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Tag Archives: Contemporary Art

Openings: José Parlá – ‘Broken Language’ @ Haunch of Venison

AM attended the opening of José Parlá’s Broken Language exhibition at Haunch of Venison in London last week, his first show in the UK since his significant and heavily calligraphic Adaptation/Translation exhibition back in 2008. Was it worth the wait? Hell yes. Having only had chance to see the majority of Parlá’s recent work vicariously via the internet since the Elms Lesters show, we – like many other UK fans of all things Parlá – awaited this new body of work with a strong sense of […]

Publications: ‘The Tall Trees of Tokyo’ by Matt Wagner

The Tall Trees of Tokyo landed in AM’s mailbox a few weeks ago, and after taking time to have a thorough read through, we have to take our hats off to author Matt Wagner and publisher Overcup Press. This beautifully presented book offers an insight into the artists that Wagner has discovered whilst on his many trips to Tokyo over the last 13 years. Wagner has curated exhibitions in Japan whilst immersing himself in the culture and he is also known for being the owner […]

Overtime: Feb 11 – Feb 17

More stories from the week ending Feb 17: Richard Jackson makes his mark on OCMA as his long-awaited retrospective opens this weekend. The LA Times profiles the artist. RIP: Richard Artschwager dies at age 89 following a recent stroke. Woman vandalizes iconic Delacroix Painting at the Louvre, tagging “AE911” on it. France to return seven Old Master paintings looted from Jewish families during WWII. Henri Matisse painting stolen in 2000 from a museum in Venezuela will soon be returned to the country. Police raid Bill […]

Upcoming: Paul Wackers – “Early Romantics” @ New Image Art

Later tonight (February 16), New Image Art will be presenting all new works from the Brooklyn-based Paul Wackers. Building on the last solo show we witnessed back in 2011 in New York (covered), Wackers continues exploring his form of still life painting which takes the additional step of adding geometric and abstract elements, but also evokes memories of the work of old master artists. The show runs through the end of March. Discuss this show here. Discuss Paul Wackers here.

Preview: “This Will Destroy That!” @ Design Matters

As evidenced by such events as the closing of mega bookstores, the shuttering of print shops, the bankruptcy of newspapers, and the gradual transition of reading to ebooks, tablets, and smartphones, physical print is dying a slow and painful death. With high tech digital products spreading into the homes and hands of nearly everyone around the globe, it takes with it the mandatory need to apply ink on paper. Posters were once a important and necessary form of disseminating information to the public at large, […]

Openings: JR @ Watarium Museum (Tokyo)

We recently gave you a sneak peek at French “photograffeur” JR as he worked feverishly to set up his first solo museum exhibition at Tokyo’s Watari Musuem of Contemporary Art. This past weekend, the show opened to a enthusiastic reception by the people in Japan. Highlighting his Inside Out project, which incorporated the residents from North East Japan (where the tsunami hit in March 2011), JR went big as he always does and wheat-pasted the exterior facade of the museum. On the inside, we saw a diverse […]

Openings: Jean-Michel Basquiat @ Gagosian (New York)

Jean Michel-Basquiat was born in December of 1960 to a modest household in Brooklyn, New York. At the age of 5, he was (like most kids) heavily inspired by cartoons and began to sketch out his own. In his adolescent years, although very gifted intellectually (fluent in 4 languages by the age of 11), he became socially awkward, withdrawn and subsequently rebellious. When he was 15, Basquiat dropped out of high school and began running the streets, often seeking the shelter of a New York […]

Openings: Rostarr – “Turbo Arena” @ Anonymous Gallery

Last week, New York artist Rostarr (featured) unveiled his latest body of work in Mexico City at Anonymous Gallery. This inspiring series of paintings entitled Turbo Arena draws from his hypnotic signature style that is a smooth mash-up of iconography, graphics & calligraphy. Ro took our breath away with a jaw dropping 80 foot installation that he hand painted all by his lonesome. This show is up through the end of March, so if you’re fortunate enough to be in Mexico City, do yourself a favor […]

Showing: POW WOW Group Exhibition @ Fresh Cafe & Loft In Space

After landing in Oahu this afternoon for this year’s POW WOW, AM headed over to the Fresh Cafe & Loft In Space for the group exhibition associated with the event. Some of the artists invited submitted pieces for the show including 123Klan, Will Barras, Dabs Myla, Jeff Soto, Jeff Hamada, Faith47, DAL, Yoskay Yamamoto (above), Jeff Soto, Nychos, Roid, Shark Toof, Wu Yue, Jasper Wong, and more. We’ll be bringing you a look at the murals these artists are working on as the week progresses… […]

Videos: José Parlá: Broken Language

On the occasion of José Parlá’s return to London for a solo showing at Haunch of Venison, NOWNESS has released a new video titled the same – Broken Language. The mini-documentary follows the NY-based artist through the entire process starting with an explanation of the philosophy behind his work, the photo reference acquisition, the creation of the actual paintings and sculptural pieces. Take a look at the insightful footage below… Discuss this show here. Discuss José Parlá here.