Highlights: Art Basel Miami Beach '13

For those of us who were unable to attend Art Basel Miami Beach this past weekend, take a quick 60 seconds to check out this video highlighting 60 works that were on view at the fair. VIDEO: 60 Works in 60 Seconds: Art Basel Miami Beach 2013

Better yet, spare two minutes and watch the second video too, which highlights 60 works from Pulse, one of the several satellite fairs that take place during Basel and by far my most favorite.  VIDEO: 60 Works in 60 Seconds: Pulse Miami 2013

Below is a sort of photo essay of works that I was particularly interested in while keeping up on the weekend's fairs, museum openings, and public art exhibits. In addition to the short videos above, the following pieces give us a glimpse into just some of the outstanding work of contemporary artists. To me, these pieces demonstrate the intrigue and intelligence of contemporary art - their forms, subjects, and ideas and what the works leave behind - and points to what artists are observing in society today. Buzzing with excitement, humor, aggression and more, they challenge our beliefs head on.

                              

       

     Magnus Opus (2013) by Ryan Gander at Lisson Gallery, Art Basel Miami Beach

Carta (2013) by Mark Bradford at Hauser & Wirth, Art Basel Miami Beach

 

  

 Detail, Face in the Crowd Film Strip #1 (2013) by Alex Prager's work at Lehmann Maupin Gallery, Art Basel Miami Beach

  (detail)

THEYSAYIAMDIFFERENT (2013) by Markus Linnenbrink at Ameringer McEnery Yohe, Art Basel Miami Beach

 

No More Words (2013) by Sam Durant at Sadie Coles, Art Basel Miami Beach

Untitled (Don't Shoot) (2013) by Barbara Kruger at Spruth Magers, Art Basel Miami Beach

 Incident, Roxy Paine (2013) at Marianne Boesky Gallery, Art Basel Miami Beach

  There is no fucking peace 2003 is the year for hate (2003) by Tracey Emin at Lehmann Maupin Gallery, Art Basel Miami Beach (artist present at right side)

Psychic Heartbeat (2013) by Jenny Morgan at Driscoll Babcock Gallery, Pulse Miami

MOTHERFUCKER (2012) by Jack Pierson at Cheim & Read, Art Basel Miami Beach

 Candy Colts (2012) by Darren Lago at Davidson Contemporary, Pulse Miami

 Eddie Martinez (left) and Ryan McGinness (right) at Kohn Gallery, Art Basel Miami Beach   

Torrent (2013) by Marilyn Minter at Salon 94, Art Basel Miami Beach

Real Fake (2013) by Scott Reeder, Public Art Sector of Art Basel Miami Beach

Le Déjeuner Sur Bow Wow Wow (2013) by Amy Wong

Boat (2012) by Zhu Jinshi, part of the 28 Chinese exhibition at the Rubell Family Collection

Power and Kingdom (2007- 2010) by Zhu Jinshi, part of the 28 Chinese exhibition at the Rubell Family Collection

 The Death of Marat (2011) by He Xiangyu, part of the 28 Chinese exhibition at the Rubell Family Collection 

Forever (Stainless Steel Bicycles in Gilding) 3 Pairs (2013) by Ai Weiwei at Galerie Urs Meileby, Art Basel Miami Beach

Fuck Off Art Cunts (2011) by Simon Thompson at Robert Fontaine Gallery at Scope Art Fair

  

 Arrival of the King (Paradise Lost Series) (2011-2012) by Raqib Shaw at White Cube, Art Basel Miami Beach

Know What I Mean? (2013) by Mel Bochner at Two Palms, Art Basel Miami Beach

 

Striding Figure (Rome I) (2013) by Thomas Houseago on view in Collins Park, Public Art Sector of Art Basel Miami Beach 

