Dr. Oliver Bronson House & Art Exhibit

Today I got to visit the Dr. Oliver Bronson in the city of Hudson. Seldom do they open the doors for the public, so I feel very lucky to have experienced it this weekend. Adding to the treat, the city invited 3 known artists to show within the house’s walls. The artist chose not to be tagged and titled as any other gallery, making each piece blend exquisitely with the historic home.

Valerie Hammond’s pop of color and delicate work felt like a door into a dark and fascinating (sometimes terrifying) world. It really enhanced the surrealness of the environment surrounding it.

Kiki Smith’s drawings where really fragile yet depicted some interesting and complex characters. They where a perfect fit with its harsh yet beautiful home.

Seton Smith’s photographs displayed the hazy beauty of this grand structure. A great compliment to the exhibit.

I was incredibly please and enjoyed every minute of this gem. Thank you Hudson for organizing such a great group of artist, they were made for this historic property.

Built in 1812, the Dr. Oliver Bronson’s was declared a national historical landmark in 2003 and has been going through renovations since. If you want to help and become part of this incredible piece of history’s facelift, you can make a donation to Historic Hudson, Inc. 

Fun Fact: The Oliver-Bronson house was in the 2012 Bourne Legacy film as Shearing’s (Rachel Weisz) home.

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Jaume Plensa in NYC

Jaume Plensa‘s 44ft. gel-coated fiberglass sculpture is complete and standing tall at Madison Square Park in NYC. The official opening is May 5th and it will be around until mid-August.

I work near here and it was quite breathtaking and serene seeing this on my walk to work this morning through the park. I had to stop and look at the bright sunlight coming from the east, which gives it a mystical and calm environment around this bustling part of town. Its a moving piece.

© marikeeler

r.i.p. Louise Bourgeois

An Icon has passed away. She lived an incredible long life and has impacted the art world as a magnificent sculptor and woman. More about her here.

Weston Emmart

This is my friends’ grandfather. He’s a very talented man and I just love this video of him showing his work. Mr. Emmart shows such admiration for his art, so technical and so witty. He seems to have a strong and caring soul, just like his grandson. Watch him chat about his watercolors and horse sculptures below:

From his son, Carter, on YouTube: “My father, artist, sculptor, story teller, WWII veteran, animal lover and inspiration. Born 1923, grew up drawing and making things. Fought in Patton’s Army, wounded in Germany. Raised family of 4 with 62 year ongoing support of wife Ginger. Worked career in TV commercial art. Ogilvy & Mather story board lead. Love of history, wood working, and sailing. Retired to Cape Cod to carve horses and master watercolor. Emmart family patron”

Nigel Cooke at Andrea Rosen Gallery


Blind Snake 2. 2009. Oil on linen, backed with sail cloth
Photo: Todd White

Today I got to experience Nigel Cooke’s work for the first time. His very large, yet relatively empty paintings are filled with invoking ones emotion. Upon entering Andrea Rosen Gallery, one is greeted by Cooke’s Blind Snake. A lone, long, ready to strike snake painted with such finesse and subtle color pallete. So fragile with execution, yet such a powerful symbol…My favorite painting of the series. Inside the main gallery space, is a series of large paintings and sculptures. His work reminds me of a surreal dream. I found myself hovering inside these worlds and could almost feel the wind blowing while studying 1989 and his feeling of surrender in Heavy Beret. All the paintings felt like a journey into someone’s inner struggles, their unconscious… I felt an unvisited and unwanted ugliness in his figures yet was brought back into its beauty by their delicacy through his brushwork and technique.

This exhibit will be up until May 30, 2009.
visit www.rosengallery.com or more info.

All images are © Nigel Cooke
All images are courtesy of Andrea Rosen Gallery, New York.


Heavy Beret. 2009. Oil on linen
Photo: Todd White

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1989. 2009. Oil on Linen, backed with sail cloth
Photo: Todd White

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Experience. 2009. Oil on Linen
Photo: Todd White

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Big Predecessor. 2009. Patinated bronze with paint.
Photo: Jeremy Lawson

hmmmm…

A 50kg solid gold statue of model Kate Moss, created by artist Marc Quinn, is unveiled at the British Museum.

ummmm….So this is the largest GOLD statue since the time of the Egyptians… I can see this being found 3000 years from now and teach our descendants about today’s civilization… But I just can’t help but to look directly at Kate Moss’s crotch… Whats with the extreme Yoga move? Couldn’t the artist Marc Quinn have found a more flattering pose? I do find the upper part of the sculpture, with her arms and legs intertwining to be beautiful… But I don’t know.. I don’t think I like it… 1.5 Million £’s to look directly at her you know what? …. thoughts?

click here to read an article about the sculpture on the BBC.

Maria Cristina Romero

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Art work by ©Maria Cristina Romero

Its time for a new artist to feature… Maria Cristina Romero is a Venezuelan artist whos paintings have inspired me for years and years.

She is incredible with detail and technique, but lately has been focusing on abstract and texture. She also loves to Sculpt. She has taught me so much about art since little, I owe my passion for it to her. Check out her portfolio and be inspired.

Richard Serra at the MoMA

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I went to the MoMA a few months back to check out the Richard Serra sculpture exhibit. His very large steal pieces are overwhelming. You need to experience them yourself. The weather took a beating on the outside sculptures, which created beautiful textures and colors on the surface. The massive organic shapes would create a certain spacial sensation. While walking through it, it felt as if I was riding a wave. Having trees fall over the work, and the light hitting it at certain angles was a beautiful sight. Something so massive and simple, yet so rough and grand. Once inside the exhibit, the huge terracotta color works stood out dramatically against the stark white room. People were tiny compared to the space. It was quiet in the rooms. I noticed how people where taken aback once they walked in, and enjoying the experience that these simple and impressive forms where giving all of us. I really enjoyed Serra’s work, I would love to see it out on the streets and the parks. Did you get a chance to see it? What are your thoughts…