Stampede of Sound: To Support Space for Giants

Stampede of Sound, set for November 2nd at the Brooklyn Bowl in NYC is an extravagant philanthropic party and concert, which will be supporting the incredible work of Space for Giants.  With proceeds going to fund the organization’s vital work in protecting African elephants and their natural landscapes.

The event, which among its many highlights, features a performance by Nile Rodgers that was organized by Space for Giants’s Creative and Philanthropic Director, Lexi Bowes-Lyon along with Ashley Wyndham.  The exclusive eight hundred person event is set to be attended by over one hundred celebrities, including both influencers as well as philanthropists.  As we get closer to the event, there will also be announcements of additional high-profile artists that will be performing at Stampede of Sound.

Set to take place before the multiple music acts, is a dinner and VIP bowling competition for those who decide to sponsor a lane.  In addition, there will be both pre & post show auctions to benefit Space for Giants.  The main auction items are made up of miniature 3D printed elephants designed by several renowned NYC artists.  For the highly anticipated VIP auction, there will be a wide range of luxurious items and experiences consisting of a Helicopter charter from Blade, Porcelains donated from Lladro, ceramics from Italy’s Amalfi Coast, original images by David Yarrow & Hiroshi Sugimoto, as well as a photo from the personal collection of Patrick McMullan.

For those of you who would like to opt for a VIP table with nine of your closest friends, you will gain access to the pre-event cocktail party and dinner, which includes complimentary drinks throughout the night; in addition to a meet and greet with the musicians and the opportunity to partake in the bowling competition.

To purchase tickets to Stampede of Sound, please visit:  TicketFly.com

Image by:  Marc Millman

A Guide to Krakow Art Galleries

With a rich cultural history and a budding abundance of contemporary art, Poland is rife with diverse artistic venues sure to please any visitor. The ideals of cultural diversity, innovation, inclusivity, and preservation are especially embodied in the plurality of museums, galleries and even Krakow’s street art.  

The cultural experience in this historic city is akin to an artistic feast, filling travelers to the brim. Art lovers seeking ancient, international, contemporary, or any other art genre can take part in the cornucopia which Krakow has to offer. We prepared for you a guide to the artistic, both traditional and progressive, side of this medieval city.

Ancient, Medieval, and Early Modern Art

National Museum in Krakow

The National Museum in Krakow is both the oldest and largest national museum in the country. It includes ten branches and about 900,000 exhibits in its collection, spanning across 12 buildings.

Recently, in a move particularly noteworthy to admirers of Renaissance art, the museum subsumed the Princes Czartoryski Museum, including such works as da Vinci’s “Lady with an Ermine”. The National Museum also hosts a multitude of other ancient, medieval, and early modern works in its permanent and temporary exhibits.

Global Art

Manggha Center of Japanese Art and Technology

Functioning as both a museum and cultural center, the Manggha Center of Japanese Art and Technology seeks to promote an interdisciplinary approach to art.

Although it focuses on the visual arts, the museum’s scope also includes theater, philosophy, film, literature, and many other aspects of Japanese culture. From ukiyo-e woodblock prints to robotic workshops for children, one can expect an eclectic experience with depth and diversity sure to enrich any visitor. The center’s interactive emphasis makes it a popular site even for those new to Japanese art.

International Culture Center (MCK)

The International Culture Center seeks to facilitate intercultural dialogue and broadly protect cultural heritage, predominantly that of Central Europe.

Currently, the center is exhibiting the works of Croatian sculptor and architect, Ivan Meštrović. His works have been integral for communicating Croatian cultural diversity to Europe and the United States, embodying the values of the MCK.

In the center, visitors can expect an intimate and powerful global perspective.

Contemporary

Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCAK)

Though only active since 2010, MOCAK has emerged as a stronghold of contemporary art. Emphasizing post-war avant-garde and conceptual art, the museum seeks to educate visitors on the cultural and ethical value of contemporary works.

