Miami International Art Fair III- The Mundane Gets Its Iconic Due

This is the third installment of Miami Art Fair contemporary art and I still have more to share. I'm anxious to show you all some more of what I've been doing lately too, so hopefully you keep coming back for more!

Nick Gentry, Antenna, Mixed Media on Computer Disks on Wood rep. Art Modern Gallery photo by m.diaz

Artist Nick Gentry's work represented by the Art Modern Gallery has gone viral on the blogosphere lately, my students love his work on old floppy disks. Above is one of his pieces entitled Antenna that I saw at the Miami Art Fair.

The next piece that I'm featuring here is this piece entitled Compound 3 by Colombian born artist Juan Raul Hoyos, represented by the Alejandra Von Hartz gallery, made entirely of paper bags. Anyone who is a regular blog follower of mine might recall my post entitled The Potential of a Brown Paper Bag that you can see here which resonates with the same idea of how much complexity you can build with such simple things. In the case of artist Juan, he has built what appears to be a whole congested city developed out of printed bags simply opened and left to evoke a war-torn time and place. For me what was quite powerful was the congested feeling still seemed overcome with abandon and emptiness...like an evacuated space. Too bad it seems Juan does not have his own site and or the Alejandra Von Hartz Contemporary Art Gallery site should have links to more of their artists work so that you could see more.

Detail shot of Compound 3, by Juan Raul Hoyos, white paper bags, Rep. Alejandra Von Hartz Contep. Art Gallery photo by m.diaz Compound 3, by Juan Raul Hoyos, white paper bags, Rep. Alejandra Von Hartz Contep. Art Gallery photo by m.diaz

This next artist is another one of my favorite three dimensional artists from the MIA. Her name is Shantamani living in Bangalore, India represented by the Galerie Helene Lamarque. Her series of work is entitled Carbon myths and she uses charcoal which for me infers earthy fire, combustion and residue to construct her pieces. Mother Goddess,by Shanthamani rep. Galerie Helene Lemarque Detail of Mother Goddess, by Shanthamani rep. by the Galerie Helene Lamarque photo by m.diaz MINT by Shanthamani, Charcoal, rep. by Galerie Helene Lamarque photo by m.diaz DETAIL shot of Mint, Shanthamani, Charcoal, rep. by Galerie Helene Lamarque photo by m.diaz

Ok so get ready! Here is another moment when my students came to mind...turning around in the Galerie Helene LeMarque booth at MIA and seeing all of these stacked yellow phonebooks carved into these portrait busts! A graduate of School of Visual Arts, artist Long-Bin Chen from Taiwan gave a serious sculptural treat...once again showing us the power of the pedestrian object being risen to iconic stature.

India Buddha Boston by Long-Bin Chen back of India Buddha Boston by Long-Bin Chen a photo by the Museum of Arts & Design Webcam tech blog of Long-Bin Chen at work in their studios


detail shot of Long-Bin Chen's work by m.diaz detail shot of Long-Bin Chen's work by m.diaz here another sculpture by Long-Bin Chen at Mia photo by m.diaz back view of sculpture by Long-Bin Chen at Mia photo by m.diaz another sculpture by Long-Bin Chen at Mia photo by m.diaz

If you have 7 minutes I found an additional treat for you all, this fun you tube video doc of Long-Bin Chen and his work- I think you;ll really enjoy it!

I hope you enjoyed this installment of my MIA art fair experience! I have one biggy left to report on before I start to move on and share some other creativity and art related news- so stay tuned and LET me know what you think! Anybody here who blew you away and why? or was this all just too on the 'what-ever-happened-to-fine-art-supplies?' for you?

-Ciao Amarettogirl

Miami International Art Fair II

All photos in this post by m.diaz @ the MIA Art fair

Christina Pettersson

In grad school I was told I was a better draftsperson than painter and that I should focus my energy on just drawing... regardless... at graduation I received a certificate of distinction at the Hoffberger school of Painting. I'm glad I didn't outline limitations around myself or be swayed by the big names that guided my path, but when I saw this artist, Christina Pettersson's work @ Mia it reminded how powerful an unadulterated graphite drawing can be. Her work comes across as pure as a piece of 18th century literature and iconic and romantic enough to make William Morris smile in his grave. The large scale of the drawings can be better appreciated in the video I found for you. I am also quite impressed with the artists featured by the Spinello gallery who had more than one of the artists I am featuring and reviewing here my blog.

