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Saturday, January 3, 2015

Hearts of De Milo with Drawings Pinocchio / Jim Dine



Among the most prolific, distinguished and knowledgeable, plus one of the last of a breed of artist that is true to the hand and eye all are Jim Dine. He is one of the original artists to be exhibited under the moniker; “Pop.” Dine continues to work and explore the limitless realm of possibilities. Like his “Pop” peers he chose to and works largely from established cultural icons. Dine’s work includes the Venus De Milo, valentine hearts and the ubiquitously lively marionette Pinocchio. Other favorites among his subjects are every day bath-robes, common tools and further stepping outside of the “Pop” restraints; figurative studies. Paintings, sculpture, charcoals and prints exist within his mastery of mediums and forms. Dine is literally the “King of Hearts” in an ever increasing world of soulless and mindless artists / creators.    











Dine is included in collections across the globe; the British Museum (London), the Hirshhorn (Wash. DC), The Met (NYC), Centre Georges Pompidou (Paris) and both MoMA (NYC) and San Francisco MOMA.  He is much sought after by collectors world-wide and especially in Miami Beach. I learned this early last December at Art Miami where I was seeing an unusually large number of his works exhibited. I asked Susan Dishell an LA based gallerist in conversation about the abundance of Jim Dine works on view; this while admiring one of her Dine Hearts. Susan said “Dine’s use of color vibrancy and his painterly technique are a great fit with the character of the Miami collector.”  It made perfect sense as we stood before the painting she said was created especially for this most recent Art Miami fair.

                                                                                                 




Dine talks  Dine

















I’m a longtime fan of Dine’s dating back a number of years and greatly admire his atmospheric, richly textured and the vaguely unfinished quality in his works. The Dine Pinocchio drawings are a hallmark of his many tools and skills. His illustrated edition of the classic Carlo Collodi tale is fabulous. Being true to his “Pop” roots the Dine works are a definite nod to the Walt Disney studios’ interpretation. While he reflects the Disney esthetic; he goes beyond the Disney cartoonist’s visions to a place of artistry, beauty and intrigue within his most effective efforts. 






The former teacher and heroic Jim Dine’s continuous outpouring of spirit and craft are things of truth and beauty. Dine is to be celebrated, revered and many times over admired. His ever expansive body of work enlivens and inspires ever increasingly as it exists and surely grows for our own fulfillment.










Thursday, December 25, 2014

Christmas Day


   
For unto you is born this day; in the City of David, a Savior…
who is Christ the Lord.

                                                                                                    Luke 2:11

Rejoice!   Rejoice!


Sunday, December 14, 2014

Art Basel Miami Beach 2014


There was a gluttonous amount of art on view in beautiful down town Miami Beach Fla. at the end of last week for a solid four days. Along with the art on exhibit there were close to a million viewers; beautiful people of all ages contributing to the look of sophistication and style of this remarkable event; Art Basel Miami.


Between Art Basel, Art Miami, Pulse Miami and the many other satellite fairs it was a weekend nothing less than utterly amazing. The scene was extravagant and excessive but worth every effort in this; the “World Cup/ Main Event” of the art world. It was very much a carnival happening and in that way remarkably refreshing in all it’s luxuriant extremes.



I was able to meet and talk with gallerists, gallery girls and artists among the art market’s high end sellers and shoppers.   There were great conversations with people from around the world and US cities. The nations included Brazil, Bogota, China, South Africa and the UK. The US cities included (of course) New York, Chicago, LA, San Antonio and DC. The grand host city; Miami, is breathtakingly beautiful and the population is incredibly welcoming. The blue water and skies, cruise ships and yachts mesmerize; while the modern and art deco architecture complement each other in spectacular form.    



Great and important works of painting, photography and sculpture including Helmut Newton’s Sie Kommen, Jim Dine hearts, Jeff Koon’s banalities, Chris Ofili’s dung art and Picasso’s cubism available and on view in various galleries. All these works and thousands of others not only on view; but, most importantly for sell. 


There was also live performance art, video, mixed-medium, design and decorative art, supplemented by the many stunningly elegant and high fashion patrons. Yes; there were the "odd ball" one of a kind character dressers too, which in honesty made for a thing remarkable. Refreshment comes in the form of push cart girls selling the original champagne; Ruinart.  It is actually the Ruinart that makes me return to Basel. It is definitely one of the many unique extras that adds to the experience.  Attending Art Basel Miami Beach, Design Miami, Pulse Miami Beach and a few other fairs combined for a complete adventure in art fashion design and culture. It is as exhausting as it is exhilarating and by the way; I’m ready for next year.