A living tribute to two great artists

Elias Crespin is an amazing artist. This Venezuelan kinetic sculptor knows how to transcend movement with incredible lightness. “Kinetik” at Foundation Peter Stämpfli in Sitges and the amazing work at Denise Rene Paris left bank gallery are signs of these.

He shares his Atelier in the suburb of Paris with Miguel Chevalier, a pioneer in video and electronic art. I met Miguel in Mexico where he is working on a huge project for the Opera of Mexico City. He is a nice guy aswell.

My question is why Miguel Chevalier was not shown in “Dynamo” at the Grand Palais in Paris and Sitges. Dynamo was a big group exhibition from the origin of Kitetism and movement to now.  I learned from the nice and tiny Parisian Art World that Serge Lemoine, a great curator, chose Crespin on Chevalier. Their works together would have brought a lot to these shows . The viewers  have clearly missed something.

I didn’t express myself with Elias or Miguel about it. They are of course not part of the political plot. Being an artist is already too “challenging”.

Even Serge Lemoine who curated a lot of great exhibitions is not the only one responsible. Too much pressure in this system!

 But, at least, Mister Lemoine is not in this rat race for being a curator under 40’s as we see this need for young blood to feed the system.

O.M.G., I can't believe it...


Just seen I was pretty late with no writting.

But, things went on.

June was Basel with amazing works in the modern section and challenging in the cutting edge contemporary section. A bit of nice works that reflects the range of available collecting items.

It was a great opportunity for me as well to visit Beyeler Stiftung. Cattelan horses were very present playing with the Rothko and Calder and especially with the Max Ernst exhibition.

Veni, Vidi, Vici

Here I am back to business, sorry to my passion. 

I went over my laziness and (self- or not) censorship, which made me slow writing on this blog.

I am currently in Venezia attending some openings.

I really appreciate all these Pavillons and the network of exhibitions displaying such a variety of creativity. 

Then, I will go to Art Basel at Basel.

One thing that puzzled me was some encounters in the last New York record auction sales.

The Art Market and especially record breaking works are always a self-amazement. 

I was so surprised to meet in NYC some of numerous art dealers of this planet. Some, in other places, are complaining about the Market today and the difficulty to make a satisfying level of business. I could have cried. I am really sensitive you know. But, when I met Isabelle de Noirmont during the Wahrol, Lichtenstein, Haring sale show, I wondered if she was the same one with her husband who closed their gallery in Paris couple of months ago as they couldn't afford to support as good as before their artists.

The French couple were by far not the only one who played this game. Maybe, the fact they like the same works than me and it pushed me to spend more is a way to explain my non-objective criticism on them. 

That's maybe the name of the game. As soon it is not only for speculating, but for collecting and appreciating some artworks, I could only agree with this passion.

Between New York and Venezia, I spent some time at discovering the new A.B.H.K. @ H.K.C.C. or Art Basli Hong Kong . It was fun and "refreshing" to see that the same old tune can be sung differently by other guests with other instruments. Of course, the fact that the financial investment and tax level in Asia are quite attractive can create more joyfulness to sing along.

It was a great thing to do and I would re-register to go there next year.

Enough of that, I cut it and go for a Bellini. The ones I criticized could even pay me a drink. They deserved my concern...

Salve,

Dottore Cow

On the front line since February 2013

LWS galerie,  once Galerie Lucie Weill created in 1930, shows  photographs of Thierry Secretan, who depict the landscape, which took the tranchées of WW1 in Verdun over. It is amazing as an effect of sublimation of violence into a widespreading nature. The remembrance of this so cruel conflict is still to be felt thanks to the artist talentous touch.

Galerie Olivier Nouvellet in Rue de Seine presented Philippe Bonan’s photographic portraits of painters, sculptors, that he has retouched with painting.

Last week in Paris as well, I ran the kinetic marathon. Jesus Rafael Soto at Beaubourg on Tuesday, after the exhibition at Denise René Left Bank the week before, was a parenthesis in the Julio Le Parc’s week. Sunday for the Pre-preview of Palais de Tokyo with gigantic models of this light and moving sculptures and strong paintings. A playing room with political theme depicts the social critics of the 60’s and 70’s versus religion, army, capitalism, musical idols, against family and even Julio himself. The artist is great and really friendly. I have met him in Miami few years ago as well during a show at Lelia Mordoch Gallery.

Then, Monday came with the vernissage at Palais de Tokyo. Wednesday was the opening of the Le Parc’s show at the Galerie Lélia Mordoch with “Modulations, Alchimies et Torsions”. Paintings and steel  sculptures create a magical garden in the gallery of Saint-Germain des Près. A show in 2008 overthere was a game of lights, mobiles. It enlighted the over-darkened walls and roof. Since this time, I had to buy some for home with a set-up by the artist.

Denise René on the Right bank showed a great installation of amazing works of the Argentinian master. Back to the roots at his first Parisian gallery for Mr Le Parc. Bugada & Cargnel showed on Friday some paintings of “Surfaces-Couleurs” series, which sublimised the gallery space. This once an ex-garage of the thirties has become a great place for creation and contemporary art thanks to this effective and passionate couple of gallery owners.

Soon, Hong Kong with the sister art fair of Art Basel. Sure, I have to attend as well the opening of Daros Stiftung in Rio de Janeiro in March.

