Art Hag

Field Trip: The Miller House and Garden | Columbus, IN

It’s no secret I am crazy about Eero Saarinen’s work (see my past posts here and here), so finding myself in Indiana this summer, I absolutely had to visit his phenomenal work, the Miller House and Garden, located 50 miles south of Indianapolis in a small city called Columbus (~population under 50,000). I was not disappointed. The house is perfect. I immediately fell in love and wanted to move in!

Commissioned in 1953 by J. Irwin Miller (Chairman and CEO of Cummins Engine) and his wife Xenia, Saarinen was a friend of the couple’s, having previously designed a summer house for them in Muskoka, a resort area in Ontario. The house in Columbus was to serve as the Miller’s full-time residence where they could raise their five children and entertain guests and business associates.

Completed in 1957, the Miller House is the quintessential Mid-Century Modern home, featuring a vast, open layout, flat roof, walls of glass, and lots of marble. The house is configured beneath a tic-tac-toe grid pattern of skylights supported by steel columns allowing natural sunlight to flood the inside. The sleek, minimal interiors are made warm and cozy by the brilliant, whimsical designs of Alexander Girard. Girard designed the sunken conversation pit in the living room as well as a 50-foot long storage wall that displayed the family’s books and mementos. Girard filled the home with colorful, unique artwork and decorative items he found around the world as well as designed on his own, including collages; furniture pieces; an elaborate, multi-level dollhouse (with dolls representing the Miller family); table settings; and vibrantly patterned curtains, rugs, and needlepoint cushions. Xenia Miller’s colorful collection of glass objects—paper weights, boxes, vases and decanters—are showcased throughout the home, complementing Girard’s curated pieces while infusing her personality. The gardens surrounding the home are no less breathtaking. Created by the celebrated landscape architect Dan Kiley, the acres of geometrically composed grounds act as a lush, natural extension of the house.

In 2000, the Miller House was named a National Historic Landmark—this was the first instance in which the honor was bestowed on a building while one of its designers, Kiley (1912 - 2004), was still living and while the home was still occupied by an original owner (Xenia lived there until her death in 2008. Irwin died in 2004). In 2009, the Miller children generously donated the house to the Indianapolis Museum of Art. It’s been open for tours since 2011. To see photos (unfortunately interior photography is not allowed on the tour) and to learn more about this magnificent historic house, go to the Indianapolis Museum of Art website here.

Columbus, Indiana is ranked number six in the U.S. for architectural innovation and design by the American Institute of Architects. The city owes this to Irwin Miller, who in 1954, established the Cummins Engine Foundation. Initially set up to find young, talented architects to design a school for the community so Cummins could attract young, talented engineers… the success of this project inspired the design of additional public buildings in the county (funded by Miller’s foundation).

Among the many notable buildings in the area are two churches designed by two Saarinens: First Christian Church designed by Eliel Saarinen (Eero’s father) was completed in 1942; and North Christian Church, the last building designed by Eero Saarinen was completed in 1964 (Eero passed away in 1961 at the age of 51). Learn more about Columbus and its impressive architecture at Columbus Indiana Visitors Center here.

Note: According to Design Within Reach’s blog, the PBS program American Masters will premiere Eero Saarinen: The Architect Who Saw the Future in December. I’ll definitely be tuning in!

Screen shot of living room taken from imamuseum.org

Screen shot of conversation pit and storage wall taken from imamuseum.org

Screen shot of kitchen taken from imamuseum.org

Objets d'Art | News

~Butoh at the Joyce - I've never been very interested in dance performances, but when a friend invited me to see the Japanese Butoh dancers Sankai Juku perform their 2008 piece, Tobari As if in an inexhaustible flux, at the Joyce Theater last week, I figured "What the hey?  Why not?", and I'm so glad I did.  Performed by a troupe of eight, bald, male dancers whose bodies are entirely powdered in white (sometimes resembling marble sculptures, sometimes resembling ghosts, and sometimes stupidly reminding me of that movie Powder), the performance was beautiful, emotional, and powerful.  Everything from the graceful and controlled movements (which often released snowy wafts of powder), the gorgeous costumes, the dramatic lighting, and the music (which reminded me of a low-fi version of The Knife), was perfect and merged to create a poetic and hypnotic experience.  I know this description won't do it justice at all, but it's like a mixture of modern dance (minus the jazz hands), kabuki, tai chi, and slow-motion kung fu, mime, and vogue poses.  I know that sounds down-right awful, but the choreography is complex, fluid, and disciplined, and the overall production, that explores life, death, and rebirth, was elegant, evocative, and haunting - almost moving me to tears a few times.

