Textual Inspirations of Art World Professionals [PART 1]

Inspiration - noun  in·spi·ra·tion  \ ˌin(t)-spə-ˈrā-shən , -(ˌ)spi- \

Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines inspiration as 'the action or power of moving the intellect or emotions'. It can strike at any time and its myriad sources differ amongst individuals. As we are constantly seeking out new creative outlets to inspire us, we decided to ask our local arty guides what texts have had a profound influence on them. Their answers ranged from ancient poetry to contemporary tomes. As professional art guides it is our passion to awaken the creative sides of others through the astounding power of art. 

Follow along with this ongoing series of posts to learn more about our guides and gain some inspiration for yourself along the way.

Local guide in London, Marine Tanguy, explaining her inspirations on an art tour

Part one of our series features the textual inspirations of local guide in London, Marine Tanguy.

The Poetry of John Keats

I love the Poetry of John Keats and specifically the poem Ode on a Grecian Urn. John Keats made me appreciate how much art and well being were tied together, as art could enhance life and make it more bearable. He also reinforces the value of powerful visuals when it comes to our routine.

Hellenistic Terracotta Hadra hydria. Image: The Met

Architecture & Society by Walter Gropius

While this book focuses on architecture a lot more strongly than art, it discusses the power of the arts for everyone within the Bauhaus philosophy. This is something that I believe in very strongly.

The Bauhaus School circa 1940s. Image: Bauhaus Dessau

The Bauhaus School today. Image: Bauhaus Dessau

Take a tour with Marine in London to discover more! 
 

Jerusalem Art Guide - December

I.

Exhibition: The Art of Utopia
Artists: Various Artists
Venue: Van Leer Institute Jerusalem
Dates: Until March 8th 2018

The Art of Utopia is an international graphic art exhibition reflecting on the idea of the perfect world. This idea has existed for millennia, but the dawn of modernity and the belief that man can create such perfection on his own has given birth to myriad utopian ideas in occidental thought. The Art of Utopia displays posters by 35 renowned artists from around the globe, presenting their take on the possibilities and dangers of the concept of the perfect world. 

II.

Exhibition: Partial Portrait: Fragmented Identities
Artists: Various Artists
Venue: Jerusalem Artists’ House
Dates: On view until January 27th 2018

The exhibition “Partial Portrait” explores the constant tension between the recognition that identities are a jigsaw puzzle of overlapping, clashing, connecting, and retreating parts, and our conviction that we know others. The works by Michal Heiman, Aram Gershuni, Yaron Lapid, and Assaf Shaham resonate the fragmentation of identity as an extensive, broad phenomenon. 

Yaron Lapid, Patterns (03), 2015, photographic composite from found image

III.

Exhibition: Jerusalem in Detail
Artist/s: Aviad Bar-Ness and Asaf Evron
Venue: Israel Museum
Dates: Until January 27th 2018

The exhibition was inspired by David Kroyanker's research, foremost chronicler of Jerusalem architecture, this exhibition focuses on often overlooked but highly symbolic design motifs hidden in the Jerusalem’s streets and buildings. It enables visitors to hone their observational skills and discover the functional and decorative details that say so much about the many nations, cultures, and ways of life that left their mark over the centuries. The display spotlights Jerusalem’s cosmopolitan visual richness and whets the appetite for further exploration of the city.

Take a tour with Jenna in Jerusalem to discover more!

Munich Art Guide - December

The exhibition Arbeiten Gehen, curated by the artist group Galerie BRD opened last Friday, December 1st in the Jahn und Jahn Gallery and can be experienced until January 2018.  

The exhibition reveals a place that entices visitors for coffee and relaxation. The viewer is confronted with four to five small round tables covered with a pink blanket. In the corner hangs a TV, next to it, one can see a table for self-service, in the background is place for children's toys. The atmosphere of the whole installation reminds one strongly of a “come-back of socialism”, which elements of are visible in the air. The artists of the exhibition have set themselves the goal of integrating art into everyday life and visualize it as a manifesto of modern slavery.

The curated exhibition of the Galerie BRD implements art very pragmatically and by that helps visualizing subordinate socio-political questions, such as: who determines how long and how much one has to work? Is our working system a kind of modern slavery? What happens if you do not work? 

The exhibition title Arbeiten Gehen, consisting of the two nouns work and walk, implies that not only we go to work, but also that our work goes … somewhere else: from shift work to part-time and finally offshore – in no time.

The artistic media have a special affinity to the real world out there, they are palpable, edible and real in every way. Texts are another supporting element of the exhibition, as even strong visual representation needs a linguistic level in order to be critically questioned or to be negotiable.

