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More on Paik Nam June

“I think I understand time better than the video artists who came from painting-sculpture,” says Paik, because “music is the manipulation of time. . . . As painters understand abstract space, I understand abstract time“

John Hanhardt (then of the Gugenheim Museum ) curated a retrospective of Paik’s work in 2000.
He writes:

Paik’s life in art grew out of the politics and anti-art movements of the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. During this time of societal and cultural change, he pursued a determined quest to combine the expressive capacity and conceptual power of performance with the new technological possibilities associated with the moving image.
I will argue that Paik realized the ambition of the cinematic imaginary in avant-garde and independent film by treating film and video as flexible and dynamic multitextual art forms.

What Seoul needs now is another Paik Nam June

I was at the Samsung Gallery (The Leeum) in Iteawon looking at a Paik Nam June. The video from screens flickered constantly in the typical Paik Nam June way. This guy was looking at it next to me and said "It looks like a video game." He was not happy about the art work in front of him. Maybe that was the artists intention. To make people a little upset. The situation made me laugh a little. The fact that this guy was upset art did have an effect on him that day. What was he expecting to see at the gallery?
What we what to see in a gallery/museum usually does not match we want. Accept that or stay home and play video games.
One thing you can say about Paik he was always interesting. Korea could use another Paik right now.
There is a lot of art to see in Seoul. I love it and I don't take it for granted.
But it's no where near Tokyo. Not even the same ball park.
Japan did something right along the way. I'm not sure what. So in a sense they've earned the right to be a cultural hub. I do feel like Japan has more people who want to invest in art. Seoul could very well be another Tokyo.
Seoul could use another Paik Nam June. A new artist to help jump start an international dialog, because in the end that's what's gonna make or break a city.

PKM Gallery: Richard Prince/Paul Mccarthy

http://www.pkmgallery.com/
I caught Paul Mccarthy And Richard Prince works at PKM Gallery in Seoul.
Great Gallery, great people. Props to PKM for showing Paul Mccarthy! Wow you guys surprised me! And Props to Sophie for showing me around.
The Richard Prince Painting was from the Nurse series. It was funny to see it in person because I've see these paintings in magazines a lot and on the cover of Sonic Youth's record Sonic Nurse (Sonic Youth lives close to Richard Prince or used to). I'm still wondering how much material was lifted from other sources for these paintings and where from? Prince got famous for his re-photography. Specifically for Spiritual America photos. I really enjoy his re-photography stuff. Especially the Cowboy photos and girlfriend photos. If you look at R. Prince's work it's all over the place, paintings of Nurses, re-photography, hoods from cars, the list goes on. However maybe it all comes down to media? Maria Morris Hamburg, the curator of photography at the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art had this to say about the artist:

"He is absolutely essential to what's going on today, he figured out before anyone else—and in a very precocious manner—how thoroughly pervasive the media is. It's not just an aspect of our lives, but the dominant aspect of our lives."

The re-photography stuff could just be a trick to make us think about the media and how often images enter our lives without us thinking about them. The images of cowboys from old cigarette ads are somehow appealing to me (these were pre-Photo shop days of the 1980s). When I look at them I usually think about the original source material and what that could have been. Or I think about the year it was created.
Paul Mccarthy

The Paul Mccarthy photos were from the early 1980s. They documented a performance in which he is wearing a mask that looks something like a cartoon character. There where only three in the series that PKM Gallery had. Really I was hoping for some of his new sculpture featuring ex-president G.W. Bush. Oh well maybe next time. But they did have a huge screen playing an old Mccarthy performance. One which I wasn't familiar with. Seoul has massive potential as an art city and PKM could easy be a main player and facilitator. I'm looking forward to seeing more from them.

Buro Destruct: Posters

You can't beat Buro Destruct. They make the best posters. Images infused with a classic 70's swiss design with a bit of 90's and 00's sensibility. Not to mention the Asian influence. I wish I could say "Thanks" to the people at the Swiss design Company/movement Buro Destruct. Everything they do is outta sight. I'll let the images speak for themselves.

