Day 5......Best for the last

Space Studio..... interesting film by Ursual Mayer....a film reflect on the history of art...and history of collection, a combination of western made artifact.... really interesting subject, almost like a fictional  investigation of art market and life style, worth a visit

http://www.ursulamayer.com/films/

 

A visit to Vyner Street....check out all the galleries that are open....and you can't miss Degree Art with their prettiest gallerists in town, with Iceland snow wolf with emotional music but with 

come with too much wall text.  This is a picture of us try to cross the street without Green Light....blame me on the heath and safety. =( 

A nice visit to the Drawing Room....will be better if we walk through the canal....it a lovely day to enjoy the spirit of been lost..... sadly I come with a bit of dyslexia .... Nathan was right...we should come with compass. 

We end up with a lovely talk by Paul Hedge.... his shirt just get better as exhibition going.....good old Paul .....after art school,  he started off as a postman....post for 12 years....save up money ....and start Hales Gallery with another Paul.... now he present Bob Smith...and Hew Locke....both are hottest news item at the moment... Richard Gaplin's show is lovely to look at as usual....the guy always remind me of my best Italian Hair Dresser friend....stylish...sharp...no fuss...make complicate things looks simple.

It is not usual without dash or two, we can get into the back red sofa area with Paul where he does his magic to Saattchi...and it is where the heat...and cash flow take place........after all these years....Paul still think artists and people who cares about art will make his day worth a while..it must be a tough time to be in art...but I think these guys will be doing alright with their team of artists.  Good luck Paul & Paul...

  

Day 4..... 14 March 2009, Going East.....!! Matts Gallery

Our first stop was Matts Gallery, the Wizard in Art World ....Mr Robin Klassnik.....the director of Matts Gallery open the welcome door....... despite a complete break down in his computer....visiting Matts Gallery is very much an family affairs.... he open the door.....show the way in the gallery.....hand out press release......in green jumper and pair of red trainers..... true art professional. 

Robin gave us a introduction about Matts and about the things he do....what he does best is really working with artists on huge installation...... over the years .....part funded by Arts Council .......Matts put up some of the most critical art work.. and no stranger to Tate and Hayward and national collection. 

But Robin is just a little Wizard....he can never stay still..... keep moving about.... take some flyers....push the TV.... walking here and there across the room.....and for those who wants to start a gallery..... according to Robin....start a gallery is the easiest things in the world....you just need a sigh and you just have to do it!!! Matts gallery really started off from his own studio.....but he kind of shared it to other artists......and weird enough now is one of the biggest project space in East London..... so start put up a sigh and make sure you know a good pub near by....get some act together..... it is a lot simple than you thought!

7th of March....catch up ....check out Saatchi's shopping bag

What you been shopping Mr Saatchi?....big bag of chips or Doritos.... who is this big boy ....laying on the giant bed..... over size shirts....cigi...and Doritos. 

Sadly this wasn't part of art from Middle East....so I guess no interesting work left...

So after China...now is Middle East....it actaully looks like the same show but with different name tag..... dog chu city....now is a little city with nice basketball court.....silver metal sculpture now is a headlesss Middle East looking women. Black and white painting of the Chinese face....now is black and white C-Print of people in Middle East.

Saatchi now operate a bit like Tesco now...everything kinda of staying at where they were......you can always know where to find your veg...and milk...and foil paper..... not only like a convenient supermarket....but Mr Saatchi is going to make all artists stars....look at all these nice CV and black and white photographs..... impressive CV.... hardly any of them live in Middle East....... nice.....surely he forget put on new words call "YMEA" Young Middle East Artists..... 

so what is this show about? Does it raise some issues about what so call "Muslim issue"???? or reflect somewhat so call human/social condition of Middle East? Or it is just a show for a mass entertainment... so families can kill a weekend with daddy new digital camera .....how should we see it..... does the show teach us something? No.... it is not....there is no overall meaning about the exhibition ... not dealing with some issues that get you thinking..... the work is not bad as it is....but they kinda of suffer because it is more about display everything in one go.  

But what you will get is Mr Saatch's shopping bag...if you care....to be honest.... it is nice he collect things all over the world...and bring art from different places to London....but his taste is still very much stay with YBA ... so for me...most of his shows saying little about the world...but more about showing off his giant shopping bag and Doritos ......and who can say no to a cheesy Doritos...   

