New Conservator at VFMA
The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts has named Stephen D. Bonadies to be its chief conservator and deputy director for collections management, VMFA Director Alex Nyerges has announced.
A 27-year veteran of museum work, Bonadies comes to Richmond from the Cincinnati Art Museum, where he held positions including chief conservator, director of museum services, deputy director and interim co-director. He will begin work at VMFA March 2, 2009.
I am fascinated by the conservation process and at the same time shocked how little many art schools spend teaching its art students about conservation materials (or about art materials period).
My favorite read on this subject is Jonathan Harr's superb The Lost Painting. The book is the story, told by Harr masterfully as an art detective story of sorts, of the discovery of Caravaggio's The Taking of the Christ in a Jesuit residence in Ireland.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Digital Change
Now that Barack Obama has officially assumed the presidency, the nation anxiously anticipates his fulfillment of his promise of change.Read the article by Jennifer Gambrell in The Davidsonian here.
But before the new legislative agenda takes shape, several transformations have already occurred. Former visual representations of our presidents rarely ventured beyond press photos or political cartoons. But Obama artwork has already encroached upon new realms.
For the first time in history, Obama's official presidential portrait was captured by a digital camera. Pete Souza, the White House's new photographer, snapped the shot on Jan. 13. He used a Canon 5D Mark II and took the picture without using a flash.
It doesn't make sense to me
The Washington Post's erudite chief art critic is Blake Gopnik, the brother of New Yorker magazine art critic Adam Gopnik.
For some reason, the Washington Post's editors allow their chief art critic to ignore the Greater Washington area art galleries and only focus on museums. By now Washingtonians have grumbled about that odd process for years, but are resigned to it.
But when Gopnik goes through New York City galleries and provides an entire page of mini reviews of NYC galleries, each with a nice color image, something which he has never done for his own hometown art galleries, the message is very clear to the Washington area art galleries.
The message is: "You are not good enough for my time."
And the message that the Washington Post sends to its core readers and hometown is: "Your art scene is not worthy of Blake Gopnik's time."
Shame on the Washington Post, you suck.
Opportunity for Artists
Deadline: February 15, 2009
The Hoyt Institute of Fine Arts in New Castle, PA is currently seeking artists to fill its 2010-2011 Solo Exhibition Schedule. Artists living in the Mid Atlantic region (PA, OH, NY, NJ, MD, VA, W.VA, DE and Washington DC) are invited to apply. Please submit a proposal that includes contact information, exhibition statement, 10-20 images on CD(jpeg format 500kb max) or slides, image list (including title, media and dimensions), resume or curriculum vitae, SASE for return of materials and $30.00 review fee to:
Solo Exhibition Proposals
Hoyt Institute of Fine Arts
124 East Leasure Ave
New Castle, PA 16101
Friday, January 23, 2009
Mannie Garcia's Source Photo of Obama Poster Found
First we thought that the below item had solved the mystery of the source of Shepard Fairey’s image of President Barack Obama that became an icon and is now in the permanent collection of the National Portrait Gallery.
"Blogger Michael Cramer created the composite photo above after sifting through countless images to find a match. The poster has Obama facing the opposite direction; Cramer flipped it to correspond with the original source photo."Read the Reuter story here.
However Philadelphia Inquirer photographer and blogger Tom Gralish then found another potential source discovered by Steve Simula here!
And in the comments section of Simula's Flickr page, Cramer writes "You definitely found the right one. My match was close, but you got it spot on. Congrats."
Good detective work by Simula.
It gets better; after Simula identified the photograph (it was reproduced in this blog without any references so no one knew who the photographer was), the Inky's Tom Gralish began diggging around and he found that the original photograph was "made by freelance photographer Mannie Garcia who was on assignment for the AP in April of 2006." Details here.
Good detective work by Gralish.
Mannie Garcia is a DC-based photographer!
So Mannie Garcia is the uncredited source for Fairey’s artwork now at the NPG.
I think that Mannie's photograph should accompany the artwork and that the NPG should exhibit them side by side.
And thus I hereby call for the National Portrait Gallery to acquire the original Mannie Garcia photograph.
And kudos to Gralish and Simula.
Update: Brian Sherwin, Senior Editor at MyArtSpace.co Blog has some words on how this whole issue relates to copyright and Orphan Works Legislation.
Update 2: Mannie Garcia writes in his website: "The Danziger Gallery which represents the artistic works of Mr. Fairey contacted me on the 21st of January 2009 to inform me that my photograph was in fact the basis for the artwork that has become better known now as the “HOPE” and “PROGRESS” posters"
Virginian Waves
New Waves 2009 is the title of the exhibition of Virginia artists at the Contemporary Art Center of Virginia which says that "New Waves 2009 is an opportunity for CAC to support the work of Virginia artists by assisting them in garnering recognition from the public and nationally recognized galleries and collectors."
