Always ask questions

a sign spotted in New Orleans reminding gallery-goers not to be intimidated

This afternoon, I received this image via email from my great friend and fellow art lover, Alex West, the co-founder of Wonderroot. He and his family are in New Orleans this weekend and, not surprisingly, he has been doing some gallery hopping this Saturday. He and I have talked repeatedly about how to make art less intimidating, which is one of the unintentional bi-products of Wonderroot's mission. By "uniting artists and community to inspire positive social change," Wonderroot also ultimately brings art to the masses and abates people's fear and intimidation surrounding the arts.

As a gallery owner, I think the most important tool a gallery-goer can possess is knowledge. AND, the only way to be more knowledgeable about things with which you are unfamiliar is to ask questions, and lots of them. If you have ever visited the upper-east side galleries in New York City (or those in Chelsea for that matter) there isn't even usually anyone present to inquire to. Often times the seemingly sterile white box galleries are just that, sterile. There is no desire to make people feel comfortable, welcome, or at-ease, and being inquisitive certainly seems out of the question (no pun intended).

In the south, things work a little bit differently. I always greet people when they walk in the door and introduce myself. I usually encourage people to walk the loop around the gallery and engage them an additional time to see if they have any questions. Gallery owners as well as managers, directors, and interns are all more than willing to answer questions and often great conversation can be started with one simple question. Asking about the artists' process, their medium, their background or even the intention of the work is a successful way to learn more about the work and why you may have been drawn to it.

I think my eagerness to inform the viewer and my outgoing nature is a product of my upbringing. As Alex actually recently pointed out, my dad is a great conversationalist, in large part due to his willingness to ask tons of questions. In turn, he is one of the most knowledgeable men I know. So, please "be inquisitive; ask questions." Do so at the galleries and in life. Although it may be intimidating at first, soon you will become a wealth of knowledge (like my dad).

And we're off...

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...to NYC that is! My great friend Courtney Giles and I are headed to the big apple this afternoon for a much-needed girls weekend. We are going to spend most of our time shopping, eating, drinking and being merry in the best city to visit during the holiday season! We are even supposed to have a little snow Sunday, which will make for some great pictures. But, alas, I could not visit New York without doing a few arts-related things. So, our plan is to spend Saturday visiting the cutting-edge Lower East Side Galleries. I hear from some wise curator/dealer friends of mine that they will certainly not disappoint! So, here is our short list:

1. Sunday - 237 Eldridge Street

Talyor Davis: boardroom no. 1

2. nicelle beauchene - 163 Eldridge Street

ALMOST, curated by Lance Goldsmith

3. Lehmann Maupin - 201 Chrystie Street

Tracey Emin: Only God Knows I'm Good

4. Eleven Rivington - 11 Rivington Street

Volker Hueller: Solo Show

5. envoy - 131 Chrystie Street

Elise Ferguson: Capital X

6. Small A Projects - 261 Broome Street

Jesse Willenbring: Landscapes & Interiors Meour

Have a great weekend...I know I will be!

Westside Arts District 3rd Saturday Art Walk tomorrow from 11am-5pm

Please join us tomorrow for the Westside Arts District's 3rd Saturday Art Walk. A schedule of events is listed below. I hope to see you at the gallery!

Schedule of Events:

BOBBE GILLIS GALLERY—event 11:30am – 12:30, open 11am – 4pm, FREE
1000 Marietta Street, Suite 108 www.gillisgallery.com
Art lecture, 11:30 – 12:30pm
Bobbe Gillis Gallery will host Gary Hughes, consultant for the “Audubon Centennial Edition” collection. Gary will discuss the “Life and Art of John James Audubon” at 11:30 am. A 40- minute video presentation will be ongoing throughout the course of the day and selections from this limited edition folio will be on display and available for acquisition.

