Cai Guo-Qiang: I Want to Believe
March 5, 2008
On exhibit from February 22 – May 28th, 2008 at the Guggenheim, Cai Guo-Quiang explores science and art through the use of explosives, time and space:
The Century with Mushroom Clouds: Project for the 20th Century, 1996
Realized in New York City, looking toward Manhattan, April 20, 1996, approximately 3 seconds
Gunpowder (10 g) and cardboard tube
Photo by Hiro Ihara, courtesy Cai Studio
Inopportune: Stage One, 2004
Nine cars and sequenced multichannel light tubes
Dimensions variable
Seattle Art Museum, Gift of Robert M. Arnold, in honor of the 75th Anniversary of the Seattle Art Museum, 2006
© Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation New York. Photo by David Heald.
Exhibition copy installed at Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, 2008
Black Rainbow: Explosion Project for Valencia, 2005
Realized at Old Turia Riverbed Park, Between Royal Bridge and Trinidad Bridge, Valencia, May 22, 2005, 12:05 p.m, approximately 1 minute
1,400 three-inch black smoke shells
Who Says Women Aren’t Funny?
March 5, 2008
VANITY FAIR
APRIL 2008
Sarah Silverman, Tina Fey, and Amy Poehler, styled by Michael Roberts, and photographed exclusively for V.F. by Annie Leibovitz at Pier 59 Studios, in New York.
Finding humor in the tragic, 12 of the funniest females in show business-including Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, and Sarah Silverman-get tarted up as today’s tabloid train wrecks for Annie Leibovitz’s camera, while Alessandra Stanley debunks the notion that comedy lies on the Y chromosome (wonder where she got that idea…?)
- The issue also features Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Sandra Bernhard, Chelsea Handler, Jenna Fischer, Wanda Sykes, Leslie Mann, Susie Essman and Amy Sedaris.
For a look at behind the scenes:
M.I.A.
March 5, 2008
The dust has settled, so it’s time to resume where everything left off.
A hop, skip and a jump.
February 20, 2008
The Subway is never as easy as it seems. I have spent the last two days exploring new ways to get to the east side of the middle of no where, that’s right, 750 3rd Ave. There is no subway that dumps you out right at the front door of the building, like at our previous building in Times Square, instead, you have to get off at Grand Central and walk. On Tuesday morning, JJ and I braved the JMZ and took it downtown because I thought we would be able to get on the green line. Nope, turns out we had to take the yellow line to Union Square and transfer to the express. I have made note that that way is not acceptable. Then this morning, coming in from Williamsburg, I took the L to Union Square and jumped on the green express. It is not a simple process folks. I am thoroughly disappointed with the fact that there is no subway line farther east of Lexington. Tomorrow is another day, I believe that I will try taking the F train, either way, the morning commute is not a fun one.
(RED) Auction
February 15, 2008
Last night was the (RED) Auction, held at Southeby’s, which raised over $40 million to fight AIDS in Africa. The charity auction organized by Bono, Damien Hirst, Southeby’s, Gagosian Gallery and many other artists, was the most significant charity auction of Contemporary Art ever. The proceeds went to the United Nations Foundation to support HIV/AIDS relief programs in Africa conducted by The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
From the press office of Southeby’s:
Bono opened the auction with an a capella rendition of “All You Need Is Love” before a star-studded crowd, including Queen Noor, John McEnroe, Takashi Murakami, Martha Stewart, Dennis Hopper, Michael Stipe, Helena Christensen, Liya Kebede, Russell Simmons, Brian Williams, Ziyi Zhang, Ed Burns and Christy Turlington, who purchased Francesco Clemente’s Red Flower on Scorched Earth for $170,500 (lot 61, est. $50/70,000*). The auction achieved $42.58 million, far beyond its high estimate (est. $21/29 million), and records were set for seventeen artists, including Marc Quinn, Banksy, Howard Hodgkin, Keith Tyson and Bernar Venet. Among the many highlights of the evening was Damien Hirst’s Where There’s A Will, There’s A Way, a pill cabinet which is filled with HIV antiretroviral drugs for the treatment of HIV, which sold for $7,150,000 (lot 54, est. $5/7 million). The sale had been preceded by a preview exhibition of the works at Gagosian Gallery in Chelsea. Damien Hirst contacted dozens of the world’s leading artists to ask them to contribute works for the auction inspired by the colour red and the concept of love. Their response was exceptional, with offers of major works Matthew Barney, Georg Baselitz, Cecily Brown, Douglas Gordon, Antony Gormley, Subodh Gupta, Andreas Gursky, Sir Howard Hodgkin, Gary Hume, Jasper Johns, Anish Kapoor, Anselm Kiefer, Jeff Koons, Takashi Murakami, Marc Newson, Tim Noble & Sue Webster, Richard Prince, Marc Quinn, Ed Ruscha, Yinka Shonibare, Sam Taylor-Wood, Keith Tyson and Bernar Venet, among others.