Founded in 1975 by lead dancer, director, choreographer and designer, Ushio Amagatsu, Sankai Juku introduces a new work approximately every two years (!) and has performed in 41 countries and over 700 cities around the world.  According to the Playbill, Amagatsu's works present "an abstract vision of the infinite, evolutionary movements, the relationship of the body to gravity, and the relationship of gravity to the earth and the environment."  Butoh emerged in Japan after WWII and is attributed to two dancers - Tatsumi Hijikata and Kazuo Ohno (who died June 1, 2010 at the age of 103 and is featured on the cover of Antony and the Johnson's 2009 album The Crying Light).  Whether you're a fan of dance performance or not, go see Tobari performed by Sankai Juku before it ends October 17th.  Learn more at Joyce.org.

~Levi's Photo Workshop pop-up - Levi's just opened up in Soho a Photo Workshop - a "community-oriented space" that will host photo exhibits, classes, events and parties.  Open through December 18th, the space has a small shop area selling books, jeans, and jackets and more importantly has a fully equipped photo studio available for rent, vintage cameras available for rent, and rows of Macs and assorted printers for visitors to use free of charge!  Check it out at 18 Wooster Street and learn more at workshops.levi.com.

~The Simpsons Meet Banksy - I've gotten into the habit of only half-watching The Simpsons since the last few seasons haven't been as good as they used to be (though it's still a heck of a lot better than most anything else on television), so when I glanced up mid-way through last night's couch gag showing a dank and miserable Chinese sweatshop producing cheap Simpsons merchandise I thought, "Huh?"  Then when I noticed during the end credits that Banksy created the politically-scathing sequence it all made sense.  Had I seen his name tagged throughout Springfield during the opening sequence I would have saved myself some confusion.  This airing is very apropos to further irking China alongside Liu Xiaobo's recent Nobel Peace Prize win.  Anyhoo, you can see the show's opening below.

 

 

 

 

Objets d'Art | News

Not a whole lot going on these days — summer shows are winding down and galleries and museums are prepping for their big Fall shows.  There's practically tumbleweed blowing around the streets of West Chelsea!  Here are a few things to tide you over in the meantime...

~More ART (Art Reality Television) - The Ovation cable network (channel 83 for those with Time Warner) has 11 art-oriented programs on offer for those who are suffering from Work of Art withdrawal.  While the shows mainly focus on art theft and heists this week, one show last week titled Money Money Money dished on the "commercialization of contemporary art" and another called Art Race featured two struggling artists racing across America in 40 days using only their talent and artwork to pay for all their needs and essentials (hopefully they'll repeat these in the near future).  Alas, it seems doubtful there will be any over-the-top outfits to ogle like the ones worn by WOA's China Chow and Jeanne Greenberg Rohatyn.  Read the full story at artinfo.com.

~Labor Day Weekend in the City - If you aren't joining the mass exodus heading out of the city for the long holiday weekend, you might want to take advantage of the thinner crowds at the 1st Thursdays DUMBO Gallery Walk (September 2nd) and/or the third annual Governors Island Art Fair.  Organized by The 4heads Collective, the 2010 Governors Island Art Fair will occur every Saturday and Sunday from 11am-6pm throughout the month of September (from the 4th-26th).  And though I don't think the crowds will be any smaller, there's PS.1's final Warm Up line-up of the summer.  DFA's Holy Ghost! will perform.  I guess this means summer is officially over :(

~Nick Cave's Soundsuits in Vogue - I didn't want to shell out the cash or break my back hauling around the September issue of US Vogue, but while flipping through someone else's issue I noticed an eight-page accessories spread featuring some bright and furry Soundsuits by the artist Nick Cave.  The editorial is called Monsters, Inc and was shot by Raymond Meier.  You can check out the images at thefashionspot.com.  They look like awesome, psychedelic Muppets with a taste for designer handbags and shoes.

