Archive for category Art

Philantropist and Picasso

Posted by Vicente in Art, Theater on April 19, 2009

 

philantropist

I went to see The Philanthropist last week Thursday with my friend Jason Sheftell from the Daily News.

Though it had a wonderful set and the costumes were interesting (it takes place in the ‘70s), the play had very little purpose. Matthew Broderick plays the same wimpy guy we’ve seen him play before in The Producers and in play after play. It made me think that he must really be a strange individual to be able to play that bland part so well.

I did enjoy the set – it was truly striking – but would I recommend you go see it? No. Have you seen it? Let me know what you thought.

In contrast to that play is a new exhibition at the Gagosian Gallery on 21st Street between 10th & 11th Avenues in Manhattan. Mosqueteros is a retrospective exhibition on Picasso’s late years (1962 – 1972) and the show is extraordinary. A lot of it was inspired by tertulia – an Iberian tradition of gregarious social gatherings with literary or artistic overtones, it was a truly extraordinary show. With about 50 or 60 pieces on display, I believe this to be the strongest retrospective of this particular period in Picasso’s career. If you’re in the New York area before June 6th, be sure to add this to your list of things to see.picasso

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Saturday Art Day

Posted by Vicente in Art, Events, Photography on March 7, 2009

I’m very excited about today’s Armory Art show at the Pier. The NY Times said yesterday that all the dealers are very cautious, but it’s always informative to see what people are focusing on in art and that’s what interests me most. It seems that every Saturday is becoming ‘Art Day’ in some way or another. At last year’s Pier show there were great deals to be found on photography and videos. It seems that each year there is a focus for the majority of the dealers – usually probably not planned, but more likely what is in the air at the moment. I’ll be sure to let you know what I thought.

As a collector it’s always wonderful when somebody wants to borrow part of your collection to have in a show. The Howard Greenberg Gallery is having a retrospective on Steichen and Munkasci and they have borrowed three pieces from my collection. It’s fun to share what I get to live with all the time with people on special exhibits like these.

On the topic of design, at the final presentation by the Parsons School of Design students yesterday morning, it was rewarding to know that by giving a little bit of your time and input you can affect the thinking process of students. From the original presentation 3 weeks ago to the final one they showed me yesterday, there was a whole expanse of thinking that showed much more freedom and trust in their own taste. If you’re in New York at the end of March, be sure to visit this year’s Dining by Design to see the table settings. Besides it being a learning experience, and giving you new ideas on getting creative with your table settings, it helps DIFFA’s good cause.

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At the Tate

Posted by Vicente in Art, Photography on February 20, 2009

Last week the Rodchenko & Popova show opened at the new Tate Gallery in London. I’m happy to say that some of the photographs from my collection are in it. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to attend the opening, but it’s always such a thrill to know that photographs from my collection are being shared with other people. 

From seeing the catalog the show is so comprehensive, really exposing all of his work, from paintings to collages to photographs to typography. 

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Paris est très joli!

Posted by Vicente in Art, Photography, Projects, Travels on December 2, 2008

Over the Thanksgiving weekend I went shopping in Paris. (How bad can things be?) I found the city as beautiful as ever with, and, as always, so inspiring.

On Sunday I went to see four shows – one was Le Plaisir by Raoul Dufy at the Musee d’Art modern de la Ville de Paris and it revived my desire to use bright colors in spaces. Yes, I know I don’t do bright colors, but after seeing the whole show on his world of color I was truly inspired. To see his usage of color in such graphic ways really got my mind going…
From there I went to a new show on Picasso and his inspirations at the Grand Palais and I found it to be a truly impressive show. The quantity of paintings by him and the other artists including Velasquez, Poussin, Delacroix and Manet was really impressive to see and I found his process of dissecting someone else’s work and reinterpreting it in his own way resonated with me. There was a one and a half hour wait in line, but it really was worth every tiring minute of waiting. (I’m not a patient individual, by the way.)

From there I went to the Pompeido where they had a show on Italian futurist paintings which is something I have a passion for. I’ve been collecting futurist photography for the past 25 years and it was wonderful to see such a complete collection of something the public is usually not exposed to. I then had a leisurely lunch at Restaurant Georges, which was really a highlight. I drank a whole bottle of Beaujolais Nouveau (the French wine of the season) by myself and felt no pain.

From there I went to Notre Dame and there was an amazing organ concert for an hour with a performance of Bach and other pieces. A great culmination of a lazy Sunday.