Court Ordered Richard Prince to Destroy Artwork in Copyright Breach Case

The website Slamhype said:

Renowned American artist Richard Prince has been ordered to destroy works worth tens of millions of dollars after the New York federal court ruled that the paintings, which featured reworked photographs by French photographer Patrick Cariou were found to be in breach of copyright.

http://slamxhype.com/art-design/richard-prince-court-ordered-to-destroy-artwork-in-copyright-breach-case/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Slamxhype+%28SLAMXHYPE%29

Banksy: Exit the academy awards

The Faster Times wrote this about Banksy not being able to attend the the academy awards:

In perhaps the most telling moment of his recent career, the street artist ‘Banksy’ was denied permission to attend the academy awards in costume, and subsequently did not appear at all. Nominated for directing the documentary Exit Through the Gift Shop, the notoriously secretive man (or, debatably, collective) released a statement saying: “This is a big surprise. I don’t agree with the concept of award ceremonies, but I’m prepared to make an exception for the ones I’m nominated for.” However, when faced with the apparent risk of multiple men in disguise accepting the award – which is to say, a scene — organizers barred him from entry.

Dear Banksy, Thanks for making the world interesting.

http://thefastertimes.com/entertainmentnews/2011/03/10/oscars-shun-banksy/

Copy Rights

When artist go to court it serves them up heavy helpings of media coverage. So even if they lose, they kind of win. The above link is about some that lost. Intellectual property laws have always fascinated me, especially if it includes art.
Shepard Fairey created this poster for Obama, which was selling on ebay almost immediately after he gave them to the public to post. Which is why he quit giving them away.



http://www.artinfo.com/news/story/37291/copyrights-and-copy-wrongs-learning-from-the-legal-precedents-set-by-jeff-koons-shepard-fairey-and-others/

Doosan Gallery

I stopped in to get a coffee on the way to Doosan Gallery. Even though I ordered a small I got completely wired on caffeine (barista: first day on the job). So I'm wired and listening to girl talk on the way to Doosan Gallery. All I know about Doosan is that they build buildings and have a gallery in New York. The outside is a bit deceiving because its also a concert hall...well mostly concert hall. They have two nice spaces and one wasn't open. They had photographs by Heeseung Chung. People mostly sad looking some laughing and crying. There was a writing about the devil and laughter that I couldn't quite connect to the exhibit. I did like the black space surrounding the people in the photo. That was nice. I will say this the photos worked well together in a group. The looked like huge Polaroids. I'm looking forward to seeing more from Doosan.

Sang Sang Ma Dang

I was on the bus and heard a song by Rick Springfield called "Jesse's Girl". Hearing this song in Korea was a surprise. It took me back to 1982. Anyone can appreciate this song. Which is how I feel about Sang Sang Ma Dang (pronounced Song Song Ma Dong). One half gift shop one half art gallery, Sang Sang Ma Dang is located in the heart of Hongdae. Now for those of you that don't know Hongdae is the mecca of young college Seoul Korea. Which is saying a lot considering there are about 40 Universities in this city. It's the part on town that always has people roaming the streets. Sang Sang Ma Dang is the frozen pizza of Korean art. It ain't super bad and it ain't super good. When I go there I know what I'm getting. This time around they had some nice graphic design pieces and upstairs photography. I got some picts of the graphic design. The photography was of...you guessed it, sad people within the space of city/nature/home. "Dear korean photographers, I get it. People are sad." I was with a friend and the exhibit was so sad we started to laugh at it. But you know the quality of the print was something. The printer (or computer) did one hell of a job printing. So Mr. Printer...props.

Alt Space Loop -March 12, 2011

Though out this blog I've expressed my loved for Hongdae gallery, Alt Space Loop. I can always find something I enjoy there. ANd they keep it fresh with younger artists. This time was no different, however I've got some complaints this time. has brought attention to the fact that street art is in need of a serious make over. The graphics pasted on the side of the gallery is a good place to start. It's possible to make anything look fresh, but how many times have we seen guns meshed cartoon characters meshed with clouds? Since 1997 have I been looking at this stuff. I think the biggest problem with street art is that you see it everywhere now days. Magazines at barnes and noble, galleries, t-shirts, hand bags, stickers, websites and yes on the streets. I want some new images and colors to replace the old ones. It's like watching someone create almost the exact same some over and over again. I'm a person that enjoys visual culture but damn the culture has gotta change. Of course maybe this is all a good thing. Maybe this is the beginning of a new movement. Maybe there will be a change to street art and new path will be made. I'm hopeful. Art and therefore people have never let me down. There is some person in an apartment developing quiet magic for us.

