Brancusi Artworks in Auction

Towards the end of November, two of Brancusi's artworks will be put up for auction in Paris. After Brancusi's death in 1957, he bequeathed all the works in his studio to the French state. So the fact that two are going up at the same time, makes this truly a rare market event. The artworks being presented are Brancusi's The Kiss (Column), 1935, and The Gate of the Kiss, 1935-38. Between the two of them, they are estimated to rake in somewhere between €900,000 and €1.2m.

Pat Steir Exhibit in New York

Pat Steir is one of the artists we have represented. She is currently showing an exhibit at the Neuberger Museum of Art in Purchase, New York. Go and check her work out if you get a chance.

http://www.neuberger.org/exhibitions/current/view1/207.html?width=660&height=500

Gallery Updates

The INFOCUS Fundraiser event went well last night. Thank you to everyone who attended and purchased photographs in support of our local Arizona photographers.

Tonight, the Bentley Gallery sponsors Contemporary Forum's "KOOLHAUS HOUSELIFE" at the Phoenix Art Museum. The Lecture and Film Series will start at 7:00pm and explore the contemporary architecture of Rem Koolhaas/OMA's House in Bordeaux. The focus of the film will be more on the details of everyday life in this architectural icon, rather than on its structure and virtuosity. It looks like its going to be a good show so I encourage you to attend. Its free and open to the public. All are welcome!

November 10th, 7:00 pm

Phoenix Art Museum - Whiteman Hall

Free Admission

Run Time: 58 min

Bentley Gallery Hosts INFOCUS Fundraiser

Bentley Gallery is hosting the Annual INFOCUS Fundraising Auction for the Phoenix Art Museum next Tuesday, November 9th from 5:30-8:00pm. The Auction will showcase a range of photographic media, styles, and subject matter, so there is something for everyone. Come check it out and perhaps get a head start on some of your holiday shopping...

Technology designed for Rock Concerts now being used for Virtual Reconstructions

New technology in light projection is now being used for reconstruction purposes. This 16th century German mural, missing a sequence from its ceiling, was restored by combinging a watercolor copy of the missing portion from the Rudesheim municipal archive with digital imagery. A specially designed software also allowed for the projection to adapt to the curvature of the wall, making the reconstruction that much more life-like. Michaela Janke, creator of this new conservation method stated, "its non-invasive and completely reversible. It also helps the spectator clearly distinguish between the original and the newly restored areas. It's not an attempt to mislead the spectator into thinking that the mural is completely original"

http://www.theartnewspaper.com/articles/Missing+piece+of+16th-century+mural+recreated+virtually/21757

MICHAEL DAVID

November 4th - 27th, 2010

Opening Reception Thursday November 4^th, 7:00 – 9:00pm

Artist Will Be Present

On November 4^th, Michael David will premier his new series “Tondos, Night Skies and Silence” with the monumental nine foot red tondo encaustic entitled: “All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes.”

The inspiration for the title was drawn from a Pete Townsend record that references early Clint Eastwood and Lee Van Cleef spaghetti westerns—with a “wink” to the current immigration controversy in Arizona and a nod to the color “Chinese Red” of the painting. For David, this marks a return to his early controversial and politically charged abstractions, the “Symbol Paintings.” This fusion of the inherent political subtext of Neo-Constructivism and freedom expressed in the pure beauty of the painted surface, truly speaks to the complex and troubled times in which we live.

Warhol Brillo Boxes Downgraded to "Copies"

Over 100 brillo boxes, claimed to be the works of Andy Warhol, have recently been declared "copies" by the Andy Warhol Authentication Board after a three year investigation. The Authentication Board stated that Pontus Hulten, founding director of the Moderna Museet in Stockholm, the Centre Pompidou in Paris, and the Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art, "falsified" their history. Most of the works have already entered the market.

Read more at: http://bit.ly/9k2y34

Environmentally-Friendly Art

Recent artworks created for the Five Seasons Festival in Chaudfontaine, Belgium pose a new way of thinking about humanity's impact on the environment. Monumental sculptures ranging from a giant clothespin pinching 20 feet of earth to a fallen tree placed in the shape of a human spine, warp Mother Earth in order to recall the effect that humans can have on this planet. Hopefully, more people will start to look at their ecological footprint differently after viewing this fascinating structures!

http://www.festival5saisons.org/fr_FR/fesival.html

YouTube Play at the Guggenheim

The Guggenheim Museum is getting ready to announce the top 20 finalists of their YouTube Play submission project! Artists from all over have submitted their creative YouTube videos for judging and the favorites will be revealed tomorrow live from the Guggenheim. You can watch a live stream of the unveiling tomorrow at 8:00pm ET by visiting youtube.com/play.

Also, be sure to check out the YouTube Play website in order to "Meet the YouTube Play Jury" and find out more about the event.

William Kentridge on PBS

William Kentridge is one of the most dynamic contemporary artists of our time. His artistic creations span the mediums of sculpture, tapestries, charcoal drawings, mechanical puppets, and operas. However, what Kentridge is most noted for are his animated films.

This week on PBS, Art21 will present their latest film, William Kentridge: Anything is Possible which will provide great insight into the master-workings of Kentridge and his creative processes. Be sure to check out your local listings and don't miss out on a chance to further understand the inspirations behind such a fascinating artist!

Visit: http://www.art21.org/anythingispossible/