Canal Street (2012) by Mishka Henner at Yossi Milo, Miami Project Art Fair

Pimp Barack Obama (2012) by Scott Scheidley at Spoke Art Gallery, SCOPE Art Fair

 Remain in Light #7 (2013) by Maya Hayuk, mural on Wynwood Walls, Art Basel 2013

 (clockwise) I know, I know, I know (2002), I listen to the Ocean and All I hear is You (2011), Never Again! (2012) by Tracey Emin at MOCA Miami's exhibition "Tracey Emin: Angel Without You"

The Broadway Triangle Art Wall in RiNo

There's a new gallery in town folks, but this ain't your typical rodeo. Instead of an establishment made up of four walls, its works are to be seen on the side of a wall. Dubbing itself the first "public art gallery" of its kind in Denver, this gallery plans to take its art out of the usual white cube realm art exhibitions, opting instead to display its work out on the street smack dab in the middle of the city's most culturally relevant neighborhood at present. May I introduce to you, the Broadway Triangle Art Wall.

Located at Larimer and Broadway in the River North District (RiNo) - the up and coming neighborhood that is quickly rising in the Denver arts, culture and restaurant scene - the Broadway Triangle Art Wall is the brainchild of Denver based developer Focus Property Group LLC and Denver based architect firm Tres Birds Workshop. The duo is using the side of their newly developed building - where a number of delicious restaurants are soon to open this month - to create a permanent outdoor exhibition space. Witnessing the neighborhood's unique blend of urban culture with that of its creative community, the wall brings an important outlet for artists to display sanctioned works of art on our streets without the fear of removal. This is significant, seeing as Denver has a plethora of eclectic graffiti art that is always under the threat of removal no matter the talent that lies behind it - just take a walk along the alleyways of South Broadway where you'll find some incredible examples. Granted, this sort of graffiti art and "tagging" uses private businesses as a canvas, creating a costly problem of vandalism for city officials. Thus, to have an established vehicle for this public art, such as the Broadway Triangle Art Wall, is a step in the right direction.

Officially, the wall's purpose is to offer the community a "rotating outdoor mural exhibit," featuring work by local, national and international artists every six months. The wall measures 48 x 8 feet and is divided into four sections, each designated to showing individual works measuring 12 x 8 feet. Conveying the building's dedication to presenting artworks long term, the walls' display is permanently fitted for artists to hang each piece after their completion in the studio - setting them apart from the usual street art process wherein artists create while on site. The first installment of the project, which had its unveiling during a First Friday Art Walk on Nov. 1st, features local talents Like Minded Productions (Jonathan Lamb and Michael Ortiz), artist trio Pedro Barrios, Jaime Molina and Joseph Martinez (aka Palabros/Collabros), Jolt of Guerilla Garden, and international artists Harikrishnan Panicker and Deepti Nair, both of whom hail from Mumbai, India and now call Denver home.

To learn more about the works currently on view, read 303 Magazine's article Concrete Canvas: The Broadway Triangle Art Wall. You can also visit the wall's Facebook page to stay tuned in on its upcoming projects.

Laura Krudener "Suspended Chaos" at Plus Gallery

 

Laura Krudener's first solo exhibition received a great response on its opening night at Plus Gallery,  where Krudener is represented in Denver, CO. Titled "Suspended Chaos," the show presents the artist's exciting new body of work. Comprised of eight large scale paintings, these works examine the ways in which we struggle to find stillness amongst a society that runs on endless news feeds, an overload of information and visually stimulating content. 

The sporadic movement captured on Krudener's raw canvases juxtaposes the thick and heavy weight of her paint pours, which she applies from above the canvas. The bold colors of enamel and acrylic paint explode against one another - creating a color discord, somewhat, with pinks, oranges, blues, and yellows all fighting for attention and yet floating together. Additionally, each work is embellished with unique mark making, where Krudener uses marker and charcoal to follow along some of the pours or to become an extension of them. 

Dripping in Gold, 2013, Acrylic, enamel, charcoal, and marker on raw canvas, 60 x 60 in.

