Ron English "POPaganda"

Go out on the street…look for him on walls, in magazines and in galleries. The work manifests as sculpture, paintings and toys along with his own movies and cameos appearances. Ron English is just about everywhere. “POPaganda” is the name of choice he has dubbed his art and his claim to fame is with much warranted. That being said Ron takes on contemporary and counter-culture ideas and art. He is recognized in both streams and duly respected.  

The work is colorful, hyper-real and extravagant. His sometimes bizarre references on contemporary consumerism, culture and art history are amusing and at times disturbing. English does not believe in leaving his viewers with any lack of zeal. His hand is sure and the technique masterful.  He has influenced elections as much as any artist especially in the campaign of Barack Obama (2008). His work “Abraham Obama” was inspired from his feeling that there was a definite similarity between the 16^th President and the then to be 44^th president in looks, demeanor and historical relevance.

                                                                                         

You can look for Tony-the-Tiger, Cap’n Crunch and Toucan Sam as enlarged obese symbols of American obsessive habits and addictions in the English oeuvre. The Frankenstein Monster, the Incredible Hulk, the Marlboro Man and Homer Simpson are not spared English’s scrutiny and abuse. Creatures from the animal kingdom are hardly spared or excluded; English is very generous in his appetite for extreme satirical candor.

It is actually Pablo Picasso’s Guernica that English has referenced to the largest degree and number. His recreations and improvisation on the bombing of the small Spanish village (one of the world greatest and utterly heartless acts of crimes against humanity) that continues to intrigue and inspire the contemporary artist. His parody’s can be humorous and ironic but some are equal to the original even daring to surpass in horror the original.   

English continues to work and explore the infinite. He is an artist well into but still in his prime and expands his inextinguishable thirst for creativity. His journey is one that is open to the world. I can only encourage you as he would love you to join along.  

Jeff Koons!!! @ The Whitney

After a somewhat arduous journey to New York’s Manhattan Island I arrived at the Jeff Koons Whitney Retrospective last week. It is truly; in every way, with no doubt, Jeff  Koons. The exhibition is everything you have ever heard (or known) about the pitchman/artist; everything! Koons touts his work as a celebration of banality but the irony is the show itself in spite of the scale, shiny mirror sheen and pop/art references is largely itself an actual bore. It is also the most important exhibition in the world at this time and will only be seen in museums in two other countries. The Pompidou Center in France and the Bilbao in Spain will also house this extravagant behemoth of a retrospective. 

Koons has never really intended his art for anyone other than the one or point zero-zero one percent. In that he has succeeded like no one else. He sustains the record for the highest price ever paid for the work of a living artist ($58.4m.) The pieces are essentially a point for bragging rights for the owners. “Look; I own a Jeff koons…see how rich I am!” Koons is the tailor selling the emperor his new clothes while the emperor is well aware and enjoying the con. 

There is a refined; assembly line precision to the works. I also; at times, had the feeling of walking through a very high-end Walmart. Especially around the Hoovers encased like a Damien Hirst Shark and the floating basketballs. “Pick-Up in isle six!” At other times it seemed like a huge yard sale; somewhere to unload a huge amount of expensive “dust collectors” or garden shop plaster academic style yard sculptures in order to purchase newer, statelier, brighter ones. As I walked through the Koons retro I couldn’t miss seeing a small probably six or seven year old girl skipping through the galleries in a state of contentment and glee. I imagine it gave her the feeling of navigating her way through the objects of some fairy tale giant’s collection of porcelain nick knacks.   In her mind she could have been an extra in one of Disney’s films like “Honey; I Shrunk The Kids” or “Babes in Toy Land.” 

There was another young woman, probably in her twenties posing in front of selected pieces for her father. She was intent on getting the look and stance of a sculpture that looked like an enlarged dime store toy gorilla. She then did the same with the image of “The Incredible Hulk” represented in a painting. When I say her heading for a Koons’ original from the “Made in Heaven” series I was reluctant to look and quickly moved on. I can only imagine what she did in front of it.  “Made in Heaven” is a series of pornographic photo realist paintings and sculptures by Koon’s of Koons and his former Porn Star wife in totally explicit and erotic poses.  Is there nothing that is not for sell or display by Koons?

People were enjoying the exhibition in many ways. Photo flashes were a constant and it was quite the circus for many jockeying for position in front of and around various selected works.  I have to admit that I have enjoyed the work of Jeff Koons in other venues. I have seen his work at The La County Museum of Art, SFMOMA and at Gagosian’s Miami Basel booth last December. Each time Koons was immersed amongthe works of other contemporaries including John Baldessari, Barbara Kruger and Chris Ofili. 

  

It gave a balance to what Koons is attempting with his art. That is besides making tons of money.  His is a reaction to the concept and idea of art. He has gone beyond other artists into the forces behind the perfected viewing and purchasing of art as commodity. When looking for anything deeper in the work we are literally confronted with a mirror reflection of ourselves and the surrounding objects. Imagine a carnival funhouse set of mirrors with Koons serving as the narcissistic barker and we the rubes.     

Kiki Smith and Her Drawings

 Kiki Smith arrived on the major art scene in the nineteen nineties with an exhibition at MoMA and became an immediate star. She is richly deserving of her following and her works are of a nature that is striking, compelling and thought provoking. Kiki works in many mediums and is most famous for her sculptor. It darts and dives, hangs from ceilings, attaches to walls and sometimes is disjointed and scattered across the floor. This all from what is largely the female form, plaster casts taken from her own body. Her work is feminine in theme and content but she is not a feminist of the traditional definition.  Her work is far too outreaching to be limited to a genre, too immense to be bracketed in terms. She is possessed of a marvelous, mind and creative spirit. Her work is adventurous and lively; a world treasure.

