BMW recently launched a virtual museum featuring 17 of its commissioned “works of art on wheels.” Visitors can vroom around the site between the Roy Lichtenstein-ed, Frank Stella-fied, and Jeff Koons-tomized vehicles, and view short video vignettes about the making of each car. The vids drop a few curious revelations — like Rauschenberg dubbing his car a “wonderful virgin.” Generally, they are just long form commercials for BMW, with carefully selected, amorous soundbites. Still, they are worthwhile to watch for glimpses of each talent at work alone. See the individual videos at the BMW Art Car Tour and check out our favorite four-wheelers in the gallery below to see what we’ve learned.
After last week’s talk at the 92nd Street Y, Steve Martin was probably planning to avoid discussing all things art-related when he visited The Colbert Report last night. But Stephen Colbert was actually interested in tapping his expertise. In fact, he asked the actor and noted art collector to valuate a portrait of himself. When the original appraisal was a mere $19, Colbert brought out several famous art world guests to provide their take — and in some cases, revisions. Click through to watch Frank Stella, Shepard Fairey, and Andres Serrano in action.
Mixing art, language, music, and politics with a sense of irony, artist Deborah Kass makes lively pop paintings that mash-up the times of her life with the spirit of the moment. Appropriating recognizable painting styles from post-war art giants Andy Warhol, Frank Stella, and Ellsworth Kelly and American Songbook lyrics from Laura Nyro, Stephen Sondheim, and Harold Arlen, Kass creates her own gleeful cover versions of the cultural content she deems most meaningful.
We hear bankrupt investment firm Lehman Brothers is doing what any formerly wealthy person with an empty bank account would do when the auction house comes a-calling: sell it and don’t look back. Lehman’s multimillion dollar corporate art collection is being sold in 165 lots over the course of three sales this winter at Freeman’s in Philly. Check out the goods after the jump and get your paddles ready. Read More »
The artist duo Elmgreen & Dragset originated one of the most winning ideas of the Venice Biennale: The Collectors. The talk of the town among critics and curators, the project has contributions by 24 international artists and artists groups, along with some classic pieces of Scandinavian modern furniture, and earned Michael Elmgreen and Ingar Dragset a special mention from the Biennale jury of the 53rd International Art Exhibition. Presented in the Danish and Nordic pavilions, which represents a first-time collaboration between Denmark and Norway and the first joint venture of two national pavilions in the Biennale, the exhibition transforms the neighboring, Modernist-style buildings into domestic settings, where the spectator becomes a voyeur to the private lives of the inhabitants. Read More »
