BRP PAPER at Black Rat Press
Preview evening at Black Rat Projects, Thursday 8/09/2011, 6-9pm. The show then will run until the 16th October 2011.
Light as a feather yet inscribed with the heavy history of stories told, the blank page has long since lost its primary function: once instrumental for the post-enlightenment dissemination of information in the name of democratised knowledge, paper is now that detritus of the digital age. Just as painters, in the advent of the camera, sought experimental ways of reclaiming a trade absolved of all social utility, so today’s artists turn to this generation’s redundant material as a site of creative possibility.
In September 2011, Black Rat Projects offers a means of ingress into a field of art-making which presents a unique response to our contemporary situation. BRP PAPER ties Brian Douglas, Swoon, Leipzig based Annette Schröter, Polish artist Jarek Piotrowski, Armenian born Karen Sargsyan, Alex James Daw and Atlanta based Brian Dettmer through their common practice: the manipulation of paper. These are the artists who stand at the threshold of post-production practices and yet their aesthetic constructs Romantic landscapes and strives for a beauty long discarded by the history of art.
As they tear, rip, dye, cut, fold, recycle, trash, sew, stain, stick, mould, slice, slash, copy and paste their work into being, a narrative of materiality emerges that finds a unity between the post-punk adage and the ancient skilled crafts of origami and shadow puppetry. Labour intensive, their paper works create an opening where the sublime intentions of modernist painting meet the social pragmatism mobilised by the modern DIY spirit.
As all that was paper melts into data Black Rat Projects brings these international artists together for the first time to explore common themes in their work.
Words from Black Rat Press
Featured artists
BRIAN DOUGLAS | SWOON | ANNETTE SCHRÖTER | JAREK PIOTROWSKI | ALEX JAMES DAW | KAREN SARGSYAN | BRIAN DETTMER
‘Brushes’ iPhone app: painting at the touch of your finger
If you read my post about digital painting, you may have got that ART-PIE believes in the ‘get your hands dirty’ approach when it comes to make art. Get your brushes, pencils, spray paint cans, anything and everything and get physical with the whole lot to get that unique feeling of satisfaction when finally the idea that was stuck in your head for a while is now right there in front of you and ready to be seen by others. Continue reading ‘Brushes’ iPhone app: painting at the touch of your finger
Lego art: be prepared to be amazed
When Ole Kirk Christiansen came up with the idea of that brick we call LEGO, I can say with confidence that he was most probably miles away from thinking that one day, people all aver the world would use his brick, and in some cases, ton of them to create pieces of art.
There is even today some sort of art movement that has sprung. How about that?
One very recent example of the frenzy that surrounds LEGO and art can be this life-sized Star Wars X-Wing fighter that was made from 5,335,200 individual bricks. Yes you heard it, over 5 millions of brick were used. It was 11 feet tall, 43 feet long 44 feet wide, and weighed almost 46,000 pounds. This is, as of today the largest model ever built.
But while some art purists may argue that the Brick X Wing is not really art but more a clever engineering poroject, and we would tend to agree, some other artists we feel, have really taken the brick and turn into an art medium.
Nathan Sawaya is certainly one if these artists (we already published something about him) and has gained a recognisable art LEGO style with his Dali-esque statues that are intricate and perception-bending. We have included some of Nathan Sawaya’s works at the bottom of this post.
Other interesting artists are Katie Walker who builds mosaics, we have included one example below.
Katie Walker
Nathan Sawaya
CRASH: homage to JG Ballard at Gagosian gallery
You could not say no to an exhibition where you would get to see pieces from artists such as Andy Warhol and Ed Ruscha without having to hop between venues across town, well you do not have to do that anymore – CRASH: homage to JG Ballard is that exhibition. Go now.
Ed Ruscha, Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, big names on the menu as well as a good bunch of younger artists Glenn Brown or Jenny Saville. You look at the leaflet handed over to you earlier by the very friendly staff at Gagosian and you just do not know where to start.
