India announces the 2nd edition of its international art fair
New Delhi (India): Following the enormous artistic and commercial success of the inaugural edition of India’s Modern and Contemporary Art Fair, India will once again host the 2nd edition of India Art Summit in New Delhi from the 19th - 22nd of August 2009. In its very first year, India Art Summit™ attracted over 10,000 art enthusiasts over a span of three days which included art collectors, investors, artists, critics, curators and students from across India and over 13 other countries. The 34 exhibiting galleries at the fair exhibited over 550 contemporary & modern artworks and sold approximately 50%, making India Art Summit™ one of the most successful first editions of an art fair across the world.
In 2009, India’s art fair promises to be much larger; showcasing the most diverse range of paintings, sculptures, contemporary photography, concept, installation and digital art by established and emerging artists. With approximately 50 top galleries from India and the larger Asian region, showcasing alongside western galleries, India Art Summit will offer to the world, a rich and fulfilling art experience in India.
Indian art has itself burgeoned into a mega-business at home and worldwide, with artworks fetching unbelievable prices & recognition. Annually growing at 30-35%, the Indian art market is currently worth US $ 400 million, making it the 4th most buoyant art market in the world. As such today, India has definitely become a star performer in the global art market. The country’s excellent economic performance, together with the dynamic gallery scene, the constantly rising interest in its artists and the unprecedented boom in private collecting, have made the Indian market one of the most promising environments for an international art fair in today’s time. By bringing together key stakeholders of the art community from India and overseas, India Art Summit™ offers to the world, an unparalleled opportunity to showcase, network, exchange & trade in this new & emerging market..
In this context, India Art Summit 2009 presents itself as an ideal platform for the showcase and sale of art in this region. The size and scope of the 2nd edition of the art fair will be much larger, with the fair area spreading across over 4000 square meters with approximately 60 galleries showcasing their works, and an extensive programming that includes a host of other art initiatives. Even in the current economic climate, there has been a steady international interest - both from galleries and audiences interested in new & emerging markets. We have received a good response from key geographies like Japan, Italy, Korea, UAE, France, UK, Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Germany, Austria & Spain and have confirmed the most important Indian galleries as exhibitors for 2009 (including Bodhi Art, Vadehra Art Gallery, Chemould Prescott, Nature Morte, Gallery Espace, Apparao Galleries etc), With a diverse range of modern and contemporary paintings, sculpture, photography, mix media, prints, drawings and video art, India Art Summit offers to the world, a rich and fulfilling art experience in India.
Elaborating on IAS 2009, Mr. Sunil Gautam, Managing Director, Hanmer MS&L said, “ The art on offer at India Art Summit 2009 will encompass that which may be considered essential viewing for collectors and art enthusiasts looking to see the latest developments in modern & contemporary art, particularly from the Indian and Asian region at large. The inaugural edition received an overwhelming response from participating galleries as well as the international art fraternity, and we hope to see a more wide-ranging participation from galleries for the 2nd edition of the art fair this year.” [ read more ] »
View a video film on IAS 2008 [ YouTube ] »
India Art Summit - Web site »

Mid-City Arts Presents Live Painting and Art Exhibit from Retna & The Mac, June 7
Mid-City Arts is proud to present a live painting event and exhibit opening featuring two of Los Angeles’ most respected graffiti artists: Retna and The Mac. The opening event takes place Sunday June 7th 12pm – 6pm at 33Third. The art exhibit will be on display in the adjoining Mid-City Arts gallery, which recently hosted the first ever gallery exhibit from Chaka, LA’s most infamous graffiti writer.
The new exhibit from Retna and The Mac will featured a large-scale indoor mural installation in addition to smaller pieces. Retna says that the show “will be representative of the remembrance of growing up as a youth.” They will aim to re-enact “the trials & triumphs of pursuing an art form that you have all this passion for, but yet angers all these people. Just kind of showing the 2 different sides to it.” This is a topic near and dear to the artists’ hearts, echoing sentiments shared by many of today’s successful artists who have transitioned from graffiti to legitimate street art.   “This is where we came from.  We came from being these street kids.  We wanted to show that you can keep going,” explains Retna.  “It's a beautiful thing to be a part of a culture like this that has spread throughout the world and this would be our way of giving back to an area, a city, a community that was the beginning of my career (Mid-City Area of Los Angeles).  Those blocks and corners were where I was given the opportunity to do my art and was shown a lot of support by the community.  Communities like these are where we come from and it feels good to give something back to the future generation of kids doing this.”