The artist group Galerie BRD has no fixed location, the exhibitions take place in different cities. The artists of the group live in cities like Leipzig, Hamburg or Berlin and pursue their own work in the first place. The gallery does not see itself as a collective, but as a loose association. Content-motivated it comes to the group exhibitions - just like now in Galerie Jahn and Jahn. 

Contributed by: 
Viktoria Binschtok, Christin Kaiser, Nina Power, Arne Schmitt, Moritz Sänger, Felix Thiele, Mierle Laderman, Ukeles, Jens Ullrich, Tilman Walther
Exhibition from December 2nd, 2017 till January, 13th, 2018
Galerie Jahn und Jahn
Baaderstraße 56 C
80469 München

Take a tour with Sofia in Munich to discover more!
 

Recommendations Art Basel Miami Beach

The fairs, exhibitions and parties to visit during Art Basel Miami Beach art week by Cobi Kreiger of Alternative Tel Aviv.

More than 20 art fairs in one week – every December Miami transforms itself into an art Mecca, as the city is packed with different characters of the art industry from all over the world. The mix of warm streets and cool visitors seems to get most people mixed up, wondering where to and when? Check out our recommendations to smooth things out.

Photo: Art-Basel

Fairs

For those looking to go beyond the “must-see” Art Basel, there is a lot in store. Without a doubt, the best deal is to go to Art Miami and Context in Wynwood at their new location. Crossing to the other side of the Biscayne Bay from Miami Beach into Miami is easy with the complimentary shuttle services, running between Art Basel and Art Miami. Also, your Art Miami ticket includes an entrance to Context, so be sure to enjoy two for the price of one.

Photo: CONTEXT-Art-Miami-Fair

Exhibitions

Not far from the Context and Art Miami location, you can find the Perez Art Museum Miami. There you can enjoy the beautiful beach side while tacking in some art which can be categorized as “new media”. The current exhibition – Dara Friedman: Perfect Stranger, will be great for that, as the artist is known for her nonlinear conceptual video art.

Photo: pamm-terrace-people-photo-world-red-eye

Parties

Not straying too far, don’t miss the MANA Wynwood, which is an amazing facility that hosts artists residencies, exhibitions and during art week – even its own art fair! But art aside, MANA also throw great parties during art week. Don’t miss the special Bjork session on December 5th to get yourself ready for all the fun.

Photo: MANA 2ac

Be sure to follow us on Facebook or Instagram for all the alternative updates during Miami art week.

Take a tour with Alternative TLV to discover the scene in Tel Aviv.
 

Los Angeles Art Guide - December

I.

Exhibition: f o r e p l a y
Artist: Nevine Mahmoud
Venue: M+B
Dates: Until January 6th, 2018

The playfully erotic works of Nevine Mahmoud are a surprising blend of tension and flirtation, possessing a delicate softness and alluring invitation to touch. Toying with ideas of functionality, the sculptures call to mind surreal objects. She isolates bodily references and fragments these parts for individual consideration. It's Alice in Wonderland a sexy, cheeky, feminine sense of humor.

Nevine Mahmoud, Lick, 2017, Persian onyx, stainless steel and steel hardware, 5 x 10 1/2 x 6 1/2 inches (12.7 x 26.7 x 16.5 cm)

II.

Exhibition: Kandors 1999 - 2011
Artist:  Mike Kelley
Venue: Hauser & Wirth
Dates: Until January 21, 2018

The exhibition is a playful, explorative, and hypnotizing presentation of one of Mike Kelley’s most impressive bodies of works. Mike Kelley’s series Kandors is so much more than miniatures of Superman’s fictional birthplace. They are simultaneously architectural models, commentaries on the subjectivity of storytelling, and fantasies of future worlds. While unique in their origins, this series of works is deeply psychologically and ideologically connected to Kelley’s oeuvre as a whole. 

Sharon recommends popping by Manuela, the restaurant in the Hauser & Wirth courtyard, for a glimpse of the stunning Mark Bradford painting on display.

Mike Kelley’s series Kandors

III.

Exhibition: Latin American Artists in the Marciano Collection
Artist: Various Artist
Venue: Marciano Foundation
Dates: Until January 20th, 2018

In conjunction with LA's citywide Pacific Standard Time presentation, the Marciano’s are showcasing a selection of contemporary Latin American artists they have acquired. A variety of Analia Saban's works question materiality time and again. A snarky Jose Dávila Untitled stack of found cardboard boxes à-la Donald Judd present an overt nod to Arte Povera and Minimalism. Another highlight is Dávila's impressive sculpture Esfuerzo común (Common Effort), a precariously balanced work that functions on dichotomy: industrial vs. natural, feminine vs. masculine, etc.

Jose Dávila. Untitled, 2015. Found cardboard boxes

Take a tour with Sharon in LA to discover more!