The opening reception is from 7-9pm on Friday, January 23, 2009 and the New York and Atlanta gallery-owner jurors selected Susana Almuina, Clover Archer, Nicole Baumann, Stephanie Bingham, Mikael Elliot Broth, Travis Childers, RJ Clark, Derek Cote, davmo, Miriam Ellen Ewers, Peter Geiger, Kirsten Kindler, Lisa McCarty, Megan Mueller, Michael Ohgren, Kristen Rego, and Rainham D.M.H. Rowe.
Because from of all those names I recognize only two (and I think that I have a pretty good handle on a lot of Virginia artists) I am really curious as to whom the jurors selected. In fact, I'm going to visit this show and see what the works looks like.
As outsiders, the two jurors would have brought in a couple of fresh, unprejudiced eyes to the selection process, rather than a priori knowledge to the process.
I'm a little surprised in that I think that this is a good thing.
In fact, the more that I think about it, the more that I think that other jurying processes or award processes that are regional in nature, should employ as jurors qualified outsiders who look only at the work and its visual and collective merit, rather than "recognize" the work and thus the artist and thus bring in immediate opinions and prejudices to the contest.
The drawback would be when an outsider fails to recognize a copycat artist. In the card below I see at least someone channeling Dan Steinhilber and half a dozen Art0matic artists of the past.
But I think that the gains from clear, unprejudiced eyes, outweigh the occasional copycat from getting into the list. It could even be a case of remarkable confluence.
The reason that I have been able to predict a lot of direct hits at such major regional awards such as the Trawick Prize is because that very prestigious award employs local jurors for their process, and so far it has been my impression that many, not all, of the jurors bring in too much knowledge, and too close a relationship in a few cases, with some of the award winners.
It would be interesting to see the Trawick employ three jurors this year from other neighboring states, rather than a Virginia, Maryland and DC juror. In fact, they could switch off every year.
One year DC, MD and VA jurors; the next year other states, and so on.
I bet that more interesting results would come out, instead of the usual suspects getting the award almost every year.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Grants for Arlington County, Virginia artists
Deadline: Tuesday, January 27, 2009 at 9:00 PM
Spotlight Grants are intended to encourage Arlington-based Visual, Media and Performing Artists to develop and present innovative new arts projects or programs that benefit Arlington County and its residents, increase access to and involvement in arts experiences for Arlington residents, and respond to diverse community needs.
Details and application here.
Christina's World on view
The family of Andrew Wyeth and the Brandywine River Museum invite the public to a celebration of the life and work of Andrew Wyeth, who died on January 16. This special event will be held Saturday, January 31, from 9:30 to 4:30 p.m. Complementary admission will be offered to all visitors on this day.Visit the museum's website here.
Andrew Wyeth's most famous painting, the iconic Christina's World, will be on view at the Museum for the celebration.* On loan from The Museum of Modern Art in New York, this is the first time the painting has been on view in the region. It is rarely seen outside New York City. The Brandywine River Museum currently displays 38 other paintings and watercolors by the artist.
"Andrew Wyeth once told an interviewer that 'Painting has been my one interest, nothing else but art,'" recalled Jim Duff, Director of the Brandywine River Museum. "The finest way to honor him is to enjoy the art he created."
The documentary film, Self Portrait: Snow Hill, produced by Betsy James Wyeth and narrated by Stacy Keach, will be shown in the Museum's Lecture Room every hour on the hour starting at 10 a.m. Incorporating many of Andrew Wyeth's works of art along with family photographs, home movies, personal letters and footage of Andrew Wyeth, this moving program provides insight into his private world.
In addition, memory books in which visitors can leave their thoughts will be located in the museum.
Exhibiting American art in a 19th-century grist mill, the Brandywine River Museum is internationally known for its unparalleled collection of works by three generations of Wyeths and its fine collection of American illustration, still life and landscape painting.
The Brandywine River Museum is located on U.S. Route 1 in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania. The museum is open daily, except Christmas Day, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Tim Tate at the LA Art Show
Shasta McBride at the LA Art Scene Examiner reviews the LA Art Show and highlights DC artist Tim Tate.
Read it here.
Call for Fiber Artists
The Washington D.C. metropolitan area has some of the finest national and internationally known fiber artists in the country. BlackRock Center for the Arts is proud to present the 2nd Annual “Tribute to Fiber Art” Juried Exhibition. Their goal is not only to support our local area fiber artists but to give East Coast collectors an exhibit of exceptional quality.
Juror Jodi Walsh first started this exhibit at APEX Gallery on 7th Street in Washington DC. “Tribute to Fiber Art” was reviewed by the Washington Post and grew into an outstanding exhibit that was supported by the Smithsonian by giving annual tours to their collectors.
