Thursday, April 29, 2010

Road Trip by Leah Oates goes to NEXT Art Chicago & Affordable Art Fair in NYC

Photo- Leah Oates


Road Trip curated by Ruben Natal San-Miguel @ the Affordable Art Fair NYC with Like the Spice Gallery
May 6-9th
I Love Brooklyn Party at AFF on May 6th from 6-9pm. Tickets can be purchase online.



During her extensive travels throughout different parts of the globe, artist Leah Oates has managed to capture the essence, similarities, differences, integration, complexity and interaction between the natural and the urban landscape. In Oates's images each fuse together in such harmony that they coexist with the other. From Finland to Beijing to Newfoundland to the roads of America, Road Trip is a survey of Oates's photographic vision over the past 10 years. One must always be aware of nature in our every day surroundings as it might not be there for long due to the changing world that we live in today. It is also relevant for all of us to realize how the environment around us affects humans, our behavior and the future. Through this portfolio of fifteen carefully selected and beautiful photographs we are able to see through Oates's eyes and travel on a poetic photographic journey to urban and natural landscapes in many locations.

Essay by Ruben Natal San-Miguel

The Road Trip portfolio is an edition of 10 with 5 ap's and hand signed traditional photographs. There are 15 -8"x10" in each portfolio with a bio, image sheet, certificate, and an essay all housed in an archival portfolio box. Five copies sold.

ACRIA's UNFRAMED 2010 - More Art Gems! Tonight! 4/29/10

David Benjamin Sherry
Semen and Grapes, 2008
Traditional Color Print
16 x 20 inches
Edition: 20


Slater Bradley
Uncharted Settlements I 2005/2010
Chromogenic Print
11 x 14 inches
Edition: 25





Nate Lowman
Gallery: Maccarone
Untitled, 2010
Oil on linen/Oil on canvas
14 x 14, 12 x 12 inches
Unique paintings

SAVE THE DATE: ACRIA's UNFRAMED 20 Presented by ELLE DECOR Thursday April 29th from 6-9pm at the iconic Manhattan House at 200 East 66th Street

www.acria.org

Monday, April 26, 2010

THE NAKED TRUTH- SAVE THE DATE -OPENING 5/13/10



The Naked Truth
Curated by Ruben Natal-San Miguel

A photographic and video survey of voyerism, nudity and sex from the last 50 years.

31 Howard St Snd Floor
SoHo, NYC.

Final artist list , official invite and a tease preview of some of the art works coming up this week...hot!

In the meantime here is Madonna again inspiring , seducing and reading my mind...
Enjoy the Erotica video by Madonna and see you @ the opening!


ARTmostfierce Affordable Print Pick of the Week

Photo- Aaron Lee Fineman
"Girls shotgunning a joint in a hot tub in Marietta, GA", Digital C-Print, 8x10"
Starting Bid $100. Buy out price $200.

Ok I really like this photograph. It already made it to my Hall of Fame laptop desktop. Ok ...I want to own this photograph!

I find it very seductive and of the moment...hot!

This photograph is part of Aaron Lee Fineman series American Creed and also part of the Art Sale for Haiti's Children.
You can get it here:
http://www.gitanarosa.com
info@GITANAROSA.COM

His Detroit series are also worth taking a look at.

Zoe Strauss -Philadelphia Museum of Art-Solo Show January 2012


I would like to take a minute to congratulate photographer and friend Zoe Strauss for her solo show at the Philadelphia Museum of Art opening January 2012, in the Berman and Stieglitz Galleries.

Zoe congratulations!

I guess now you know what to do after the Final 1-95 ten year exhibit ends!

From underneath the 1-95 highway underpass to the Philadelphia Museum of Art! Only Zoe can make this happen!

Well deserved!

Don't forget the I-95 Exhibit next Sunday May, 2, 2010!

