Phillipe Parreno

Phillipe Parreno is an Algerian artist and filmmaker, currently living in Paris.

Parreno’s most famous work was his ‘Zidane, A 21^st Centaury Portrait’, which, to be honest I wasn’t all that impressed with. The idea of ‘modernising’ the traditional painted portrait is a good one.

But if you sit down to watch it like a film you’ll be disappointed. I think it would have worked much better if I’d seen it in a gallery setting. Not on DVD on a Saturday night.

(Indecently, this idea was originally produced by an artist in 1971, using George Best at Coventry.)

However, his installations that are now on show soon look interesting. Below are a few examples.

If you want to see more, get yourself down to the Serpentine, London W2, from 25^th November to 13th February.

A DOG'S HEART

Complicite. Can they do no wrong?
Mikhail Bulgakov's A Dog's Heart is a satirical fantasy written in 1925 and censored by the Soviet Union until 1987.
A clear swipe at communism, the authorities never wanted it to see the light of day.
A stray dog, close to starvation, is rescued and taken into the home of a famous surgeon. Once the dog is brought back to health the surgeon implants human testicles into the dog and waits to see the outcome…
The crude, idiotic man/dog fits easily into the communist regime that Bulgakov despises. He tows the party line and conforms to their extreme socialist views. And thus the writer's point is made.
We think Bulgakov would be proud of Complicite’s take on his work.
An incredible performance, fusing puppetry and more traditional styles of operatic delivery.
It’s insane, funny, sad, gross and endearing. And it demands your attention from beginning to end.

You’d have to have a cold heart not to love it.

David Lynch - Artist

When it comes to directors there aren’t many who match David Lynch for originality.

Some think of him as a god-like genius. Others think he’s completely mental.

Some of his work is deeply disturbing (Eraserhead and Blue Velvet) while others are gentle, touching portraits of human relationships (The Straight Story and The Elephant Man).

It is this constant reinvention and mass of contradictions that have made him famous.

However, what he’s less famous for is his art. Which doesn’t so much lean towards the darkside as run head long into it through barbed wire, over rusty nails taking you into hell.

His exhibitions are made even more disturbing by the constant industrial grinding sound that accompanies you on the dark journey through Lynch’s consciousness.

I won’t even begin to try and work out what’s going on in his head in these pieces. And looking at them, I’m not sure I want to know…

USB WALL.

Across New York, USB drives are appearing, embedded in walls, buildings and curbs. The idea is to create an anonymous, offline file-sharing network in a public space. The drives are completely public and anyone can plug in to drop and download files.

It's part of an art project called "Dead Drops" by Aram Bartholl and I have to say, it's cool as fuck. I'd have to plug in. It'd also be interesting to see what people would anonymously share on the public drive.

Shun-Kin

Complicite's version of the Japanese story ‘Shun-Kin’ (by Jun'ichir o Tanizaki) is a compelling portrait of sadomasochistic love.

The beginning of the story is told through a voiceover artist in a studio. The director then cleverly immerses you into the tale of a servant who falls in love with his blind master.

The subtle lighting and minimalist set make the story telling and characterization extremely powerful.

But what makes this truly amazing is the use of a puppet for the main character, for the first half of the performance.

On paper this sounds like it’s going to be pretty hard to take seriously. But at no time do you question it. It seamlessly fits with the story and actually helps convey the lead character’s weakness and vulnerability. Despite her ferocious temper.

Some might be put off by the thought of seeing a play about sadomasochism, that’s completely in Japanese (there’s subtitles projected on to the set) but don’t be. It’s well worth a look.

BEDTIME STORIES

The latest show from Faile. The artist collaborative returns on November 4th with Bedtime Stories. 'A singular visual archive that emphasizes the painterly dimensions of their frenetic visual tapestries.'

Faile never stop evolving. We weren't so keen on their last show Lost in Glimmering Shadows. However, this show is proof that they're back with a bang.

If you're lucky enough to be in the Big Apple soon don't miss out.

Nov 4th - Dec 23rd

Perry Rubenstein Gallery
527 West 23rd Street
New York, NY 10011
T 212.627.8000
F 212.627.6336
E info@perryrubenstein.com
www.perryrubenstein.com

Gallery Hours: Monday – Friday, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

Modern Toss

If you’ve got bugger all to do this weekend why not waste your time going round the Modern Toss Exhibition at: Maverik Gallery, 68-72 Redchurch Street, E2

It runs runs until 11^th July.