Adam Mc Ewen’s Boeing 747 undercarriage ‘Honda Teen Facial’ in the entrance looks like it fell through the roof and sets the tone of what this exhibition will be about – provocative as was JG Ballard’s literature. Another large scale piece which immediately draws your attention is Richard Prince’s car model made of steel, plywood and Bondo. You look up and right there hing up on the wall is ‘Explosion’ by Roy Lichtenstein. Big names, big works. Continue reading CRASH: homage to JG Ballard at Gagosian gallery
Akers, Aryz & JR streetart
Part of our 3 street art works series you should see today. Artists featured are Akers, Aryz and JR.
Akers
Aryz
JR
Three of the best painting apps available today
For a long time, artists have had to rely on their desktops and laptops to do work. Even with the dawn of smartphones, which are now as powerful as some PCs that were released over a decade ago, people still preferred working with their traditional computing devices. That all changed, however, when tablets were popularized by Apple. Now, professional artists can work in the comfort of their own home as well as on trains or buses when they need to do some work en route to the office.
If you’re in the business of producing art for a living, and are a tablet user, here are three apps that you might want to consider using.
Tayasui Sketches
Let’s start with the one of the most basic apps out there. If you don’t need a lot of advanced tools for drawing on your tablet, TayasuiSketches can be a good app for you. It is very easy to get used to, with over 8 essential brushes for users to choose from including watercolors, charcoals, and pencils. It’s free but those who are willing to pay for its premium fee get two extra brushes. It’s also a great tool for creating quick sketches and portraits.
We included a few examples of what can be achieved with the app
ArtFlow
ArtFlow is being marketed as a tool for kids but with over 70 paint brushes to choose from, it can easily become a professional’s best friend. It even has support for pressure-sensitive pens to help artists turn their tablet into a proper digital canvass.
What’s great about ArtFlow is that it supports high-resolution digital canvasses for up to 4096×4096. If you’re planning to use this resolution, however, make sure to keep an eye on your battery life. The last thing you want is to loose unsaved work. Alchemy Bet, an associate of the software company that runs Spin Genie Slots, suggests that people should check for apps that are running in the background and close them to save battery life. If possible, artists should only rely on WiFi and not data to save on juice since most tablets have short battery lives especially Apple products.
We included screenshots of the app
Procreate
Now this is for the seasoned veterans out there. Procreate is a fine app from world-renowned app maker Savage Interactive that allows people to create quick and accurate drawings of highly-detailed and striking artworks. It has advanced features such as GPU accelerated filters, and even a 64-bit support for high-end tablets. Check out the artworks that you can create with Procreate and see just how amazing this app is for work and leisure.
We included screenshots of the app
Do you have a favorite painting or drawing app that you use for work? Share them with us in the comments section below.
The Space Between The Stars at Scream
‘The Space Between The Stars‘ opens this Friday at Scream. Expect London and international artists and the recurrent yet infinite “light” as a medium in art. Many artists in the past experimented with it, such as Robert Irwin for example, and as the artists in this show, gave an immersive experience for the viewer.
This show promises a variety of approaches in trying to break down light.
Korean-born US based artist Bohyun Yoon gives us an installation of silicon rubber figures suspended like puppets from a steel bar with a spotlight. Caroline Jane Harris works with paper and will present us with an epic landscape titled Sylvan Landscape over two metres in width. Chris Bracey, a veteran in working with neon and lights and who has worked for big names or productions such as Vivienne Westwood or the Batman films will impress. James Hopkins’ will use sculptures to create illusions. Regine Schumann also works with sculptures but made of acrylic glass and a special phosphorescent pigment that allow the works to glow from within.
The collaboration between Hsiao-chi Tsai (Taiwan) & Kimiya Yoshikawa (Japan), masters in Mixed-media textiles and Sculpture respectively, their light sculptures and installations might steal the show. Shane McAdams ‘ landscape made with a ball-point pen, oil and resin has also to be something to look for. Last but not least Sylvia Hommert experiments with a range of mediums including pigment, beeswax, holographic paper and glitter on birch panels to capture this ephemeral and iridescent quality.