Sunday, April 25, 2010

The Exhibiton Lab- A new photography school

Gallerist and The Exhibition Lab founder Michael Foley
Photo by Janine Noelle

It's been said that during Economic Recession times, the best works, collaborations and creativity in the Arts, tend to flourish. Well now, here we have two new ones. One is when, two great gallerists in NYC, Michael Foley and Sasha Wolf are now also becoming the new founders of a new photography school called The Exhibition Lab.

Fantastic no?
They both got all my support!

Speaking of support, number Two is that, I am also happy to inform you that a dear gallerina named Janine Noelle is going to start contributing with articles and interviews for ARTmostfierce Art Blog since us truly is sooo busy... collecting/blogging/photographing/showing/curating/judging/writing...did I forgot something that, I don't have my hands or my name lately?...Oh trying to save the world! ha ha!

So... Janine is the new ARTmostfierce News Correspondent/ aka Mafia Hit Girl!

Here is her first contribution to ARTmostfierce Arts Blog, a quick interview about The Exhibition Lab.
Welcome Janine!

Enjoy!

This June artists and art lovers will join hand in welcoming The Exhibition Lab, a new school founded by gallerists Michael Foley and Sasha Wolf.

Janine Noelle: What was the main concept behind starting The Exhibition Lab?

Michael Foley: We realized that there is a community of photographers at large that might enjoy coming together, meeting one another, sharing ideas and feedback regarding there work. We wanted to provide a meeting place, like a clubhouse, open to all.

JN -Can you explain what the structure of the school will be?

MF- Students at The Ex Lab will have several options. We offer 3-hour seminars, one, two and three-day workshops and longer classes. We also have assigned credits to each of the classes so that once a student takes a certain amount of classes, they are eligible to take an additional class for free. Classes are small, no more than 12.

JN -From what I understand the school is starting with a strong photography base. Will it be strictly/primarily photography?

MF- That is how we will start. We are open to possibilities, but would like to stick with our core audience, which we believe are photographers. That being said, we will offer several classes for people who have an interest in photography, but might not be interested in making pictures. We have Susan Bright teaching a class on curatorial practice and another class taught by another instructor will address gender identity in contemporary photography.

JN -With the city already saturated with photography schools and continuing education programs, what will this school offer to differ from others?

MF- Several things...first is the option to just come in for one 3-hour seminar. With so many things to choose from here, it’s nice to know that you just can commit to one evening and not schedule out a 5 or 10 week class. Our class topics are very targeted and specific. The Ex Lab is associated with two photography galleries and their gallerists who will be active in all programming and who will likely be on site during class sessions. It will give incoming students a chance to meet us and put a face to the school. We will also host talks and panel discussions, so I think students will feel encouraged to participate in the programming regardless of whether they are attending classes.

JN -Can you talk about your choice in teachers? You seem to have some really great names on the list.

MF -Sasha and I started to reach out to people that we knew to have teaching experience and could make classes engaging and entertaining. We tapped people who were passionate about a subject and who shared the same ideal of supporting a community. We are fortunate to have met some amazing individuals over the years and we were reassured to find many of them willing to contribute their time and expertise to support the goals of The Ex Lab.

JN -Will running a school and a gallery become too much?

MF- Probably not enough! I think both Sasha and I thrive on generating new ideas and since Foley Gallery and Sasha Wolf Gallery will be occupying the same space, we will have a lot more time together to launch new initiatives and expand the school. We believe that everything we do in the new location will support each other.

Thanks Michael Foley, I can't wait to sign up!

For more information on The Exhibition Lab and sign up for classes, visit http://www.theexhibitionlab.com/

American ReConstruction: An exhibition of new photography-Opening 5/7/10


Matthew Albanese


Tornado


2010

c-print mounted on Plexiglass

20" x 30”, edition of 10

Do not miss this show!
Michael Hoeh has done a great job organizing this show . A different approach about new photography. Save the date !

See you @ the opening!

American ReConstruction : a group exhibition of new photography

Featuring Matthew Albanese, Jowhara AlSaud, Jeremy Kost, Mark Lyon, Curtis Mann, and Cara Phillips.

