Silke Otto-Knapp’s grisaille watercolors were inspired by the choreography of Frederick Ashton’s ballet. The figures represented in Otto-Knapp’s “Monotones” move with fluidity, resembling a ballerina dancing on the stage. These large scale watercolor canvases demand presence and grace, a shared characteristic with ballet.
Monotones (Seascape), 73 by 244 (4) // Silke Otto-Knapp // watercolor/canvas // 2016
Monotones (Figures and groups), 73 by 183 (3) //Silke Otto-Knapp // watercolor/canvas // 2016
Monotones (March), 73 by 61 // Silke Otto-Knapp // watercolor/canvas // 2016
A recent exhibition, “Nepalese Seasons: Rain and Ritual” at The Rubin Museum of Art in NYC explored the natural element of rain in the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal. On view were works which related to the importance of rain and rain deities for both Hinduism and Buddhism.
Divine Ancestor Hatha Dya // gilt copper alloy // Nepal, 16th century
Upper Section of a Torana // copper alloy; repoussé // Nepal, 1810
Pablo Picasso and Diego Rivera. Two artist living in different cities at the same time. What possibly could they have in common? Much more than you think. Despite Picasso living in Spain and Rivera living in Mexico, both artists were inspired by historical works (antiquities for Picasso, Mesomerica for Rivera) yet developed styles of 20th century modernism unique to them yet had remarkable similarities. Cubism is one such style painted by Picasso and Rivera. While Picasso is best known for his work in Cubism, as he is considered one of the founders of the movement, Rivera also made great strides in his cubist pieces. This can best be exemplified in Picasso’s Man with a Pipe (Homme au chapeau melon assis dans un fauteuil) and Rivera’s Sailor at Lunch (Fusilero marino).
Portrait of Sebastià Junyer Vidal // Pablo Picasso // oil on canvas // June 1903
The Era (La Era) // Diego Rivera // oil on canvas // 1904
Man with a Pipe (Homme au chapeau melon assis dans un fauteuil) // Pablo Picasso // oil on canvas // 1915
Sailor at Lunch (Fusilero marino) // Diego Rivera // oil on canvas // 1914
Woman in a Blue Veil (la femme au voile bleu) // Pablo Picasso // oil on canvas // Fall 1923
(L) Seated Standard Bearer // Mexico, Aztec, Veracruz, 1250-1521 // sandstone, laminated (R) Frida’s Friend (El Amigo de Frida) // Diego Rivera // oil on canvas // 1931
Mother Earth // Barton Rubenstein // 2015 // 5 meters tall
The Hirshhorn Museum of Art had an interesting exhibition on view last month. Surprisingly it was not an art exhibition. Instead it was a showcase of orchids. The Smithsonian Gardens Orchid Collection contains over 8,000 different types of orchids, a selection of which were exhibited. A grid wall display contained niches to hold the orchid vases and tv screens displayed time-lapse videos of orchids blooming.
The Museum of Neon Art recently moved from downtown Los Angeles to its new home in Glendale, CA. In addition to the museum’s temporary exhibitions, three famous neon works are on permanent view: “Pep Boys: Manny, Moe, & Jack,” “Green Frog Market Howdy Folks,” and “Hillcrest Laundry” sign. The “Green Frog Market Howdy Folks” sign was originally a supermarket sign in Bakersfield while the “Pep Boys” sign was on view until 1990 when the logo changed to remove the cigar from Manny’s mouth.
Green Frog Market “Howdy Folks” // 1930s
Pep Boys: Manny, Moe, & Jack // 1970s
Hillcrest Laundry // 1950s
Who doesn’t love ice cream? And a museum dedicated to ice cream? Well guess what, there is such a thing. It is called The Museum of Ice Cream and it has officially come to LA! Each room of the museum is dedicated to a different aspect of ice cream – from local creameries, to gummy bears, to sherbet, to banana splits to a sprinkles pool. Various artists created immersive installations inspired by ice cream. Artists include Abel Bentin, Baker’s Son, Drew Billiau and David Guinn, Jourdan Joly, Lizzie Darden and Ramzy Masri. My favorite room, the sprinkles pool.
LOLLi SWiM
Abel Bentin
Mario Marsicano // Jellio
Baker’s Son
Tijuanatanjierchandelier // Jason Rhoades // mixed media // 2006
Tijuanatanjierchandelier // Jason Rhoades // mixed media // 2006
Swedish Erotica and Fiero Parts // Jason Rhoades // mixed media // 1994
Swedish Erotica and Fiero Parts // Jason Rhoades // mixed media // 1994
My Brother / Brancuzi // Jason Rhoades // mixed media // 1995
My Brother / Brancuzi // Jason Rhoades // mixed media // 1995
The Creation Myth // Jason Rhoades // mixed media // 1998
The Black Pussy…and the Pagon Idol Workshop // Jason Rhoades // mixed media // 2005
The Black Pussy…and the Pagon Idol Workshop // Jason Rhoades // mixed media // 2005
My Madinah. In pursuit of my ermitage… // Jason Rhoades // mixed media // 2004
Reversing Service (Oreo) // Kendell Carter // 2017 // cast latex // 38.1 x 28.1 x 5.1 cm
Cranes for Solange // Kendell Carter // 2017 // denim jeans, lightbox, ephemera, locks, brackets
Effigy for a New Normalcy VI (Accepting Greatness) // Kendell Carter // 2017 // gold-plated sneakers
From left to right (1) Waves for My People // Kendell Carter // 2017 // cast latex & aerosol float mounted in frame // 71.8 x 57.8 x 5.1 (2) Thai Waves in Scandinavia // Kendell Carter // 2017 // cast latex & aerosol float mounted in frame // 101 x 85.1 x 5.1 (3) Waves for Breakfast // Kendell Carter // 2017 // cast latex & aerosol float mounted in frame // 118.8 x 95.9 x 5.1 cm (4) Waves on Beverly // Kendell Carter // 2017 // cast latex & aerosol float mounted in fame // 129.5 x 88.9 x 5.1 cm (5) Dirty Waves // Kendell Carter // 2017 // cast latex & aerosol float mounted in frame // 137.2 x 121.9 x 5.1 cm (6) Waves for Amit // Kendell Carter // 2017 // cast latex & aerosol float mounted in frame // 153.7 x 125.1 x 5.1 cm (7) Waves for McQueen // Kendell Carter // cast latex & aerosol float mounted in frame // 203.2 x 143.5 x 5.1 cm
Man with a Briefcase // Jonathan Borofsky // COR-TEN steel // 1979-1988