Zora Neale Hurston's Grave, 2009, Graphite on Paper by Christina Pettersson rep. by Spinello Gallery</span> Eudora Welty's Grave, 2009, Graphite on Paper by Christina Pettersson rep. by Spinello Gallery

Euginio Cuttica

One of the artists I really enjoyed discovering at the Miami International Art Fair was Euginio Cuttica, who I believe was there represented by the Adriana Budich Arte Contemporàneo Gallery. Eugenio Cuttica is a contemporary artist born in Buenos Aires in the mid 50’s. The opening slideshow on his website is a treat enough to discover so I highly recommend clicking on his name anywhere in this post to go to it and peruse yourself.

Luna #19 mixed media on cardboard by Euginio Cuttica DETAIL Luna #19 mixed media on cardboard by Euginio Cuttica Luna #17 mixed media on cardboard by Euginio Cuttica DETAIL Luna #17 mixed media on cardboard by Euginio Cuttica

Sang-Sik Hong

Another very intriguing artist was South Korean Artist Sang-Sik Hong who was represented at MIA by the Patrajdas Gallery.

Sang-Sik uses a very pedestrian (everyday) object such as the plastic drinking straw and delivers a fun, yet deliberate and evocative punch of relief imagery!

He makes contemporary, symbolic sculptures & installations. A real special treat is to visit the Patrajdas site by clicking on it here and seeing SangSik Hong's Installation Works which are EXTRAordinary and fantastic feats of genius!

Representations of Power, Sex & Desire executed in a "weak" and basic, yet iconic material.

Mouth - Red (ed. 3/5)Straws by Sang-Sik Hong rep. by Patrajdas Contemporary Art Obstruct (ed. 1/5)Straws by Sang-Sik Hong rep. by Patrajdas Contemporary Art DETAIL Obstruct (ed. 1/5)Straws by Sang-Sik Hong rep. by Patrajdas Contemporary Art DETAIL Obstruct (ed. 1/5)Straws by Sang-Sik Hong rep. by Patrajdas Contemporary Art

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I hope you enjoyed this second installment and trust me there is still so much more to come! So stay tuned! -

Ciao Amarettogirl

The Miami International Art Fair HIGHLIGHTS Report I

My MIA Press Pass

I am back in the cold Northeast from a visit to Miami International Art Fair this past weekend where the weather was warm, and some of the art was hot.

Fortunately, I met a fellow blogger/artist F.L. Campello from the Mayer Fine Art Gallery whose work I was struck by and who quickly hooked me up with a press kit. The fact that bloggers have gained some respect was new to me, but makes perfect sense since we have the ability to start accessible information chains that can go viral rather quickly. So I am now considered viable press in these situations which is so very cool!

I returned with over 300 photos in tow of contemporary art that I can now break down and parcel out to you in digestible bits and pieces.
Overall the fair seem to have an overabundance of Latino artists represented. I'll begin this feast for your eyes and intellect with a few appetizers, click on pink links to see, read or learn more.

artist - Cornelis Zitman rep. Ascaso Gallery, Caraca Venezuela photo by m.diaz @ MIA

NOTE: a quick reminder (especially if you're new to following my blog), I don't prescribe to antiquated definitions of fine art vs. craft or that one is a higher art form over another- I can be free to do that since I am not confined to markets, or to inciting market value.

Regardless of being involved in education and the value of certain pieces to the art to the student, I am not driven by academic high-art-speak babble, which can unfortunately just be a guise for a lack of conviction and a way to bs around the human need for personal expression. So some of my top picks may be due to a variety of different reasons which can vary from the gallery's attitude, content, a specific appreciation for a technique or skill that is manifested in a particular element of art, or simply my personal taste.

My top picks may not be your cup of tea and will range from blue chip to University of Miami students, but hopefully you'll see some value in what I chose to highlight here since I certainly won't be posting all 300 photos.

Salustiano (B. 1969), Spain, Isabelle, Natural Pigments, Acrylic Resin on Canvas, from Kavachnina Contemporary gallery Miami,FL Photo by m.diaz @ MIA Salustiano (B. 1969), Spain, SMILE, Natural Pigments, Acrylic Resin on Canvas, from Kavachnina Contemporary gallery Miami,FL Photo by m.diaz @ MIA Valeria Rocchiccioli, Agua, Plastic photo by m.diaz @ MIA Valeria Rocchiccioli, Agua DETAIL1, Plastic photo by m.diaz @ MIA Valeria Rocchiccioli, Agua DETAIL2, Plastic photo by m.diaz @ MIA Spinello Gallery Enrique Gomez de Molina photo by m.diaz @ MIA Spinello Gallery Enrique Gomez de Molina photo by m.diaz @ MIA F.L. Campello, Lilith,Mayer Fine Art Gallery Nazar Bilyk, Rain, Black Square Gallery, Polyester resins, Glass, fiberglass toned as a Bronze, photo by m.diaz

This visit was incredibly educational for me not only in what is happening with some of 'the up and coming' and inspiring creative thinkers out there, but also in regards to some of the behind the art scene of gallery etiquette, conventions, loyalty, and their time, energy and economic investments, so once in a while I'll post a nugget of info in that regard as well.