Organized by Michael Hoeh.

May 7 – June 12, 2010
Opening Reception, Friday, May 7, 2010

Winkleman Gallery is extremely pleased to present “American ReConstruction,” a group exhibition of new photography by emerging artists Matthew Albanese, Jowhara AlSaud, Jeremy Kost, Mark Lyon, Curtis Mann, and Cara Phillips. Organized by New York collector Michael Hoeh, “American ReConstruction” features artists who construct photography-based work through an array of pre- and post-printing considerations or processes.

“Reconstruction” is the act of rebuilding an object or structure that had been destroyed. Hence, the post-Civil War years in US history were called “The Era of Reconstruction.” In contemporary America, we are witnessing a new need to rebuild a wide series of systems: our economy, healthcare system, political system, consumer confidence, and in the new age of iPads and Facebook even our methods of communication and visual language. In this exhibition, Hoeh has brought together a group of artists whose work all touch upon these issues. Some of the artists’ work is created by physically altering the raw material of photography or its subject matter—by scratching (AlSaud), bleaching (Mann), or directly building detailed models (Albanese) for the making of their images. Others work by innately focusing their camera gaze on society’s impulse to rebuild or reconstruct our appearances (Phillips), personas (Kost), or environments (Lyon).

Friday, April 23, 2010

BOMB Magazine-29th Anniversary Gala Benefit & Silent Auction April 27, 2010, The National Arts Club, 6PM

This is always a great event to be present at . The auction is always fantastic one and this year it is looking even better! BOMB Magazine is a great publication committed to the ARTS.

See you April 27, 2010!

BOMB Magazine-29th Anniversary Gala Benefit & Silent Auction
April 27, 2010, The National Arts Club, 6PM

Honoring: Cecily Brown & Nicolai Ouroussoff, Gabriel Orozco, and Nancy Spector


BOMB celebrates 29 years of delivering the artist’s voice

1981: BOMB reinvented the interview. It started with the enthusiasm of New York’s downtown art scene, a $3,000 loan, and a vision that publishing conversations between artists could be revelatory.

2010: BOMB has become more than a magazine. BOMB is a community—over 900 interviews comprised of 1,800 voices that have changed the way we talk about the arts. This year, BOMB is celebrating its achievements with its biggest gala yet. On Tuesday, April 27, 2010, at The National Arts Club in New York City, BOMB will honor Cecily Brown & Nicolai Ouroussoff, Gabriel Orozco, and Nancy Spector, individuals whose works and vision speak directly to BOMB’s mission of creative excellence.

The Gala: A Silent Auction will kick off the festivities at 6PM with 75 works of art donated by Diana Al-Hadid, Tina Barney, Harry Dodge, Alex Hubbard, Joan Jonas, Nan Goldin, Alex Katz, Vera Lutter, Julie Mehretu, Roxy Paine, Thomas Nozkowski, Lamar Peterson, Guy Maddin, Allen Ruppersberg, Richard Serra, Joel Shapiro, Carrie Mae Weems, and other renowned and emerging artists, all of whom will be present. At 7:30, Rob Pruitt, Brice Marden, and Matthew Barney will toast the honorees. A seated dinner begins at 8:30PM, followed by a performance by Paula Henderson’s (aka Secretary) Saxtronica.

This year’s Co-Chairs, Cary Brown-Epstein, Larry Gagosian, Marian Goodman, and Jennifer Blei Stockman, will be joined by BOMB supporters Michele Oka Doner, Beth Rudin DeWoody, Steven Holl, Klaus Kertess, Michèle Gerber Klein, Tim Nye, Ellen Phelan, and Yvonne Force Villareal.




View the Silent Auction artwork, 50–70% off market values, at www.bombsite.com/auction

For press inquiries or access to cocktails, please contact Paul Morris at 718.636.9100 x104.