Featuring such artists as Marina Abramovic, Ai WeiWei, Reza Aramesh and Polish art personalities: Jonasz Stern, Leon Tarasewicz and Pawel Althamer, MOCAK hosts a range of exhibits confronting a wide range of topics such as gender, intercultural communication between Israel and Poland, and the role of art in society.

Visitors can also enjoy the museum’s cafe and bookshop between visiting exhibits and interactive art pieces.

Bunkier Sztuki

Located right at the edge of Krakow’s Old Town the Bunker of Arts is known as Krakow’s bastion of contemporary works. The collection includes video media, photography, and interactive exhibits.

The museum also holds the international art project “Trauma & Revival,” a years-long project which expresses both Eastern and Western European post-war artistic experiences. Also featured are the works of Ines Doujak, Rupali Patil, and Justyna Medrala, among others.

Polish Cultural Heritage

The Palace of Arts

Seating the oldest Fine Arts Society in Central Europe within its Art Nouveau walls, Palace of Arts began with the intention of promoting Polish artists. Since its inauguration in 1901, the Palace of Arts has come to also house temporary exhibits of contemporary art from both Polish and international artists and one of the most vibrant Krakow’s museums.

The Palace of Arts is currently exhibiting the paintings of Juliusz Joniak, as well as a collection of photography from General Wladyslaw Klimczak, who played a prominent role in the independence of Poland.

Poster Gallery

The Poster Gallery in Krakow is a space for visitors to encounter some of Poland’s rich tradition in poster art. It is home to thousands of posters for film, music, literature, and more; further, it hosts exhibitions, organizes theme poster competitions, and produces a catalogue.

This is the perfect site for graphic art lovers looking to see rare and fascinating designs. Additionally, any visitor is sure to find a previously-unknown poster for their favorite film, book, and/or album.

The Louis Vuitton Foundation Gallery Showcases Works by 20th-Century Masters

The greatest works of art by the most creatively gifted artists from the early 20th century are going to be revealed in Paris at the Louis Vuitton Foundation gallery.  Anticipated to arrive in 2020, the new project from the Louis Vuitton Foundation will be introducing numerous renowned master painters with their works reaching well over 200 pieces all together.

Louis Vuitton Foundation building

The artwork for the Louis Vuitton Foundation gallery were once owned by Russian industrialists Ivan and Mikhail Morozov, who possessed one of the world’s greatest private collections of modern art.  The Soviet state confiscated their private art collection after the revolution in 1917 was concluded, where after all the paintings were retained by the Russian authorities.  This forthcoming art exhibition went through several years of meticulous negotiations between Chairman and CEO of LVMH, Bernard Arnault and the Russian authorities.

picture of Ivan Morozov

In October 2016 to March 2017 the foundation once hosted a relatively analogous exhibition labeled “Icons of Modern Art“.  The event brought in 1.2 million people and showcased the artwork from Sergei Shchukin’s private collection, which was an equally grand art collection when compared to the one the Morozov brothers owned.  The foundation said, “the Morozovs and the Shchukins… dominated Moscow‘s cultural life at the beginning of the 20th century, and helped contribute to the international recognition of French model painters.”

Jeanne Samari portrait by Pierre-Auguste Renoir

Louis Vuitton Foundation’s upcoming exhibition is going to present paintings from the greatest names in the art world such as Picasso, Bonnard, Maurice Dennis and Derain,  In addition, the industrialists had accumulated a massive number of paintings before the Russian revolution that included works by Van Gogh, Monet, Cezanne, and Renoir.  Jean-Paul Claverie, the art adviser to LVMH boss Arnault, who is the head of the Louis Vuitton Foundation, said the Morozov’s’ private art collection has not once been showcased to such a large extent anywhere in the world ever since it was seized by the Russian authorities.

For more information visit:  FondationLouisVuitton.fr/en

Lost Work by Diego Velázquez Rediscovered

A rediscovered work by famed 17th century Spanish old master, Diego Velázquez, recently fetched 8.7M USD at auction.   The 57 x 44cm work is appropriately named ‘Retrato de niña o Joven Inmaculada’ or in English, Portrait of a Girl or Young Immaculate.

