I visited the Basque Country last week for an art-and-tapas fest. Unfortunately the tapas side of things falls outside the remit of this blog so I will mainly be discussing the art and architecture that I saw. Vitoria-Gasteiz, despite being the region’s capital, hasn’t had the superstar-architect treatment that Bilbao has. Its major art institution [...]
The Art Menagerie 1: The Winged Turbot
In the first of a series of articles, eminent art zoologist Wil Crisp gives you the facts about the animals of the art world. Illustration by Chris Getliffe. STATS Length: 3ft Wingspan: 7ft Skin colour: sparkly Eye colour: brown Temperament: sublime/disgruntled Star sign: Pisces Turn ons: Baroque art, art theft Turn offs: It doesn’t like [...]
Giuseppe Penone @ IKON Birmingham
If you still have time, go quickly because a gorgeous Italian sculptor, Giuseppe Penone ( b1947) is currently holding an exhibition at the Ikon in Birmingham. Saturday Guardian puts it as top of their recommended. For starters, as a venue, the Ikon is beautifully constructed inside and out and one of those revamp successes. By [...]
The Taxi Trilogy
Video artist Lisa Byrne gives an exclusive interview to Xavier Zapata about her recent work The Taxi Trilogy. I was riding in a taxi in Wales, on my way to Bridgend in utter darkness. An urge to fill the gloom got me talking to the taxi driver. He spoke of how he’d just got back [...]
Nottingham Contemporary: a preview
Contemporary art is geographically radiating out of London, and, as globalisation takes a firm grip on the arts, an East Midlands’ light industrial town is creating a gallery that will play with the big boys. Nottingham Contemporary Art is due to open in Autumn 2009, and is nominated for the Conde Nast Design and Innovation [...]
Artist Residence
Opposite the crumbling wreck of Brighton’s old West Pier stretch the cream alcoves of the regency squares. Once grand twenties buildings, many have since been living out their days as hotels for weekend visitors. Nestled amongst these salty B & B’s, however, a new space is coming to life. Artist Residence is a hotel and [...]
Tracey Emin suffers love
Tracey Emin and Jay Jopling’s White Cube have a long-standing relationship. Although some believe the relationship is fed through a thirst for money, fame, and success, her latest exhibition demonstrates why Emin is so well renowned. A mixture of her drawings, textiles, prints and a single installation are based around the self-proclaimed theme of ‘love’. [...]
Weir’s Dark Ceramics at the Alison Jacques Gallery
It’s your last chance to see Mathew Weir at the Alison Jacques Gallery. Weir’s exhibition of painting and sculpture is inspired and informed by his fascination with ceramics. His work sheds new light on art history by picking out references and transforming them into something fresh. He places dioramas or ceramic figurines into landscapes constructed [...]
The new Photographers’ Gallery, and Hauser and Wirth
A lot of people were upset when the Photographers Gallery moved from that sweet spot right next to Leicester Square tube and relocated round the back of Oxford Street, but I went there today and it’s not all that bad. The original space was a bit like a bungalow, whereas the new building is splayed [...]
Paul McCarthy, just so intense!
Just a quick post for all of those who remember when the above sculpture was in the foyer at Brighton Uni’s art block. I found this video clip of proverbial sick man of art, and Pinocchio abuser, Paul McCarthey. Those of you who are familiar with Paul’s work know that his stuff teeters on [...]
