I’m in new york for the next couple of days, and although I have not yet started the grand gallery walk, I’ve seen a few things worth mentioning quickly for your weekend pleasure.
Douglas Witmer at The Painting Center (soho) I think this ends this week. Go check it out an we can compare notes when I write more about it later this week.
I don’t go to the big museums that often, however I spent a fair portion of the day at “The Met” and frankly have forgotten what an amazing place and collection it is. The Pictures Generation (Cindy Sherman, Richard Prince, Matt Mullican, et al.)is a great show and delivered about what I thought it would (thats a good thing as they say). After exiting the Pictures Generation I found myself walking through the entrance to The Model as Muse and usually I don’t care for this kind of show – esp. in DC when it is all “Dresses of the First Ladies” type stuff. However I really liked the photography – a lot of Helmut Newton always goes a long way.
Deeper in I walked into a room of Clyfford Still paintings and that surprised me. It’s unusual, I think to see a museum display that many of his works – in such a large size in one room. It was pretty remarkable and really enjoyable.
One thing however – I stumbled over the “Hirst Shark” as I understand it that has been recently repaired/replaced/remade – whatever it recently has been. It’s looking a little bit long in the tooth if you know what I mean. This artwork is going to be a white elephant for whoever owns it – I wish them the best in that.
There is also a very solid Francis Bacon show going on right now – more later.
JT Kirkland is the latest Edition from 246 Editions – prices are as low as twenty dollars. So why not start the arts stimulus package yourself and buy one. www.246editions.com.
Credits:
(Above) Cindy Sherman, Untitled Film Still (#54), 1980, 8 x 10 in.
(Below) JT Kirkland, Lifecycle, Archival Edition, 2009, size variable