Art
Hong Kong Diary: Conservative Painting Shows and Nightmarish Reminders of Raw Reality Collide During Art Basel
In her 1997 history Hong Kong: Epilogue to an Empire, Jan Morris relays that, in 1870, the poet Huang Zunxian described what was then a colony as being “embroiled in a sea of music and song, its mountains overflowing with meat and wine.” If only Huang could have seen the city during this year’s Art Basel Hong Kong! The city had all that, plus a bounty of art—at fairs and auction houses, museums and galleries, many newly opened or expanded.
How does an artist stand out amid that kind of action? The German painter Katharina Grosse modeled an exemplary approach in a solo outing at Gagosian with a dozen large canvases, easily the hardest-punching of any new paintings on offer in the city. Wielding her trademark spray tools, Grosse shot thin bands of overlapping paint diagonally atop white grounds. Her attack was so quick that each tight mass of acrylic appears to be blazing across the surface, smoking at its edges. The paintings deliver an almost comic dose of wall power: Morris Louis’s “Unfurled” series at warp speed, unsettled and unfixed. Conservative? Sure. Also very satisfying.
Read more: https://www.artnews.com/art-in-america/aia-reviews/hong-kong-diary-art-basel-1234665494/
Recently, a vibrant array of potted flowers in various shapes and colors greeted visitors at the Chongqing Zoo, capturing the attention of everyone entering the zoo.
“I’ve been looking forward to this exhibition for a long time,” said Ms. Li, a local resident. “I heard there would be many exquisite floral arrangements and potted plants, so I rushed to bring my family here as soon as it opened. It’s a wonderful way to kick off the New Year and soak in some artistic atmosphere!”
Read more: https://www.cqnews.net/1/detail/1324322687267987456/app/content_1324322687267987456.html
Gabriel Martinez talks with Robert Boyd about Charles Burns, Gary Panter, and the art of underground comics.
“The publishing industry doesn’t work the way the art industry does. You have a royalty system. Whereas if you resell a painting, unless you’re in California, the artist doesn’t get anything.”
To play the podcast, click on the orange play button below. You can also find Glasstire on Apple Podcasts and on Spotify.
Read more: https://glasstire.com/2024/09/22/art-dirt-robert-boyd-on-the-art-of-underground-comics/
The Literature and Language Reading Room is what I would consider a semi-hidden gem amidst the physical spaces that make up UIUC’s massive and impressive library. Lined with massive windows and perimeter bookshelves, it’s difficult to physically miss. However, to gain the full aesthetic experience, one needs to linger. Understandably, this is a difficult task for a busy student. Trust me…I know. However, if you feel the time has finally come to check it out, I highly encourage you to drop in while the newest exhibit, Image + Verse: Poetry Inspired by Art, is still on display.
As both an art and poetry enthusiast, it felt like a dream come true to hear about the library’s collection being highlighted in this way. Two glass cases greeted me at the entrance, and I immediately spotted a few of my favorite collections bookmarked and propped open. Reading the familiar words in tandem with the art displays warmed my heart. The affection of the curator for art and poetry also seemed to be on full display. I couldn’t help but wonder more about their ideas and inspirations.
Read more: https://www.smilepolitely.com/arts/the-art-of-poetry-on-display-at-the-university-of-illinois/