- Ciao and enjoy!- Amarettogirl

On my way to MIA- Miami International Art Fair

Like a good blogger on Artful and creative living I am on my way to Miami tomorrow for the Miami International Art Fair!

I promise to come back chuck full of photos of more inspiring artists and hopefully some more inspiration to share! MIA features the Projects Gallery of Philadelphia Which represents this piece By artist Alex Queral, acrylic on carved telephone book

So stay tuned in with me while I blog about my trip and share what is sure to be some phenomenal artistic feats since I will spare you those that aren't! LOl!- ciao Amarettogirl

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Inspiring Contemporary Artists @ The Opera Gallery in Soho NYC

So at the very end of my Soho day trip we passed one of the many galleries in the city and I said, 'Woah! Wait a minute I think that's a Sas Christian painting!" We quickly crossed the little cobblestone street and sure enough it was a Sas Christian painting there in the flesh.

The Opera Gallery between Mercer and Greene currently has not only some of Sas, but Colin Christian's, Lori Earley's and Camille D'Errico's art work all of which are some of my ultimate faves!

I discovered many of these artists who are now all pretty big names from earlier exposure from my art mag subscriptions Juxtapoz and Hi-Fructose! I own a Sas Christian book of her art and a print that was gifted to me but to see one up close and personal was priceless. many of her paintings are around 50 inches in size.

Fast Forward by Sas Christian Fast Forward Oil on Linen by Sas Christian Burn by Sas Christian Oil on Linen photo by m. diaz Hardcore Pink by Colin Christian Cosmic Kitty by Colin Christian photos by m.diaz Denise by Lori Earley photo by m.diaz Weeping Camel by Camille D'Errico photo by m.diaz

Hope you enjoyed this little contemporary art tour as much as I did ;)
- Ciao Amarettogirl

Chelsea Gallery Tour Part II

Baby Chick Starter kit by My Pet Chicken

Ok so- the performance that I am in is only 48 hours away! I hope I don't get stage-fright! I'm still on antibiotics, I'm lusting to get some new drawings done AND I ordered the baby chick starter kit! WOO HOO!!!

Soon I will show you the locale for the coop that I'm going to design and build so stay tuned. Tomorrow will be a full dress rehearsal and Thursday and Friday we're on. I play Betty Chumley (Doctor Chumley's wife) in Harvey (yes the same 1950 Harvey film with Jimmy Stewart).

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During the Chelsea tour I just so happened to stop in front of the Claire Oliver Gallery in which I had seen Judith Schaechter's work before and to my surprise there was a new, freshly mounted Judith Schaechter exhibit entitled Beauty and the Beef just mounted!! I hope you like my pics!

Using traditional copper foil and soldering techniques, Schaechter balances tradition and medium that harken back to the middle ages with an unmistakably contemporary style, aligned with those of underground comics and political satirists.

-The Claire Oliver Gallery

Judith Schaechter's You Are Here Stained Glass Lightbox Judith Schaechter's The Cold Genius (detail) Judith Schaechter's Widow Graphite on Paper Judith Schaechter's The Minotaur (detail) Judith Schaechter's Lockdown Stained Glass Lightbox

Chelsea Gallery Tour Part I

THANK YOU all for my get well wishes! I'm anxious to de-throne the bronchitis and get back to my art-full life, so lets get started!

We took a group of our seniors on a Chelsea gallery tour as we do every year. However this trip was an exceptional one for me, some of my favorite artists were on exhibit and some new ones (at least for me) that I am so excited to introduce you all to in the next few posts.

One of my all-time favorite painters for the last five years, Mark Ryden is currently having an exhibit in the Paul Kasmin, Chelsea NY gallery, entitled The Gay 90's: Olde Tyme Art Show.

The gallery is on 293 Tenth Avenue and the show is on exhibit from April 29 to June 5, 2010.

The central theme of The Gay 90s: Old Tyme Art Show references the idealism of the 1890s while addressing the role of kitsch and nostalgia in our current culture.

