Art & Design Magazine
While I do not focus so much on contemporary design on this blog, I do want to mention that SOFA, a contemporary decorative arts and design fair is happening this week, April 14- 17 at the Park Avenue Armory. From the published roster it seems like there will be many prominent galleries participating from the US and abroad. I am not surprised though as this is considered to be a very important fair. I am also impressed with their line-up for the lecture series. The Museum of Arts and Design is heavily involved and several of its curators will be speaking.
Here are some highlights:
Thursday, April 14, 11:30-12:30 pm. “For People Who are Slightly Mad: American Modernist Jewelry”: A review of the iconoclastic artists who translated the excitement of surrealism and modernism into wearable jewelry. Their work will be seen in Crafting Modernism: Mid-century American Art and Design at the Museum of Arts and Design, NY in October 2011. Jeannine Falino, Curator, Museum of Arts and Design, NY.
Friday, April 15, 11:30-12:30 pm. “The Pursuit of Porcelain”: Artist Chris Antemann focuses on the 18th c. tradition of porcelain rooms and its direct influence on her installation, "The Pursuit of Porcelain" exhibited at SOFA by Ferrin Gallery. This diminutive version of a porcelain room will be filled with a collection of porcelain figurines that illustrate some of the cultural and historical ways in which porcelain has seduced society.
Friday, April 15, 3 - 4:30 pm. “Tapestry Becomes Modern Art”: Grace Glueck, art critic, Ann Lane Hedlund, author of Gloria F. Ross & Modern Tapestry (Yale, 2010) and master weaver Archie Brennan explore the ambitious career of Gloria Ross (1923–98), renowned editeur of tapestries who organized collaborations with acclaimed modernist painters and sculptors like Helen Frankenthaler (Ross’s sister), Kenneth Noland, Louise Nevelson, and other traditional-yet-innovative weavers in France, Scotland, and the Southwestern United States. Moderated by Derek Ostergard
Saturday, April 16, 1:30 – 2:30 pm. “Sergey Jivetin and Jennifer Trask: Two Visions”: Jewelry artists Jennifer Trask and Sergey Jivetin discuss their individual ideologies and shared studio practices. Trask will talk about the evolution of her most recent series, “Embodiment”, which encompasses both sculptural and wearable works. Jivetin will elaborate on the role of experimental techniques and materials. *The work of these two jewelers is currently on view in the “Jewelers of the Hudson Valley” exhibition at the Forbes Galleries.
Saturday, April 16, 3 – 4 pm. “The Art of Not Making”: With a recent return to a highly crafted aesthetic in art, 'the artist' is increasingly remote from the physical act of production, with specialists doing the heavy lifting and fine detailing. Dr. Michael Petry, Director of MOCA London will explore the relationship between artist and artisan, creativity and production, asking the important question: What is art work? This lecture is followed by a book signing of Petry’s new book, The Art of Not Making: The New Artist / Artisan Relationship (Thames & Hudson, 2011).
