State of the Art

The Saffronart Blog

Month: November 2012

The Printmaking of a Prolific Artist: Joan Miro and His Lithographs

November 18, 2012

Amy Lin of Saffronart explores the whimsical world of Joan Miro’s Lithographs

New York: Refused to be pigeonholed into one movement, Joan Miro (1893-1983) is remembered as one of the most influential Spanish artists of the 20th century. With an artistic career spanning almost a century, Miro saw the rise of Surrealism and Fauvism, and influenced generations of Dadaist and Abstract Expressionists. Miro’s own works evolved over the decades, becoming more abstract and imaginative through time.

Joan Miro by James Johnson Sweeney
1974
Lithograph on Guarro wove paper
13.5 x 20 in. (34.3 x 50.8 cm)

Miro experimented with lithographs at the most mature stage of his career. By the 1940s, Miro had fostered a distinctive style with dark outlines, organic shapes and bold colours that evoked a sense of sophistication and innocence. This style also used automatism (a Surrealist concept of drawing images from the subconscious) in rendering subjects. Miro would often lie awake in bed at night, sometimes not having eaten all day, and let images come to him in this dark and dreamlike state. In the morning, he would quickly jot them down.

Enchantments with variations in Miro’s garden
1975
Lithograph in colors on Guarro wove paper
19.5 x 14 in. (49.5 x 35.6 cm)

In its collection Dali to Damien Hirst, Saffronart features three signed, limited edition prints by Miro that beautifully illustrate his style and imagination. Joan Miro by James Johnson Sweeney is an example of Miro’s combination of childlike drawings with dramatic black outlines that dominate and dwarf the colours. Many of Miro’s influences came from his beloved Catalonia, where geometric forms meet nature, flora and fauna. The Enchantment of Variation’s in Miro’s Garden is the artist’s homage to his love for nature and its mysteries.

Miro’s attraction to printmaking partly came from his enthusiasm to collaborate with other artists. He rejected the solitary nature of painting and embraced opportunities to work with other artists and artisans to enhance his creative repertoire. Besides artists, Miro collaborated with poets and curators to transform his prints into posters and book collections. Exhibition Miro at the Galerie Maeght 1978 to 1979 is a lithograph created to promote a show of his work at Galerie Maeght in Paris. The print was also made into a much larger poster (160 x 120 cm) and featured on the cover of Miro’s Catalogue Raisonne of Graphic Works Volume VI.

Miro himself saw endless possibilities in his lithographs. He stated, “A painting is a unique example for a single collector. But if I pull seventy-five examples, I increase by seventy-five times the number of people who can own a work of mine. I increase the reach of my message seventy-five times.” Like many great artists, Miro wanted to share his beautifully mysterious universe with as many others as he could.

Exhibition Miro at the Galerie Maeght
1978/1979
Lithograph in colors on Arches vellum paper
30.5 x 22 in. (77.5 x 55.9 cm)

Kapoor Style: Anish Kapoor to Parody Gangnam Style in Support of Ai Weiwei

November 17, 2012

Amy Lin of Saffronart explores what is sure to be the next big viral video: Anish Kapoor’s Gangnam Style

In the coming week, a video that we believe will instantly go viral is Anish Kapoor’s Gangnam Style. Jumping on the parody wagon, renowned British Indian artist Anish Kapoor is filming his version of the South Korean internet sensation by Psy to support Ai Weiwei and free speech. When Weiwei was detained by the Chinese government for more than two months last year, Kapoor participated in a campaign to free him. Censorship has always been an issue in art and we recently covered the topic here.

Anish Kapoor and co. rehearsing for Gangnam Style video
Image Credit: London Evening Standard

Many of you may recall watching Ai Weiwei sporting a hot pink shirt while dancing to Gangnam Style with his entourage in his own version of the video. Weiwei also brandishes handcuffs in a cowboy-esque fashion and cuffs himself to a friend at some point in defiance to his arrest last year. Perhaps the most subversive part of the video is its title, ‘Caonima Style’. Caonima literally translates as “grass mud horse” but sounds like an obscene profanity in Mandarin that we cannot repeat, but is explained here. This term has become an internet meme, and has been used in recent years to subvert censorship in China with its dual meaning as a ridiculously cute mythical alpaca and a cringe-worthy swear. Such duality has been a theme in Weiwei’s art. If you’ve missed this epic video, you can watch it here:

Kapoor’s parody was shot in his studio and features an army of artists. The overwhelming cast has over 250 participants and features big names such as dancer Deborah Bull, designer Wayne Hemingway, and artist Mark Wallinger, among many others. The dance is choreographed by British Bangladeshi artist Akram Khan who participated in the London Olympic opening ceremonies. I personally hope Mr. Kapoor will sprinkle a dash of Bollywood flair in his video.