Since first creating a name for himself in the early 1990s, Retna has become an "eternal broadcaster" of sorts, shining a light to the kinetic urban soul of Los Angeles. His work merges photography with graffiti style and paint, time with color, couture with street culture, the spiritual with the sensual, and fluidity with grit. Retna traverses between the galleries and streets with ease. In addition to being aligned with the Art Work Rebels and Mad Society Kings Art Groups, he is a member of the internationally exclusive art collective, The Seventh Letter, whose influence on contemporary street art encompasses the globe.
The Mac began painting graffiti in the mid 90s and since then he has been commissioned to produce murals around the world, exhibited in museums, and his work has graced the cover of numerous publications. Mac has gained increasing notoriety for his almost photorealistic depictions of both ordinary people and ethereal women, in a style that is uniquely his own. Mac's intricate brushwork styles have also gained attention, while some of his murals have become mini-landmarks. Elements, themes and techniques of classic art are often incorporated into a modern context in Mac's artwork, usually with an emphasis on the human face and figure. Mid-City Arts was established in September 2009 as an extension of the store 33third – LA’s premier source of street art supplies, streetwear apparel, and related books and magazines. The gallery was established with the purpose of showcasing local, national, and international artwork by up and coming and established artists with a focus on (but not limited to) graffiti / street / urban art. Mid-City Arts offers a show space that interacts with other artists and events that surround the 33third Los Angeles location. The gallery’s artwork is available to view by the active customer base of 33third, which includes graffiti artists and fans of graffiti art. Mid-City Arts is open Monday through Sunday 12-8PM [ read more ] »
Mid-City Arts - Web site »

Overflow-Vinyl installation by Ima Picó
Ima Picó is a visual artist and digital muralist based in Manchester. Her recent work, including this project for WHITEWALL, explores media saturation in contemporary culture, publicity and symbols and signage. Through the use of photography and digital manipulation her images are printed at a large scale in order to cover entire walls. The work presents culture as grotesque and saturated, with ‘thought’ bubbles of graffiti communicating gibberish. This devaluation of information can be seen in our high streets and cities, places constantly invaded by text and design which does not communicate any essential information and is habitually confusing. This installation is composed of images dealing with found sources, printed on adhesive vinyl and stuck onto the wall. Printed vinyl is a medium that offers artists strong dynamic colours and clarity of image, at a scale that is both large and impacting. Ima’s ‘street art’, its exaggeration and reconfiguration and composition, creates an esoteric and youthful language. Ima Picó has exhibited Nationally and Internationally in galleries and museums and organises exchanges with artists from different regions of Europe, America and Asia. A catalogue supporting this installation, with text by cultural commentator Gillian McIver, is available from Waterstones bookshop. This exhibition finishes on July 19th. [ read more ] »
Ima Picó - Web site »
Milton Keynes Contemporary – WHITEWALL - Web site »

24th annual Chelsea International Fine Art Competition
Since opening in 1984, Agora Gallery has established itself as a hub for innovative and talented emerging and mid-career artists from around the world.  Keeping with its tradition of discovering and nurturing artists new to the alluring but highly competitive New York art scene, Agora Gallery will hold its 24th annual Chelsea International Fine Art Competition, starting February 5, 2009.  Not only will selected artists gain exposure by exhibiting their work in the famed Chelsea art community, the competition will be juried by an influential voice in the art world, Mr. Ira Goldberg, Executive Director, The Art Students League of New York.
On March 20th 2009 the names of the winning artists will be announced. Selected artists will be eligible to receive awards valued at $38,000, including several cash prizes, internet promotion on the website www.Art-Mine.com and a one-page review with two color images in ARTisSpectrum magazine. In addition, Mr. Ira Goldberg, Executive Director, The Art Students League of New York, will select the work of 15-20 artists to participate in a group exhibition at Agora Gallery.
Seizing the opportunity to be seen on the Chelsea art scene is one that the artist Marisa Atha, who resides in Sacramento, California, could not resist. After being one of last year’s selected artists (Digital), she was elected to be represented by Agora Gallery.
