For this series, artist Ben Turnbull whittled symbols of violence into school desks. The series explores childhood fascination with violence. Born in 1974 and and working out of London, he is a passionate critic of the contemporary American political system, and explains why toys are central to his work: “Force fed on violence, abused by a controlling superpower and blackmailed through patriotism, the public are ultimately as disposable as the toys they once played with.”
Turnbull is fascinated by the global dominance of American culture, and his works unsettling effects result from re-presenting the toys of our innocent youth in symbolic forms that reveal the shocking truths about war, death and guns in the world’s most powerful country. Above all they take a satirical look at the lengths that the country’s political elites go to in order to control and manipulate the way we think, from our first days of play to the last time we cast our vote.
Under most circumstances, nature will destroy anything man made over time. But Mexican artist Jason De Caires creates beautiful underwater sculptural pieces which are strengthened by the coral, algae, and marine life that grow on them.
These pieces are created on land, transported by boat, and carefully submerged into shallow areas of water that can be viewed by snorkeling. Larger works (like the one shown above) are made in pieces and are bolted to the ocean floor.
We caught a very interesting interview with De Caires at Don’t Panic, and if you like these pics as much as we do it’s definitely worth a read.
Suspension of Disbelief (2007) – Taxidermied fox, fluorescent tubes, electronic balllasts with wood + perspex housing, wires. 170 x 170 x 160 cm
Steve Bishop was born in Canada but now resides in London. He studied at Kingston University and the Royal College Of Art and now has his work in the collection of Charles Saatchi, among others. You can check out some great gallery work on his site.
Japanese artist Noriko Ambe is featured this month in the Mei Guo (The Beau Monde) exhibition at Contrasts Gallery, Shanghai. This includes new entries into the Cutting Book Series, which has been an ongoing project for Ambe. Artists who make pieces, Artists who do books and THEN & NOW are just two of the books which Ambe has aptly modified. Ambe will be showing work in the US though the end of the year.
Part of the 125 exhibits packed inside the newly-renovated BMW Welt in Munich, Germany is a kinetic sculpture by ART+COM, a Berlin-based interactive media company. This project uses 714 metal balls that are individually suspended by barely visible strings, creating a weightless mass. Each ball lowers and retracts independently that allows them to approximate any form.
In celebration of BMW’s 90-year history, the installation moves through a cycle of classic to contemporary BMW body styles. In between cars, the balls dance and flow to show their versatility.
REBIRTH is a unique futuristic and provoking wooden sculpture by Belgian designer and artist, Arne Quinze commissioned for the well-known and distinguished five-star Paris hotel Le Royal Monceau on Avenue Hoche. The hotel will undergo a revamp courtesy of Philippe Starck, closing its doors for a full year.
REBIRTH debuted during an exclusive ‘Demolition Party’ and seemingly was pretty short lived since a group of exclusive VIP guests got to tear the building to shreds in ‘demolition style’ to celebrate the future redesign of the space.
Be sure to check out the new Featured Artist – Mr. Brainwash for tons of pics and an interview with the man himself. We attended his debut show “Life is Beautiful,” and it was everything we’d hoped and more.
Initially when I saw this I thought, this is genius. Each time I watch it I crack up laughing. This “Subway Sea Monster” is not the only inflatable street sculpture Harris has dreamed up, there is a whole menagerie of animals that pop out of subway grates an the streets of New York City. Read the rest of this entry »
From larger than life stainless steel animal balloons to photo realistic oil paintings Jeff Koons collection of work is simple but continues to amaze us.
Back in 1992, this York, PA native created a forty-three foot tall sculpture of a West Highland White Terrier puppy appropriately named Puppy. This topiary sculpture was almost blown up before its dedication to the Guggenheim Museum Balbao in Spain. A trio that posed as gardeners tried to plant explosive-filled flowerpots near the sculpture. Time to call the Anti-Cruelty Society!
You can check out more pictures of his innovative work at his official website. Better yet, plan a trip to Chicago’s Museum of Contemporary Art, who has found a safe but temporary home for you to come enjoy his work (opening May 31, running through, September 21, 2008).
Damien Hirst’s sculpture titled “For the Love of God” sold to an investment group for $100 million. Damien’s work has long centered around the theme of death and is perhaps best known for his Natural History series, which features animals preserved in formaldehyde. “For the Love of God” consists of a platinum cast of a human skull encrusted with 8,601 flawless diamonds, including a pear-shaped pink diamond located in the forehead of the skull. The Memento Mori was cast from a 35-year-old 18th century European man, but the finished piece includes the original teeth.
It is estimated that the cost to produce the piece was close to $30 million. It appears Hirst will maintain some equity in the piece. Asked what his next piece would be, he replied “Two diamond skeletons shagging – no just kidding.”
It seems that the line between artist and luxury brands are blurring. A large part of the allure of Hirst’s work seems to be the allure of the forbidden and unattainable.