Most of these hilarious prints will be there for sale, at some ridiculously over inflated price.

So why not buy one? And then shove it up your arse.

(Click on the visuals to make them big enough to read)

Football Photography

So, the stage is set for the South African 2010 World Cup Final, Spain v Holland.

It’s been fairly eventful, with Ghana being the first African nation to reach the semi finals. Argentina’s finest volleyball player entertaining the world’s press by slagging off the French, singing in press conferences and telling Pele he should be put in a museum. And England have gone home after performing like a bunch of over paid girls, who can’t keep it in their shorts.

However, there’s one group of people who you can guarantee will be at every World Cup to the end. And that’s Magnum’s Photographers. (A bit of a tenuous link, I know, but it gives us a chance to show you some of the pictures taken from Magnum's new essay titled 'Football Around The World.)

Shown below are a few examples.

The full version can be seen on their excellent website.

Fiona Banner - Tate Britain

The Tate Britain’s 2010 Duveens commission is an ambitious new work by Fiona Banner.

It consists of a Sea Harrier jet, used by the navy in Bosnia, hanging from the ceiling like a trussed bird. The scale alone makes this an impressive spectacle. And, as you look closer you can see she has hand painted feathers on to its wing tips.

The second piece is a Sepecat Jaguar XZ118 which has had all of its paint removed, so the viewer can see their reflection.

When I first saw it, I assumed she was making some comment about war, death and the conflicts in the middle east.

Turns out I'm more Brian Badonde, than Brian Sewell.

The artist says “I’m not trying to make some easily digested point, nor is it an anti-war work. This is more about how people react to it, rather than a big black and white statement.”

IBIZA.

There’s a vision of Ibiza that has been promoted by the British media. Drunken teens, gulping shots, tats and tits out.

It’s a sensationalism that we at SNOG DOG FROG hate. It sells papers and fills airtime. It’s there, but it’s avoidable. Just like San Antonio. We’ll be honest San Antonio is a Sodom and Gomorra kind of a place. Oh and to make it worse there’s a 2 for 1 offer on. Just don’t stay there.

Eivissa Town on the other hand is an incredible place. There’s a magic that fills the warm air from the minute you arrive. A spirituality that invades you.

And then you go clubbing…

If you like repetitive beats in your music, you will adore Eivissa. The clubs there are different to anything you have ever been to before. It’s warm for a start. People are actually up for a laugh. You can dance (even if you can’t) without feeling like a tit.

One club on the island. One centrifugal force. A Mecca for clubbers. A place of Zen….is Space on Sundays.

It’s changed dramatically from when we went originally. Laws were imposed, allegedly to reduce noise pollution, but personally we think the right palms weren’t greased. So the terrace has a roof now… Don’t ever let that stop you from going.

If you’ve ever had the notion to go to Ibiza, go. If you think you’re too old you’re not. If you have children, your mum can’t be doing that much over the summer holidays can she?

Our point...?

You have to go. Just once. Blast the credit card. Forget that rainy day. Spend the ISA.

I guarantee it will be worth it. Every overpriced drink. Every ridiculous club entrance fee. Every penny spent. You will keep the memories forever. And lets face it life is too short not too.

Pay particular attention for dates when James Zabiela is playing. He is a robot genius.

Much love.

D&AD NEW BLOOD EXHIBITION

The D&AD 'New Blood' exhibition is the pick of the best graduate work from around the UK’s art colleges and universities. It comprises of photography, advertising, design, product design and digital.

Below are a few examples of the work.

To see who'll be calling you in a few weeks for a job (or firing you in a few years) go to the address below to see the full selection:

full http://www.dandad.org/2010/06/best-new-blood-2010-the-winners/#more-7436

Advertising

Photography

Advertising

Illustration

Advertising

Sexy Skeletons

Medical imaging company EIZO wanted to come up with a new way to promote their expertise in ‘high precision radiographs’.

The result is a pin up calendar of women in sexy poses, then photographed using the X-ray equipment. Giving you “Sexy Skeletons”.

Now we’ve all seen Xrays before, but I think they’ve put quite an interesting spin on a well used visual.

When you first hear about the idea, it sounds crass and a bit tacky. But the images actually have a haunting quality, that look quite disturbing. Which we think is pretty cool.