A couple of Nick Cave's Soundsuits featured in the September 2010 Vogue

Objets d'Art | News

~Last chance for Event Horizon - Antony Gormley's Event Horizon, presented by the Madison Park Conservancy, ends its five-month run this Sunday, August 15th.  The public art exhibition featured 31 life-size, iron and fiberglass body casts of the British artist.  The sculptures were placed in and around Madison Square Park and on the edge of rooftops of some surrounding buildings.  The end of Event Horizon means no more statues to mistake for suicide jumpers or for tourists to pose with and grope.  Learn more at eventhorizonnewyork.org and at the artist's website Antonygormley.com.  Ends August 15th.

~Congrats to Work of Art winner! - Spoiler Alert: Congratulations to Abdi Farah on nabbing Work of Art's grand prize of $100,000 and a solo show at the Brooklyn Museum.  The 23-year-old Pennsylvania native and graduate of U Penn was definitely one of my faves to win - if not always for his work [though I did really like his Baptism drawing and I.E.D. (Improvised Explosive Device) head bomb sculptures], most definitely for his super nice and positive personality.  This show seems to have a bunch of online haters, so it'll be interesting to see if Bravo brings it back for a second season.  Read more at bravotv.com/work-of-art.

~Happy birthday, Andy! - I just started reading Andy Warhol and Pat Hackett's POPiSM The Warhol Sixties (I love it so far) this past weekend - coincidentally, last Friday, August 6th would have been the late artist's 82nd birthday.  To mark the occasion, Flavorwire has compiled 82 Things You Didn't Know About Andy Warhol, a list of trivia and tidbits about the pop icon.  I particularly like #24, "Warhol enjoyed eating alone, and wanted to open a chain of restaurants called "ANDY-MATS — 'The Restaurant for the Lonely Person;'" #42, "Warhol was a regular volunteer at homeless shelters in New York City;" and #59, "The IRS audited Warhol every year from 1972 until his death in 1987."  Who knew?!  Check out the full list at flavorwire.com. 

A statue from Antony Gormley's Event Horizon in Madison Square Park

A statue from Antony Gormley's Event Horizon on the roof of a building (center) on Fifth Avenue

Objets d'Art | News

It's Friday!  Yay!  Here's a rundown of some news and upcoming events...

~Bushwick Open Studios (BOS) - Check out BOS '10 which will feature over 275 open artist studios, group shows, and events taking place in over 140 buildings occupying more than 4 square-miles of Bushwick as well as bordering 'hoods East Williamsburg, Bed-Stuy, and Ridgewood, Queens.  Learn more at bos2010.artsinbushwick.org.  June 4th-6th.

~Atlantic Avenue ArtWalk - Over 100 artists and 75 galleries and art spaces will participate in the Atlantic Avenue ArtWalk this Saturday and Sunday.  Mosey along Brooklyn's Atlantic Ave between Fourth Avenue and Furman Street and peek into private studios, watch artists paint a rooftop mural, listen to live music, and refuel with deals from participating bars and restaurants.  Learn more at atlanticavenueartwalk.com.  June 5th and 6th.

~Brooklyn Museum's Target First Saturdays - It's time for another installment of the Brooklyn Museum's FREE Target First Saturdays.  In honor of the new exhibit, American High Style: Fashioning a National Collection, the theme of the evening is Brooklyn Chic.  Hear Chief Curator Kevin Stayton discuss the fashionable exhibit, see a screening of the Audrey Hepburn/Fred Astaire flick Funny Face, and stick around for a dance contest and dance party!  More info at brooklynmuseum.org.  June 5th.

~Museum Mile - Tuesday evening welcomes another installment of the yearly Museum Mile fest which offers 3 hours of FREE admission to nine major museums along Fifth Avenue between 82nd and 105th Streets. The avenue will be closed to auto traffic and there will live bands and "art-in-the-street."  The nine participating museums include (starting from the northernmost): El Museo del Barrio, Museum of the City of New York, The Jewish Museum, Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum, National Academy Museum and School of Fine Arts, The Guggenheim, Neue Galerie (check out the excellent Otto Dix exhibit!), Goethe-Institut/German Cultural Center, and The Metropolitan Museum of Art.  More info at museummmilefestival.org.  Tuesday, June 8th from 6-9pm.