7th of March....catch up ....Wandsworth Arts Village

Pay a little visit to Wandsworth Art Village, Mark Nader and Cate Kappler ...gave us a little look and tour around the building..... what is interesting things is the model of this studio....it is run with studio specialist and so save all the time and paper work on the students.....and it was nice to see a wonderful and affordable space for young artists.....looks like a lots of fun and sight....!  I hope this project and studio will last, and all the luck to the guys who worked so hard on the project Some dreaming painting behind us..... lets support them by go to their events and bring a wine on the next opening! On 3rd of April at 7:00 

http://www.new.facebook.com/event.php?eid=58032987028&ref=mf

Or Joint their facebook page

http://www.new.facebook.com/pages/Wandsworth-Arts-Village/61464545743?ref=ts

cradle to grave

i discovered an interesting art work in the british museum. "cradle to grave" shows the life story of an average british woman and man relating to their health, ie all the medicine they take over a life time. pills are woven into a long fabric, photos and other things accompany it. artist is susie freeman. room 24. see also http://homepage.mac.com/susiefreeman/pharmacopoeia-art_net/index.html http://www.cradletograve.org/
sabine

march 14 - going east: matt's gallery

"all you need to start a gallery is a sign" robin klassnik tells us...












linday seers' eyes?
'it has to be this way'

march 14 - going east: in the studio

very poetic:
jefford horrigan's performance,
dancing with tables and lamps

march 14 - going east: chisenhale gallery

ulla von brandenburg at chisenhale

a maze of coloured sheets...

... a maze of b/w baroque rooms.

march 14 - going east: the approach e2

collages by lotte gertz and rough, yet delicate wood sculpures by mitzi pederson.

finishing the day off with a beer (or 2) at the gallery pub, of course.

28 March 2009 Go West

It was my first time go to Kingsgate workshop, and it was a very nice walk from West Hampstead...The huge studio complex attach with a new workshop space and an open gallery....looked an Japanese artist is doing a semi Richard Tuttle like multiple show in the gallery space.  

Adam who is the building manager walk around on his mobile...and I was so lucky to catch him when he on sight.  With a red star on his hat..... I knew it should be exciting and liberate talk from the sole.  The Kingsgate space started off as an artists squat sight....as the times goes....the artists get together and started to get the permission to run a building....later on...it started to talk on a formal business structure and deliver community commitment to bring art to the local people. There is mixed of artists and designers from various stage of their career.  We went around a few levels in the building. There are some nice things on the door..... a cardboard peacock in the park....  stain glass looking window.  There are several donation from V & A for the photography dark room..... a dark room for studio artists to use which is really handly.  There is a newly fund workshop spaces going on, open up for two photographers trying to put up a new show.  It is pretty cool space for project...I wish I can do a show there soon. 

With all the effort from Adam and several consultant from NFASP. I know how difficult for creative people try to get organise and try to put paper work together....and try to keep everyone happy.   I wish all the luck to Adam...and I look forward to all the exciting opening events and festival in Summer.  Surely will have a drink with Adam soon. 

Kingsgate Workshops

www.kingsgateworkshops.org.uk

Studio enquiry

www.nfasp.org.uk

28 Feb 2009. Go West

We visited the Lisson Gallery on 1 March 2009.  We went to see Gerard Byrne, it was a pretty interesting show, using of reference to performance artist like Robert Morris with shells  on the glass performance as projection installation....and strange video about Nazi and strange fragment of history... we entry this mass dark space....the setting of the film is almost just as intimating as the film it self..... however... the  upstairs work for me is far more interesting, consist of silent film about river and dead deer.... a black photo still of dead deer, the whole room is paint black.... go against the sun light..... the work is deliberately present itself as silent object....and dark room really draw away the real focus of the work....it is like try to remember the feeling when you travel.... piece of images and sound...and some paper left behind.....it is a interesting show....not the type will bright up your spring Sunday afternoon, but make you think on a good Wednesday late evening. 

But it was amazing to have Lisson Gallery Nicholas Logsdail, who has devote his long careers to art....handling some of the most interesting British Artist like Richard Wentworth, Alish Kapoor, Dan Graham some really interesting young artists like Daniel Buren, Jane & Louise Wilson, sometimes with good few pieces from Jonathan Monk. 

I worked with him during the Frieze Art Fair .....and he was great and never lack the energy to share his appreciation for art.  He also one of the contributor to books like The Artist's Yearbook 2006....and gave a big section on advise and tips on young artists, or art entrepreneur.  It was a very interesting talk with him.... what I like about him is that...a man in his influential status ......he is still take opportunity to learn and expanding new knowledge...and exploring the unknow that art can bring....like many artistic mind people......he talked about cave painting....so some Ancient holly sight....  and I think he still thinking where art can go in the world.....and he is aware of the fact that the art might not longer just belong to gallery.  

