ART BUFFET BLOG

You are currently viewing archive for October 2008

Category: General
Posted by: Samuel

The new Saatchi Gallery building

Every year Art Review magazine publishes a list which outlines the top 100 players in the art world. The list shows how different Artists, Curators, Collectors, Critics, Galleries etc. hold power in the art world.

With Damien Hirst choosing to sell his art without the need for a gallery (and also other recent escapades) it's not surprising that he tops the list, reclaiming his 2005 title. Gallerist Larry Gagosian comes in second with his 5 galleries across the globe, with New York Museum of Modern Art curator Kathy Halbreich in third. Nicholas Serota, the director of Tate lies in third. Charles Saatchi comes in 14th, but with the opening of his enormous new Chelsea gallery this year we think next year he'll be shooting up the chart.

Category: General
Posted by: Samuel

It was a busy weekend for the art world, foremost with the extravaganza which was Frieze Art Fair. Frieze has become a permanent fixture in the art calendar for October and sees galleries, collectors, critics, enthusiasts and just about anyone who’s interested in contemporary art from across the world coming to visit Regents Park to get a cross section of what the major galleries are doing right now. Whilst you probably know a bit about the Frieze art fair, there were numerous other events going on around London running parallel in order to get the passing trade from Frieze visitors: Zoo and Scope art fairs were both in close proximity to Frieze but feature more up and coming galleries and therefore some more cutting edge work. Other projects such as Kounter Kulture and The Thaw offered big exhibitions of street art whilst Deptford X showcased various established artists amongst local emerging Deptford artists.

Category: General
Posted by: Samuel

Last week an exhibition by Richard Serra hailed as 'the greatest living sculptor' opened at the Gagosian Gallery in Kings Cross, London. I went to take a look at the exhibition at the weekend and I was pleasantly surprised. The first thing that greets you as you enter the gallery is one of the artists signature giant sweeping curved Steel sculptures, the gallery itself is a huge space (the largest commercial gallery in the UK) and the sculpture alongside its counterpart dramatically obstruct the main gallery. Although the sculptures are steel, the surface is oxidised to a deep red colour, giving the appearance that they're covered in velvet. This gives an interesting contrast to the works; they are initially intimidating and overwhelming in size however the richness of the colour and the curves are inviting and make the sculpture seem more inviting and warm, especially as you walk around the works and enter the internal space of the sculptures.

Category: General
Posted by: Samuel

This article in The Guardian shows that there’s never a better time than now to buy an artwork. The article tells the story of a Dutch lady finding out her painting is worth between £63,000 and £79,000 after originally spending only £560 on it. This also reminds me of a story I read a little while ago about an American woman that bought what she claims is a Jackson Pollock painting for $5 in a US thrift store and now claims it’s worth $50million.