Old article from the NY Times on Paul Mccarthy

When I was 17 I would buy records from an artist and really love them. Within a few years though the love story was over and their music just wouldn't have the same enthusiasm as it did when they started out. That happened with a lot of records I bought.
Art is different than records I know but still when an artist keeps you looking and discovering, that artist is doing their job to the hilt. No other artist I know does this better that Paul Mccarthy.
Ok I'll admit it I'm a Paul Mccarthy nut. I guess it happened around the late 90's. My friend had an issue of Juxtapose which featured PM on the cover and a nice article inside. I was upset by the images of his 70's performance art. Then I borrowed the magazine and read the article. The more I read the more I wanted to know. Those images really change me. My whole perspective on art changed right then and there. I went from hating PM to loving him in a matter of a few hours. In way It's been a journey to try to understand Paul Mccarthy and his art. The guy keeps me guessing. From Piccadilly Circus to the W bush sculptures I'm always asking myself "What have you done this time Paul?" It's the guess that keeps me coming back for more. And I'm pleased to report with age he's getting better. The man show's now signs of slowing down. Here's an old article from the NY times.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/22/arts/design/22mccarthy.html?_r=1&ref=paulmccarthy

Seoul National University Art Museum (MOA)

http://www.snumoa.org/
Seoul National University is located off the green line in Seoul.
Transportation
Bus: 5511, 5512 (previously 413), 5513, 5516 and 5518 Subway: Seoul National University Station on Seoul Subway Line 2, Exit No. 3 (use school shuttle buses, city buses (5511–3) or taxicabs)

Of course you can't take pictures at an institution like this. A rule which does not serve the artists if you ask me. Unless it's an artist that makes money from publishing their art already which I'm sure are few. Obviously it comes down to money and someones worried that someone else will make some money.
It takes a little while to get to this museum because you have to take a bus to it even after you reach the subway station. Look for the bus stop where the students are going. Get off right after you enter through the main entrance. You'll see the building on your left across from a stadium. You can't miss it.
It's free to get in but be ware the snobbery level in high. 8 out of 10. It's worth it though. They have a nice collection. I really don't know who's who when it comes to Korean art but it's a big contemporary scene there. Lots of paintings. Most Korean paintings are OK. It's hard to put my finger on it. There are about 3 levels. There was some memorable video art. Go see.

New works from Alt Space Loop

Alt Space Loop is located in the area of Hongdae, Seoul Korea. Like most places in Seoul its impossible to find, but hey that's half the fun (Unless its -5 degrees outside). ALt space loop is a non profit organization or it has that not profit org feel to it. The building itself is really cool looking so you'll feel smart taking your friends there. There are two floors dedicated to art, one floor for the cafe and library and a fourth floor that they are fixing up for something new (Jan 2011). You'll never be let down by Alt Space Loop they always have something hot there. A lot of the art is by younger artists so it makes it fun. Having said that Korean contemporary art has been impressive. Seoul has become something of a hot bed for new painters. There's a lot of pop and realism. However a wave of outsider art has made it's way to Korea also. The pictures I posted here are from the latest Exhibit (Jan 2011). On the day I took these pictures there some people there. However many times I go there nobody's there which is interesting because go to Sang Sang Ma Dang on any given saturday and the place is packed. Sang Sang is located in the heart of Hongdae so I'm sure that has something to do with it. Not that you shouldn't check out Sang Sang Ma Dang it's always worth a check.

Richard Prince and Paul Mccarthy works in Seoul

http://www.pkmgallery.com/exhibitions/2011-02-24_text-video-female

Richard Prince and Paul Mccarthy works at PKM Trinity Gallery in Apgujeong. I'm thrilled that these works will be coming to Seoul. I feel like we don't get enough international artists here. Maybe that's changing.

Damien Hurst: More money, more problems

http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/02/09/damien.hirst.talkasia/index.html?iref=allsearch



Damien Hurst, the worlds wealthiest living artist talks about his art and why it doesn't matter if he makes it or not.

"People have always said things like that, and no matter how many times I answer the question people will always go but you didn't make it," he says.
"(It's my work) only in the same way that a Frank Gehry can be described as a Frank Gehry house. I'm sure that Mrs. Prada doesn't make the jackets either, but we all call them Prada and are happy to buy them. And maybe if you bought one that was actually made by Mrs. Prada we might not like it as much."