BOMB
Outspoken. Intimate. Legendary.
Conversations between artists, writers, directors, actors & musicians since 1981

www.bombsite.com

Emerging Artists Auction Presented by Daniel Cooney Fine Art and iGavel Auctions April 22nd – May 13th, 2010



Peter Zachary Voelker, Coley and Fire, Two Photographs, 2007 D8DWA

Two Lambda Prints, each signed and numbered "1/3" on the reverse.

Estimate
500 - 1000

Provenance
Directly from the artist.

Measurements
30 x 20" each.

This auction has some great works and great prices. Time to put a bid and get some new work!


http://bid.igavelauctions.com/ClientInfo.taf?_function=info&skip=1&id=3386

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Alix Smith-State of the Union- Please cast your vote!!!

This was a great documentary featured this week in PBS. Alix Smith- State of the Union series are beautiful and of great importance. Please vote for her so, she can get this Pepsi grant!

Vote NOW!
Alix Smith is interviewed on IN THE LIFE
this month on PBS.



It is the second segment of an episode
entitled Dismantling Hate.

You can also see the
interview online at:




"Her project will be a major catalogue of contemporary gay families."
- John Bennette (Art Collector / Critic)


"There is this long history of art being a device to bring the public's attention to things that might not be right in front of them.... It's more subversive then the most overtly political work out there because the message is delivered so quietly and with such a gentle touch that you don't know that your ideas might have shifted until after the fact."
- Sally Morgan Lehman (Morgan Lehman Gallery)

STATES OF UNION UP FOR PEPSI GRANT

The success of Alix Smith's project States of Union has earned her a chance to win a $250,000 grant from Pepsi.


Winners are determined by the number of VOTES they get during the month of April, so please take a moment to VOTE AND help us by mobilizing your networks to vote!



Supporters may VOTE for this project online at: www.refresheverything.com/statesofunion

"Alix Smith is a brilliant artist. I support her enthusiastically!"
- Arthur C. Danto (Art Critic)

"This is an amazing project that deserves all the accolades it's been receiving. I am proud to vote for this and share Alix's tremendous vision with everyone I know."
- Jennifer Gruskoff (Founder, Editor-In-Chief - goodkin)

"This is such a beautiful project - good luck!"
- Ella Robinson (Overture Films)


To learn more about her work go to:
www.alixsmith.com
www.statesofunion.com

Sign up to receive daily reminders to vote for the Pepsi contest

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

ACRIA's UNFRAMED 2010



Janaina Tschäpe
Gallery: Sikkema Jenkins & Co
Desert Dew
Digital C-Print
11 x 16.5 inches
Edition of 25

Good artists, good bargains, good cause and good investments...it is all good during ACRIA's UNFRAMED 2010 event happenning April 29, 2010. Don't miss it!

THE NAKED TRUTH- SAVE THE DATE -OPENING 5/13/10

THE NAKED TRUTH - Curated by Ruben Natal-San Miguel -Opening May 13, 2010 @ hous projects gallery . Nudity, Voyerism and Sex. You think this is risque...wait for the show. More coming soon. Enjoy the video...!

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Zoe Strauss Last I-95 A 10 Year Labor of Love

Zoe Strauss- Cadmen NJ (Cadmen Crack)
This is one of my favorites images from Zoe Strauss work. One of the things that, I admire the most is that I know that , will never will have the guts to take a photograph like this even if, I see this scenario on a daily basis . I know it is hard to look at but, that is exactly why, I find it so amazing and will like to own it someday. This type of photos make you think about life in America, society and how we chose to ignore others. You can put in front of me the prettiest landscape and, still will chose this photo 10 times over.


I am writing about this now two weeks in advance because, you should make plans to visit the City Of Brotherly Love and see Zoe Strauss 10 year I-95 project installation . This is the last year folks so, get on it!

The Chinese Bus will get you to Philadelphia in 1 1/2 hours faster that you can get to DUMBO from Manhattan on a weekend.
At only $10.00 ride each way ...worth the trip for day trippers.

During the past 10 years, Zoe had worked very hard every year to bring ART to the public for free. This is a gallery artist whose work over the past 10 years had gained tremendous recognition among other things including being part of the Whitney Biennial.

