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