~Work of Art Premieres - Art-loving couch potatoes rejoice!  Bravo's latest competitive reality show Work of Art premieres on Wednesday.  The show pits 14 aspiring, contemporary artists against each other for the chance to win an exhibition at The Brooklyn Museum, a cash prize, and bragging rights.  Actress/art fan China Chow hosts and judges, alongside NY Mag Art Critic (and Face Booker extraordinaire) Jerry Saltz, and gallery owners Bill Powers and Jeanne Greenberg Rohatyn (Salon 94).  Playing the Tim Gunn/mentor role will be Simon de Pury of Phillips de Pury auction house.  Read more about the show at bravotv.com.  Premieres Wednesday, June 9th.

~The Artist Has Left the Building - This past Monday, Marina Abramovich completed her 700 hour/3 month interactive performance The Artist is Present at MoMA.  To celebrate, Givenchy and the label's Creative Director, Riccardo Tisci, hosted a celeb and model packed party at the museum Tuesday night.  Click on wwd.com and style.com to see pics of the artist looking refreshed and glam in Givenchy.  

~Kehinde's Kicks - New York-based artist Kehinde Wiley has teamed up with PUMA Africa to create a line of footwear and apparel featuring a bomber jacket, hoodies, and t-shirts in West African textile prints that were inspired by his work, The World Stage: Africa Lagos-Dakar.  In honor of the upcoming World Cup, Wiley has also created four portraits featuring three of Africa's top football players.  Read more at tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com and see the collection at africa.puma.com.

~Darcel Doesn't Disappoint - Check out darceldisappoints.blogspot.com to see the adorable, spectacled cyclops Darcel live "one disappointing moment after another" while covering art and fashion events.  The site's creator, Australian-born, New York-based blogger/artist/animator, Craig Redman recently had a show exhibited at Paris' crazy cool boutique Colette.  Read more about Darcel and Redman at nowness.com.

~Pieter Hugo Pics in Paris - Speaking of Colette, South African photographer Pieter Hugo currently has an exhibit at the Paris shop.  Check it out if you happen to be strolling along Rue Saint-Honore.  Learn more at colette.fr.  Through July 3rd.

~R.I.P. Tobias Wong - And lastly, another sad loss for the art/design world.  Tobias Wong passed away on Sunday at the age of 35.  The witty, provocative, and innovative Wong designed cool, beautiful objects teeming with social commentary.  His dollar bill notepad, sun jar, inverted diamond ring, gold-plated McDonald's coffee stirrer/coke spoon, Warhol print gift wrap, and rubber-coated chandelier were just a few of his notable works.  In 2007, he staged The Wrong Store in Chelsea, a fully stocked and functional shop that was never open.  Read his NYT's obit at nyt.com, read Core 77's tribute to Wong at core77.com, and see a selection of his amazing work at ifitshipitshere.blogspot.com.

Objets d'Art | News

~Christie's is auctioning off a terrific group of photographs on Monday, December 7th.  The list of photographers is a veritable who's who of photography history.  Included are:  Alfred Stieglitz, Richard Avedon, Diane Arbus, David Bailey, Cecil Beaton, Irving Penn, Horst P. Horst, Ansel Adams, Bernice Abbott, Aaron Siskind, Robert Frank, August Sander, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Jacques-Henri Lartigue, Wegee, Leni Riefenstahl, Man Ray, Peter Beard, Robert Mapplethorpe, Helmut Newton, Ellen Von Unwerth, Mary Ellen Mark, Nan Goldin, Catherine Opie, Sally Mann, Philip-Lorca Dicorcia, Peter Lindbergh, Bruce Weber, Joel Meyerowitz, Andres Serrano, Hiroshi Sugimoto, and many, many more.

Public viewing times are scheduled from December 3rd - 6th at 20 Rockefeller Plaza.  It would be fun to check out this vast, impressive collection of work. Also, there are a few Edward Weston prints up on the block featuring his muse/wife/model, Charis Wilson, who passed away recently at the age of 95.  Read her obituary at NYT.com.  See Christie's website here.