I don't think, I know any other artist which such commitment to make art available to the public in such manner.Zoe you are very unique and very very special.

Needless to say, I will be there will ringing bells to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of such an ambitious , selfless, amazing celebration! No matter how busy I will be by then putting a show together ...I am there!

Congratulations Zoe !
See you all in Philly May 2, 2010.


Big love,
Ruben

Friday, April 9, 2010

Eric Ogden review @ The New Yorker

Eric Ogden

Congratulations to Eric Ogden for the amazing review at THE NEW YORKER !!!!
Still on display @ hous projects gallery.
Amazing!
http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/photobooth/2010/04/eric-ogden.html


ON AND OFF THE WALLS: ERIC OGDEN’S VISIONS
Posted by Elisabeth Biondi


It is not at all surprising that Eric Ogden had directed several short movies before he turned to still photography. Each picture in his exhibit at Hous Projects Gallery looks like a beautiful frame from an undated film noir. Time seems frozen, the action suspended, the narrative of the picture arrested. Each picture makes me wonder about what has gone on before and where it will be heading. This sense of mystery is what makes Ogden’s images so seductive.

Whether it is a child on a swing in midair, a husky looming in a hallway, or a beautiful blonde hovering at a gas station, someone is trying to tell a story. Ogden provides the scenario and then lets his subjects either act out their story or directs them to do so. He works with light and shadows, his color is saturated, and the surroundings are lush.

I would have guessed that Ogden had grown up in the South, yet he is from Flint, Michigan. Perhaps the explanation for his Southern bent is his admiration for the legendary Mississippi photographer William Eggleston. When I asked Ogden whether he is familiar with Gregory Crewdson’s photographs, he told me he knows his work, as people often had mentioned it to him. He feels more akin to Philip-Lorca diCorsia, he said, and his real inspiration is Eggleston. But while Eggleston finds his pictures in his own environment, Ogden blends fact and fiction and creates cinematic dreamscapes.

For all of the above reasons we thought Eric was the right photographer to take Neil Gaiman’s portrait, published in our January 25th issue. Have a look below.



Read more: http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/photobooth/2010/04/eric-ogden.html#ixzz0kekI9VgX

Consumption- Calls for entry

Photo-Ethan and His Blue Things © Jeongmee Yoon



Consumption

Deadline: April 13, 2010


Theme: Consumption is a complex word. While it can signify the influence of advertising and marketing on our pervasive consumer culture, the word also speaks to profound human instincts. To be consumed by something-be it illness, emotions, or beliefs-is to oftentimes confront one's realities. What, why, when, and how we consume determines the ramifications of the choices we make. Additionally, consumption can simply suggest a transformation. The Center is looking for images that visually depict Consumption and what it means to you.

Juror: Brian Paul Clamp is Director of ClampArt, a contemporary art gallery in Chelsea in New York City, established in 2000. Brian has nearly two decades of experience in the field. He holds a Masters of Art in Critical Studies in Modern Art from Columbia University, and is the author of thirty publications on American Art to date.

Exhibition and Awards: With selection for this exhibition, artists and their work will be seen by an international audience of collectors, curators, art consultants and others who appreciate the fine art of photography.

liveBooks Website Award: Valued at $399 each, two artists will receive a 1 year subscription for a website from www.livebooks.com
Juror's Selection Award: $300 and a Blurb book award from www.Blurb.com
Director's Selection Award: $200 and a Blurb book award from www.Blurb.com
Honorable Mention Award: $100
All exhibitors are included in the Center's online gallery
Eligibility: The exhibition is open to photographers world wide, both amateur and professional. The Center for Fine Art Photography invites photographers working in all mediums, styles and schools of thought to participate in its exhibitions. Experimental and mixed techniques are welcome.