Josephine, 2010, graphite on paper with watercolor washes

This will be Ryden's first significant solo show in New York since 2003, as well as his first with the gallery. In his hauntingly beautiful and masterfully executed oil paintings, Ryden creates his own contemporary mythologies whose archetypes include fairy tale creatures, historical figures, and pop cultural icons. Seamlessly juxtaposing macabre motifs like meat grinders and disembodied presidents with eye-pleasing ingénues and seductive landscapes, the artist produces a vision of society in which menace and comfort are inseparably interwoven. These labor-intensive canvasses deftly rework centuries of art history, combining the grandeur of Spanish and Italian religious painting with the decorative richness of Old Master compositions and the lush textures of French Neo-Classicism.

-Paul Kasmin Gallery

The Grinder (#95) study/drawing, 2010The Grinder (#95), 2010 "Virgin and Child" (#93), 2010 oil on canvas drawing study for the Incarnation (#100), 2009 Incarnation (#100), 2009 Incarnation (#100), 2009

-Ciao Amarettogirl

Sunday Musings- Project Ourway was an Arts Success!!

Today I went to the Azucarera gallery to retrieve my artwork. Now I have to photograph it, then I will parcel the sold pieces out to their respective buyers. So sad to see the loved ones go...
However, I maintain copyright so I'll have digital reproductions of the original art available in smaller and more affordable scale here on the website!

Last night my students exhibited a wonderful artstravaganza, a phenomenal Project Ourway!

project Ourway banner by Isabella Whitney & Hadar Naftalovich The What is Art wall with Balloon collage by artist Hanna Lefcourt

The event was such a wonderful mix of all forms of art; music, animation, performance, design, fashion and expression it was exhilarating! One of my favorite parts was the interactive 'what is art' wall at the entrance of the event. I really like the balloon by my design student Hanna also!

To think this is a student driven,designed, created event is just so impressive there are no words for it!

I've included some pen drawings by artist James Griffiths - click this thumbnail to see the full image.

I read a poem from the Nuyorican Poets cafe and my hub performed in one of the short one-act plays along with the students.

Here are some more pics of the night and a video of the show's finale - a fashion show

wall of student artwall of student art 2 students singing at Project Ourway 2010 Isabella Whitney doing a poetry reading

young UP and Coming Fashion Designer, AK Debuted her line click play to see

I'm still working on the mystery project here is a sneak peek.

Sneek Peek to mystery project by me!

So far only one reader has guessed the correct answer! I think I'll be done by tonight;))

-Ciao Amarettogirl

Bestia Fera Gallery Opening

Follow my blog with bloglovin Talking @ the opening with fellow artist Ben WadlerFace painting at the entrance Gina and I at the Azucarera Gallery Opening Kassie a faithful art connoisseur next to her favorite paintingOne of my watercolor paintings 'Rapture' by m.diaz watercolor 'Horsewoman' by marisol diaz hanging at the entrance - crowd is gettin bigger Hub with current students at Azucarera Gallery Chatting with other artists watercolor painting 'Warrior'

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The art opening was a whole lot of fun and I'm thankful to all the fam and friends that showed up and made that place a happenin' hub of bestial amicability! It will be sad to see the furry little friends of original paintings that sold go- but I'll be sure to document them well. There are more pics, but the outdoor air and sun is beckoning me...

-Ciao Amarettogirl

Today is my Solo Exhibit at Azucarera...

If you're in the Azucarera Gallery area (Harlem, NYC 145th between Convent and Nicholas Avenue)tonight between 7-9pm stop by! We'll have some finger foods, wine, animal masks and art!

Thought this might be a good time to explain the title:
Bestia Fera is Latin for Beast, Beast, but if you're a Spanish speaker (like me) you'll note Fera is related to Feral which is defined as Salvaje/Wild. Hence making the title imply something more like Wild Beast to some. Still, my intent for Beast/Beast is purposeful since many of my subjects are half animal half human. I chose Latin as opposed to Spanish to drive the antiquity of the meaning home.

And I'm so happy to learn the event has been posted on ARTSLANT !

There are some new never before seen pieces in the show and there are some classics that started it all.

detail of watercolor piece entitled ' I entered the saltwater and She Consumed Me' by marisol diaz Run rabbit Run by marisol diaz

There are still a few loose ends to tie up, but after that I can exhale and be done! This show has been a bit more difficult than the other two exhibits from this previous year - I guess that's the feeling a solo generates. Not to mention, I had forgotten about the booking of this exhibit up until a month ago (and since I'm not a just-show-old-work-kind of girl) I had to produce the majority of all the work in the past three weeks. Then I got bronchitis, teach full-time and well - life happens. The show has only four previous pieces and that is because they play a significant conceptual role in what I'm doing today.