Saturday, February 23, 2008

De Kooning's Bicycle

Robert Long's book De Kooning's Bicycle chronicles the history of creative life in Eastern Long Island. Now, a playground for New York City's elite, the Hamptons was once a humble backwater that provided artists and writers a sanctuary from the claustrophobic city, yet it is close enough for artists to maintain a presence in the city. It is important to note that De Kooning is not the focus of the book. It is really a history of key individuals, which include Thomas Moran, William Marritt Chase, Jackson Pollock, Frank O'Hara, William De Kooning, Fairfield Porter, Jean Stanfford and Saul Stienberg, who lived and worked on the East End. The book opens in the mid-1600s with the European settlement of the land by the Puritan English, who migrated from the northern territories in search of better farmland. Long's poetic accounts of life in the Hamptons is a joy to read. He beautifully describes the lush light and balmy atmosphere that reminded De Kooning of his homeland, Holland. I highly recommend this book to anyone, not just artists, who are interested in the history of New York City and it's relationship to Eastern Long Island.

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Open Studio with Thomas Burke

On Sunday February 18th Painter Thomas Burke opened his studio to reveal two large paintings that he just completed. Burke takes hard-edge painting and tweaks it, literally. Simple shapes glide and swell through the elligent space created in the paintings. 


Gusher

Fast Orange







Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Mark Bradford @ Sikkema Jenkins & Co

Hailing from Los Angeles, Mark Bradford's new solo show at Sikkema Jenkins & Co stands up and out among the art sea that is Chelsea. Bradford first came to my attention at the 2004 California Biennial at the Orange County Museum of Art, where again he stood out among the rest. I really enjoy how painterly these feel while using no paint. Not for nothing, but I stopped by three separate times to view this show! For more info check out the Sikkema Jenkins & Co website.
From Left to right: Giant and Boreas.

From Left to right: James Brown is Dead and close up of James Brown is Dead.



From Left to right: Mississippi and close up of Mississippi.



From Left to right: Carrie infront of Mississippi and Let's Make Christmas Mean Something This Year.



From Left to right: Orbit and Stereo Boxes and Pallet.



Sunday, February 17, 2008

Juan Usle @ Cheim & Read

I have always admired Juan Usle's paintings. Usually the only way I could see them is in reproductions. Not having a New York show for six years may have something to do with it. The show at Cheim and Read is filled with small colorful gems along with two larger monochromatic paintings.  It is a nice treat for the eyes while trekking your way through Chelsea.  For more info and images visit Cheim & Read.


Saturday, February 16, 2008

The New Museum

I think it fitting that my first post, here in my new home of New York City, be about the New Museum's first show in its new Lower East Side space. The show, called "unmonumental," seemed a global extension of the Hammer's show "Thing" a few years back, focusing on sculpture in Los Angeles. Love it or hate it, it is refreshing to see a Museum take risks in showing young artists and not the standard mid-career art stars
Because cameras were not allowed, the images of work in the show are taken from gothamist.com.
The rest are by me!
        
The New Museum facade.

        
A view from the top.

  
From left to right: Myth Monolith (liberation movement) Marc Andre Robison, View of exhibition.

          
From Left to right: Split Endz (wig mix) Jim Lambie, View of cafe lobby. 
I love the chairs!


View of street signage.