Artists featured; Bohyun Yoon (Korea), Caroline Jane Harris (UK), Chris Bracey (UK), James Hopkins (UK), Regine Schumann (Germany), Tsai & Yoshikawa (Japan & Taiwan), Shane McAdams (USA) and Sylvia Hommert (USA)
Exhibition opens on 11th January to 16th Febuary.
RSVP for Scream group show preview to info@leesharrock.co.uk
Facebook page related to the show – http://www.facebook.com/events/458881274161027/
Fiesta in the fields
I do not know where you guys will be on Saturday but I will be at the ‘Feast In the Fields”
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Colours of Brazil & the sexy sounds of Bossa Nova.
The creators of Feast in the Fields bring to you the flavours & samba beats of our current favourite South American hotspot in the form of FIESTA IN THE FIELDS!
Fiesta In The Fields, which kicks off at 12pm on Saturday 28th June, promises to be a carnival for all the senses. Be transported to the Copacabana with live world cup matches screened throughout the day, street food, A Cachaça shack, a line-up of live music & dancing that will make even two left feet move to the rhythm of the beat!
Hosts The Brewhouse, at London Fields Brewery, will be serving up South American Dishes to make your mouth dance, whilst Hell’s Grill gets naughty on the BBQ & El Panzon provide Tacos & Burritos from Brazil’s footballing neighbour Mexico. Keep as cool as a Caipirinha with Craft Beer from London Fields Brewery, Brazilian-inspired cocktails, The Pimms Bar & The Rum Stop.
For all the latest Fiesta In The Fields news: http://www.feastinthefields.co.uk
What: London Fields Brewery Presents – Fiesta In The Fields
When: Saturday 28thJune
Where: The Brewhouse at London Fields Brewery; Railway Arches 369-370, Helmsley Place, E8 3SB
Tickets: Entry £4
Robert Brandenburg at Gallery 1988
In “Poo
h… and Other Sh*t,” Robert Brandenburg brings “hijacked” art to Gallery 1988 in Venice Beach, CA.
As a self-taught artist from Ohio, Brandenburg brings an expansive perspective to viewers. Born in 1954, he paints contemporary works that offer a light repose from the mundane.
His versatile style allows him to incorporate renderings into a variety of works on a variety of mediums. Less art than humor, he creates an entertaining interlude and encourages viewers to recreate everyday scenes in a less than ordinary manner.
Renamed The Bird, Brandenburg alters a metal sign from 1956 used to advertise the Ford Thunderbird. In the original a couple speeds away in the automobile, waving to onlookers. In the re-mastered version, the passenger extends her middl
e finger to the people standing by. From metal to cardboard, In Mammy Cakes Brandenburg alters a Hostess Cupcake box from a chocolate frosted vanilla cupcake to a white mouthed image mirroring minstrel shows that ran in America from the 1830’s into the mid-1900’s. During these often severely racist performances, white men painted themselves in black face.
To compliment his images, Brandenburg includes brief bios and explanations into the life of his creations. One of his works, Hannah Lecter, features a young girl on a greeting card. Originally, she was eating a tasty piece of chocolate but Brandenburg coated the original snack with a dripping red acrylic paint to make it appear as if she indulges in human flesh. The title and corresponding story names her as Hannibal Lecter’s love child. He also alters several Norman Rockwell paintings depicting the ‘ideal’ family life of 1940’s America including one from Rockwell’s “Four Freedom” series entitled Freedom from Want. 
Brandenburg redubs it Freedom from Stress and replaces the original turkey with a glass pipe, beers, and whiskey explaining, “experience suggests that the happy family is going to need a little more than turkey to keep things running smoothly for the rest of the day.”
Brandenburg brings a fresh look to “normal” images by incorporating himself into a variety of mediums at his new solo exhibition. By redesigning iconic images, he urges society to reexamine omnipresent sights that do not always reflect truth.
“Pooh… and Other Sh*t” hijacked art by Robert Brandenburg at Gallery 1988 Venice
Dates: January 7 – 28, 2011
Hours: Wed – Sun: 11AM – 6PM