Is every artwork inherently political, and has this always been the case? Can the interpretation of the same artwork be dependent on the political climate, the era or the geographical location in which it is being presented? Does art possess a timeless quality? In contemporary art fairs and biennials, these questions can work as platforms for introducing new artistic approaches, emerging talents and for reintroducing past works that now may hold different significance. Artists constantly reimagine our world, offering fresh perspectives. Yet, within the realms of commercial and nonprofit art scenes, we must ask whether we amplify artists’ voices and provide them space for expression or, at times, reduce their sacred creations to commodities and symbols of status and power. I, more than ever, entrust artists to help us navigate this moment, reframe the past through the present and … [Read more...] about CONSTANTLY REIMAGINING OUR WORLD: THE ART WORLD SHINES IN NYC, MIAMI BEACH & SÃO PAULO
Editorials
ART WITH A CAPITAL A?
It seems like every day I learn about a new development in the world of artificial intelligence (AI). As an artist, I’m most concerned about AI-generated “art” and its cultural implications. Some of the images I’ve seen are fascinating to be sure, and the complicated processes used to create these images are just as interesting (although admittedly, often beyond my technical understanding). Luckily, I don’t need to understand the precise processes behind AI-generated images to appreciate them. But are these images truly Art with a capital A? Or are they simply interesting visuals? Arriving at a conclusion may be difficult if we don’t all share the same, high-level definition of what art is. For ages people have struggled to define art. Eternally lacking objective and definitive boundaries, the art world continues to press on creating. When an artist pushes the “limits” of creation and … [Read more...] about ART WITH A CAPITAL A?
A CALL FOR ORIGINALITY: GIVING ARTISTS A HEADS-UP IN THE GALLERY WORLD
Artists often wonder how to get representation by a gallery as an entrée into the established art world. Mega- galleries such as Hauser & Wirth and Galerie Lelong welcome artists of multiple viewpoints, artistic modes of practice and styles of representation. For large and smaller galleries, an overriding agenda is important in maintaining a personality within the gallery world, and the artist must research what that agenda is, and apply to the gallery that most fits their work. Galleries run the gamut from concern with the environment, social justice, identity, abstraction, representation by national or ethnic identity and more. However, should an opinion expressed in an artwork not be initially shared by a gallery, if an artist’s work can convince the gallerist that his concern and viewpoint is worth displaying for the gallery’s audience, and his or her expression is remarkable, … [Read more...] about A CALL FOR ORIGINALITY: GIVING ARTISTS A HEADS-UP IN THE GALLERY WORLD
A MELTING FLOW OF COLOR: NFTS, EARLY SALES, KEPT MIAMI ART WEEK 2021 UPBEAT
The sky was blue all week, with nary a raindrop falling to mar the art world experience of Miami Art Week or keep visitors from the many outside installations on the beach. This Art Basel Miami Beach and Miami Art Week was different than those of years past. The crowds were thinner but determined to obtain work and bring it home. Most galleries sold out their work within the first two VIP days, as buyers did not know when the next opportunity to obtain artwork at a fair would be. The art was generally upbeat, with the crowds ignoring the coming storm or Covid strain, with artists rivaling each other to produce the most beautiful scenes or portraits or abstract forms. The question posed by all was how do we create beauty that rivals the gorgeous colors and land and waterscape outside the doors of the Miami Beach Convention Center or the tents on the beach? The answer seemed to … [Read more...] about A MELTING FLOW OF COLOR: NFTS, EARLY SALES, KEPT MIAMI ART WEEK 2021 UPBEAT
GAME ON: ART BASEL MIAMI BEACH 2021 PREVIEW
The art fair game is changing. It’s fast approaching the game of slip and slide, ad schedules change along with rules for admittance due to the Covid-19 pandemic, making attendance by galleries, artists and the art market public a game of chance. Following Art Basel and satellite fairs in Switzerland in September, that had been rescheduled from June 2021 with the June 2020 fair cancelled, Art Basel Miami Beach 2021, open privately and by invitation only from November 30 through December 1 and open to the public from December 2 through 4, promises 254 exhibitors, including 43 first-time participants, at the Miami Beach Convention Center — the same venue used in 2019 before the pandemic hit. With five sectors, including Galleries; Positions, presenting solo exhibits by emerging artists; Nova, showing new work by multiple artists; Survey, with art created pre-2000; and Editions presenting … [Read more...] about GAME ON: ART BASEL MIAMI BEACH 2021 PREVIEW
RISING TO THE CHALLENGE: ONLINE AND IN-PERSON, ART BASEL RETURNS
After more than a year of artists delving deeper into their own practice with little or no feedback from fellow artists or gallerists on the progression of their work, it will be exciting for artists, gallerists and the art public to see new artwork. Giddy anticipation on the part of viewers adds to the excitement for Art Basel and other fairs in Basel, Switzerland, coming September 19 through 26. As Marc Spiegler, Global Director of Art Basel was quoted in the introductory materials for the Switzerland-based fair, “While the pandemic has been a time of resilience and innovation it has not always been one of discovery – patrons have often not been able to discover the work of new artists.” Artscope, showing in the magazine sector, is happy to be part of the excited crowd seeing new work by artists seen before and discovering new artists and galleries showing for the first time at Art … [Read more...] about RISING TO THE CHALLENGE: ONLINE AND IN-PERSON, ART BASEL RETURNS