~I've always been a fan of Todd Oldham.  From his fun clothing designs to his stint as co-host on the original House of Style (I especially loved his D-I-Y segment on how to cut your own hair) to his more recent hosting/mentoring duties on Bravo's Top Design.  He seems like such a creative, crafty, affable guy.  Being a man of many talents, Oldham is now in the book biz.  Following his 2005 book Handmade Modern ("a fairly intense DIY guide to designers like George Nakashima, Charles and Ray Eames, and Isamu Noguchi... not for the clumsy.  Nakashima's bio, for example, is followed by a fourteen-step 'illuminated end table,' which involves 'drilling through conduit'" - New York Magazine), Oldham is releasing Kid Made Modern a super-cool book for tots that gives them "introductions to the mid-century’s great designers in rhyme ('Alexander Girard made it look not very hard'), plus projects to match—mobiles in the style of Alexander Calder, a Fornasetti-inspired découpage desk set. All of them were road-tested on children in his crafts room."

Oldham has also published a $200, 12-pound tome with Ammo Books about Charley Harper, an illustrator who created the artwork for many of Oldham's favorite childhood books.  From 2002 to 2007, Oldham archived and restored Harper's extensive and deteriorating collection of work for the monograph.  Ammo Books recently released a pared down version of the book for a more wallet-friendly $49.95.  The late Harper's graphic, stylized animal illustrations seem to be the predecessor and/or inspiration for many of the prints you see on hipstery t-shrits and crafts today.  Check out his work at Charleyharperartstudio.com.  And read the full New York Magazine article on Oldham here.

~Speaking of books, some good holiday gift ideas might be discovered in the form of art/design books from the Phaidon pop-up store at 100 Wooster Street in Soho (open until January).  If you strike out at the Phaidon pop-up, the shop is conveniently located nearby the Taschen store at 107 Greene Street. If all else fails, Vuitton, Chanel, Miu Miu, and Prada are all in the neighborhood ;)  Read more about the Phaidon pop-up shop at racked.com and check out Taschen's website here.

~Living more simply, f-unemployment, and non-profit arts organizations showcasing artwork in vacant properties — these may be the only good things to come of the recession.  Similar to X Initiative and LentSpace, art is appearing around the city in empty and sometimes unexpected places.  Read more about the guerilla galleries at theartnewspaper.com.

~Art collector Eileen Kaminsky has set up a foundation, the Eileen S. Kaminsky Family Foundation, "to connect artists, collectors, galleries and cultural institutions.  ESKFF is a collaborative effort that facilitates the exchange of ideas and expressions."  A non-profit organization, ESKFF is dedicated to "the development of exhibitions and programs that enrich our understanding of contemporary art."  The foundation will showcase art from private collections from both the U.S. as well as from around the world.  The foundation is currently seeking a permanent brick-and-mortar home base, but you can learn more about it at www.eskff.com.

~And finally, even though it felt a little balmy in NYC yesterday, it's still no Miami Beach.  Check out what is happening at Art Basel Miami here.  Now in its 8th year, the fair, the parties, and the special events continue through Sunday, December 6th.

Objets d'Art | News

*The second edition of the Guggenheim's It Came From Brooklyn is happening tonight from 8:00pm-12:00am featuring Julian Plenti (aka Paul Banks, the singer from Interpol).  As a part of celebrating its 50th anniversary, the museum is hosting the monthly music and literature series featuring artists from Brooklyn.  Also part of tonight's line-up is opening band I'm In You (nice to see they're keeping up with the current trend of HORRIBLE band names); writer/director and Brooklyn Heights resident, Hampton Fancher, who will read a selection by former Brooklynite, Henry Miller; Fancher's neighbor, novelist Rivka Galchen; and comedian/actor Eugene Mirman who will be on hosting duty.  Last month's inaugural show featured bands The Walkmen and High Places and writer Colson Whitehead.  Learn more at Guggenheim.org.

*The 13th Annual DUMBO Art Under the Bridge Festival is happening  this weekend - September 25th-27th.  Alongside open studios and outdoor activities, there will be "touchable, accessible, and interactive art, on a scale that makes it the nation's largest urban forum for experimental art."  Learn more at dumboartfestival.org.