"Deboarding the plane from California, I was curious whether the trip, and the gallery specifically, would live up to my expectations.  I walked into the evening reception for the 23rd Chelsea International Art Competition Exhibition, and realized just how honored I was to show my work in such a place.  Agora Gallery is a stark, beautiful canvas just waiting to adorn itself with the artwork of the most talented modern artists from so many different countries.  This competition allowed me the opportunity to later become represented by the gallery for a year, which I was happy to accept.  Working with such a professional and gifted staff has, and will be, my pleasure." (Marisa Atha, USA)  

Agora Gallery director Angela Di Bello believes that participating in the Chelsea International Fine Art Competition takes courage and is an act of faith and belief in ones own talent and strengths. “Anyone who simply enters the competition is a winner,” she says.
The Chelsea International Fine Art Competition represents not just artists, but the countries and communities they hail from, each piece reflecting a little of humanity's many faceted soul. Out of respect for this and in an effort to grant joy to children in need, 25% of Agora Gallery's proceeds of sales resulting from the competition exhibition will be donated to Art Start, an award-winning, nationally recognized program. Art Start works with children and teens facing the daily uncertainties and instabilities of living in homeless shelters. Though these children face many obstacles, they have dreams. Art start uses the arts to provide them with opportunities for success. It gives them the tools, structure, support and most importantly a chance to be heard. The competition deadline is March 10th 2009. Entries should ideally be submitted online. [ read more ] »
Agora Gallery - Web site »

MONET, RENOIR, VAN GOGH, GAUGUIN
Impressionists and Post-Impressionists from The Israel Museum, Jerusalem
COPENHAGEN. They caused an outrage when they appeared. Today they rank among the most reproduced, popular and priceless artists in the world. Monet, Renoir, Degas, Pissarro, Rodin, van Gogh, Cézanne, Braque… From the end of January 2009 they can all be seen at ARKEN Museum of Modern Art in Denmark. In the spring of 2009 ARKEN presents the fine collection of French Impressionists and Post-Impressionists from The Israel Museum, Jerusalem. 53 paintings and sculptures come to Denmark for four months in the exhibition MONET, RENOIR, VAN GOGH, GAUGUIN – Impressionists and Post-Impressionists from The Israel Museum, Jerusalem. It is a unique opportunity to experience a number of masterpieces by the many brilliant and innovative artists based in France who would revolutionise world art from the 1870s and into the twentieth century. A time when change was the only constant. The artists caused an outrage when they appeared. Today they rank among the most reproduced, popular and priceless artists.
ENCOUNTERING THE MODERN WORLD
In their art the Impressionists communicated their sensory perception of the new modern world that was developing before their eyes. They created a new style of painting, immediate and sketch-like in order to capture the fleeting moment before it was over. They painted the reality around them. The heroes and gods of past generations’ art must surrender their place to contemporary people of flesh and blood; elegant Parisiennes, rural girls, posh gentlemen and harvesters. Eager students of sunlight, the Impressionists painted outdoors. They daubed their canvasses spontaneously and with brushes heavy with paint. They painted with colours rather than lines. Their works pulse with presence and a particular sensual pleasure. The Post-Impressionists denotes the group of contemporary or younger artists who painted in a different style from the Impressionists. Some of them, instead, retired from modern life. They depicted the inner world instead of the outer one – and an artist like Gauguin travelled to Tahiti to find and pursue the original, primitive life.
