Art news
Who didn’t have a sugar-coated yet brief
obsession with Pez dispensers at some time in their childhood? You know the
drill… start the collection with your classic Minnie Mouse dispenser and after
doing a bit of research, realise that you could NEVER collect them all, and
turn your attention to chip packets in hope of a rare Tazo that would make you
the envy of the playground. Yes, it’s true that the handful of Pez dispensers I
saved my pocket money for are long lost, tossed into the mass-grave of primary
school fads that also contains my Tamagotchi, Chia Pet and
“The Brain” Yo-Yo. And quite frankly, I haven’t
actually given a thought to Pez and all it’s painfully colourful, dextrose-ridden,
head flippin’ glory for a good few years. Until now.
Enter Micky Mouse: the suicide bomber. Don’t
forget Pluto the cannibal and Bob the Builder the ladies man. French artists, Jean
Sebastien Ides and best-friend Ivan Duval (aka Atypyk) have hand-transformed
everyday sickly saccharine cartoon characters into characters with an edge. Certainly
not the kind of folk you’ll find in the next Disney film, unless Mickey
Mouse decides to give up
Hehe. Here is the winner of the 2008 "Bald Archy" Prize - an annual competition that's apparently judged by a cuckatoo named Maude and has since 1994 been artfully taking the piss out of Australia's Archibald Prize. As you can see it depicts "Our Mary" sporting a child at her breast (and, as Australia's leading news outlets are insightfully pointing out, a pair of "thunder thighs") while her husband Prince Frederik enjoys what appears to be a frosty Carlsberg and a re-adjustment of his man parts. The work was painted by Newcastle railworker James Brennan, who reckons it just popped into his head while he was vacuuming the house. Other portrait subjects in the 2008 Bald Archies included Daniel Johns, Ben Cousins and comedian Chris Lilley in J'Aime mode.
How precious is this? It's a musical jewelry box designed by Kristen Hassenfeld; an American artist who's known for her intricate, ethereal and tear-jerkingly beautiful installations - which she constructs almost entirely from paper. This, however, is not made from paper but resin and was created for Cereal Art in a limited run of 1000. I love it because it's kind of ugly - in that busy, kitschy sort of way that my taste in decoratives is all about. I also love it because when you open it it plays the Velvet Underground's "I'm Sticking With You" while the swans you see in the picture swim around a lotus flower. Zing.
"General Admission" is a collection of live music documentary images that have been taken by Victoria photographer; Leah Robertson, without the gravy-train help of a backstage media pass. The photos cover festivals like Meredith and The Big Day Out as well as your more intimate gigs - all shot from within the crowd, with the lense firmly remaining at the point of view of the humble concert goer. "General Admission" is Leah's first solo show and can be viewed at Melbourne's IMP Gallery until March
Melbourne Art Rooms are holding a special exhibition for all you lovers out there (cue cheesy late night radio voice). Take your Cuddly Wuddly/Pumpkin/ Sweetie Pie etc along and immerse yourselves in beautiful work from 13 local artists - perhaps you'll even walk away with a present?
Andy Warhol has a famous name. Although it wasn't until I watched Factory Girl, that I became intrigued by the man who had painted Marilyn Monroe several times over in hyper-coloured boxes. For those who don't know me I am an obsessed Marilyn fan, so as cult-like as it is - I feel I have a duty to pay my utmost respects to Andy Warhol. After all, he did paint Marilyn in a whole new light. Anyway, I was driving past a bus stop the other morning and noticed Campbell's Soup tins on a poster. In an excited state I hastily pulled over and jumped out of my car to read the fine print of this poster. Yes - there was an Andy Warhol exhibition and no - it was not in Sydney! It is showing up in Brisbane at The Queensland Art Gallery - Gallery of Modern Art. I was quite distressed at this point. Muttering questions to myself like 'why would they advertise this in Sydney, when it's actually showing in Brisbane?'... blah blah. So after much diliberation I have resigned to the fact that due to insufficient funds and lack of time I am unable to go and admire the works of Andy Warhol. But I am hoping some of you have been, are going to or just may go to rub it in my face! Either way, I am seeking reviews. What I would give to see the 'marilyns'....
If you're looking for something stimulating to kick-off your working week, forgo the coffee and check out Old Trapeze instead. Just launched last week, the download publication is full of thoughtful writing, lovely poetry, quirky facts and amazing photography. The inaugral issue features an interview with world- wandering snapper Mitchell kanaskevich and a suprisingly morish story on society's yo-yoing relationship with milk. Delicious and nutritious.