*The Kitchen, a non-profit, artist organization that "identifies, supports, and presents emerging and under-recognized artists" is hosting a block party on Saturday, Sept. 26th from 12-5 on West 19th between 10th and 11th Avenues.  This free, family-friendly event will feature live performances, artist-led activities and crafts like face-painting, puppet and mask-making, temporary tattoos, cookie decorating, hula-hoop (!) and drum workshops and more.  Learn more at thekitchen.org.

*David Zwirner will exclusively represent the estate of late artist Dan Flavin (1933-1996).  Zwirner launched a website on September 18th that, as the NYT's Carol Vogel explains, "is intended as a practical resource for Flavin aficionados, covering issues of conservation and installation as well as the artist's exhibition history and examples of his work," (from Inside Art, Sept. 18, 2009).  David Zwirner Gallery will present Dan Flavin: Series and Progressions in November 2009, showcasing the artist's work spanning his 40-year career.  Learn more at Davidzwirner.com. And see Zwirner's website for Flavin here.

*Los Angeles artist Mark Bradford has won the prestigious John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Fellowship!  According to the foundation's website, "The MacArthur Foundation supports creative people and effective institutions committed to building a more just, verdant, and peaceful world."  This means Bradford, and fellow recipients, will receive $500,000 over the next five years.  Congrats!
See all the 2009 Fellows at macfound.org and read more at latimesblogs.com.  Remember, you can see Bradford's work alongside former MacArthur Fellow, Kara Walker's, at Sikkema Jenkins & Co.  Read my post here.

*Philippe Starck - reality star?  The world renowned French product designer will take on the Donald Trump role a la The Apprentice (or Tim Gunn on Project Runway, if you prefer) in his new reality series Design for Life, which premiered on September 14th on BBC2.  The show pits 12 young British designers against each other, competing in weekly challenges until one by one they get eliminated and the winner gets to work for six months at Starck's Parisian design company .  Each contestant was personally selected by Starck, not the show's producers, based on drawings they submitted.  According to the Independent, "he did not even want to know their names or genders.  He wanted to select ideas that were not necessarily great but that he felt had potential... people who think freely and differently."
Now this is a reality show I'd actually watch!  Argh!  I wish I had BBC2.  Read more at independent.co.uk.

*Ed Ruscha - movie star?  American artist Ed Ruscha will star in a film directed by Los Angeles-based video artist Doug Aitken which will debut on October 23rd on Tiberina Island in Rome.  Read more at theartnewspaper.com.

*And lastly, another of my favorite fashion designers, Martin Margiela, is publishing his first book.  It will document the Paris-based, never-before-seen designer's work including fashion, art, design, and performance.  Originally from Antwerp, the enigmatic Margiela founded his own label in 1988.  His clothing designs range from completely wearable and minimal, to subtle, edgy touches like exposed stitching and deconstruction, to way more out-there ideas like cloven-toed shoes (which I love), glass  slippers (which I don't love), over-sized shoulders, visible nude padding, and a hair coat.  The book, retailing for $100, is published by Rizzoli and will be released in October 2009.  Have a peek inside at hypebeast.com, wallpaper.com, and rizzoliusa.com.

Happy weekend!!!

Bravo Gets Artsy

Hundreds of hopefuls lined up outside While Columns in the West Village on Saturday to audition for an as-yet-untitled, new Bravo reality art show which will pit artist against artist a la the network's successful programs Top Chef and Project Runway (or its bastard stepchild-like replacement, Fashion Show).  Auditions have already taken place in Los Angeles, Chicago, and Miami, and only 13 contestants will be chosen. 

The show is being co-produced by Sarah Jessica Parker, whom I am NOT a fan of and partially blame for the mall-ification of NYC - especially the West Village.  Judges for the show have not been revealed yet, but will range from "curators, artists, dealers, teachers, and collectors" according to Nick Gilhool, another of the show's producers.  The participation of Simon de Pury, of contemporary art auction house Phillips de Pury, as a judge during Saturday's interviews gives the show some fine art credibility.

A similar show called ArtStar was produced a few years back in collaboration with Deitch Projects and aired on Gallery HD.  Let's see if Bravo can work its magic again and create another addictive, reality show hit.  More in the NYTs.