, May 8, 2011. Following 2010’s highly successful kick-off year, this year’s NYGW has expanded with the participation of 60 contemporary art galleries and not-for-profit spaces. And once again, complementing the 60 solo exhibitions will be scores of free events and programs, such as guided gallery tours by artists, curators, art historians; panel discussion; film screenings; performances; special artist receptions; book signings; and more. This year’s NYGW will benefit the Whitney Museum. In conjunction with NYGW, members of the museum’s curatorial staff will participate in select programs throughout the weekend; and the weekend will culminate with NYGW’s own gala (Saturday, May 7) held at the Museum. Like 2010, New York Gallery Week is actually a long weekend where galleries are ope ... More Art Gallery of Ontario Lures Canadian Talent to Spearhead the European Art Department TORONTO.- The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) has hired Lloyd DeWitt as its new Curator, European Art. DeWitt, an Ontario native, joins the AGO’s curatorial team on June 6. Currently the Associate Curator of the John G. Johnson Collection at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, DeWitt will oversee the European department and its collection, program exhibitions, elevate the Gallery’s presentation of its holdings for local and international audiences, and work with colleagues to develop synergies between collecting areas across the institution. “Lloyd will work with the Gallery’s most prized collections of old master paintings and sculpture,” explained Matthew Teitelbaum, the AGO’s Michael and Sonja Koerner director, and CEO. “He is ideally suited to advance our commitment to presenting art in dynamic new ways.” DeWitt is an art historian, author, and educator specializing in northern Baroque and no ... More The Opera Gallery Gives The Queen the Royal Salute to the Wedding!LONDON.- Artist Rich Simmons produced his dynamic art on the external walls of the Opera Gallery using spray cans and stencils on New Bond Street “ I have met the Queen, she’s really nice. I’m not sure she would like my work, but I definitely think Wills would. I have huge respect for the Royals and for the upcoming wedding, I think they are great role models and I have done this picture as a gift after all the help I received from the Princes Trust when I was a struggling artist. This is my way of giving back, do come and see my art which is now for sale at The Opera Gallery!’ Rich Simmons. Jean-David Malat, Director of Opera Gallery London, was delighted by the art piece and all of the media attention it has brought the collaboration between Rich Simmons and The Opera Gallery. Rich Simmon’s pieces including this live piece of art are available to view and purchase from The Opera Gallery fro ... More Amercan Artist Jeff Guess Exhibition on View at La Criee Centre for Contemporary ArtsRENNES.- From 18 March to 17 April, as part of Le Sténopé, un procédé photographique – Le Monde par le trou d’une aiguille ("Pinhole Photography: An Original Look at the World"), American artist Jeff Guess looks into the pinhole concept via a three-part presentation: an installation comprising two video projections – Disambiguation (2004 [2011]) and Addressability (2011) – and the photographic object Partially Instantiated Object (2011). The two latter pieces have been specially made for the exhibition. Jeff Guess’ practice is pervaded by consideration of the processes at work in the creation of technical images and the way such images continuously interweave with language. His early work resulted in the making of optical devices drawing directly on photography’s technical and historical principles, notably the pinhole camera. His experiments then gradually moved towards information technology. His most recent work centres on the specific character ... More Foujita and Van Dongen Portraits will Be Exhibited at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art for the Blumental FestivalTEL AVIV.- Since 1999 the annual Felicja Blumental International Music Festival has played an important role in making the musical scene interesting and alive. Although Tel Aviv has always been well known for its classical music activities, it never before had a classical music festival that combines, in one intense and exciting week: The annual Guitar Week, a colorful selection of concerts, movies and theatre productions, Chamber music, orchestral concerts, recitals, vocal music, folk music and family programs. Featuring great musicians and ensembles from all over the world. Works by Bach, Percy Grainger, Villa Lobos, Schubert and Lior Navok are only part of this special April 2011 Festival program. Join us for a week that you are sure to remember for the whole ye ... More Scottish National Portrait Gallery to Receive £2M Funding Boost LONDON.- Portrait of the Nation, the project to renovate and revitalise the Scottish National Portrait Gallery has received a £2 million funding boost from Scottish Government. Thanks to this additional grant, the initial target for the first phase of the fund-raising campaign has been reached. The renovations to the building can be completed, the new services introduced and the original features restored, allowing the world’s first purpose-built portrait gallery, which opened in 1889 to be fully utilised. The completed Portrait Gallery will open on 30 November 2011. Minister for Culture Fiona Hyslop said: “The renovated National Portrait Gallery will be a celebration of Scottish art, culture and history displaying one of our most valued collections in an impressive and innovative space in time for the Year of Creativity in 2012. We have been a strong sup ... More |
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