Art Talk

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From Russia with Art Apr 08, 2009

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Somehow in the last several weeks, Russian avant-garde culture of the early 20th century has been presenting itself with surprising consistency, both here in LA and during my recent trip to Holland. In Amsterdam I saw excellent early paintings by Kandinsky, and on the last day there, I was invited to see The Four Temperaments by Balanchine performed by the Dutch National Ballet. The theater was packed, and the dancers were very good. All that made me think about the famous Ballets Russes and its impresario Sergei Diaghilev, who introduced the whole world to the genius of Igor Stravinsky’s music in his ballets Petrushka and The Rite of Spring...

'I love plastic. I want to be plastic.' - Andy Warhol Apr 01, 2009

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Returning to LA from a ten-day trip to Holland, I jumped head first into the thick of things, trying to catch up with the new exhibitions in museums and galleries. First I drove downtown to the USC Fisher Museum, which has become the happy recipient of a generous gift from the Andy Warhol Foundation...

The Best Place to Get High without Getting Arrested Mar 25, 2009

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The name of the picturesque ancient city Maastricht, in the south of Holland, might not ring a bell in American ears, but in Europe it’s definitely well known as the place where the Maastricht Treaty was signed in 1992, giving birth to the European Union. Another reason to be aware of this city is TEFAF, the celebrated annual international art fair, often referred to as the ‘Tiffany’ of all art fairs. That’s where curators and discriminating collectors from around the world go in search of rare examples of Greek and Roman art, Old Master drawings and paintings, and fabulous pieces of furniture, tapestries, and porcelain that once upon a time decorated the stately homes of European nobility..

Is Old Master Art Still a Sure Thing? Mar 11, 2009

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The last couple of months, running into various art dealers, the first thing I ask is how they're holding up. No doubt, it's been a difficult time for the art market, where sales of contemporary art are way below what they were even a year ago. One exception was the recent sale of the Yves Saint Laurent collection, a big success, probably attributable to the worldwide recognition of the designer's name; people are willing to pay extra for an art work belonging to a famous person...

Beverly Hills Housewife for Sale Mar 04, 2009

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When you think about the most important Los Angeles cultural patrons of the last fifty years –- people who devoted their sizable fortunes and limitless passion to supporting and promoting the arts 0– three names spring immediately to mind: Dorothy Chandler, who gave us the Music Center, Marcia Weisman, the driving force behind the creation of MOCA; and, last but not least, Betty Freeman, a legendary patron of avant-garde music as well as a major collector of American post-war art...

Humble, but Sooo Sexy Feb 25, 2009

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Now that the razzle dazzle of Oscar night has mercifully passed, and our tuxedos and one-strap designer gowns are back in the closet, let's put on overalls and roll up our sleeves: it's time for a reality check...at least reality the way I see it...

In Good Times and Bad, We'll Always Have Art Feb 18, 2009

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Whatever the state of the economy right now, one thing is clear: major museums in LA are not wanting for attendance. Last Sunday, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art was pleasantly crowded; not only its temporary exhibitions, but the galleries with permanent collections were full of visitors as well. A lot of young people gathered around four BMW Art Cars exhibited outdoors on the museum plaza. You might want to check out these cars painted by Andy Warhol, Frank Stella, Robert Rauschenberg, and Roy Lichtenstein; this small traveling exhibition closes next Tuesday...

In Gold We Trust Feb 11, 2009

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Bad weather, with its strong winds and rain, can sure put a damper on weekend plans, unless you get a little bit creative – after all, there are always museums out there waiting for us. It was pouring when I hit the Pacific Coast Highway last Sunday, but all of a sudden, the celestial authorities had a change of heart, and the rest of the drive to Malibu was smooth sailing: few cars and plenty of sunshine...

All Art, All the Time Jan 28, 2009

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It's been a whole week since the dawning of a new era, with President Obama urging fellow citizens to work harder rather than sending us to shop our way out of trouble. I can honestly say that I've never worked harder than this last week; it was all art, all the time, and then some. Judge for yourself...

Obama as Arts Czar? Jan 21, 2009

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Since Election Day, when Barack Hussein Obama became President-Elect of the United States, I, like everyone else, have been swept up in the wave of enthusiasm over the results of the election. But truth be told, I'm elated not just because we have our first black president, but because...

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