He is not too hot about the new hype of Chinese Art and YBA which I believe he has all the right to.  But later on when we start to talked about green power and world pollution.....I know I might have to unplug his one man show.  The question from art graduate ....... "how hard is it to let gallery people to see my work" It was very nice he showed us his BlackBurry mobile....and there are tones of private view invites from strangers to event people he know for long time. As an young graduate from any art school you thought that is cool... I guess you will be lucky not to get deleted in his BlackBurry....however...I think that can make you believe that if you wanna make it....don't just rely on sending random email or message to galleries. 

Top Five shows for those busy on weekend

Feeling caged??? Don't be....It is just as hard to put up a short list ...but you can't blame people who like them....end of the day....

We work 9-5....and sadly your weekend is short....unless you luck to be one of these people can run in the southward in the afternoon.

After you done your house on the weekend...yes, it is 4:30 now....you don't believe it.....the weekend is gone....

Good luck for those who work at museum and gallery....unless you are director or can get out and about in the day time...... the chance you dig up your private card.... wait for all the painting arrive from Swissland....... you will be lucky see a thing or two.

so I am going to "give you five", yes...five will do, to all the culture junkies!!! Just go to five, will only 5-10 minutes on Monday office conversation.......just give you five so you will not annoy someone who actually clean their house properly and had little time to play.

So... here are some winners going to accompany Oscar tonight.


Top Five Show for me


Altermodern at Tate Britian.

A google searching like exhibition, full of bizzard energy and Bob Smith unwanted fridge, take away box become cloud mushroom....mad cheft..Lindsay Seers' Extramission 6, about Thomas Edison's house was the highlight, Charles Avery makes strange-bird and hunter replace mad dog and English man......Marcus Coaste made mayor and translator in an animal-high hot spot, shake some hare's head and with a bad story about the bird.....not share can shaman take the blame.....but I guess once it translated will get so much more spiritual. Any doubt about the show...just have to check out the smooth talking curator / theorist Nicolas Bourriaud videos are truely everywhere before I find the names of the artists. BTW.. just one thing...ALTERMODERN is still highlight with red under my spell check.

http://www.tate.org.uk/britain/exhibitions/altermodern/manifesto.shtm


Mircea Cantor and Liz Arnold at Camden Arts Centre

Romania artist imprint his DNA around the gallery wall...... amazing installation of two peacock and double golden cage.....go on a quiet day, when peacock get use to you....there will be a peacock and human chasing game..... Charles Saatchi kindly lend his painting of Liz Arnold from his Living Room... Queen of ladybird stand tall and high against all the doubt about figurative painting.....with cat and fox walking in the Victoria Park near Mile End... pretty funky, not short of people in beautiful and nice knite wear at private view.

www.camdenartscentre.org

Le Corbusier, The Art of Architecture at Barbican

Amazing Swiss architect....copy everyone and  transform everyone's style into something of his own, amazing wood cubist like sculpture to start your taste buzz.... water colour...drawings are frame beautifully. His own table design and furniture is stunning...the show also accompany by lots of performance by into archi students in funny bow tie.

http://www.barbican.org.uk/artgallery

Laura Buckley, David Maclean, Haroon Mirza& Doug Fishbone at Rokeby

Video and sound projections by Laura Buckley, sound of book droping, everyday object making noise.....spinning futurist looking shape scuplture twist the light in the way that no Ad man can think of. Richard Serra Like metal platform and box dash around the space.... I warned my students not to stand on one. Downstairs... two clean screen projections, with a lecture like a internet conference setting...Kung Fu monkey is jumping and kicking about to break piece of wood.... remind me the days when I back in Taiwan. The other side there are people start to making noise....somehow you not sure they whether they follow an act or under instruction or even they been hypnotize...... but I recongize Marco the theatre dude, the Italian looking man ....keep raise his arm like a strange sci-fi zombie... I am sure that is no Kung Fu.

http://www.rokebygallery.com/

Shan "Abbas" The Remaking of Iran at British Museum

A show turn the British Museum central library into exhibition space. Delightful calligraphy, poem between golden flowers , and illustration of book cover design. The feature a taster version of Chini-Khaneh Shrine, the interio almost have a bee house like design...and this is where all the blue pigment china were kept, and I was crazily photographed by the audience development team, nice one! Book illustration "The conference of the bird" by Habbi Alah is witty and fun...don't miss the hunter with big rifle gun. Beautiful color projection of the interio and craft that went into the design and the making of the shrine....for those not wish to pay £1500 ticket to go to Iran on weekend....it is great starting point to go back to library again.

http://www.britishmuseum.org/whats_on/future_exhibitions/shah_abbas.aspx

Throw your thought in...and let me know what is in your list! Do the house now....




Image Caption
Mircea Cantor - The Need for Uncertainty at Camden Arts Centre
(c) by Mircea Cantor
Photography by : Damian Griffins