Art in One Form or Another

The $12 Million Shark

 

I'm currently reading The $12 Million Stuffed Shark, by Donald Thompson, which looks at the curious economics of art. If you've ever wondered if owning art and appreciating art are different, then read the book to find out. Spoiler alert: The answer is no.

The author demystifies the art world by walking through its arcane financial customs and by insisting on an economist's appreciation for the subjective theory of value. He recognizes that value is dependent on context. Objects themselves have no intrinsic worth; what we're willing to pay at any given time is a result of the stories we tell ourselves.

Marilyn Minter Tonight!

Marilyn Minter is signing her new book tonight at The Strand from 7-8p. See you there!

828 Broadway
(at 12th St.)
New York, NY. 10003

I [Square] Judd

The Donald Judd Foundation announced last week the start of the Donald Judd Catalogue Raisonné through the appointment of the Catalogue Raisonné committee and a Catalogue Raisonné Manager, Katy Rogers. Ms. Rogers, who is currently completing the Robert Motherwell Catalogue Raisonné, will manage the Donald Judd Catalogue Raisonné project with the advisement of the committee. The project is supported by a newly designed catalogue raisonné database, which Judd Foundation has developed over two years specifically to document artworks by Donald Judd (1928-1994).

Jerry Saltz Has Something To Say (And You Should Listen)

I joined the Jerry Saltz fan club late in the game, but I am just happy to be a member. As the current senior art critic for New York Magazine and former senior art editor at The Village Voice for almost ten years, as well as a two-time finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in Criticism, popular teacher, and coast-to-coast lecturer surveys the good, the bad, and the very bad in contemporary art. And we does it with a very strong opinion. Can't wait to check out his new book. You should, too!

Waiting to be "Suprised" by Visionaire

I was first introduced to Visionaire, an art and fashion publication, a few years ago. Since then, it's become another art addiction that I have no intention of getting on the wagon for.  Their latest release, "Surprise," is an homage to the art of pop up books where they bring photos to life.

Contributers include contemporary artists and designers inlcluding  Sophie Calle, Andreas Gursky, Cai Guo-Qiang, Steven Klein, Yayoi Kusama, Alasdair Mclellan, Steven Meisel,Guido Mocafico, Nicola Formichetti/Gareth Pugh and Mario Testino. The 55th edition of Visionaire is brought to you by champagne house, Krug.

The Power Book

I have an art book addiction. The latest to the family is The Power Book by Jacqueline Hassink.  Originally a sculptor, Hassink picked up her first camera in 1994 and I'm so glad she did. Her photographs deal methodically and precisely with the themes of globalisation and economic power.

In this series of work, Hassink photographed the boardroom tables of Europe's forty largest multinationals, which alone is impressive. Hassink doesn't stop there. She also goes on to document the top female executives' dining rooms in the world.

 

One step further, she moves from the dining room to the dressing room as she continues to intrepret executives' spaces of power. If I were a betting man (oh wait, I am!) I'd say Chanel's dressing room will become a permanent fixture on our walls in the near future. The Power Book is available at NYC's Cohen Amador Gallery. 

The Christmas Book is Full of Treats

Every year Neiman Marcus prints The Christmas Book. And every year, I read it cover-to-cover. Comprised of the most over-the-top and obnoxious (in a great way) gifts that you can possibly imagine, the catalog includes some of the most outrageously expensive jewelry, trips and collectibles.

Facing a spiraling economy, the team in Dallas left out the $45 million private jet and the $20 million personal submarine. Some of my personal favorites include the Guiness Bar (custom home built bar with a trip to Ireland and a year of Guiness on tap) for $250,000. For $500,000 you can get the Dallas Cowboys' end zone, and my personal favorite, a Jack Nicklaus custom backyard golf course. For only $1 million, Jack Nicklaus and his team will design and build your very own-custom desgined three-hole course and the Golden Bear himself will play the inuagural round, too. What a deal!

One day I'll buy something out of this catalog... Have to figure out if it will be for me or Sarah, though.