GET THIS! GALLERY—event 1pm – 2pm, open 11am-5pm, FREE
662 11th St. NW www.getthisgallery.com
Artist talk, 1 – 2pm
Fahamu Pecou will give an artist talk about his solo exhibition, WHIRL TRADE.
“WHIRL TRADE” is a new suite of NEOPOP paintings by Atlanta artist Fahamu Pecou. Inspired by his travels, these new paintings address the impressions, interpretations and misconceptions of blackness that African descended communities perform for each other. “WHIRL TRADE” re-presents, questions and plays with the global representations reflected in popular media and entertainment.

ATLANTA CONTEMPORARY ART CENTER – event 1 – 4pm, open 11am – 5 pm
General admission, $5; Students/Seniors, $3; Members, Free; Children under 12, Free
535 Means Street, NW www.thecontemporary.org
Family Day, 1 – 4pm
Kids of all ages can participate in artist Mel Chin’s nation-wide FUNDRED DOLLAR BILL Project, and help support OPERATION PAYDIRT’S solution to lead-related pollution in New Orleans. Final weekend to view exhibitions, Harry Shearer: The Silent Echo Chamber, Corin Hewitt: Seed Stage, and Will Rogan: Remnant World. FUNDRED activities are free; admission fees apply to view the exhibitions.

Additional galleries open for viewing:

EMILY AMY GALLERY—event, open 11am – 5pm, FREE
1000 Marietta Street, Suite 208 www.emilyamygallery.com
Emily Amy Gallery is pleased to present our fall exhibition of new works by Sarah Hinckley, Color Logic. Drawing inspiration from a spring show at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Pierre Bonnard: The Late Interiors, Hinckley began further exploration of multi-color relationships. Painting from memory and through emotion, Hinckley’s process is grounded in her appreciation of line, her automatic response to gesture, and most importantly, the logic of color.

KIANG GALLERY—event, open 11am – 5pm, FREE
1011-A Marietta Street, NW www.kiang-gallery.com
Chi Peng (Beijing), an internationally recognized artist, is known for his surrealistic staged photographs. His recent work, “The Journey to the West” blends a magical Monkey King with monsters and Buddhas and modern settings into formats reminiscent of ancient scroll paintings, made magical in content by the artist’s phenomenal use of digital media, his primary tool, bringing the ancient story to life.

OCTANE COFFEE– open 8am – 10pm
1009-B Marietta Street NW www.octanecoffee.com
Octane presents its annual staff art show, an eclectic show featuring various Octane staff, former employees, and close friends.

SALTWORKS—event, open 11am -5pm, FREE
664 11th St. NW www.saltworksgallery.com
“Ten Tigers of Kwangtung” Featuring new works on paper and sculpture by Houston-based artist Dawolu Jabari Anderson will be on view through January 9, 2010. The artist’s first solo exhibition in Atlanta, “Ten Tigers of Kwangtung” takes it name from a Shaw Brothers film of the same title released in 1979. The Shaw Brothers Studio was the Hong Kong-based Hollywood-styled film studio responsible for the large U.S. import of English-dubbed Kung Fu movies during the early 80’s. Through drawings and sculpture, Anderson has created a hybrid alternative reality full of irony and humor where the shared experience occurs simultaneously and cross-culturally, highlighting the parallels of experience and the abstraction of heroic figures.

SANDLER HUDSON GALLERY– open 11am-5pm, FREE
1009-A Marietta Street, NW www.sandlerhudson.com
Know for a wide variety of techniques and materials used in her artwork, Howardena Pindell’s exhibit will include abstract paintings, collages, “video drawings,” and “process art.” Her work explores texture, color, structures, and the process of making art; it is often political, addressing the issues of racism, feminism, violence, slavery, and exploitation. The show includes mixed media works featuring Pindell’s dot pieces, split photographs, and video drawings from 1974-2009 and is in conjunction with Atlanta Celebrates Photography.

