Art

While not normally associated with the fine art world, LEGO will be placed on a pedestal in a new exhibition on view at The Boiler House in London. The Art of the Brick is produced by immersive entertainment company Exhibition Hub in partnership with Fever and will showcase over 100 LEGO sculptures, made of millions of tiny bricks. Visitors will experience some of the most recognizable works from art history reimagined as whimsical LEGO creations — from Vincent Van Gogh's Starry Night to Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa. Each piece has been crafted by American artist and master LEGO builder Nathan Sawaya, who previously toured monumental creations in Sydney, Shanghai, Paris, Rome and New York."London holds a special place in my heart and I'm very excited to be bringing the Art of the Brick b...

German photographer Wolfgang Tillmans will present a new solo exhibition at David Zwirner's Hong Kong location next month. The forthcoming show will be the Turner-prize winner's fifth with the gallery and encompasses images shot in Addis Ababa, Berlin, Lagos, and Mongolia, amongst other locations. Tillmans images, though at times featuring euphoric abstractions, distill notions of 'high' and 'low' brow art in favor of ordinary scenes that implores one to view the world without fear. As has been well documented, his early interests in music, not photography, held a bigger attraction for Tillmans as he began capturing the lifestyles of Berlin and London's nightlife during the 1990s. Standout works on view include Filled with Light (2011), which depicts the momentary orange glow of the sunset...

The Dragon Bar 1998-2008 is a newly published ode to a long-gone — but not forgotten — venue. During its decade of operations, the influence and impact of London’s Dragon Bar wasn’t regarded as anything particularly special. In the aftermath of its closure, however, the venue has gained something of a cult status as one of the defining underground hotspots of street art.Published under their zine Pavement Licker and created by James-Lee Duffy and Josh Jones, the 300-page book is billed as an “oral history” of the bar with contributions from those who witnessed the chaos of the Dragon Bar firsthand.The book contains interviews with street artists such as Banksy, Faile, INVADER, ELK, Mode 2, EINE, Lucie Flynn, CEPT, Sweet Toof, AIKO and James Jessop, among others.During the Dragon Bar’s life...

Esther Mahlangu's artistic journey, spanning over half a century, is a narrative of passion, innovation, and resilience. Her retrospective exhibition, Then I Knew I Was Good at Painting: Esther Mahlangu, curated by Nontobeko Ntombela, marks a significant milestone in Mahlangu's illustrious career. Hosted by the Iziko Museums of South Africa and BMW, this exhibition offers a comprehensive exploration of Mahlangu's artistry, showcasing over 100 artworks alongside historic photographs and a short film. One of the exhibition's highlights is Mahlangu's iconic BMW 525i Art Car, returning to South Africa after over three decades. Reflecting on her lifelong dedication to art, Mahlangu shares, "Painting has always been a part of me. I cannot separate it from myself, and neither would I want to. I l...

During Frieze Art Week 2024 in Los Angeles, Hypeart and the esteemed auction house, Bonhams, are collaborating for a momentous auction series titled Instructions for a Memory Device. Set within Bonhams' recently revamped venue, this carefully curated collection by Hypeart provides a window into intimate artist paths from diverse cultural backgrounds. Attendees are encouraged to immerse themselves in the rich histories embedded in the works on view while reflecting on their own personal experiences surrounding the subject matter presented. Instructions for a Memory Device essentially peels away layers nostalgia, navigating a flurry of recollections and emotions. Each piece in this series serves as a unique set of loose instructions, guiding us through the labyrinth of artist memories. From ...

Blending Worlds by Monarch aims to disrupt the format of traditional art fairs, offering a profoundly enriching experience for collectors, artists, galleries, and creative minds worldwide. The inaugural event took place within the confines of Soho House Hong Kong, spanning the second and third floors this past January 26th to 28th, 2024.Entering the curated space on the third floor, guests found themselves immersed in a presentation spotlighting anticipated releases of 2024 from Avant Arte. Here, attendees were treated to the unveiling of pieces such as "Portrait and Head," "Prismatic Head Composition," and "Lost in Time" by George Condo, as well as "Death Carrier Bunny" by Robert Nova and "Snow Lotus" by Cai Guoqiang."Traditional art fair no longer satisfy the demands of emerging art comp...

