Mannerism Versus Modernism

Hans Hoffmann, An Affenpinscher (detail), 1580, watercolor and gouache on vellum. Kasper Collection, New York.

The Morgan Library & Museum presents over one hundred drawings and photographs from the collection assembled by American fashion designer Herbert Kasper—known simply as Kasper. The collection, exceptional for its distinctive character and superb quality, is being exhibited to the public for the first time. Mannerism and Modernism: The Kasper Collection of Drawings and Photographs is being held at the Morgan Library and Museum in New York City through May 1st, 2011.

Jacques Dutronc: Every Man For Himself

A friend and fellow Francophile recently sent me a link to the Jacques Dutronc music video for “Les gens sont fous, les temps sont flous” (which translates roughly as “The people are crazy, the times are vague”). Thus began an immediate obsession with the songwriter turned singer turned actor, who, in the 60s wrote hits for his then girlfriend, later wife, Françoise Hardy while at Vogue Records. He went on to become a star in his own right with his first chart-topper,“Et moi et moi et moi." Dressed to perfection in suit and tie at a time when most musicians were growing beards and donning bell-bottoms, Dutronc’s live performances were characterized by a wink and a nod to the audience, his sly, bemused expression transforming his particular brand of pop into a subtle parody of the genre itself.

It’s no surprise then, that Dutronc later went into acting, eventually starring in Jean-Luc Godard's 1980 meta-film Every Man For Himself, in which the pop star plays an filmmaker, also named Godard, who is grappling with the dissolution of his marriage. A brand new 35mm print of the film has recently been pressed and will be shown in Chicago later this week and in Vancouver at the beginning of next month. See links for dates and times: Chicago & Vancouver.

Text by Anna Wittel for Pas Un Autre

For Your Pleasure

Almost 18+ For Your Pleasure

At this years Art Rotterdam TORCH gallery will offer a stage for a special performance and presentation of the project Almost 18+ (for your pleasure) by TINKEBELL. These works display a wryly ironic commentary on the contrast between the worlds of pornography and public debate. Seated in a chair designed by renowned designer Marcel Wanders she will devote her time at the fair embroidering lovely flowers, butterflies and birds on images of humiliated teenage girls. More info here.

Gaël Turine: Voodoo

Voodoo originated in slavery and was declared the official religion of Haiti in 2003. The belief came into existence in the sixteenth century and is based upon a merging of the beliefs and practices belonging to the vodun cult from of West African Benin with the beliefs and practices associated with Roman Catholic Christianity. Voodoo was created by African slaves who were brought to Haiti in the 16th century and still followed their traditional African beliefs but were forced to convert to the religion of their slavers. From Haiti voodoo gradually spread to the United States and the Caribbean. Voodoo practitioners, who are commonly described as vodouisants, aim their prayers to a rather large number of spirits known as Loa, or Mistè. These spirits all have their own, distinct preferences and are honoured with specific rituals, symbols, dances and music. The Loa enable the vodouisants to contact the world of the dead, amongst whom deceased relatives and ancestors. This contact is highly important because respect for, and listening to what it is that these spirits and ancestors are conveying is absolutely quintessential if one wants to attain a better and more peaceful life on earth. Between 2005 and 2010 Turine took photographs of several ceremonies, pilgrimages and rituals connected with voodoo religion. These photographs are on display at the Kunsthal Museum in Rotterdam - in the Netherlands - until March 13th 2011. More info here.

LittleDoe

Invoking the Jazz Age. "Limited edition freshwater pearl chain headpiece with raw crystal geode by little doe exclusively for [I Don't Like Mondays]....hand made in NYC." Proceeds go to Designers Against Aids. Find it at www.idontlikemondays.com

Brass Tears: Experpts from the Travel Diaries of Dustin Lynn

Brass Tears: Dustin Lynn
Brass Tears: Dustin Lynn

"And with a soft kiss I bid my adieu to Casa Voyageurs and Casablanca, speeding galliantly towards the Atlas Forrest and the ancient Medina of Fes (Fez) with the Brass Tears of Ted Curson in my ear, seat 5f, compartment 1, express train 119. Enshallah."

Text by Dustin Lynn

Noir City

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Poster for Among the Living (1941)

San Francisco's cinema gem, the Castro Theater, is currently in the middle of it's annual noir film festival: Noir City. I think I might just check out the last showing as it seems right up my alley. Showing tonight, Among The Living (1941): "Albert Dekker stars as identical twins, one a brain-damaged psychopath who stirs up a Gothic whirlwind of insanity, family skeletons, and murder in a small town paralyzed by fear. Stuart Heisler directs Lester Cole's baroque script with fabulously lurid intensity. Costarring a lushly nubile Susan Hayward, venerable Harry Carey, and pre-tragedy Frances Farmer. This rarely screened horror-noir hybrid is one of the most requested films in Noir City history, finally presented in a glorious 35mm print!" This film is not on DVD. Tonight Frances Farmer will have her revenge. Full program here.