ABOUT THE WESTSIDE ART WALK

The Westside Art Walk is a presentation of the Westside Arts District and occurs on the third Saturday of every month from 11am to 5pm, unless otherwise noted. This art-centric event is intended to encourage public interaction and education of visual art in the emerging art district in Atlanta’s Westside neighborhood. There is plenty of free parking at each venue, however, the public is encouraged to walk the approximately 1 mile route between member locations to view the exhibitions and, in many cases, attend a lecture or tour given by the art space. Events are free unless otherwise noted. Maps and exhibition information will be available at each location the day of the event.

The 2009 Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles Christmas House

James Koskinas, Corez, Acrylic on canvas, 28" x 22"

Cecil Touchon, FS 2729, Collage on panel, 11.5" x 11.5"

Paul Rousso, The Rolling Stone, Beatles Anniversary Issue, Collage, 30" x 30"

James Koskinas' Corez in Bob Brown's study. Courtesy of Peak of Chic.

Cecil Touchon's hanging above the Hermes bicycle in Mark Williams' room. Courtesy of Yummy Scrumptious.

As many of you have likely already read via Peak of Chic or Things that Inspire, this weekend marks the opening of the 2009 Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles Christmas House! Those of us at Emily Amy Gallery are particularly excited this year because both Bob Brown (Robert Brown Interior Design) and Mark Williams (Mark Williams Design Associates) chose to use EAG artists in their rooms. Personally, I have not yet seen the house, but I am sure with the roster of designers this year ranging from Suzanne Kasler to Beth Webb, the house certainly will not disappoint. The house is open November 14th-December 6th, so be sure to stop by.

Oh, and look out for gallery artists James Koskinas, Paul Rousso and Cecil Touchon who will be gracing the walls!

When Art History goes Bad

Damien Hirst's dead butterfly wing-covered bicycle, 2009

Horatio Greenough, George Washington, marble, c. 1840

Frank Gehry, Ray and Maria Stata Center, Cambridge, MA, 2004

Thanks to Joyce Youmans and the rest of the crew at local Atlanta outfit, Burnaway.org, I recently discovered a clever new blog to add to my blogroll. Nicole Jordan is an art history graduate student who is a self-proclaimed "art history nerd who likes to complain," which makes her ripe for the job of blogging about When Art History Goes Bad. Although you may not agree with all of her gripes, most of them are hard to refute. Take for example Damien Hirst's dead butterfly wing-covered bicycle on which Lance Armstrong finished the 2009 Tour De France, Horatio Greenough's semi-nude statue of our nation's founding father, or Frank Gehry's Ray and Maria Stata Center on MIT's campus. Although her examples could fill a book, Jordan doesn't stop at bad works of art, she discusses exorbitant price tags at auction, highly inflated artist's egos, and influential critics (who shouldn't have been).

I could spend all day reading her blog. Her ideas are humorous, her writing is clever, and after all, she is an art historian.

Sarah Hinckley: Color Logic

Hinckley, "sunsets come", watercolor on paper, 11" x 7.5"

Hinckley, "listen to the melody", watercolor on paper, 11" x 7.5"

Hinckley, "breathing", watercolor on paper, 15" x 10"

This Friday night, the gallery will be hosting NYC-based Sarah Hinckley's solo show, Color Logic. The show runs from October 16th - November 25th with an Opening Reception Friday from 7 - 10 pm and an Artist Talk Saturday at 12- 1 pm in conjunction with the Westside Arts District "3rd Saturday" Walk.

Drawing inspiration from a spring show at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Pierre Bonnard: The Late Interiors, Hinckley began further exploration of multi-color relationships. Painting from memory and through emotion, Hinckley's process is grounded in her appreciation of line, her automatic response to gesture, and most importantly, the logic of color.

If you are in Atlanta, please stop by the gallery from 7 - 10 pm and join us in welcoming Sarah to Atlanta for the first time. Please RSVP here.

I hope to see you Friday!

Good exhibit...eh?

