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The art world has gone a bit mad lately and I am back to feeling like a rat on a treadmill however, there are some amazing moments not to be missed. I have no idea if all this will become a part of art history but what I do know is that the ‘now’ is very strong and poignant. I always try to pinpoint artists with talent and that have some sort of head on their shoulders and I do like to go for what I think is genius, but sometimes the opportunity is missed even when you are staring it in the face.
One of the interesting organisations of the ‘Tennies’ is The Still House Group who are producing great work whilst working with such huge external pressures. Myself, Lizzie, Brendan Lynch, Paul Luckraft, Maitreyi Maheshwari, Isaac Brest, Alex Perweiler, Peter Sutherland and Roy pose in front of a KAWS with a Jack Newling painting reflected in the window.
Alex, Peter and Brendan each have solo shows on at White Cube at the moment with Peter’s showing his quite organic and sensitive work with rocks.
All 3 shows are strong and really held their own alongside the main Gursky exhibition. They are certainly not wilting flowers.
On the opening night Tracey Emin launched ‘Serpentine,’ a perfume created by London Serpentine Galleries in a collaboration between Comme des Garcons and Tracey. It was a great marriage of fashion, philanthropy, institution and artist. The words ‘The Heart Has It’s Reasons’ set the scene for the evening where works were auctioned with all proceeds given to the Serpentine, Tracey’s generosity has no bounds.
I managed to get to CARLOS/ISHIKAWA where Richard Sides and Steve Bishop have curated a most impressive group of artists. Including French artist Renaud Jerez, who I had previously spotted at DRAFT
and Stuart Middleton who’s work I rather liked but did bring in to play the eternal question of ‘art or not art?’
Paul and I visited Eloise Hawser at her studio having seen her work originally at Independent, New York in Balice Hertling’s booth. Eloise is a dynamic lady who knows exactly what she is doing, even though it is sometimes hard to keep on her track.
I dropped into Chisenhale Gallery and adored the artist Céline Condorelli, such a lovely person. Her work is so collaborative and interesting. The longer I stayed the more narrative I discovered. Polly Staple and Céline relax in part of the installation.
Over a quick breakfast at home I tried to tackle my inundated post box. It was so choc-full of auction catalogues I nearly needed a crane to bring them into the house. Thank goodness they deliver the handy little handbag notebook’s to run alongside the big book’s.
For one night I headed over to Gallery Weekend Berlin. There was an abundance of great art and it gave me a chance to acquire a wonderful Hugh Scott-Douglas for the collection from his show at Cory Nielson. The show was really good and I am crossing my fingers that he continues to stay his own person and create works for himself rather than for the demand of the collectors.
Dropped into Société where Ned Vena was showing his black and white psychedelic, very 1960s but very Ned Vena. He had lined the floors with loads of smelly rubber flooring.
Also found time to visit the magical Florian Meisenberg at Wentrup Gallery and view his new video's and painting's.
Despina Stokou had a wonderful show of her word paintings at EIGEN + Art Lab.
My favourite show was the master Seth Price, who was once again pushing the envelope at Isabella Bortolozzi.
Interestingly CFA were showing a few artists including the famous Christian Rosa. I like the work but it does not grip me.
Contrary to this, I believe Rosy Keyser to be the real deal and was so happy to see some of her magnificent works.
I also loved the mattresses of Kari Upson, they are fun and challenging. Kari is an interesting conceptual artist and rigorously collected by the Rubell’s.
In reaction to so much demand for painting, David Ostrowski only created three mammoth works for Peres Projects. I think David’s message is; ‘time to slow down’ and I hope that some of his fellow artist’s follow suit. There are now too many art works and too many collectors around for my liking. This makes for a noisy art world and everything becomes so less special and precious.
I managed to have a wonderful dinner with the two Nicks; Nick Koenigsknecht and my fellow Insta. friend and curator Nicolas Trembley hosted by Peres Projects.
Then it was back home and a visit ‘on location’ to Omer Fasts new film ‘Remainder’ based on a book by Tom McCarthy. The film will be wonderful and we commissioned an art work to be made alongside the film as Omar loves to layer his work. Smokes and Mirrors all the way. This is me inside the bank vault that is about to be robbed.
On my way home I finally got to Rod Barton to catch the opening of Luc Fuller. Rod is showing some interesting artists these days.Now, New York here I come….
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