ALIGHIERO BOETTI: LA FORZA DEL CENTRO

ART SHOW: 

Alighiero Boetti: La Forza del Centro

Gladstone Gallery

515 W. 24th Street

through March 23 (sorry, you missed it!)

Part of the arte povera (literally: "poor art") movement, this Italian artist (1940-1994) aimed to create works of art out of modest materials meant to take art off its highbrow pedestal.  Many of his ideas were executed (per his loose direction) by others.  These embroidered alphabet grids ("arazzi") were embroidered by Pakistani and Afghan artisans, who selected and combined colors according to their own ideas.  In order to really appreciate these colorful word treats, a working knowledge of Italian is required to pick up on the word plays and phrases within.  But for the non-Italian literate, these charming and vivid patterns are still worth a look (especially for the littles who are obsessed with the alphabet!)

photo: Michou Mahtani

photo: Michou Mahtani

photo: Michou Mahtani

QUESTIONS TO ASK:

1. What differences/ similarities do you see in these pieces?

2. Why do you think the pieces are grouped as they are?  And why do you think the artist chose to make these grids in so many different sizes?

3. These pieces are all hand embroidered by artisans.  How would these be different if they were simply painted or done with crayons?

4. Look at one of the pieces and see if you can find any phrases or anagrams that you recognize in the alphabet.  

5. Many of the Arte Povera artists made works of art that appealed to all five senses.  How do these embroidered pieces do that?  Does the embroidery make you want to touch them?

6. What is the mood of these works?

LINKS TO GO DEEPER:

MOMA curators talk about the artist and "The Radical Decade" in this video

Watch the preview (or better yet, find the full length version) of the video essay "Tea" by Mario Garcia Torres which "documents an artistic gesture surrounding Alghiero Boetti's One Hotel in Afghanistan."  

Check out some of the other projects that Boetti did with Afghan artisans.

EXTENSIONS:

For kids:

*What kind of project can you do using the alphabet?  Get out markers, scissors, bric brac and construction paper and let yourself be inspired by Alighero Boetti.

For Parents:

* The arte povera movement was influenced by 1968 student protests started in Paris and eventually all over Europe.  The Occupy movement is also disenchanted by the establishment.  There were makeshift art shows that cropped up in response to this shift in thinking.  Take a look at some:

hyperallergic 

CNN

Gothamist

ART I HEART

This week we're celebrating Easter, Passover...and Vincent Van Gogh's birthday!  Here's some of my favorites by and for the master artist.  

Q: What did Mike Tyson say to Vincent Van Gogh?

A: Can I have a bite?

Joyeux Anniversaire, VVG!

 Vincent Van Gogh- "Woman in the Cafe Tambourin"

Vincent Van Gogh- "Still Life Vase with Twelve Sunflowers"

Henri de Toulouse Lautrec- "Portrait of Vincent Van Gogh" 

 Ronnie Landfield- "For Vincent Van Gogh"

 Vincent Van Gogh- "Skull with Burning Cigarette"

Vincent Van Gogh- "Portrait of Joseph Roulin"

Sam Francis- "Homage to Vincent Van Gogh"

 Vincent Van Gogh- "The House of Pere Pilion"

 Vincent Van Gogh- "View of Arles with Trees in Blossom"

 Paul Gauguin- "Self Portrait Dedicated to Vincent Van Gogh (Les Miserables)"

Vincent Van Gogh- "Paul Gauguin's Armchair"

Vincent Van Gogh- "Self Portrait"

Vincent Van Gogh- "Starry Night"

DADDY, BUY ME A PONY

NICK CAVE: HEARD NY

March 25–31, 2013

Grand Central Terminal
Vanderbilt Hall
Daily Crossings / 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM

"A herd of horses has been unleashed in Grand Central Terminal. Grazing in Vanderbilt Hall, they move at a pace perhaps too slow for the needs of a commuter, seeming to ask us to slow down. To take a second. To look. Visitors are suddenly lured into a pasture of altered perception as they come upon this visually evocative herd of Soundsuits— artist Nick Cave’s meticulously handcrafted sculptures, transformed by pairs of performers into fantastical creatures. The peculiar breeds reflect and dislocate Grand Central Terminal’s dizzying sense of wonder. Amidst the buzz of the station a swooshing sound emerges, the fibrous material of the horses’ coat brushing up against itself, a calm, windlike sound. The sound of slow time."

What a spectacular image!  If only this wasn't in New York City, where it would be impossible for a commuter to just stumble across something this large of scale.  It would be the equivalent of just stumbling across the statue of liberty unaware from your rowboat.  When we arrived 30 minutes early, we had to first get past the rows of security guards, park our stroller in the generous guarded stroller parking and then fight the crowds of people for a coveted spot near the front.  (Side note: they have thoughtfully kept open seating on one side for children and their parents.)  Then we had to wait an additional 20 minutes in a crowd for the show to begin.  This wouldn't be something you just slowed down for.  That said, what a magical showcase of talent-- from Nick Cave's astonishing horse coats, to the Ailey School student dancers, to the harpist and percussionists.  