 

Kiki comes from one of the most artistically creative families in the country. The only other major American family that might be more artistic would be the Wyeths. The two families’ approaches to art are very dissimilar but they both are completely saturated with the bug. Kiki’s father; Tony Smith was a celebrated for his minimalist sculptures. Her mother was an actress and opera singer.

 

Her sisters; Seton and Beatrice, photography and theatre were their interests respectively. Beatrice died young but Kiki and Seton continue to work and support each other. The girls didn’t attend school and really had little other career choice but fortunately were gifted and internally inclined for the arts.  



The mind, body and spirit were central elements to Kiki’s original pieces. She continues to grow as an artist and her works including her sculpture have become more narrative in nature. Myth, folk and fairy tales have become central to many of her new works. These are especially evident in her graphics and drawings. “Red Riding Hood” and “Alice in Wonderland” are among her inspirations. At times she creates what could well be and truly are beautiful illustrations. These coupled with unique works that turn the myths inside out, upside down with a complete interchanging of metaphor. Her works and vision is totally original and a leap forward into unexpected places.

There is an unrefined quality and freedom to the drawings of Kiki Smith that is reminiscent of earlier artists like Marc Chagall and the more contemporary Leon Golub. Her lacking of a true academic technique adds to the charm and whimsy of her concepts in a way a more serious and structured style would only serve to distract. The over-all impact of the pieces is dominant in an illuminated text manner. Kiki is one of the most unrestrained artists working today and there is a timeless quality to everything she touches. The mystique and allure of Kiki Smith will only grow given time.

 

“It's really special when you share history with people and are in the same field. We come from a background where it's completely natural for someone to devote their life to a vision. It's an unsaid vision, one that's constantly moving and falling apart, and sometimes there are really still periods. Artists live in unknown spaces and give themselves over to following something unknown. I see that in Seton's work and in mine.”

Kiki Smith

 

I Always Wanted To Meet Elizabeth Murray

I always wanted to meet Elizabeth Murray. My introduction to her was in the form of a cover photo of “Art News” magazine in the nineteen eighties. Most of the artists of the time posed very seriously in "I Am an Artist" poses. Elizabeth Murray posed smiling while holding her young daughter in her arms. She appeared to be very happy for having the attention and being noticed for her work, her art and her life. Beyond the obvious she seemed a genuinely happy person. Yes; I dreamed for years of meeting this woman and just having a very cool, intelligent and relaxed conversation with her.

 I was able to have conversations with Miss Murray through viewing her work in galleries, articles and video interviews particularly PBS’s Art: 21. These were great but one sided. I wanted a real exchange of ideas with someone so honest and beautiful. I was certain too that she would have great advice, be both funny and charming while still possessing a somewhat vulnerable soul.
 

 

Elizabeth’s works are very enigmatic while still playful pieces. Like shattered stained glass shards, disjointed puzzle pieces or mix-matched cartoon or everyday objects they lovingly present themselves to the viewer. Her use of color is dominate and strong. The works are among the most inviting the art world has to offer. They are engaging, fascinating.

 I remember visiting a contemporary gallery with a couple of friends not long ago. We had enjoyed ourselves greatly and after spending time with Warhol, Calder, Johns and Stella I caught a glimpse of a Murray as we were leaving. There is a point that you have to leave a gallery (the spirit has been enriched and filled to over flow.) I still wasn’t able to leave without studying Murray’s effort. I asked them to wait just a minute for me to say hello to Elizabeth Murray. I walked over to the work and in my way said hello, soaked in a part of Murray’s joy, her spirit. She endowed much of herself into her art. It was a good moment. 

Elizabeth Murray; one of the most respected artist of her generation, left us in 2007. She died from complications of cancer. Her works remain. I always wanted to meet her…

BANKSY

He should be arrested for his crimes. He should be commended for his social commentary. He has defaced property. He has enhanced his urban environment. He is a criminal. He is an artist. Banksy is in a league of his own. He is one of the coolest guys that no one knows…at least his true identity. No one knows him besides his art dealer and a select few. Literally making his mark first all over Bristol and London; now the world is target. Ranging from Tel Aviv to New York he is a sensation. His works are alarming, humorous, poignant and ridiculous. An Artist/Graffiti Writer of a unique, personal vision that engages and enrages in equal measure. His work is distinctive and immediately recognizable.

Banksy works primarily with stencils. He can accomplish more in a short, safer time period. His work is going on walls and spaces that if he were caught in the act of posting would lead to serious jail time. He has placed his work on gallery walls like the Tate and modified objects on sidewalks for his artistic purposes. Often his stencils extend from their wall beginnings into and becoming a true part of the world. His graffiti is often tailored for a specific spaces and this speaks to his brilliance and daring. Location is all to Banksy.

“Exit Through The Gift Shop” is Banksy’s documentary film piece. It is amazing! It centrally questions the notion of art and the artist in the contemporary world. His book “Banksy,Wall and Piece” should be in every home and library. Many of his quotes, illustrations and stories are told here.

He has ventured into animation with an extended “Simpson” intro segment. This was another phenomenal piece for the adventurous Banksy.  Banksy is in the running of becoming one of the enlightened social humorists of our times and compares to the greats of print, literature, spoken word and paint. His reputation is richly deserved; a true artist in tune with his times speaking with a resounding voice. Long live Banksy!

Banksy Quotes

"A lot of mothers will do anything for their children, except let them be themselves.”

― Banksy 

“The greatest crimes in the world are not committed by people breaking the rules but by people following the rules. It's people who follow orders that drop bombs and massacre villages”

― Banksy

“I mean, they say you die twice. One time when you stop breathing and a second time, a bit later on, when somebody says your name for the last time.”

― Banksy

“Sometimes I feel so sick at the state of the world I can't even finish my second apple pie.”

― Banksy