something happened on the way to the bank

POSTED IN: SITE UPDATE

new artists site test.

johnvile

2008 08 07 21:14:10

del.icio.us redit

VEIW OR COMMENT ON THIS POST...

POSTED IN: ARTISTS

David Batchelor

http://www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk/artists/artpages/david_batchelor_brick_lane_remix.htm

Through his artwork and writing, David Batchelor explores the concept of colour as a unique phenomenon: how colour?s omnipresence in everyday experience transcends function and aesthetics to create its own symbolic orders. Using second-hand light-boxes and shelving units, Batchelor?s Brick Lane Remix 1 is part of a series of work exploring how colour and culture are inextricably entwined. Grouping together a collection of electric signs found in the Banglatown area of London, Batchelor?s installation perfectly captures the gritty and exotic aura of Brick Lane, a shady side street notorious for prostitution, Jack the Ripper, and more recently, curry houses.

Framing these cultural references as minimalist screens of neon hues, Batchelor creates a form of visual literature, isolating the essence of locality and contemporary legend.

2008 06 28 09:55:04

del.icio.us redit

VEIW OR COMMENT ON THIS POST...

POSTED IN: ART

Vatican looks to modern artists for divine inspiration
Sunday, 8 June 2008

By Andrew Johnson

The Holy See is seeking fresh talent. Could Damien Hirst be the new Michelangelo?

Pope Benedict XVI has launched a campaign for a new era of religious art to rival the works of the Medicis. As religious themes become increasing influential among contemporary artists, the Holy See, which governs the Catholic Church, is searching for rich patrons to sponsor works in new houses of worship designed by cutting-edge architects.

In an attempt to "lead by example", the Pontifical Council for Culture is now setting up a committee to find "world-famous" contemporary artists it can commission to produce new religious and spiritual works.

These will be shown during next years Venice Biennale, which the Vatican will attend for the first time and which it once dismissed as a "debacle" that demonstrated "the breakdown of art in modern times". One UK-based benefactor, who wants to remain anonymous, has already been found to sponsor this project.

"We are trying to get a dialogue up and running between the church and contemporary art ? particularly artists at the highest level," said Monsignor Gianfranco Ravasi, the president of the Pontifical Council for Culture.

"We are looking for world-famous people. Venice is a showcase for all the big countries in the world and the Holy See would like to be there too. Were trying to get the best of international artists on our side who can create new works with a religious or spiritual subject."

Christianity has formed a cornerstone of Western art for 1,500 years, with themes such as the Adoration of the Magi or the Last Supper inspiring the likes of Botticelli and Leonardo da Vinci. Long gone, however, are the days when a Pope, such as Julius II who commissioned Michelangelo to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel or Raphael to paint his portrait, could command the greatest artists of the day.

The rise of abstract and conceptual art has seen the once-dominant influence of the church decline as it continued to rely on figurative work. An attempt by Pope Paul VI in the 1960s to embrace contemporary art was stymied by traditionalists.

Now, however, the Holy See wants to "revive" its role in inspiring art, and inspiring others to pay for it. Mgr Ravasi suggested a presence at Venice would hopefully kick-start the Vaticans ongoing involvement in contemporary art. These works would enhance magnificent new churches designed by some of the worlds most renowned architects, such as Renzo Pianos Padre Pio Pilgrimage Church in central Italy and Richard Meiers Jubilee Church in Rome.

"The [current] art works are not at the same level as the buildings," Mgr Ravasi said. "So we are trying to bring the art up to the same level as the architecture."

While no artists have yet been identified, Mgr Ravasi said the British sculptor Anish Kapoor was the type of artist they were looking for. The Turner Prize-winner Mark Wallinger may also be considered after his Via Dolorosa ? an 18-minute film that silently replays the crucifixion scene from Franco Zeffirellis 1977 TV drama Jesus of Nazareth ? was temporarily displayed in Milans cathedral in 2005.

Tim Marlow, exhibitions director at Londons White Cube Gallery, which displays many of Britains biggest artists, said that there has been a recent trend for church buildings to show temporary exhibitions. "I think its a brave and important initiative by the church. Contemporary artists such as Damien Hirst, Chris Ofili and Sam Taylor-Wood do include religious iconography in their work but it is in a critical and questioning manner. I wonder whether the church can commission work that is both provocative and questioning."

The curator and writer Giles Waterfield added that there was scope for contemporary art in churches, pointing to Olafur Eliassons The Weather Project, the giant sun which lit up the Tate Moderns Turbine Hall in 2003-04. He warned, however, that the emphasis should be quality of art rather than the fame of the artists.

There is still resistance in the church to modern art, however. Last year the German artist Gerhard Richter unveiled his new stained-glass window in Cologne Cathedral, a mosaic of 11,200 coloured squares in a pattern randomly generated by computer to suggest the work of the divine in seeming chaos. It was denounced by the citys Catholic Cardinal Joachim Meisner, who said "it belongs in a mosque, or another house of prayer, not this one".

2008 06 08 13:12:22

del.icio.us redit

VEIW OR COMMENT ON THIS POST...

POSTED IN: ARTISTS

JOANNE TATHAM & TOM O?SULLIVAN