Andreas Gursky, Rhein II, 1999

Gurksy, Paris, Montparnasse, 1993

Gurksy, 99 cent, 1999

view of the harbor from my hotel window

view from my kayak off the coast of Stanley Park

This past weekend, I took several days off from the daily grind at EAG to travel to Seattle and ultimately Vancouver for a friend's wedding. Although I checked the weather before packing for the trip, for some reason 60 degrees is a little cooler than I remember. So, needless to say, I ended up spending a bit more time inside than outside in the lovely Canadian city. Since it was a little chilly for my liking (and raining) on Saturday, what better to do than visit the Vancouver Art Gallery? I had read about the current exhibition, Vermeer, Rembrandt and the Golden Age of Dutch Art, and was thrilled to see some works that I had not seen since my semester abroad during a short visit to Amsterdam. For some reason, the exhibition didn't quite hold my attention the way that the fabulous Andreas Gursky retrospective did.

The cleverly titled Gursky exhibition, Werke/Works 80-08, is a comprehensive collection of over 70 photographs that are all part of his ongoing project to compile an "encyclopedia of life." Due to the breadth of the collection presented, Gursky had to print many of his photographs much smaller than is typical for him, thus offering the viewer a closer look at his entire oeuvre. With work ranging from his well-known architectural photographs featuring interiors and exteriors of hotels and apartment buildings, to abstracted takes on consumerism and capitalist culture, the exhibition is incredibly broad-reaching. This is a wonderful example of a remarkably extensive retrospective. So, if you happen to be in Vancouver, it is one show not-to-miss.

And, while Gursky is great, Vancouver is one of the most beautiful and majestic cities I have seen in some time. Its proximity to the water and to the mountains makes it very unique and the view out of my hotel room alone was worth the entire trip.

Think your collecting days are over?

Monkey Hill Art-O-Mat, New Hope, PA

Detroit Community Art-O-Mat, Detroit, MI

Create Here Art-O-Mat, Chattanooga, TN

Whitney Museum Art-O-Mat, New York, NY

The Contemporary Museum Art-O-Mat, Honolulu, HI

It is no surprise that many of us who had been collecting art for some time are now rethinking that (some would argue) unnecessary luxury. Thankfully for you, as well as for myself, today I discovered that Atlanta, Georgia is fortunate enough to have one of the only 82 active Art-O-Mat machines in the country at our local arts-centric community center, Wonderroot! Art-O-Mat machines are retired cigarette vending machines that have been converted to vend art. The thrill of pulling the knob to receive your "prize" (although hauntingly reminiscent of my college days) is still just as enticing as it was then, although what arrives in the dispenser tray below is so much more rewarding than a hard pack of Parliaments--instead you walk away with a $5 piece of original art. So, in these tough times anyone can be an art collector. Go on, you know you want to try it!

To find the Art-O-Mat nearest you, click here. Happy collecting!

One more reason I love New York

Henri Bendel storefront

Florine Stettheimer, detail of Spring Sale at Bendel's, 50" x 40", Oil on canvas, 1921

detail of Stettheimer's signature as a monogram on the dog's sweater in Spring Sale at Bendel's

Okay, okay. So I might be doing just a little bit of shopping too. Henri Bendel is one of my favorite stores of all time (captured here by American artist Florine Stettheimer in 1921). Some of you may be surprised to find out that I actually wrote my Master's Thesis on Florine Stettheimer, so I had to include an image of hers sooner or later. Below is the text on the label accompanying this painting at the Philadelphia Museum of Art:

The painter, Florine Stettheimer, and her sisters Carrie and Ettie, were among Manhattan's most imaginative hosts during the teens and twenties, mixing circles of intellectuals, artists and socialites. Here Stettheimer offers a humorous look at the chaotic world of high fashion at bargain prices during a sale at one of New York's best-known stores. She signed the painting with her initials on a monogrammed sweater worn by the Pekingese dog in the corner.

So fanciful, flirty, and fun. Just like New York City...I just can't wait!

I love New York

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It is no surprise that I love New York City. Everything about it excites me. There is obviously no shortage of art galleries to visit or museum shows to attend, but it is more than that. New York City has that thing. Whatever it is (it is difficult to pinpoint) it just makes you feel good and so alive. So, I am looking very forward to my trip there that begins tomorrow night when I step foot on the plane and ends Tuesday morning when I have to return to the gallery. Since most of you will not be able to join me in NYC this weekend, I thought I would give you my show-going itinerary and you can live vicariously through the blog entry and accompanying pictures. I know, I know; it's not the same as being there. If you do happen to be in the city just let me know and maybe we can catch some shows together. For the rest of you, I promise to send pictures as soon as I return!

Not to miss shows:

(1) Frank Lloyd Wright: From Within Outwards, May 15 - August 23--Guggenheim Museum

(2) Francis Bacon: A Centenary Retrospective, May 20 - August 16th--Metropolitan Museum

(3) Yayoi Kusama, April 16 - June 27--Gagosian Gallery

(4) 6 Works, 6 Rooms, June 27 - August 14--David Zwirner Gallery

(5) Younger than Jesus, April 8 - July 5--The New Museum

3 Events "Not to Miss" this week at Emily Amy Gallery

The debut of the Kathleen Plate Collection (Wednesday 7- 10 pm)

Spalding Nix presents "The Art of the Steal" (Saturday at 1:00 pm)

An evening with Jules Cozine (Saturday from 6-9 pm)

Please join us for three "not to miss" events next week at Emily Amy Gallery. We are thrilled to host the unveiling of the Kathleen Plate Collection, Wednesday, June 17th from 7 - 10 pm. The following Saturday, June 20th, the gallery is pleased to host Spalding Nix for his lecture on "The Art of the Steal" at 1:00 pm in conjunction with the Westside Arts District's 3rd Saturday Art Walk . That evening, from 7 - 10 pm, the gallery will present an evening with Jules Cozine. We hope to see you here at one or all of our upcoming events!

Kathleen Plate Collection Debuting June 17th, from 7-10 pm
Reusing everyday items is a smart way to look good – and now your home, office, event or runway can look even better. Meet celebrity jewelry designer Kathleen Plate and explore her new custom collection of recycled glass art. From dining room chandeliers and hotel lobby lamps to runway fashion gowns and film festival tabletops, each piece is hand-crafted from recycled soda, wine, beer and salad dressing bottles. Sustainable luxury never looked so good!

Spalding Nix presents "The Art of the Steal" Saturday June 20th, at 1:00 pm

Please join Atlanta native Spalding Nix, Associate of the American Society of Appraisers, and proprietor of Spalding Nix Fine Art & Antiques, for a presentation on art theft. Using international case studies of high profile heists filled with a cast of international playboys, vicious mobsters, extremist terrorists and small time hoods, Mr. Nix will reveal how this criminal enterprise has become a global multi-billion dollar industry, third only to drug and arms trafficking.

An Evening with Jules Cozine Saturday June 20th, from 6 - 9 pm

This series explores the simple idea of moonlight through clouds. Working originally from images of moonlight over a beach, the images then evolved into more abstract interpretations that emphasize the ability of clouds to reflect a myriad of colors. Nature is full of mystery offering great subject matter for realism or abstraction. My goal is to blend the two.

All of the aforementioned events are FREE and open to the public, so please come and join us!

Just one of those days...

Klimt, Sleeping Woman detail

Renoir, Sleeping Girl with Cat

Vermeer, Young Woman Sleeping

Rembrandt, Saskia Sleeping

Courbet, Sleeping Spinner 

It just happens to be one of those days at the gallery when all I want to do is rest my head on the desk and take a little nap.  It doesn't help either that my husband and I are hosting a dinner party at our house tonight and I will be exhausted from a full "day at the office."  Since sleeping is not an option, I thought I would blog about the thought of it instead.  I am incredibly jealous of these lounging ladies!

