100 days. A very brief review of the history and implications of documenta
One hundred days is the time allotted to evaluate the management of a new government. One hundred days is the duration of documenta. Documenta, which is presenting its thirteenth edition this year, is one of the oldest and most prestigious art events, although perhaps the model is exhausted and needs urgent redefinition. Documenta was founded […]
The time factor. An element to explore the limits of art
Beyond its philosophical connotation, time can be an element to question the limits: of the institution, of perception, of the spectator, of the work, of the artist… The shot in which Carey Mulligan performs the song “New York, New York” is eternal in Steve McQueen’s film “Shame.” And we are not in a museum. “Shame” […]
On time and experience. Based on Xavier Le Roy’s “Retrospective” at the Tàpies Foundation
Article published in A*DESK, 2012 Many artists propose exploring the limits of the museum, questioning the institution or redefining artistic practices. However, often it is not through grand visions, so much as through simplicity, that one can call into question all the categories that a priori seem immovable. Xavier Le Roy at the Fundació Tàpies […]
Children and creativity. About the Sant Andreu Factory
Joseph Beuys said that “every human being is an artist. In every human being there is a virtual creative faculty. This does not mean that every person is a painter or a sculptor, but that there is a latent creativity in all spheres of human work.” At a conference on education and creativity, the writer […]
Art and the big themes. About “Before the law” (Museo Ludwig, Colonia)
Article published in A*DESK Kaspar König is retiring and doing so with a group exhibition at the Ludwig Museum in Cologne, the institution that he has directed for twelve years. With “Before the Law”, König once again makes a declaration of principles: art should talk about the big issues, whatever the circumstances. And the subject, […]
A punch in the face. On Kendell Geers and other artists who show reality directly and without concessions
There are times in history when subterfuge, cynicism and double meanings dominate discourses and ideologies. The early years of the 20th century were particularly dark and turbulent, years of crisis at all levels in which the only possible reaction was through fury: “Punch yourselves in the face and drop dead.” That was the end of […]
In pursuit of zebras
Link to the article in A*DESK A group exhibition, that explores research methodologies and the need to look at the world as an enigma. “Modelling Standard” is shown in a private gallery but could equally be in a museum. Is there some point of union between Aby Warburg, George Steiner, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Matt […]
The 80s and the art system. Based on some of its protagonists
“In the 1980s, the art system was being transformed,” Muntadas explained in an interview with Anne Bénichou. “In the art world, there is, on the one hand, the work of the artist and everything that goes into producing the work, and on the other, the system that constitutes the environment of intermediation; dissemination, sale, collecting, […]
Exposing oneself. On ridicule as an artistic strategy
Andy Warhol said that “an artist is someone who produces things that people don’t need to have but that he, for some reason, thinks it would be a good idea to give them.” This conviction is what drives artists to expose themselves, to take risks, to face the possibility of failure and also to accept […]
Fairennials. From Art Basel onwards, fairs, biennials and the role that art plays in all of this
Link to the article in A*DESK Art Basel and the Venice Biennale coincide in the calendar every second edition but also in many other ways. It seems evident that what separates art fairs from biennales is beginning to be very unclear. Venice is remarkable for its form of particular (non) financing. While Art Basel needs […]
