Month: September 2015

October 14, 2015 — October 18, 2015

 

Daniel Blau is pleased to show at the launch of the “Collections” section of Frieze Masters. Exhibited here for the first time together, Blau’s impressive collection of Pacific fish hooks can be admired alongside David Bailey’s stunning Uncharted photographs.

 

“A great catch” is, as we all know, a difficult feat. It is always supported by knowledge, skill and technology. In the Pacific though, it is about survival. The people of the Pacific Islands refined their fishing technique, making it an art form. Their craftsmanship evolved through many generations perfecting how, where and when to catch a particular fish at any given moment. The elegance of these hooks is astonishing: they can all be distinguished by fascinating, sometimes minute, variations in detail as every hook is designed for a specific type of fish. The hook itself is the mesmerisingly inviting bait which, by virtue of its sublime design and material, entices the fish to seize it. Distinctive in their production, the hooks are made using only local materials available to the isolated island societies. Most of the hooks presented here were made without any use of metal since metals had only been introduced to the islands after the first European explorers’ arrival in the last quarter of the 18th century. Unfortunately this ancient knowledge, craftsmanship and skill has become increasingly rare since the introduction of metal fish hooks. As the traditional ways of life on the islands give way to a globalised, 21st century standard of living – these hooks remain impressive and important examples of the distant Pacific Island Cultures.

 

Bailey’s collection of fragmented Uncharted prints, characterised by their torn edges, gives us insight into his artistic ingenuity and distinctive ability to create unique photographs, despite photography’s inherent reproducibility. Famous for his iconic portraits and inventive fashion photography, this collection of Uncharted prints shows another facet of Bailey’s œuvre. Torn before printing, the rough borders of these prints accentuate specific details whilst omitting others.Bailey makes his compositional choices in the brief magical moment of darkness between focus and exposure, releasing the unpredictable laws of chance in the creation of these fragments of his genius.

 

Put simply, a great collection represents the wonders of each individual object it houses.

 

Frieze Masters Stand G6

Regent’s Park NW1 4HA, London UK

Collectors’ Preview Tues. October 13th (invitation only)

Exhibition
Wed. 14th – Sun. 18th October 2015

 

October 14, 2015 — October 18, 2015

 

Why NASA photos?

 

Many of us remember the moment of the Apollo XI landing and the first man stepping onto the Moon’s elusive, dusty ground. It was a glorious moment which, momentarily, seemed to eclipse all our fears and problems. It truly felt like a moment of universal enthusiasm.

Though primarily scientific, NASA’s space program produced some of the most visually enchanting,mystical and intriguing pictures of the 20th century. As the most expensive photographs ever taken, due to the staggering financial costs demanded by the United States space program, these prints stand as visual evidence for some of mankind’s greatest achievements. These pictures are rare, and often unique witnesses to these extraordinary moments capturing the various layers of political, documentary and artistic values in their glorious nostalgia.

 

Why Grosz drawings?

 

I know Grosz as the sharpest pen – more often than not nailing the Weimarer German to paper and dissecting the entrails of his soul.
Early in his career, he cut his pens and quills on nudes – edging along their outlines and scratching at their private parts.When I first discovered (probably well-known to the rest of the world) his 1920s drawings of nudes, couples, threesomes and groups, it was truly exciting.

The forcefully pornographic subject matter adds an additional dimension to these brazen drawings. Lines I find in de Kooning, J. Jones or Rauschenberg, but only decades later, are here already, defiling the paper.

 

Grosz, so gross and yet so magnificent!

 

 

PAD London 2015 Stand A15

Berkeley Square London, W1

VIP Preview
Tues. Oct.13 (by invitation only) 3 – 8 pm

Public Opening hours: Wed.14 Oct – Sun. 18 Oct. 2015
from 11 – 8 pm

 

In 2011 a sensational find came tolight in Andy Warhol’s estate: an extensive collection of drawings that provides impressive evidence of Warhol’s artistic talents. He used iconic photographs and magazin illustrations, many of which were taken from LIFE magazin, as inspiration. This publication explores these sources and presents them in juxtaposition.

 

196 pages, 123 colour and b/w illustrations, 24x32cm
hardcover, dustjacket

Hirmer Verlag, Editor Graphische Sammlung ETH Zürich
text in german / english

€ 40 plus shipping

 

ISBN: 978-3-7774-2438-5

 

Purchase your copy here