MONET, RENOIR, VAN GOGH, GAUGUIN presents the incredible span in the artists’ reactions to the new age. We are shown a volatile, versatile period when the artist milieu was seething with innovations, discussions, inspiration, friendships and discord. PAINTING AND CHAIN-SMOKING MONET IN ACTION
This insight is given us not merely through the paintings but also via some rare film clips that are shown in the exhibition. They are taken from Sacha Guitry’s 1915 film Ceux de chez nous (Those of Our Land). His project was to immortalise the most important personages in his own time – before it was too late! – in the relatively young medium of film. Here we see Monet painting and chain-smoking at his lily pond. An arthritic Renoir in a wheelchair painting while his son, Jean Renoir, is helping him mix the paints. Finally we are given a glimpse of a reluctant Degas promenading down a boulevard. Degas did not wish to receive Sacha Guitry. The film is unique both because of its content and as film history. As far as we know, it has never before been shown in Denmark. The exhibition is organised by The Israel Museum, Jerusalem, in collaboration with ARKEN Museum of Modern Art. »
art | ARKEN Museum of Modern Art »
ARKEN website »

Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art Presents "Classic Contemporary: Lichtenstein, Warhol & Friends"
New Exhibition in Partnership with Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego Debuts January 23, 2009
LAS VEGAS – Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art (BGFA) is pleased to announce the debut of “Classic Contemporary: Lichtenstein, Warhol & Friends” January 23, 2009. Organized in partnership with the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego (MCASD), the exhibition will feature important paintings and sculpture by major contemporary artists with a focus on the 1960s and ’70s. This exhibition will mark a transition by BGFA to showcase the next generation of artists beyond the late 19th and early 20th century masterworks found in previous displays. As the gallery moves forward with future programming, it is extraordinary partnerships such as the one forged with MCASD which will provide BGFA with the opportunity to exhibit important works of art throughout history. “Working with MCASD and having the opportunity to present such incredible works of art, has been a phenomenal experience for BGFA,” said MGM MIRAGE Curatorial Advisor Michele C. Quinn. “We are excited about this chance to bridge the gallery’s past exhibitions with future ones while still being true to the core of BGFA’s mission of showing only the best.” “Classic Contemporary: Lichtenstein, Warhol & Friends” will include many of the major works in MCASD’s collection, primarily large-scale paintings along with sculpture and works on paper. The iconic artists to be featured were the leaders of their generation – Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, Frank Stella, Ellsworth Kelly, Sol LeWitt and Ed Ruscha, among others. Their innovative use of material and imagery was at the forefront of Pop Art and Minimalism worldwide. Masterworks on display will include Frank Stella’s “Sabra III” (1967), strikingly decorative, monumental canvas sections derived from the lines of a mechanical protractor curve; Roy Lichtenstein’s “Mirror” (1971), a deadpan depiction of a mirror’s surface that preposterously reflects its own schematized representation; and Sol LeWitt’s “Floor Piece #4” (1976), one in a series of compositions based on the cube, his fundamental modular unit. Classic examples of Abstract Expressionism by Hans Hofmann and Clyfford Still, precursors to the ’60’s movements, also will be on view. Dr. Hugh M. Davies, The David C. Copley Director of the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, said, “MCASD is extremely pleased to have this opportunity to showcase the depth and quality of its collection to new audiences through this partnership with Bellagio.” “Classic Contemporary: Lichtenstein, Warhol & Friends” will be on view January 23, 2009 through Sept. 8, 2009. Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art is open Sunday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Last admissions are sold 30 minutes prior to closing. Admittance is $15 for general admission, $12 for Nevada residents and seniors 65 and older, $10 for students, teachers and military with valid ID. Children 12 and younger are free. Tickets and information are available by calling (702) 693-7871 or (877) 957-9777, or online at www.bellagio.com or www.ticketweb.com. Audio tours are included in the price of admission. Located adjacent to the gallery, The Gallery Store offers limited edition works of art as well as a wide selection of prints, books, stationery and unique gifts.
About Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art
Located at the heart of the elegant Bellagio resort, Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art is Las Vegas’ premier exhibition space – where great art goes on vacation. Since opening in 1998, the gallery has presented exhibitions of artworks and objects drawn from internationally acclaimed museums and private collections including “American Modernism,” “The Impressionist Landscape: from Corot to Van Gogh,” “Fabergé: Treasures from the Kremlin” and “Picasso Ceramics.”
About Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego
The collection of the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego (MCASD) includes more than 4,000 works created after 1950 representing all media and genres: painting, sculpture, works on paper, photography, video, film and installation. MCASD is known for collecting works by promising emerging artists and under-recognized mid-career artists, as well as by major figures in contemporary art. Among the greatest strengths of the MCASD collection are Minimalism and Pop Art of the 1960s and ’70s, conceptual art from the 1960s to the present, installation art, Latin American art, and art from California and the San Diego/Tijuana region. »
Bellagio Las Vegas website »
Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego »