Because it's True... and Funny

Busted! This is so obviously a filler.... But it's so funny I thought I'd share
note to self: must post Pace Anniversary show soon

iPhone Apps for Art Lovers

Here's how awesome it can get when art & technology collide that i almost want to take back all my anti-iPhone rants for the past 2 years so I can engage in the following apps. Or... maybe I just won't use it as a phone.

Art Envi, the #1 paid app in the Japanese App Store turns your iPhone into a giant art gallery, with collections from the world's best artists, giving you easy, full-screen access to thousands of Web-based masterpieces, indexed by artist with multi-touch controls, in automated slide shows.

The National Gallery in London has a similar app called Love Art which is a tour of about 250 art treasures at the museum that "will take you on an incredible journey into art" with videos, audio commentary, zoomable high-resolution image galleries, and theme tours. Best of all it's FREE!!!

Last month, The New Yorker had a cover made on the iPhone Brushes app in under one hour by artist Jorge Colombo. Artists and iPhone and iPod Touch users are now producing paintings on their hand-held devices! These images are created using an application called Brushes for iPhones -freehand using fingers and thumbs. A zoom feature lets you do detailed work and an undo feature lets you correct any mistakes. The app also records brush strokes and replays your paintings like a movie. Brushes also has a Twitter account and a flikr group where artists share their creations.

Michael Jackson Inspired Art

Top: Banksy

Bottom: Left -Jeff Koons, Right -Andy Warhol

As millions of people mourn the loss of The King of Pop (R.I.P), I think it's apt that we highlight the art he inspired. I found this article at if its hip its here that gives a 'best & worst of' rundown on pretty much everything between iconic works from greats like Warhol to the just plain weird. Guess my work is done for today.

Where Are the Art Critics?

Fans or Critics?

A professional art critic specializes in evaluating art usually in published reviews to enhance the appreciation of art through a good eye for art and art history knowledge. In the U.S and Europe there have been of heated debates concerning the loss of relevance and authority of art critics. Today's critics seem to be nothing more than spectators or reporters from the sidelines as the art world unfolds before them.

In Malaysia who has ever had any such influence on our art to begin with? There are no Jerry Saltzs to speak of... Is the value of our art influenced by opinions of individuals who have a direct interest in the market? Do public discourse concerning local art and culture play any part in the development of the market? Or are they just there as a support system for an elitist club?

What is Contemporary Art?

Contemporary just means art that is being created during our lifetime -i.e.; contemporary to us. Contrary to general perception, Contemporary and Modern art are not the same.

The difference?
Modern Art: Impressionist Art from around 1880 up until 1960-70's.
Contemporary Art: Art from the 60's or 70's 'til now.

There has some overlapping between Contemporary and Modern art at some point, some 30 years ago (your granny will confirm this). 1970 is a fair cut-off point for modern art though, because it was around then that the term "Postmodern" came into being. 1970 was also the last of easily classified artistic movements.

Although, contemporary art has more working artists (making helluva more art). Contemporary artists "movements" cannot be classified. It's hard to classify (on-going) emerging movements, Contemporary art is definitely more socially conscious than any previous era, exploring all kinds of issues from multiculturalism, disease awareness to socio-political commentary as subject matter. Then again, maybe it's just harder to define things these days... sigh!

WHAT IS ART

During my years at chelsea school of art my tutor once said to me "without question, there would be no art." Do we have to question what we are looking at for something to be in the 'art' category? Or is experiencing for oneself the instant aesthetic appeal of an object hanging or sitting in a neutral space, ie: a gallery enough to render it as art?

Fine Art Prints

Eng Tay
Beloved - Etching, Edition 175

For many collectors, especially those new to the art market or who do not want to spend a lot of money access original art by purchasing prints. One cannot argue that much of its appeal is in the price tag.

Artists may use one or a combination of many processes, from lithography to collography. These procedures are complex and are constantly refined. Regardless, a fine-art print have these characteristics; originally created for prints, not copied from work in another medium, artist's hands-on involvement, are in limited editions and usually accompanied by written documentation. ~Although some hardcore collectors insist that "they're a rubbish waste of time"~
Regardless, it is a great entry point into the art market. And, No! -Reproductions do not count as fine art prints.

Two of the most common and distinct print formats are etchings and engravings. These intaglio (Italian for cut in) processes draw out ink from the indent of plates using damp sheets of paper. The process can be repeated typically for several hundred impressions. The difference between the two methods is how the plates are made.

Engraving
In engraving, lines in the plate are cut with special tools. The engraved plate is inked all over, then excess ink is wiped off the surface, leaving only ink in the engraved lines when transfered to paper. Antique engraved prints are popular antiques to collect. Most modern day artists prefer etching.

Etching
A metal plate (usually copper) is covered with wax and drawn on with an etching needle. This process is more like drawing than engraving. The exposed areas are then ‘etched’ into, by acid to hold ink for printing. Rembrandt with his 300 plates was one of the greatest of etchers. Notably famous Malaysian etcher:-Eng Tay.

The Starving Artist Debate

"There is an old-fashioned bohemian notion that truly pure artists must struggle for their self-sufficient vision without having to depend on commercial enterprises like awards, exhibitions and commissions. But these events have their purpose.

They provide a structure through which the art public - in particular collectors - can partake in the recognition and support of deserving talent. And if they're lucky, collectors may have the pleasure of acquiring works by such talent still emerging, before it becomes beyond the reach of all but the most elite wealthy. "

Barry Pearce
Head Curator, Australian Art
Art Gallery of New South Wales

Who is anybody to say what's good or bad art right?
-Wrong! I guess, according to this guy.