In April, Dynamo at Paris Grand Palais will display geometry in splendor. One of the attractions will be for me the Labyrinth created in the mid-sixties by the G.R.A.V. The Research Group for Visual Art, co-founded by Horacio Garcia Rossi, Julio Le Parc, François Morellet, Francisco Sobrino, Joël Stein and Yvaral, will show an important number of their innovative and historical kinetic and op-art works there. In May, I have a lot of interest in seeing the new edition of Art Saint Germain des Près with new galleries starting at the end of May and focusing on an annual project for this special area of Paris. There, design, tribal art and modern and contemporary art meets really well.

Then, the Bienale of Venezia and Art Basel.

I think I will find more things to do in between these “appointments”.

See u soon around,

James W. Cow

Some addresses of the "friends" :

David Zwirner, New York, USA and London, United Kingdom

“Chagall” Musée du Luxembourg, Rue de Vaugirard, Paris, France until July, 21rst

Musée en Herbe,  Rue Hérold, Paris, France

Galerie LWS, Rue Bonaparte,75006 Paris, France until

« Philippe Bonan », Galerie Olivier Nouvellet, Rue de Seine, 75006 Paris until

« Soto », Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris, France until

“Soleil froid” Palais de Tokyo, France until May, 13th 20th

Lelia Mordoch Gallery, 2300 North Miami Avenue, Miami, FL 33127 lelia.mordoch.gallery@gmail.com

« Alchimies, Modulations, Torsions » Galerie Lelia Mordoch, 50 Rue Mazarine, 75006 Paris, France until April 6th lelia.mordoch.galerie@wanadoo.fr  www.galerieleliamordoch.com

«Soto », Galerie Denise René, Boulevard Saint Germain, Paris, France

« Le Parc-Denise René, œuvres choisies 1964-2013 », Galerie Denise René,22  Rue Charlot,75003 Paris, France

« Julio Le Parc-Couleurs », Bugada & Cargnel, 7-9 rue de l’Equerre, 75019 Paris, France, until April 20th contact@bugadacargnel.com www.bugadacargnel.com

Daros Fondation, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

« Dynamo », Grand Palais, Paris, France until

Art Saint Germain des Près, Saint Germain des Près district, Paris, France, opening on May, 26th followed by "June of Art Saint Germain des Près"and with renewal all-year long.

Art Basel Hong Kong

Biennale de Venezia, Venice, Italy from until

Art Basel, Basel, Switzerland

Le Mazarin, Rue Jacques Callot, 75006 Paris, France

Le Balto, Rue Mazarine, 75006 Paris, France

La Palette, Rue Jacques Callot, 75006 Paris, France

I really have got something to tell you!

Long time no writing, at least public on this blog.

I know what is the aim of a blog. It has to be on a regular basis and not too long. So this revival would be like no other blog. The next one would be shorter. I will try anyway. The temptation of thinking I am a writer or novelist when people expect a blogger is highly not recommended.

I might say I have been under certain pressure from friends and art professionals, who seem not to appreciate what I really have to say about this wonderful artistic world we are living in.

Few words before giving my point of view on art…

Beyond the record sales in auctions for contemporary art, what is quite reassuring in “our” world, and especially in Europe with this crisis-stricken behavior and believing, is record sales of Ferrari all around the world.

The only problem for the Red Horse it is becoming less exclusive and unique.

Thanks god, I have got vintage ones and bought a Trabant and a Daf as well.

A.B.M.B. @ M.B.C.C. long time ago over. The “hang over” of this week in December became a wish to look after new emotion.

First of all, I have left my flat temporarily in central Miami Beach to a beach house. Then, soon I had scheduling traveling to Europe, Asia and America. I would try to travel cleverer with avoiding of too much cold.

I checked the Kusama and Koons or Kunst, as he would like to be called by our German speaking friends and collectors, new recruits of David Zwirner. The meeting with works of Crumb or Adel (Abdessemed) was a big mix-up in my head. I know the challenge was too high for a rusty art (re)viewer. Abdemesssed had a great show in Paris in Beaubourg. I didn’t understand everything as I can’t relate to some of his realities. So, I skipped a little bit the following in NYC by David.

Couple of weeks ago, I had a drink with Bruce Willis at La Palette in Paris. I would have preferred Le Balto or Mazarin. But, Bruce was expecting some company there. Sometimes, it is easier to meet neighbours and friends miles away from the place called home. Didier Gicquel, a really talented French photographer specialized in artists and great personality portraits, took, I guess, a picture of “Bruce almighty”. I had a view of his works at Lelia Mordoch Gallery in Miami.

As he couldn’t come with me at the Chagall opening in the mid-afternoon at Musée du Luxembourg, I attended myself alone. A nice show with great works in a relatively small-size museum. These paintings and drawings needed this intimacy. It is related to the works in the time of war.

Once in Paris, I was invited to attend the “César”, which is rewarding French films of the year. The only comparison somehow with our “Oscar” is the fact they are giving awards. Everything was so boring with no humor and private joke, that are understandable from not many happy-few. I guess their working system is the more boring, the better. Michael Hanneke with “Amour” was celebrated a lot. Kevin Kostner, who came in Paris for receiving an honorary award for his career, fell asleep. Blame it on the jetlag!

There is still at the Musée en Herbe, close to Place des Victoires, an exhibition of Vasarely presented by Fondation Vasarely  is a really good quality and gives a nice introduction to art for the kids.