Important Dates:


Entries due: April 13, 2010
Notice of acceptance: April 23, 2010
Exhibition dates: July 2 – July 24, 2010
Artists' and Public Reception: July 2, 2010
Entry Fee:

The entry fee for non-members is $35 USD for the first three images.
The entry fee for members of The Center for Fine Art Photography is $20.00 USD for 3 images.
Additional images may be submitted for $10 each. There is no limit to the number of images that may be submitted.Applicants signing up for membership at the time they submit their work for jurying may become a member and meet the entry fee for a total of $77.00 USD.

For entry application from and more info please click here:

The Glamour Break Diva goes South of the border for Zona Maco International Art Fair in Mexico City

Ruben Natal-San Miguel- Glamour Break Diva 2 , 2009 Harlem , NYC
C-print
20 x 24
Edition of 5 + AP's
Courtesy of the artist and hous projects gallery- NYC and Los Angeles

Yes!!!
My Glamour Break Diva is going to a great art fair in Mexico City!

April 14-18, 2010


http://www.macomexico.com/main.php?lang=en#secc

See an article here about the fair in Art-info.:
http://www.artinfo.com/news/story/34163/when-in-mexico-city-for-zona-maco/


Going along my girl...there is another bad ass girl photo which also, I am including as part of my own private photography collection.

Here is the Glamourous photo of Brea Souders

Brea Souders
Untitled #7, 2009
20 x 20 in.
C-Print
1/3 + 2APs


Thursday, April 8, 2010

Touching Strangers with Richard Renaldi


Richard Renaldi
Cheikh, Alioun, Gracy, Terry, and Pape, New York, NY, 2007
Chromogenic Print, 20 x 24 inches

Tonight , I will be heading to the Hermes Foundation for the exclusive preview of Richard Renaldi photography series Touching Strangers.

The exhibition wil be ope to the public Friday, April 9 through Friday , May 28, 2010.

Don't miss it!

The Gallery at Hermes
691 Madison Avenue, New York, NY

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Richard Misrach Limited Edition...Hurry!-Artmostfierce Affordable Print Pick of the Week


Only 20 left... a Triptych for only $350.00. Go get it now!

http://www.philamuseumstore.org/istar.asp?a=6&id=20600

You can thank the Squirrel afterwards!

One Hour Photo...


EXHIBITIONS

Some of this year's current and upcoming exhibitions:
Very excited about this one!




One Hour Photo
On view: May 8—June 6, 2010

American University Museum at the Katzen Arts Center
Washington, DC
Hours: 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Tue-Sun


One Hour Photo is a very exciting project that I'm thrilled to be part of. The concept for the show was created by Adam Good and curated with Chandi Kelley and Chajana denHArder.
One Hour Photo distills the photograph to the ultimate limited edition: 60 minutes. Photographic works will be projected for one hour each, after which they will never be seen again, by anyone, in any form. Each work will exist only in the limited moments of perception, in the individual and collective experience, then memory, of the observers.

Here is what Chajana Den Harder had to say about my submission:

Dear Ruben,

Congratulations! Your work has been selected for inclusion in One Hour Photo. We received an overwhelming number of submissions from over 20 countries, and we are thrilled with the final selection. We hope you are as excited as we are that your work will be the show for the hour it is projected.

So, first, a toast, to you: thank you, thank you, thank you for your generous, thoughtful, and powerful piece. This show literally could not exist without you and your commitment to the concept. We know it is not easy to give up your work, and appreciate it more than we can say.

Finally, I’m happy to tell you that we’ve selected your work for the closing of the show. While the rest of the show’s schedule is randomized, we wanted to program the opening and closing with work that we felt best represented the concepts of the show. We felt that your work fit the bill perfectly. The other artists in the closing are Penelope Umbrico, Clayton Cotterell, Matt Gamber and Ann Woo. If possible, we’ve love for you to attend the closing on June 6. We know this is short notice, and that DC might be a bit far to travel, but we’d love for you to attend, if possible.

Thank you once again for the generosity of your submission and your support for this project. We are truly honored to have you in the show.


Sincerely,
Chajana

http://www.onehourphotoproject.com
YES!!!!