Another highlight of my trip was a show on David Seidner’s photography at the Fondation Pierre Berge Yves Saint Laurent. It was really exquisite.
But the main reason I was in Paris was to buy for VW Home. It wasn’t easy as most dealers are holding back because of the poor economy in France. However, I was able to buy a cross section of pieces from 1920’s and even mid-century, so the trip was definitely worth my while. The pieces are en-route and will be in the showroom early in 2009. I’ll be sure to post some pictures when they arrive.

While in Paris I went to see an artist friend of mine Philippe David who is a textile designer and, dare I say, I saw some textile designs that I’m going to incorporate into the showroom early next year. So graphic! I think it’s time for me to start incorporating some pattern (gasp!) into my collection. These are very textural in look with great usage of color. Watch this space…

Yesterday morning after a jog on the bank of the Seine at 7am (Paris time), I got on a plane and landed in New York at 5.30pm. By 7.30 I was in Madison Square Garden to see Tina Turner in concert as Preston Bailey’s guest. It was amazing! She’s 66 but her voice is as raw and exquisite as it’s always been and her energy and performance was superb. I’ve seen her before, the first time was 28 years ago, and she’s still as electrifying as the first time.

Today, Tuesday morning, I have a large client presentation. It seems my life at the moment is a non-stop whirlwind which will culminate on December 16th when I get on a plane and get out of here. Phew!

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Malibu shoot

Posted by Vicente in Art, Photography, Projects, Travels on December 2, 2008

I’ve had quite a busy week. Last week I was in California photographing a job for Elle Décor in Malibu. The shoot went very well – in the year since we installed the project the children had grown so much bigger, the garden has really flourished and the house really looked great. It was a prolific shoot – I got 28 great shots in 2 days and had some chance for fun as well! On Saturday I was lucky enough to get to LACMA, the LA County Museum of Art and see a great photography show of Vanity Fair photos – starting in the 1920’s to the latest great shots. It was a very pleasant surprise. There was also another exhibit on Hearst’s collection – featuring selections from San Simeon. By Tuesday I had to catch the red-eye from LA to New York because that same evening I left for Paris…

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Saturday fun

Posted by Vicente in Art, Photography, Theater on November 20, 2008

This past Saturday I went to see three things:

  • The new 007 (Quantum of Solace), which was a lot of fun and full of action. The James Bond movies to me are like old friends – I like getting together every once in a while for a ‘catch-up’. In the last scenes they show a great hotel somewhere in Columbia with a lounge filled with Platner chairs, which they promptly blew up to smithereens. Shame on you, James.
  • On the same day I saw A Man for All Seasons with Frank Langella, which kept a great day – the show was stupendous. Every part was beautifully acted and it’s so relevant to our present time where you always have to consider the price one have to pay for integrity and for standing for what one believes. You must see it.

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Wire Inspiration

Posted by Vicente in Art, Theater on November 12, 2008

I’m always looking for that place that will provide me with the inspiration to inject into my next project and I was pleased to go to the Whitney over the weekend where they have a show on the wire sculptor, Alexander Calder. Some of the mobiles on display can be cranked and are highly mechanical and it put my mind to thinking of working with an element like a wire, which is so flexible, yet strong. I was struck by the fluidity and the sense of action that these pieces had and I haven’t found where to use it yet, but you will be seeing it soon! Go see the show – it’s well worth it.

P.S. On Monday night I went to see a fabulous reading of the ‘All about Eve’ script by all different actors including Annette Bening, Jessica Cummings, Peter Gallagher and Cynthia Nixon. I have always loved the work of Joseph L. Mankiewicz and to hear his lines read by such talent was so delightful – especially Angela Lansbury’s take on Birdie really spoke to me.

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In Today's Times

Posted by Vicente in Art on October 23, 2008

I was happy to see that the photography show by Alejandra Laviada that I visited over the weekend received a great write-up in the New York Times today.

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Photography & Sculpture

Posted by Vicente in Art on October 20, 2008

Over the weekend I visited the Danziger Projects gallery at 521 West 26th Street in Manhattan to see an exhibit by Alejandra Laviada. This young Mexican artist works with roller paints, brooms and other items of our trade to incorporate items from the design industry into her photography. I was really moved by the simplicity of the beautiful way she blends sculpture and photography. If you are in town, be sure to visit it until December 20th, 2008.

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