Fate Knocking at the Gates

In 1802, with his hearing worsening to the point of deafness, Ludwig Van Beethoven was at a cross roads. The decision could have quite possibly cost Beethoven his life: go deaf and lose the gift of music or go on and beat against the tides of  imminent silence. Going deaf must have been like losing his oars in the sea of Beethoven's genius.  In 1802 he wrote a famous letter to his brothers announcing his plans to commit suicide - fate was certainly knocking at his gates - as the famous intro to his fifth symphony connotes, but as hard on his luck as he was,he decided to forgo his plans of suicide, and went on to live out some of his most productive years - his middle years - when most of Beethoven's most famous pieces were written.  No one ever read that fateful letter until after his death close to 30 years later; and between 1802 and 1815, sans oars, Beethoven's genius was at it's apex.  Last night I had the magical experience of witnessing the Polish conductor Marek Janowski conduct Beethoven's largely underrated Symphony No. 4, Piano Concerto No. 3 with the virtuosic Juho Phjohen at the piano, and finally the Leonore Oveture No. 3.  All pieces were performed stunningly by the San Francisco Symphony with a vibrant, emotive exuberance rare in most orchestras.  Hearing the San Francisco Symphony perform Beethoven's Leonore Overture No. 3  - which was intended as an opera set in a dungeon of all places - was truly soul awakening. This performance runs for two more nights, tonight Jan. 22 and Sunday Jan. 23 - find tickets here.

Timm Ulrichs: Keep out of the exhibition!

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The Kunstverein Hannover and the Sprengel Museum Hannover present one of the most comprehensive surveys of the work by the concept artist Timm Ulrichs (born 1940). Timm Ulrichs’ oeuvre not only has an undisputed art historical importance, but has also gained a new relevance against the backdrop of contemporary art production. This joint exhibition project is thus not only occasioned by Timm Ulrichs’ 70th birthday and five decades of artistic activities in Hannover, but also by the significance of his work, which is still pertinent in the context of recent contemporary art through the increased recourse to conceptual paradigms. The double exhibition encompasses his early works from the nineteen sixties to recent productions that have been developed especially for this exhibition. November 28, 2010-February 13, 2011 Opening Saturday, November 27, 2010 at 5 pm at the Sprengel Museum Hannover at 7 pm at the Kunstverein Hannover. (SITE)

Tableau Vivant: Ulla von Brandenburg

Ulla von Brandenburg, 'Geister Ghosts,' Image Courtesy of Chisenhale Gallery/ Studio Voltaire

Ulla von Brandenburg's artworks are within the penumbra of tableau vivant, or 'living picture,' a nineteenth century mode of image making that includes costumes, elaborate lighting, and the immutable stillness of one or more actors. Brandenburg was born in Germany in 1978, but now lives and creates in Paris. "Working with drawing, painting, textiles, film and installation von Brandenburg investigates historical socio-cultural practices including the occult, magic, early psychoanalysis and modernist theatre..." Her works are now on display at the London Art Fair - through the 23rd. www.londonartfair.co/uk

Autodidact: Jorge Santos

Jorge Santos-Mail Order Bride

"[Self taught artist] Jorge Santos was born in 1959, and spent his childhood in Luanda, Angola on the coast of Africa. In 1975, Angola exploded in the violent political turmoil of decolonization forcing Santos' family to flee the country. At the formative age of 16, Santos found himself thrust into the equally turbulent and unknown culture of Lisbon, Portugal as that country slid into its own revolution. The national struggle paralleled Santos' own personal one and fueled his passion for drawing. At this early stage, pencil drawing, the most simple and direct form of expression, perfectly suited his complicated and dramatic images and expressed his unique vision." The George Billis Gallery will be presenting works by Jorge Santos at the 2011 Los Angeles Art Show which starts today and ends on January 23rd.

Objet d’Art: Dr. Lakra

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Presented in collaboration with the Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston, this will be the first solo exhibition in New York by Mexican tattoo artist Dr. Lakra (b. 1972, Mexico). For this exhibition, Lakra will create a site-specific wall drawing spanning 360 degrees of the gallery, shown alongside works on paper and selections from the artist’s collections of found objects. In these works, Lakra uses drawing as the most immediate artistic impulse to invoke fundamental human urges like sex and violence. Using a range of source material, from anatomy textbooks to magazine pin-ups and comic strips, Lakra looks to Mexican and international art historical traditions, as well as the contemporary iconography of tattoo art and borrows a rich sense of satire from his early interest in cartooning. Creating a transformative visual overload, Lakra merges representation with an invented universe, as works transcend categorization and challenge social norms. Dr. Lakra is on view from February 25 – April 24, 2011 at the Drawing Center in NYC.