My reputation as the Rock Critic at Large is based pretty much on my passion for and impressive knowledge of Classic Rock, Prog Rock excess and first wave British Punk Rock. When it comes to reviewing music, I like to stick to what I know best, but when it comes to knowing what sounds good, anybody who really gets me is hip to the fact that I go crazy for a wild saxophone, and my love of the classical piano is a deep love, indeed. I recently had a CD of Modern Classical music drop into my lap that ingeniously manages to fit comfortably into the realm of melodic jazz, while also appealing to the “maturing” rock fan dwelling in more of us than you would imagine. Surprisingly, the artist’s name on the disc is that of one of my favorite modern painters!
“Lotus Flower and Goldfish” (2011) By Tat Ito (All Photos By Gail)
At a time when the hearts and minds of so many are concerned with the welfare of the people of Japan, it’s extremely compelling to see an exhibit by a Japanese artist who is clearly dealing with the quest to integrate both eastern and western artistic motifs into his work. Tat Ito’s Memento Mori (Latin for an object, such as a skull, intended to remind people of the inevitability of death) is anything but morbid, but the artist uses whimsical characters and a palette of bright colors along with distinctive characteristics of traditional Japanese artwork to comment on his native culture’s surrender to a relentless onslaught of Western pop sensibilities (see also Takashi Muyrakami’s theory of the Superflat ). As with Nir Hod’s Genius exhibit, Memento Mori is about so much more than just what appears on the canvas. Continue reading Joshua Liner Presents Tat Ito’s Memento Mori→
Genius is a word whose depth of meaning generally takes too long to talk about. It’s a heavy word, and the current exhibit of paintings and sculptures by Nir Hod at NYC’s Paul Kasmin Gallery, entitled Genius, is equally heavy. The Genius exhibit includes over 50 paintings and several sculptures created over a span of two years. It is the first solo exhibit at Kasmin for the Israeli-born artist, who now lives and works in New York. Continue reading Must See Art: Genius By Nir Hod at Paul Kasmin Gallery→
Suicide By Modernism By Mark Kostabi (2005/2011) Photo By Geoffrey Dicker
The Adam Baumgold Gallery on New York’s Upper East Side is currently hosting a group show called Art on Art, in which each artist references other artists or artworks in his or her own creation. This makes for a diverse collection full of humorous touches that inspired a lot of lively conversation at last night’s opening. My favorite painting in the exhibit is Mark Kostabi’s Suicide by Modernism, which has the artist’s unmistakable imprint while managing to reference nearly a dozen of his famous peers. Continue reading Art on Art at Adam Baumgold Gallery→
New York NY: Help raise money for the Joey Ramone Foundation for Lymphoma Research this Friday night (5/20/11) at The Suffolk! The focus of the event will be an auction for items signed by Henry Rollins, Anthony Bourdain, KISS, Lemmy Kilmister, Cyndi Lauper and many more! There will also be performances by Bodyface, Prospector and the Thunderfucks, plus a Ramones supergroup featuring Ali McMordie of Stiff Little Fingers and others. Continue reading The Joey Ramone Not So Silent Auction: Friday, May 20th In NYC!→