‘Retrato de niña o Joven Inmaculada’ by artist Diego Velázquez

The painting had created quite the stir when it was rediscovered, and was subjected to strict export restrictions by Spain’s government due to the works significant Spanish cultural value.  Apparently, ‘Retrato de niña o Joven Inmaculada’ had been owned privately by the same family for several generations, just recently being rediscovered by art historian & consultant, Richard de Willermin.  Diego Velázquez is well noted as one of the greatest Spanish artists, currently over 60 Velázquez’s are being displayed at The Prado Museum of Madrid.  Experts at the Prado have also been introduced to this newly found work, but they have issued no official statement regarding the piece.

The Prado Museum of Madrid

No pre-sale estimate was given by the auction house; though the work was sold for the initial price of 8M Euros (8.7M USD) with no higher bids offered.  The buyer is anonymous, though he or she is likely a Spainish resident due to the fact that this work is not permitted to leave the country due to its cultural significance.  As a true master, Velázquez created fewer than 200 works, though in no less than meticulate detail.  This piece is an incredibly rare work, as only 120 works by Velázquez are known to be in existence at this time.

Diego Velázquez

The Auctioneers noted that they had an X-ray analysis conducted of the work with findings indicating that beneath the under paint the young girl features a crown of stares nearly indictical to the Immaculate Conception (another well known work by Velázquez).

Picassos Included

Set in the southern French area of Provence, lay the Chateau de Castille nestled in the medieval town of Uzès; with original structures dating back to the thirteenth century and containing unrivaled “built-in” modern art by the great master himself, Pablo Picasso.  Formerly the residence of the Baron de Castille up until 1950 when it was acquired by famed English art-collector and expert, Douglas Cooper, whom not only amassed one of the most significant 20th century art collections, but also fostered friendships with many of the modern masters themselves.

Pablo Picasso, who was a close friend of Douglas Cooper frequented the estate, eventually even installing five spectacular frescos on several areas across the exterior walls around the logia; subsequently these murals by Picasso have been dubbed “Historic Monuments” along with several other parts of the chateau by the French Government.  So no, unfortunately to the current & future owners dismay these brilliant murals cannot be removed from the property to be placed at auction or even just transported to your home down the road.  Although at a price point beneath 10M USD, the estate may yet prove to be the perfect investment for the right lover of Modern Art & Historic French Architecture.

The Chateau boasts two drawing rooms, two dining rooms, several kitchens, 7 bedrooms and 8 bathrooms contained in 560 sq.m. (nearly 6,000 sqft) of luxurious living space.  The creative interior was designed & decorated by famed American designer Dick Dumas.  Mr. Dumas who worked on many chateaus across the French country side, is highly respected for his career in France which spanned several decades across multiple prestigious provencal properties.

Chateau de Castille offers opulent historic park like grounds exceeding 2 hectares (nearly six acres), which make for an enchanting entertainment area; which include a magnificent private tree lined drive, a formal knot garden, and a central water feature located behind the main residence.  The opportunity to purchase this historic & artistically significant Chateau is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity, as this is the first time the property has entered the open market in over fifty years.

For more information please visit: www.sothebysrealty.com

Ocean Conservation: Kenyan Company Turns Flip Flops into Artwork

With ocean pollution continuing to threaten the survival and overall health of marine life worldwide; a new organization emerges to turn flip flops (one of the most common forms of ocean pollution) into magnificent colorful pieces of art and assist in developing trade in the African nation of Kenya.

Although the Watamu shores of Kenya should be pristine, they are currently anything but.  As flip flops made from synthetic materials have become the most common shoe of the underprivileged, they have in-turn also become one of the world’s oceans biggest polluters.  With eight million tons of plastic entering our oceans each year, estimates advise that if we do not change, there will be more plastic in the oceans than fish by 2050.

Erin Smith at Ocean Sole AKA the Flip Flop Recycling Company, a social enterprise based in Nariobi, Kenya has been working  to change this unfortunate reality for over two decades, by recycling washed up flip flops from the Indian Ocean and turning them into inherently unique pieces of colorful art.  To increase awareness of the international problem, Ocean Sole aims to recycle over 400,000 flip flops every year by converting them to extremely creative Kenyan style works of art.