Krudener's process is entirely additive, meaning each pour and action sets the stage for the next motion until the painting reaches its completion. This, combined with her unplanned compositions and the receding edges of her canvases, result in a stunning effect that literally leave the the works hanging in suspension. It is as if, when we look at these paintings, we are actually looking into our own lives, hanging in the delicate balance of always being "on the go" while attempting to find the peace and stillness we all are seeking. 

Awakened Dreamers, 2013, Acrylic, enamel, charcoal, and marker on raw canvas, 84x108 in.

It is altogether beautiful yet eery, the way Krudener can make these seemingly simple observations and create works that are truly of this time and which speak to our souls. That said, this new body of work certainly attributes to her recognition as a standout artist amongst the field of abstract expressionism - one many say has over saturated today's art market. Rather than giving us more of the same, Krudener is contributing to the longstanding tradition of abstract expressionism by capturing an emotional intensity that speaks to our spirituality and uncovers our deepest feelings. After spending some time with these works, I find myself contemplating their meanings days later - their bold colors and sweeping movements still resonating - and ultimately, what they mean to me.

Twisted and Unraveling (Triptych), 2013, Acrylic, enamel, charcoal, and marker on raw canvas 36 x 36 in.

Laura Krudener is an abstract painter living and working in Denver, Colorado. She was recently profiled in this month's Colorado edition of Luxe Magazine and on the online magazine Curbed.com, which you can see here http://curbed.com/archives/2013/08/28/inside-the-edgy-interiors-of-elizabeth-bolognino.php. You can also visit the artist's personal website at http://laurakrudener.com/.

Send Pascal to Chicago!

One of Pascal's "Flat" Magnets

I was recently blown away while waiting for my iced vanilla latte at the wonderful Pablo's Coffee on 6th & Washington - the best coffee in Denver, if you ask me. Like many coffee shops nowadays, art and other eye catching decorations adorn Pablo's walls for customers to look at while waiting for their drinks (a much better option than staring at your smartphone). This time though, it wasn't the typical local artisans trying to sell their work but rather, a 5 year old boy named Pascal trying to make his way to Chicago.

Pascal's story tells viewers of his trips to the Denver Art Museum, and how one show in particular led him to Nick Cave, well known American sculptor, dancer, and performance artist. Nick Cave's exhibition Sojourn, which was on view at DAM this past summer, exhibited Cave's new body of work called Rescues, his much anticipated and previously unseen Soundsuits,

Example of one of Nick Cave's Soundsuits

along with several performance pieces shown via video projection and live performances the artist was while on location. There is no question that the highlight was seeing Cave's installations of his new Soundsuits, wearable fabric sculptors that he has been making for over 20 years. They are vibrant pieces, full of color, movement and imagination. Nick Cave's work has a way of creeping through the cracks of our minds and bodies that is both unforgettable and awe inspiring, sending us on a journey out of this world. 

 
 
Cave's work is loved and admired by many people, adults and kids alike. Still, I never thought it would become a five year old's dream to go in search of the artist himself, "to dream of a trip to go to Chicago to see Nick Cave's studio," as Pascal says. The colored construction paper lining two walls of Pablo's southwest corner displays pictures and snippets of Pascal's own drawings, paintings, hand-made magnets, wearable buttons, and his own version of Soundsuits. He even had a Soundsuit birthday party (where was my invite?!). You may be wondering, how Pascal is going to get to Chicago and achieve his dream? By selling his buttons and magnets to raise money for the Midwest treck - not only is he an aspiring artist but shows the promise of a businessman! He's selling his "flat" and "fancy" magnets for $2 and $5 a pop, the buttons go for $5. 

As touching as this was, seeing this incredible boy and the way Nick Cave had inspired him, how could I not be inspired in turn? I grabbed a magnet and marched right to the counter to pay for my flat and fancy magnets, leaving the change as donation. With all the excitement, I almost forgot about my latte waiting for me on the counter... almost. 

Help get Pascal to Chicago by buying your own button or magnet, or simply leave a donation. It's a small amount with a big impact. And hey, you might just be buying one of the first original works by a future great American artist.