a tour of the artistic movement

I was in for a treat when my life-long pal and host of Bravo’s Work of Art, China Chow and I went on our own art walk. China has been a long time supporter of the arts and has an impressive knowledge of Art History so she can give you insights on the artist’s that few people know about. Having an insiders view on the motivations and history behind the work really makes it that much more enjoyable to see.

Taryn Simon – Contraband @ Gagosian Gallery

A  photographic series of items detained or seized from the US International Mail Facility…entering the United States from aboard. Contraband includes over a 1000 items seized ranging from counterfeit clothes and designer accessories, pharmaceuticals, jewelry, overproof Jamaican rum, drugs, items made from endangered species, Cuban cigars, animal parts, pirated DVDs, khat, gold dust, GBL (date rape drug), cow-manure tooth powder, and steroids.

An impressive collective as well as a fascinating look at what is being brought into this country, yet equally disturbing. I highly suggest seeing this exhibit before it leaves the gallery Nov 6th.

Lari Pitman @ Regan Project

A hallucinatory myriad of aesthetic styles, from Victorian silhouettes to social realist murals. Pittman uses anthropomorphic depictions of furniture, weapons, and animals, loaded with symbolism, to convey themes of romantic love, violence, and mortality.

Jonah Freeman and Justin Lowe – Bright White Underground @ Country Club/ the historical Buck House

These Brilliant Artists are the masterminds of creating a fictitious story showcasing and transforming the historical Buck house designed by R.M Schindler, into a labyrinthine of experimental design. each room is constructed into the home of a early 60’s Psychiatrist, Pyschonaut Dr. Author Cook and intertwined by the post war civilianization era and as a practitioner of LSD.

Insiders tip: the installation is up until October 30, 2010… definitely a must see but you may have too look hard in finding this non descriptive house.