Juxtapoz recently shared their favorite (0r rather “top”) 100 museums and galleries. Some store fronts are included in the mix as well, and as you might expect the choices skew to the modern and contemporary. They also tie closely to the major hubs of “street art,” with the seemingly oddball locals being those that have recently hosted retrospective exhibitions by the likes of Jeff Soto and Banksy.
Is the list useful? Sure. Many, if not all, the galleries regularly exhibit exciting art. And, it is hard to argue with there no. 1, The Museum of Modern Art, San Francisco (which, though not my personal no. 1 is a very good institution).
Check out the full list here. And, if your heart desires weigh in with a personal vote.
Good Rats draws together photographs from Niall O’Brien’s candid documentation of South West London punks. Three years of material make up the exhibition, and the photographs are filled with “the spontaneity of youth.” O’Brien, also a filmmaker, finds regular inspiration in youth culture. A native of Dublin, he specializes in intimate portraits of desire through unusual subject.
Good Rats runs to March 11 at Art Work Space, Lower Ground Floor, The Hempel Hotel, 31-35 Craven Hill Gardens, London, W2. Examples from the exhibition after the jump. (via Creative Review).
George Vargas offers a primer on Chicano art in Contemporary Chican@ Art: Color & Culture for an New America. Tracing the movement from the 1960s to the present, Vargas outlines the evolution of Chicano art from a fiercely political (engaging directly with duel cultural association) endeavor to production of more universal tone. Given its often underground nature, or status as protest art, Chicano art has only recently began to carry favor in the mainstream art world. Vargas concludes his volume with a discussion of Chicano artistic enterprise.
Dress the Chair! is a year long event initiated by Artek to celebrate the company’s 75th Anniversary.
Essentially, the event promotes and honors the legacy of Artek’s commitment to craft and furniture making know-how. Kick-off is this month in Stockholm, with events planned in England, the United States, and more during the course of 2010.
Since 1935, Artek has built on the foundation laid by one of the four original principles, Alvar Alto, and promoted the culture of modern living. Undoubtedly, many of the pieces produced by the company are “classics.” The Stool 60 (designed by Alto in 1933), in particular, is a living icon.
Learn more about Artek at the company website, which provides a good overview of its history and a concise time line of innovations. More Artek pieces related to Dress the Chair! after the jump.
This coming Saturday (February 13, 2010), Philadelphia’s EXIT Skateshop will host a book signing by Steve Powers, aka ESPO. The book in question details his A Love Letter For You Mural Arts Project. Just in time for Valentine’s.
Looking for something slightly longer lasting than a signed book? ESPO has taken over the Northern Liberties Tattoo Shop (adjacent to EXIT), where limited edition flash from A LOVE LETTER FOR YOU will be available through the course of the week.
View the flier for the event at Northern Liberties Tattoo after the jump.
Anyone who has worked in the arts, and any non-profit for that matter, will be well equipped with stories about donors.
Jennifer Steinhauer’s Wielding Iron Checkbook to Shape Cultural Landscape from the New York Times investigates the reach of Los Angeles’ Eli Broad. His gifts to LACMA, his support of the Disney Center, and his backing of Jeffery Deitch are all well documented. The article approaches both sides without bias. In the end, we can question what LA would be without Broad. But, we can also wonder if his gifts (or those of any previous mega-philanthropist) come to hinder institutional growth.
Hurley Art features an interesting video about Sterwart Ebersole’s documentation of Black Flag band tattoos. This short section has Ebersole breaking down some of the key design motifs popular among punk music fans. His quest will result in a book, Barred for Life.
Drawing inspiration from iconic chair and table typologies, Noiz Architects Morphing Furniture tie together chair and table in a sinuous design.
The firm developed their designs for Taiwan Land Corporation. The furnishings decorate the company’s salon, adding a distinct identity to the space. Based in Japan and Taiwan, Noiz Architects are regularly influenced by history – often musical history – and while the Morphing Furniture has clear design history cues, the forms also reflect the core basis of Noiz. (via DB).
More views and a look at the pieces that influenced Noiz Architects after the jump.
The most exciting news in the Antiques business coming out of New York’s Americana Week is the official launch of Leigh Keno’s new auction house. Keno Auctions will hold its inaugural sale on May 10, 2010 in Stanford, CT. Leigh, famed for his appearances on Antiques Road Show and Found uses his TV honed skills with video introductions to some of the key objects lined up on his site. They are rough, but give great background to the pieces available.
Highlights include the diminutive Chippendale drop leaf table (above), built by Newport, RI’s John Goddard in 1765.
Check out the full preview in image and video at Keno Antiques.
Running through February 27, 2010, Noho Gallery presents new work by Erma Martin Yost in the form of “Felted Flightscapes.” Yost’s hand-stitched constructions incorporate birds as metaphor, allowing a fusion of inner and outer worlds. Her work is included in the permanent collection of the Museum of Art & Design and she has exhibited at the State Museum of Pennsylvania, Allentown Art Museum, Morris Museum, and the Renwick.
This is Yost’s fourteenth solo showing at Noho Gallery (located at 530 W. 25, New York, New York).
More examples of Erma Martin Yost’s hand-stitched felt flightscapes after the jump.