Enjoy!

Is beauty making a comeback?

Cara Enteles, "Pollination Series #12", 24" x 24", Oil on aluminum

Doug Trump, "Float, 5.75" x 5.75", Oil, pencil, and ink on panel 

Sarah Hinckley, "so hard when it doesn't come easy", 15" x 10", watercolor on fabriano

Cecil Touchon, "Fusion Series 2693", 5" x 4", collage on paper

A few days ago I received a review of an exhibition currently on view at Denver, Colorado's Rule Gallery from an artist friend of mine.  Kyle MacMillan's review, entitled "Beauty's Bold Comeback" in the May 22nd edition of The Denver Post outlines and praises a new exhibition of Barbara Takenaga's work recently mounted at the aforementioned gallery.  Although Takenaga's work is of interest to me, what really caught my attention was this quote from the author:

"After years of offbeat, conceptually driven art triumphing traditional painting and sculpture, the tide is turning in the contemporary art world.  Redefined technique and visual beauty are back."

Although I like to think of myself as hip and try to keep up with most all current cultural trends, I still think art should be inherently beautiful at its core, and have always had a problem truly appreciating art that is hyper-conceptual.  This philosophy of collecting art that is aesthetically pleasing is what I have based my gallery upon and am thrilled to hear others are again championing the concept.  So, as a tribute to "beauty's big comeback," I thought I would post some beautiful paintings I have been admiring recently at the gallery.  

Personally, I hope beauty is here to stay.  Frankly, I didn't know it ever left.

The end of the (art) world as we know it?

Jerry Saltz's lecture at the New York Studio School, April 22, 2009

A few days ago, Emily Amy Gallery artist Sarah Hinckley, sent me a link to Hrag Vartanian's response to Jerry Saltz' recent lecture at the New York Studio School entitled, "This is the End; The Rising Tide that Floated All Boats has Gone Out and All Boats are in Danger of Sinking."  Although a somewhat comical and certainly long-winded lecture title, the talk (aptly called "This is the End..." by many) has made major headlines and hit home across the art world in New York City and beyond.  A long-time critical voice in the New York arts scene (writing for the Village Voice for 9 years and New York Magazine since 2007), Saltz is well-known for his reviews of exhibitions--sometimes raving, but often censorious.  In his recent lecture, Saltz discussed and criticized the cycle that has occurred in the last 15 years in the "business" that is art.  As to its current state, Hrag summarizes, "The verdict: who knows, and anyone that tells you otherwise is lying."

Although as a gallery owner I would like to say that this statement is completely untrue and everything is currently on the "up and up", I am in fact unsure.  I have experienced increased traffic at the openings, excitement for the Westside Arts 3rd Saturday Art Walks, and an increase in sales since 2008, but as for the future, I can only speculate.  

In his lecture, Saltz points to many problems for the art world's recent demise, namely the plethora of over-academicized curators and critics that favor "late late late late conceptualism."  Saltz explains, "In the art world, the pleasure police came in, and sterility reigned."  He also cites the over-heated market and the "feeding frenzy" that is the art fair as capitalism and consumption gone completely awry.  He goes so far as to pinpoint that instead of the art market being so clever that curators and gallerists would only show the best work, in actuality, "the art market is so dumb that it buys anything other people are buying."  He goes on to state that this has led to the dominance of very few styles and the "celebrity" of four artists, in particular: Damien Hirst, Jeff Koons, Takashi Murakami, and Richard Prince.  Though this has been the norm in the past...the times they are a changin'. 

Saltz concludes by indicating that the new art world, "will be something we won't recognize and will be dominated by names we don't know today."  Saltz rallies for a new plurality of the art world and buying art for more than just a financial investment.  And, although we are all venturing into unchartered territory, since "buy what you love" has always been my philosophy, I have to say, I am feeling pretty good about where we are headed.