Damien Hirst himself contributed seven works to the auction, which together made a spectacular total of $19,085,000. In addition to There’s A Will, There’s A Way, the highlights were a red rectangular butterfly painting entitled Love You, which sold for $3,300,000 (lot 53, est. $1/1.5 million) and a re heart-shaped butterfly painting entitled All You Need is Love, which brought $2,420,000 (lot 16, est. $1/1.5 million).
Dr. Michel Kazatchkine, Executive Director of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, said: “What is particularly exciting about tonight is that in addition to being a major art event, every dollar generated will help the Global Fund purchase life-saving AIDS treatment in sub-Saharan Africa. On behalf of the Global Fund and the people we serve, thank you to everyone here tonight – (RED), Damien Hirst and all of the artists who contributed, Sotheby’s, and all the buyers.” Oliver Barker, Sotheby’s Senior Specialist of Contemporary Art in London, said: “We’re absolutely delighted with the phenomenal total of over $40 million that was raised tonight for AIDS in Africa. It was an extraordinary evening.” Cheyenne Westphal, Sotheby’s Chairman of Contemporary Art for Europe, continued: “The real stars of tonight are the artists who so generously gave their works to benefit this worthy cause.”
Larry Gagosian of Gagosian Gallery added: “The results speak for themselves. If you put together great artists who have created highly desirable works for a worthy cause, success will inevitably follow. I commend Damien, Bono and all the artists on this incredible achievement.”
For more information please check out the following website:
Happy Valentine’s Day
February 14, 2008
Photos by Pierre Charriau
Happy Valentine’s Day.
I hope that everyone gets some loving from someone in their life, whether it be from a boyfriend/girlfriend, husband/wife, mother/father, brother/sister, dog/cat. I was pleasantly surprised when I received a beautiful bouquet of flowers from the guy that I am dating. Thank you.
I am off to spend the day in the sun, as our office is closed until next Tuesday.
Don’t forget to stop by the Barney’s Warehouse sale:
COBRASNAKE SHOOTS UFFIE FOR MOB’s SPRING COLLECTION
February 13, 2008
New York City based women’s wear label Married to the Mob springs ahead with
their new collection, presented by uber cool rapper bitch Uffie.
MOB’s Fall campaign girl Fafi made the introduction between Uffie and the
Most Official Bitches crew knowing they were a perfect fit. Uffie was
instant MOB material, with her sex appeal, raw talent and unique style.
Hailing from Miami by way of Paris, the 20 year old performer has made mad
noise all over the world with her club anthems like ³Pop the Glock² and
³Ready to Uff². Represented by French music label, Ed Banger Records, she
has been featured on magazine covers and has a cult following. For more info
on Uffie visit her MySpace page http://www.myspace.com/uffie
The portraits were shot by fellow-cult figure Mark The Cobrasnake, in a
continuing series of portraits intended to showcase remarkable and
celebrated females from all over the world.
The Spring MOB collection features a very special tee that is a
collaboration between Fafi and MOB. As you can see the MOBed out Fafinette
comes complete with a Birkin Hermes bag, Chanel pumps and a lip tattoo on
her thigh. The other special piece is the Boot Camp jacket. An
army-influenced jacket with our own MOB twist that comes in two hot
colorways. To view the rest of the line please go to
http://www.marriedtothemobnyc.com/
-Leah, Married to the Mob
Tuesday.
February 12, 2008
Photo By Pamela Hansen
So our offices are moving to a new building, one that is far away from Times Square, and even farther from my house. As of right now, my desk is stark naked, except both of my Rolodex, the latest issue of L’Uomo Vogue, a shoot folder and my phone.
It has been such a rushed month so far, I have such a long list of things to do, and all I can think about are red velvet cupcakes. Last week in the midst of all the chaos I decided to pick up some Sudafed, to relieve the symptoms of my cold, and by accident took the drowsy formula, putting me in a daze for hours, but I am beginning to think I am still under the influence of Sudafed as my list is still here and nothing has been crossed off. I need to send in my taxes, or rather I need to send over all my documents to my accountant, and I desperately need to get some new music. The same play list has been on repeat for weeks now.
Thank goodness that I have a four day weekend, even though when I know I have lots of time, I put things off until the very absolute last minute.
Patrick Stewart stars in Macbeth
February 12, 2008
Opening today, at BAM, Brooklyn Academy of Music Harvey Theatre, is director Rupert Goold’s take on the Shakespeare play Macbeth, starring former Star Trek actor Patrick Stewart. Tonight’s performance is sold out as well as tomorrow, if you are interested in going, I highly suggest getting tickets ASAP.
Today, February 12th, Vanity Fair launches VF Insider, a new site that shows people the season’s latest and greatest. Visitors will be able to shop for what’s hot, download the daily widget, create their own “It” list & enter to win an exclusive shopping getaway to NYC. Visit Vanity Fair Insider today.