Artists are occupying Kapoor’s Clamberwell studio while practicing the steps in handcuffs in what looks like an epic cross between Gangnam Style and Jailhouse Rock. Kapoor is overjoyed by the support. “It’s extraordinary, the support we’ve had,” he said. “Even people who can’t be here are sending footage of themselves doing the dance.” On a side note, he added, the video will be “bonkers” and we will act like a village of “idiots.”

Rehearsing in Anish Kapoor’s SE London studio
Image Credit: London Evening Standard

Former Royal Ballet dancer Deborah Bull sums up the message, “Art speaks to people in a way regimes find hard to understand. It communicates at a level that makes it hard to control. You can control actions but not emotions.” When asked if the video will bypass Chinese censorship, Kapoor replied confidently, “With most issues there’s a certain tipping point. If enough people are interested we’ll get it to China too. I’ve a feeling governments are incapable of stopping it.” While Weiwei’s video may have only been some studio fun, Kapoor is cementing it with a deeper political purpose by recruiting artists and activists to spread the message.

Calling All Artists: Arte Laguna Deadline Extension and New Residencies

November 16, 2012

Amy Lin of Saffronart shares some updates on the 2013 Arte Laguna Art Prize

New York: In a previous post, Jacopo Zanon of Arte Laguna announced the 7th International Art Prize in Venice. This is a fantastic opportunity for artists around the world to compete for a prize, a solo exhibition, and a residency. Arte Laguna in collaboration with The Italian Cultural Association MoCA organizes the Arte Laguna International Prize to promote and develop avant-garde contemporary art.

Image Credit: artelagunaprize.com

The deadline for the Prize applications has been extended to November 27 by mail and December 5, 2012, on the website. In addition, Arte Laguna is launching two exciting new residences in Beijing and Venice.

The Lab-Yit Beijing Artist Residency offers an artist the opportunity to work in the cultural capital of China with a month long accommodation, studio, assistance, a €200 grant and a final exhibition.

Image Credit: artelagunaprize.com

The Loft Miramarmi in Venice is located in the historical marble district of the city and offers two artists a month long stay with accommodation, studio, workshop, a €500 grant and a concentration in working with marble.

€180,000 in prize money is being awarded to artists in various media including painting, sculpture, installation, photography, video art performance, and virtual art. This is a prime opportunity for both new and experienced artists. Finalists will display their works at a collective exhibition at the Venice Arsenal and the Romanian Cultural Institution of Venice in March, 2013. What are you waiting for? Apply.

Cartier: A Chic Way to Wake Up

November 15, 2012

Manjari Sihare of Saffronart explores Cartier’s timekeeping history

New York: This week The Story by Saffronart offers a unique selection of watches and clocks in its collection, The Art of Keeping Time. An exquisite highlight of the collection is a Cartier Art Deco Alarm Clock from the 1990s.

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Of all luxury brands, perhaps one which most people are familiar with is Cartier. The firm established in Paris in 1847 by Louis-François Cartier, an apprentice to Parisian jeweler Adolphe Picard, who took over the business at the death of his master. In less than 6 years, by 1853, young Louis-François became a favorite of Napoleon III’s cousin Princess Mathilde, who was single handedly instrumental in his entry into Parisian society. For most part of the 19th century, Cartier was strictly a jeweler. It was not until the reigns of the company passed on to his sons, Louis, Pierre, and Jacques that the Paris jeweler’s name became synonymous with wristwatches.

In 1904, Brazilian aviation pioneer, Alberto-Santos Dumont complained to his friend Louis Cartier about the non–reliability of pocket watches which prompted Louis to craft a more reliable alternative. This was the birth of the Santos wristwatch which is considered to be the first men’s wristwatch to be created. A flat wristwatch with a square bezel, the legacy this pioneering design can still be seen in modern Cartier watches. In 1907, Edmond Jaeger and Cartier signed a contract under which all Jaeger’s movement designs for a period of 15 years would be exclusive to Cartier.

The next watches to be introduced in the range were the Baignoire and Tortue in 1912 followed by the Tank model in 1917. All three models are still in production today. This is the essence of Cartier, what makes the firm unique in so many ways. It is one of the few brands that still include versions of its most initial models in its current lineup. The pieces are literally timeless, as new models usually carry the DNA of vintage Cartier watches, constantly improved, slightly adjusted and re-released. Earlier this year (14 December 2011 to 12 February 2012), the ArtScience Museum at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore hosted the exhibition “Cartier Time Art” , the largest collection of historical Cartier timepieces ever displayed in public. Conceived by award-winning designer Tokujin Yoshioka, the exhibition aimed to take visitors on a journey to the heart of Cartier watch-making, and included 158 historical timepieces from objects dating to the origins of the firm to the present day. Bernard Fornas, CEO of Cartier International speaks about the show in this short preview.

This exhibition was special also because it showcased a large selection of alarm clocks by Cartier for the first time. Much has been written and seen regarding Cartier wristwatches but less is known about its alarm clocks. Fine Cartier clocks have been in production since the late 1800’s, longer than the wristwatches. It is important to know that almost every well known watch model by Cartier, from the Tank to the Pasha are all available as alarm clocks, and sometimes even as table clocks. The wristwatch cousins of both the Tank and Pasha alarm clocks were featured in our recently concluded Autumn Auction of Fine Jewels & Watches, 2012.

Cartier expert George Cramer encapsulates the chronological history of Cartier clocks from the early 1900s until now in a post on Revo-Online, the digital version of leading international watch magazine. Cramer is an authority on Cartier watches and operates Troisanneaux.com, non-commercial online library on men’s Cartier watches.

The Art Deco Clock features prominently in Cramer’s selection. He indicates that buying a second hand vintage clock is advisable provided it is the right model. Vintage Cartier clocks from the 1980s used a battery that is no longer available for replacement. Batteries of clocks from the 1990s such as the Art Deco one are more widely available making them a more favorable acquisition. Starting your day with the supple chime of a Cartier alarm clock is one of life’s modest luxuries!

Imran Qureshi is Deutsche Bank’s “Artist of the Year 2013”

November 13, 2012

Imran Qureshi
Moderate Enlightenment
2007
Gouache on Wasli
8.5 x 6.5 in
From: Saffronart’s 24 Hour Auction: Art of Pakistan, Lot 31
Exhibited and published: Hanging Fire: Contemporary Art from Pakistan, 2009-10

Manjari Sihare of Saffronart shares details about Deutsche Bank’s 2013 Artist of the Year Award conferred to Pakistani contemporary artist Imran Qureshi

New York: Deutsche Bank has presented its fourth “Artist of the Year” award to leading Pakistani contemporary artist Imran Qureshi. The selection was made on the recommendation of internationally renowned curators including Okwui Enwezor, Hou Hanru, Udo Kittelmann, and Victoria Noorthoorn, who comprise the Deutsche Bank Global Art Advisory Council. This award was instituted in 201o to honor an international contemporary artist who has already amassed an unmistakable and extraordinary oeuvre working with the paper medium or photography,  the two focal points of the celebrated Deutsche Bank Art Collection.

The Deutsche Bank Collection is  one of the most comprehensive corporate art collections in the world, featuring over 55,000 photographs, prints and drawings worldwide. The Collection started with early acquisitions of significant German-speaking artists such as George Baselitz, Joseph Beuys and Sigmar Pölke. As the Bank has grew globally, so did the size and interactive nature of their art collection, which was directed to reflect today’s diverse contemporary art world and an international point of view. Hence works of German artists were juxtaposed with works by master artists from respective host countries. The bank’s art collection is strategically headquartered in New York City to take advantage the city’s vibrant contemporary art environment and the international profile of the people who work in and visit the bank daily.

The award is not based on a financial reward, but positioned as an integral part of Deutsche Bank’s art program through its  substantial collection, exhibitions, and its joint projects with partners. For the past three years, since its inception, the reward included a solo exhibition at the Deutsche Guggenheim in Berlin accompanied with a comprehensive catalogue, an exclusive edition designed by the artist and acquisition of the artist awardee’s select works on paper for the Deutsche Bank Collection. This year, the announcement coincided with another important disclosure by the Bank. On Monday, November 12th, 2012, the Deutsche Bank announced the space which currently holds the Deutsche Guggenheim in Berlin will be converted into the German capital’s newest kunsthalle in Spring 2013. This announcement was a follow up of the news that broke out early this year of the Guggenheim closing its Berlin premises at the end of 2012.  This space will mark the end of the bank’s 15-year collaboration with the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation. In its press release, the bank declared that “the Kunsthalle is conceptualized as a place where young, promising talent can be seen first. Its inaugural exhibition in April 2013 will feature the work of Imran Qureshi, one of the most important figures on Pakistan’s art scene today.” Read more.

To learn more about Imran Qureshi, click here.