LOOK INTO MY OWL

On our last night in Miami Beach we were lucky enough to take in a screening of the rough cut for “Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child” as part of Art Basel. The completed film will premiere at the end of January 2010 during the Sundance Festival in Park City, Utah.

The Colony Theater, Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child, Art Basel Miami Beach, ©2009 by MCH.

The film was scheduled to air at the Oceanfront area but threatening weather moved it inside to the Colony Theater. We had walked more than fifty miles in the past few days and welcomed the opportunity to slip into comfortable theater seats.

Bob Colacello, Tamra Davis, David Koh, Fab Five Freddy and Jeffrey Deitch, Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child, Art Basel Miami Beach, ©2009 by MCH.

The Director, Tamra Davis took part in a panel discussion before the film and fielded questions after. She was joined by Bob Colacello, David Koh, Fab Five Freddy and Jeffrey Deitch. Some interesting personal encounters with Jean-Michel were put forth to a very receptive crowd.

Tamra Davis, Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child, Art Basel Miami Beach, ©2009 by MCH.

The film revolves around an interview and wide range of footage of Basquiat shot by Tamra Davis mainly in New York and California during the 1980’s. When her friend passed away, she put the films in a drawer not wanting to cash in on the tragedy. I am glad that after all of these years she has accepted that her work is of important historical significance and should be shared. Even the rough cut had the audience in a trance. The most accurate depiction of the man to date.

It may be a while before this one reaches a theater near you but it is sure to make a big impact at Sundance.

Fab Five Freddy, Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child, Art Basel Miami Beach, ©2009 by MCH.

Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child
Screening
4 December 2009
Art Basel Miami Beach

The west coast premiere of Doug Aitken’s twenty five minute film “Migration” is being screened at Regen Projects in Los Angeles. Simultaneously, the gallery is presenting a new series of light boxes created by the artist.

Doug Aitken, Migration, single video projection with billboard (steel and PVC projection screen), 2008.

“Migration” is an ambulatory journey across the United States staged in hotel and motel rooms along the way. The interaction of the animals with these enclosures was caught on film, each stop adding a unique experience to the phantasmagoria.

Doug Aitken, Migration, single video projection with billboard (steel and PVC projection screen), 2008.

Two distinctly different presentations of the film are being offered by the gallery. From sunset to sunrise, a silent version will be projected in the courtyard of Regen Projects II on Santa Monica Boulevard. Concurrently, the North Almont space will exhibit the piece indoors on a large billboard complete with original soundtrack. I recommend seeing the piece inside first and then wandering westward for the outdoor loop.

Doug Aitken, Migration, single video projection with billboard (steel and PVC projection screen), 2008.

Images courtesy of 303 Gallery, New York; Victoria Miro Gallery, London; Galerie Eva Presenhuber, Zurich; Regen Projects, Los Angeles.

Doug Aitken
12 September – 17 October 2009
Regen Projects
Los Angeles

The first retrospective on U.S. soil for the legendary Dan Graham is currently on view at the Whitney Museum in NYC. The museum has a rich program of exhibitions for the summer including Sadie Benning, Claes & Coosje and Photoconceptualism. I’ll be in the city for a few days in August and the Whitney is a guaranteed stop.

Dan Graham, Figurative, 1965.

Dan Graham has exhibited extensively since the 1960’s pioneering some now fundamental concepts that are in play through every conscious mode of expression. He was among the few that understood that it was conceivable to mash minimalism with rock music, high art and tract housing. The practice of contrasting opposing cultural preferences was unusual and even regarded with apprehension. Brave experimenters like Graham nudged us all a bit into the future.

Dan Graham, Detail from Homes for America, 1966-67.

Graham has enjoyed success in many media including print, film, performance and architecture. The artist has imbued each aesthetic with a flow of heady notions cooked down to simple principles.

Dan Graham, Performer/Audience/Mirror, 1977.

In keeping with the spirit of their subject for this retrospect, the Whitney is hosting a wide array of events. The show opened with an acoustic concert by the Feelies with more music planned through July. There are also film screenings, discussions, and a conversation with Dan Graham and Glenn Branca on tap. Check the schedule as you may want to plan several trips.

Dan Graham, Skateboard Pavilion, 1989.

This is the second leg of the tour for “Beyond”, the exhibit was held at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles earlier this year and continues on to the Walker Art Center in the Fall.

Dan Graham
Beyond
25 June – 11 October 2009
Whitney Museum of American Art
NYC