Tips to make your viewing more pleasurable:

a) Make sure your child is not coming down with a fever

b) Make sure your child is in the mood to wait 30 minutes in a crowd waiting for the performance to start

c) Make sure your child is not afraid of masks, and doesn't start a mini riot in the toddler demographic by shouting "ITS SCARY!!!!"  

QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF:

1. How would you define "wearable art"?

2. These creations are meant to evoke the spirit of being alive.  Compare how this works once the dancer gets inside, rather than just on display.

3. Why do you think Nick Cave chose horses as his focus?  

4. Why do you think Nick Cave chose Grand Central Terminal as the location for Heard NY?

5. Nick Cave is a trained Alvin Ailey dancer, so it makes sense that movement influences his work.  But think about how his "soundsuits" go beyond being costumes.  

LINKS TO DIVE DEEPER:

*the official website for Heard NY

*Check out Nick Cave's incredible Soundsuits, which he's been making for over 20 years.

* Great 2011 article in the Observer about Nick Cave and his process.  

*PBS short news video about the artist

EXTENSIONS:

For parents: Nick Cave was influenced by the film "Paris is Burning."  It's available on Netflix instant- watch it again.

For kids:  Make your own wearable art by starting with this project by Wikihow: Make a grass skirt out of streamers.  Then add beads, pipe cleaners, glued on toys, or whatever your heart desires.  Then, learn how to shimmy!

KIDS SKETCHBOOK CHALLENGE 4

Lincoln, age 3

In this sketchbook challenge, we are drawing/ painting/ creating based off a new theme each week.  This time was HOME.  My son decided to embellish his dream home with a snowman out front.  What did your child come up with?  Email me the finished product and I'll post it next week-- as well as the topic for next week, BEST FRIEND.  I look forward to seeing your entries!

LINKS OF INTEREST

PEOPLE IN GLASS HOUSES...

Artist: Nina Surel

Artist: J. Kevin Foltz

* While in Miami, my friend brought me to the ArtCenter South Florida.  Located right on Lincoln Road, this art deco building houses forty-two artist studios.  Passerbys are encouraged to walk through the building and peek in at the artists at work in their glass studio spaces.  We were there on a Saturday and there wasn't much creation happening, but what fun to see the different workspaces and the pieces in progress!  Their residency program is granted through an application process, but beyond just gaining space to create (at a minimum of 30 hours a week), artists also gain exposure-- more than 100,000 visitors a year.  Additionally, the space offers adult classes and art camps for youngsters.  

photo: People Magazine

photo: Gothamist

* As part of a performance art piece called "The Maybe" at the MOMA, Tida Swinton is sleeping in a giant glass box.  Originally performed in London in 1995, she has brought it to New York for those lucky enough to catch it.  No one knows when she will be in the box-- it's at her discretion.  

"An integral part of The Maybe's incarnation at MoMA in 2013 is that there is no published schedule for its appearance, no artist's statement released, no no museum statement beyond this brief context, no public profile or image issued. Those who find it chance upon it for themselves, live and in real—shared—time: now we see it, now we don't."

Even if your kids don't recognize Tilda Swinton, they'll understand the intimacy of watching another human sleep.

*A great companion piece to this exhibit is David Bowie's video for "The Stars (Are Out Tonight)" where Bowie and Tilda Swinton play ordinary British folk that are harassed by celebrities.  The first lines of the video are "Stars are never sleeping..."  What does this mean in reference to the MOMA performance piece?

  

  

JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT: GAGOSIAN GALLERY

ART SHOW:

Jean-Michel Basquiat
Gagosian Gallery- 555 W. 24th Street
February 7, 2013 - April 6, 2013

This extensive exhibit is a perfect introduction to Basquiat's brief and prolific career (and life: he died at age 27.)  Featuring over 50 works spanning about 6 rooms of gallery space, the art features his signature of graffiti, oil paints and collage.  The words scrawled across his works often act as poetry or puns- great fun for emergent readers (and their parents.)  There's hero adoration here, from jazz riffs on Charlie Parker/ Ornothology to tributes to boxing champ, Cassius Clay.  Additionally, there's much political content to be dissected.  This body of work is as fresh now as ever, proving Basquiat's legendary art-star status.

photos by Michou Mahtani

QUESTIONS TO ASK:

1. Select one of the paintings, and use the words to write a poem or song inspired by the painting.
2. Explore the symbolism of the "crown" that Basquiat uses.  Can you think of a symbol to represent our current culture?
3. Basquiat's tag was SAMO which stood for "Same old, same old."  Pick a tag name for yourself and your friends with hidden meaning.
4. Look at the subjects that Basquiat chose to portray as heroes.  Think of a hero in your own life that you could characterize in your own work of art.
5. What do you think the term "visual poetry" means and how does it relate to these works?
6. Basquiat said that the words he crosses out are the ones to pay attention to.  Look at some examples of this and see if you think that works the way he intended.

