Photos by Jenna Duffy for Artcards Review

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Photos: Jenna Duffy for Artcards

Last week the Park Avenue Armory was buzzing with activity. A fantastical building, it was made even more enticing by the IFPDA Print Fair. In its 20th year, this fair has become the primary destination for all lovers of prints. The selection of dealers, and represented artists was varied. Among the international galleries were New York powerhouses Pace, Marlborough, and the ubiquitous Jim Kempner who was proudly touting his recent web series The Madness of Art. There was an abundance of high quality portfolios from international superstars like Chuck Close, Wayne Thiebau and Richard Serra. While the fair was full of incredibly beautiful art I would be lying if I said the air didn’t feel a little stuffy. This only served to heighten the impact of those booths dedicated to work by contemporary artists. About halfway through my visit to the fair I stumbled into the booth of San Francisco based Arion Press. This was my first introduction to the print/publishing house. Arion’s mission is to combine the work of contemporary artists with classic works of literature. The resulting collaborations are often spellbinding. Arion will soon publish Jim Thompson’s South of Heaven in collaboration with Raymond Pettibon. For the project Pettibon provided 40 illustrations in his signature style. It is encouraging to see a print house collaborating directly with an artist, in order to create a new, vital body of work. I am already looking forward to Arion’s next collaboration with Julie Mehretu who will provide a series of illustrations for a new translation of Sapho.

Photos: Jenna Duffy for Artcards

For months, after the last Shepard Fairey show at the Deitch in SoHo, I have always wondered what would come next. Luckily it wasn’t another boutique. Last month Levi’s launched a playground for photo fanatics. We all know that Levi’s is a pioneer in denim wear, but not everyone is familiar with Deitch Projects, which pioneered in its own right as a gallery for street and contemporary art. To give a little background (and props) to the gallery, since its beginnings in 1996 the Deitch has housed a roster of artists such as Keith Haring, Shepard Fairey, Yoko Ono, Jon Kessler, Swoon, Mariko Mori, Os Gemeos, and Clare Rojas. Today, the spirit still survives through the Levi’s Photo Workshop with guest collaborators having their work exhibited along with the program. A Levi’s photobooth is appropriately installed in the space, although not as an installation, but as a complimentary booth for everyone. Call it a corporate marketing scheme, but who cares when you can shoot, print, scan, and rent photo equipment completely for free. A complete list of collaborating artists can be found here. Scroll down for more photos. Continue Reading More »

Photos: Jenna Duffy for Artcards Review

Last month, I curated and produced the first Artcards featured event entitled “Happy Oasis.” It was hosted by Culturefix Gallery in the Lower East Side. If you missed the performances, catch it here with photos by Jenna Duffy. Continue Reading More »

Last weekend, downtown Atlanta (Georgia) kicked it off with urban grit and paint. Street walls came alive with art that was created for the Living Walls Conference, a grassroots project gathering street artists from all over the world. This Summer event, which is still in its beginnings, is like a carnival for artists and friends to come together and communicate through urban art (but also beer, pizza, and games). Unfortunately I couldn’t make it down there, but the photographer Jenna Duffy captured the essence of the scene.

Jesse

Gaia

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