Ocean Sole’s creative team continues to use their imagination in branching out into new products that even include furniture & sculptures.  The majority of art-work features elephants, lions, gorillas and many other threatened species from all across the globe.  Ocean Sole’s most significant creations are appropriately dubbed “Grand Masterpieces” these works are significant in more than one way with some examples exceeding 18 feet, like their nearly life-size sculpture of a Giraffe and even giant chess pieces for eco-savvy resorts around the world.

A significant portion of Ocean Soles proceeds are transferred back to their foundation to continue research & education to assist in revenging ocean pollution.  As Ocean Sole continues to clean up the beaches across Kenya, the country also benefits from increased tourism from there clean beaches resulting in overall economic growth.  Ocean Sole is continuing to discuss opening similar projects through-out the world.

For more information please visit:  www.ocean-sole.com

Dubai Culture Village, UAE: Jameel Arts Centre

Preparations are underway for the Jameel Arts Centre located in Dubai, which will prevail as a new extensive art institute that features gifted artists from across the globe.  The Art Centre will be positioned at the apex of Dubai’s Culture Village, looking over the Dubai Creek, where it will accommodate more than 1,000 square meters of gallery space in addition to an outside sculpture area, a roof terrace, a restaurant, a book store and a cafe.  The Arts Centre is scheduled to open in 2018, and will have work of art from its own Jameel Art Collection as well as individual & group presentations that offer opportune collaborations with artists from all corners of the world; be it regional or internationally based.

The building’s design (carefully contrived by a UK-based company) was devised as a sequence of box shaped structures linked through a one-story high waterfront portico.  A string of courtyards situated amidst the complex and the portico provide room for patrons of the art the opportunity to relax in leisure between galleries, at the same time the portico alone acts as a social spot that aims to exhilarate the property’s breathtaking waterfront.  In addition, each courtyard is to be landscaped into an embodiment of a specific desert, together with unique plants culled from all over the world.

This sublime non-profit contemporary art scene emanates from Art Jameel, which is an institute that preserves Arts & Culture throughout The Middle East.  And the new Arts Centre is not their only revelation, Art Jameel has also announced a continual partnership which will allow the gallery permission in procuring works by Middle Eastern contemporary artists.

Prior to the opening of the Arts Centre, Art Jameel has launched an interim Project Space located in Alserkal Avenue, Dubai, where there investiture exhibition showcases a five-channel video by artists Basel Abbas and Ruanne Abou-Rahme.

For more information visit:  ArtJameel.org or this Guide to Dubai’s Jameel Art Centre

Visit The BAR For The Open Studios of Gianna Dispenza

The Beirut Art Residency (BAR) is having an open-call.  Anyone who deeply enjoys amazing works of art made by truly creative minds will undoubtedly love this event. The brilliant American artist Gianna Dispenza as well as fellow artist Darryl Westley will be showcasing their work at this incredible event as the new artists-in-residence.  In addition, many other artists will be present during the various BAR events to display their artwork and ability, that put into words is “completely extraordinary”.

BAR is an artist-run interdisciplinary, nonprofit space that embraces residence from every single artistic background.  The BAR artist-in-residence program is the begining for rising artists on their way to build up their career and for already established artists to discover more methods, skills, and knowledge about their profession.  The art residency pursues foster cross-cultural connections amidst participants and the local artistic community within Beirut.  The BAR does this through open panel discussions, orginized screening, workshops, and performances with professional artists from all around the world (including the Middle East).

Hidden away in the side streets of central Beirut’s Gemmayze district stands a unique building with exhilerating views that overlooks the shipping port.  This beautiful area along with Mar Mikhael, is in the middle of Beirut’s bohemian quarter.  The several art spaces around the gemmayze district holds a large amount importance and authority in Beirut’s prospering arts and culture sphere.