LINKS TO GET INTO IT:

Gagosian video of the entire exhibition.

Review of the show from the NY Times.

Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child Trailer.  Watch the whole film on Netflix Instant.


EXTENSIONS:

For Parents: Watch Julian Schnabel's fantastic 1996 biopic, Basquiat, which covers the artist's meteoric rise as an artist and stars Jeffrey Wright (and a great performance by David Bowie as Andy Warhol.)  On Netflix Instant.

For Kids: This fun website was a go-along to the past Brooklyn Museum show of Basquiat where you can make your own graffiti inspired works online.

ART I HEART

Spring is in the air, even while there's still snow melting on the ground.  But in appreciation of the chirping sparrows outside my window, here's some of the best art featuring our feathered friends.

John Audubon

Lucian Freud

Frida Kahlo

Joan Miro

Rene Magritte

 Damien Hirst

 M.C. Escher

Vincent Van Gogh

 Jackson Pollock

Pablo Picasso

THE LOVE SONG OF JONNY VALENTINE: A NOVEL

The Love Song of Jonny Valentine: A Novel

by Teddy Wayne

It's easy to dismiss child stars as bubble gum, trite, wannabes who haven't the chops to be respected.  But in order to become the mega-stars that they are, they have to learn more discipline and political swagger than most of us require in a lifetime.   While on vacation in Miami, I read "The Love Song of Johnny Valentine" by Teddy Wayne, which gave me so much sympathy for those youngsters who have so much pressure riding on their shoulders.  Closely based on the Justin Bieber story, Jonny Valentine is an 11-year-old heartthrob whose fame and fortune goes hand in hand with family turbulence and severe isolation.  For those of us interested in pop culture, children and artistry- this is a must read!

QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF:

1.  Compare and contrast the child stars of today (Justin Bieber, Lindsay Lohan) to the ones of yesteryear (Michael Jackson, Donny Osmond).  What new pressures and complications are there in this day in age?

2. How has youtube and social media changed the fame game?

3. At what age or circumstances would finding overnight fame be less challenging?  

4. If your child or loved one got the chance to "make it big", how would you go about protecting them from the problems that go along with it?

5. “The top person is never simply the most talented, or the smartest, or the best-looking. They sacrifice anything in their lives that might hold them back.” (p 37)  Do you think this is true?

6. How would being in a famous pop group be different than being a pop star?

LINKS TO DIVE DEEPER:

* Read a review of the book in the NY Times.

* Watch The Musical Youth perform on Saturday Night Live for how young performers can be extremely cool.

* If you read the book, check out the official Reading Group Guide for a Q & A with the author.

EXTENSIONS:

1. Compare this book to a musician's autobiography.  How does Jonny Valentine's story compare?

2. Watch Justin Bieber: Never Say Never on Netflix.  In this documentary (which I haven't seen yet, but am planning on watching this weekend), Justin Bieber returns to his hometown.  His story, from being an average teen to an overnight sensation, is encapsulated.  

3. Make a music playlist of your favorite teen sensations of all times and rock out with your kids.  Here's a list to get you started.

Jackson 5- I'll Be There

Donny Osmond- Go Away Little Girl

New Edition- Candy Girl

N' Sync- I Want You Back

Menudo- Hold Me

Kris Kross- Jump

Partridge Family- I Think I Love You

Leif Garret- I Was Made For Dancing

KID'S SKETCHBOOK CHALLENGE 3

Lincoln, Age 3

In this sketchbook challenge, we are drawing/ painting/ creating based off a new theme each week.  This time was FAVORITE FOOD.  I have to admit that I was very surprised with this out-of-the-box choice by my son...who is not a picky eater, but still...surprising choice!  Catch up in your sketchbooks and send in the entries for next week's theme-- HOME.  I look forward to seeing your children's works of art!

LINK OF INTEREST

 From the design blog, Oh Joy, I discovered the fascinating non-profit company, RxArt.  "A non-profit organization dedicated to placing original fine art in patient, procedure, and examination rooms of healthcare facilities."  The mission is "improve otherwise sterile environments through contemporary art, promote healing and inspire hope and patients, families and staff." Being in a hospital is depressing enough, and to see sterile art on the walls-- especially for children is heartbreaking.  This company's efforts are enlivening so many children's hospitals.  Additionally, they have produced and distributed Art Coloring Books Artists featuring artists like KAWS,  Ben Jones and Terence Koh free of charge to the children at the hospitals.

ART I HEART

In celebration of St. Patrick's Day, here's some rainbows!!  Hope you all find a pot of gold this year.

Balthus

George Inness

Charles and Ray Eames

'

Grandma Moses

Marc Chagall

Peter Max

Roy Lichtenstein

Wassily Kandinsky

Yaacov Agam