Because of her extensive travels overseas Jodi understands the importance of fiber art to the art world. Waslh says that “fiber artists have given new life to their medium by exploring new techniques and media. Combining the old and the new creates art work that is both stimulating and highly collectable. With the support of BlackRock Center for the Arts fiber artists have a new home to exhibit their work and fiber art collectors will enjoy visiting this pristine gallery to view an exceptional exhibit.”
Eligibility: Open to all fiber artists residing in Maryland, Virginia and Washington DC over the age of 18. Fiber Art: artwork that is created of fiber material. Please note that they will not be accepting clothing pieces. Fiber artists interested in the exhibition should contact Lee Stern at lstern@blackrockcenter.org or call Lee at 240-912-1050 for a copy of the prospectus.
Award: As in the tradition of the original “Tribute to Fiber Art” Juried Exhibition a solo exhibition the following year will be awarded.
Dates and Deadlines 2009
Saturday, January 31 - Deadline postmarked or delivered by 2:00pm
Thursday, February 5 - Jurying
Week of February 9 - Notification
Thursday, February 26 - Delivery: between 9am – noon
Tuesday, March 3 - Installation of work
Friday, April 10 - Pickup 9am - noon
Exhibition Timeline
Exhibition - March 4 thru April 9
Reception - Saturday, March 7, 5:30 – 7:30pm
Gallery Hours - Mon – Fri: 9am – 5pm, Sat: 10am – 2pm
Art of Obama
Art of Obama.com has an ever growing collection of pro Obama artwork online. You can submit your own Obamart by emailing it to contact@artofobama.com with all the appropriate details.
Congrats!
To the capital region's Michael Janis, who has just been selected as the Outstanding Emerging Glass Artist 2008-2009 - from the Florida Glass Art Alliance.
Janis was nominated by Myrna and Sheldon Palley (uber glass collectors whose glass collection makes up Miami's Lowe Art Museum via the just opened Palley Pavillion).
For years I've been telling you: buy Michael Janis now!
Congrats Mike!
Ronaldus Magnus
Nearly 38 million Americans watched inauguration coverage of President Barack Obama on Tuesday, the most popular inauguration day on television since Ronald Reagan took office in 1981.Details from the HuffPost here.
Nielsen Media Research said Reagan's 41.8 million remains the record.
Also in the HuffPost is this story about MSNBC's poor ratings. I can understand that; during the election year, I was an avid MSNBC watcher.
But somehow now that the election is over, and we're all trying real hard to support the new president, and unity is the word in the air, MSNBC (especially the once fun Keith Olbermann, whose feud with Bill O'Reilly has gone from funny to stupid) seems boring, repetitive and divisive, and more and more a self-licking ice cream that is more and more the exaggerated ying to the FoxNews' yang.
So part of my "change" resolution for 2009 is to stop paying attention to those from the extreme right and the nutty left who profit by feeding us division as the only solution.
And to create more art.
Christie's woes
“We have begun to implement a companywide reorganization, which includes significant staff reductions, not renewing many consultants’ contracts and the continuation of other cost-reduction initiatives, that will ensure we remain competitive and profitable in 2009,” Christie’s said in a statement on Monday, without saying how many positions might be cut or giving any further details.Read the NYT article here.
In the last months, auction prices dropped together with financial markets, ending a decade-long boom in the art market that was buoyed by record bonuses paid to financial executives.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Art Market
...we look at the effect the credit crunch is having on the art world as the new year begins. In the art market, there have been a few early victims of the crisis, including the 18 employees sacked by PaceWildenstein in New York, and the 17 “fabricators” of pill cabinets, butterfly paintings and pickled animals axed by Damien Hirst. “I want to make sure that we are the best swimmers on the block. The luxury of carrying under-performing employees is now a thing of the past,” warned Mr Gagosian, in a similar vein, in the same memo to his staff.Read Georgina Adam at the Art Newspaper here.
In Miami, the trendy French dealer Emmanuel Perrotin has shuttered his gallery, and now will only reopen it for Art Basel Miami Beach next December. Sotheby’s is also trimming its workforce, and has announced it has abandoned guarantees for the foreseeable future. The firm, and its arch-rival Christie’s, were badly hit by the collapse in art prices during New York’s sales of impressionist, modern and contemporary art in November, which garnered only half the expected totals. Those sales were prepared before the autumn, when art prices were still riding high. Some works sold in November for half their low estimates, and up to 75% of the works in some sales were bought in.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Age of Obama
Congratulations to President Obama on his spectacular and history-making achievement. And now, regardless of where you stand on the political spectrum, let's see if we can set aside our differences and get behind this man regardless of what the extreme left wing nuts and the extreme right wing nuts do and say.
World History Series: The Age of Obama
F. Lennox Campello
Charcoal on paper, c. 2009
13 x 9 inches matted and framed to 24x18 inches
In a private collection in Dublin, Ireland
This is my first drawing of 2009 and it will be on exhibition at Projects Gallery in Philadelphia next month. More on that show later.
Update: Sold by Projects Gallery to a collector in Ireland.