The Beirut Art Residence will be showcasing the open studios of Gianna Dispenza & Darryl Westley this Thursday, October 27th from 7-10PM at Pasteur st. Gemmayze facing Coral Gas Station in Beirut.

For more information on the BAR and their upcoming events visit:  BeirutArtResidency.com

Meet The Art Of Bugatti Exhibition

The Petersen Automotive Museum located in Los Angeles, will be showcasing the Art of Bugatti exhibit on the 23rd of October, as they introduce their greatest creations from their most stylish designs to their highest performance vehicles.  In addition, the French automobile manufacturer will not only be presenting classic to high performance cars, but also some of the Bugatti’s family’s most extraordinary furniture and pieces of art.

Showing an automotive lineup like never before, Bugatti has placed 20 exceptional cars from throughout their many years in business.  The first car in the exhibition is their 1925 Type 35C Grand Prix, which is the same 129 hp model that won the Grand Prix World Championship in the following year.  The lineup will also feature two examples of what many have acknowledged to be among the most rare and breathtaking cars in existence, the 1939 Type 57C Atalante.  For a more modern coupe, the 1994 EB110 Super Sport Le Mans that qualified in 17th place for the cars namesake race (which did not finish), will also be displayed in the exhibition.  And to symbolize Bugatti’s leading-edge inventiveness is the 1,500 hp Chiron, with a world-wide reputation as the fastest and most powerful production today.

Ettore Bugatti’s brother Rembrandt, complemented the mechanized marvels with his seldom-seen artwork.  Contemplative of Rembrandt’s genius, the pieces in the exhibit include a cast bronze sculpture of Ettore’s wife Barbara (1906) and another piece constructed from cast bronze & wood titled Seated Panther (1907).  Plus patriarch Carlo Bugatti, who was a famous furniture maker, has his work displayed with three lavish/throne-like ordinations that go as far back as 1898.  Opening hours are from 10 am to 6 pm everyday, Art of Bugatti is planned to be on display for around a year, admission is priced at $15 for adults.

For more information visit:  Petersen.org

Francis Bacon Exhibit: From Picasso to Velázquez

The Guggenheim Museum located in Bilbao has set up an amazing exhibit, showcasing work by the world renown 20th century modern artist Francis Bacon.  Titled “Francis Bacon: From Picasso to Velázquez” the event is curated by Martin Harrison as the exhibit recalls Bacon’s artistic originality with 80 works that stretch across six decades, and as an added bonus the museum is bringing in some very exclusive, very rarely exhibited paintings.

The exhibition reexamines not only Bacon’s unique imagination that he cleverly conveyed to the canvas, but also what stirred up and bolstered his view of the art world.  Bacon’s earliest influence first began from Analytical and Synthetic Cubism, as well as Picasso’s biomorphic Cubism.  As the timeless significance of Picasso’s oeuvre in the 1920’s-1930’s later turned toward Velázquez, whose portrait of the Pope Innocent X developed into a career wide obsession for Bacon, as he created over 50 works based on that portrait.  The devotion to that painting along with other references, by Sergei Eisenstein’s film “Battleship Potemkin” to “Allusions to Paintings” by Chaïm Soutine.

Francis Bacon’s style of painting was mainly focused on the human physique or figure, drawing them disfigured on the canvas, after all his distorted view of reality is what made his work so interesting and full of creativity.  He wanted to enhance the expressiveness of his painting to an even higher degree through the practice of contorted details and mangled silhouettes.

Francis Bacon said this as for his introspectively exposed concept: “Of course, one does put in such things as ears and eyes.  But then one would like to put them in as irrationally as possible.  And the only reason for this irrationality is that, if it does come about, it brings the force of the image over very much more strongly than if one just sat down and illustrated the appearance.  I always hope to be able to make a great number of figures without a narrative.”

Bacon was the second living artist after Picasso to be given a contemplative at the Grand Palais, Paris in 1971, and was also the first western artist displayed in the former Soviet Union during 1988.  The Exhibition “From Picasso to Velázquez” will be open from September 30th, 2016 to January 8, 2017.

For more information visit:  TheGuggenheimMuseum