Halloween came early at The Hole's Bowery location in New York City. Reflective of the bleak winter months, Horripilation is a new group exhibition whose artworks mirrors the sensation one gets when feeling cold, excited or fearful. Playing in line with past shows, the walls of the gallery space have been repainted in a dark red color to allude to a spatter of blood, as audiences meander through paintings and sculptures by Alic Brock, Ariane Heloise Hughes, Hunter Amos, Rita Maikova and more. Standout works on view include a terrifying visage painting by Tim Brawner that greets visitors at the entrance, while further in, Brock presents a surrealist spin on the phrase, "eye for an eye" and a copper vessel by Jackson Shaner encases trapped souls desperately trying to escape. "The chill down ...

Frank Gehry's shape-shifting philosophy to architecture continues to fascinate audiences from Los Angeles's Walt Disney Concert Hall to the Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris. Speaking on the latter, the Canadian-American architect recently linked up with the French maison to release a limited assortment of handbags that fused both parties artistic codes. To follow, Gehry is showcasing a series of Fish Lamp sculptures and never-before seen works on paper at Gagosian's 976 Madison Avenue location in New York City.Ruminations consists of unique fish sculptures created in copper, stainless steel and Formica that suspend in the gallery space and are illuminated from within to draw visitors around its sinuous contours. Gehry has always lauded natural forms found in nature and "decided the fish wa...

Clase Azul México, renowned for its luxurious spirits and dedication to craftsmanship, introduces Clase Azul Mezcal San Luis Potosí, joining its esteemed lineup. This artisanal release pays homage to San Luis Potosí, a culturally rich state in Mexico, where generations of mezcal producers employ traditional methods passed down for centuries. Made from green agave grown at high altitudes, this mezcal is crafted in Estación Ipiña, a small community deeply involved in its production. Inspired by the region's heritage, the mezcal undergoes a meticulous process, including steam cooking, Chilean mill milling, and double distillation in copper stills, resulting in a full-bodied profile with aromatic notes of cooked agave, caramel, and green chile. The decanter's design, featuring red hues and int...

Home to an array of galleries and bookshops, Paris' Le Marais district has long served as a hub for the French capital's artistic community. The narrow streets of the third and fourth arrondissement is now home to a new rare bookstore and vinyl destination called the ANTI PUBLIC LIBRARY.Helmed by artist Henri Levy, who is the founder and creative director of Enfants Riches Deprimes, the newly minted shop is next to the brand's flagship store and aims to be a must-stop destination for vinyl and literature lovers around the globe. The elegant dark wood trimmings of the space are complemented with French mid century furnishings from Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, and Charlotte Perriand. View this post on InstagramA post shared by ANTI PUBLIC LIBRARY (@antipubliclibrary)The hybrid store-bar o...

Amidst the vibrant atmosphere of Frieze Art Week 2024 in Los Angeles, Hypeart is teaming up with the renowned auction house, Bonhams, for an intriguing auction series named Instructions for a Memory Device. Held in the newly-renovated Bonhams space, the curated collection by Hypeart offers a glimpse into a dynamic artistic time capsule. It invites attendees to ride the waves of nostalgia while crafting fresh memories, as Hypeart and Bonhams celebrate their roots and culturally-rich histories.Instructions for a Memory Device is an auction series curated by Hypeart that unravels the threads of nostalgia, navigating a flurry of recollections and emotions. Each piece in this series serves as a unique set of loose instructions, guiding us through the labyrinth of artist memories. From the vivid...

Los Angeles-based artist Devon DeJardin is teaming up with the revered Hong Kong-based creative studio AllRightsReserved to unveil Guardians Alastor, a limited edition series of painted bronze sculptures.DeJardin, celebrated for his thought-provoking artworks, brings to life the concept of "Guardians" — entities that embody protection, guidance and the impetus for growth. With this release, he delves deep into these themes, crafting a series that resonates with the essence of guardianship.The Guardians Alastor series stands as a testament to DeJardin's artistic journey over the past five years, focusing on the role of guardians in our lives. These sculptures, limited to an edition of 20, measure 280 x 215 x 180mm, showcasing the meticulous craftsmanship and vision of the artist.Speaking on...