Volume 3 November/December 2016 www.artdictionmagazine.com
Master of Portraiture 13 Surreal Conceptual Art 21 Think Inside the Box
www.togetherwemade.com painttogetherinfo@gmail.com
ArtDiction Habitual. Art.
ArtDiction is a platform for artists to display their work and a resource for the habitual art lover.
Staff
Devika A. Strother, Editor-in-Chief devika@artdictionmagazine.com Phillip Utterback, Creative Director phillip@artdictionmagazine.com Isabella Chow, Writer/Editor bella@artdictionmagazine.com DeShanta Strother, Director of Editorial Partnerships deshanta@artdictionmagazine.com Marcus Palmore, Director of Marketing marcus@artdictionmagazine.com
Contributing Writers Nate Barkley, Jr. Joshua Griffin Linda Turner Mark Forrester
Devika Akeise Publishing assumes no responsibility for the opinions expressed by authors in this publication. Š2016 of Devika Akeise Publishing. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, elec-
artdiction_magazine
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FEATURES
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Master of Portriature Painter Kos Cos’ bold, signature style creates portraits wirh depth.
13
Surreal Conceptual Art Marion Toy’s one-woman show aims to delight viewers.
19
Protest Art Art has always been used in as a method of political protest. Today is no different.
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Think Inside the Box An artist who creates captivating work while being a clever problem solver is interviewed.
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Art Basel in America: Highlights for 2016 A history and and highlights of one of the world’s most famous art fairs.
Photo courtesy of Marion Toy. See more on page 13.
In Each Issue 2 9 10 11 11 31
small talk news bella’s books music exhibits artist index
Cover photo: portrait painting courtesy of Kos Cos.
©2016 by Devika Akeise Publishing
ArtDiction | 1 | November/December 2016
small talk
Šdarked-
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ver the past several weeks, I made a conscious effort to unplug and destress. I wanted to turn down the internal volume of the political rhetoric that was on repeat in my mind as well as find a solution to a personal setback that was causing me angst. So I used art as my means to escape. But strolling the streets of the nation’s capital and browsing my favorite art websites, I noticed that art and politics had morphed into one. Had this always been the case, or was I just now noticing (see page 19.)? I kept searching to feed my art addiction and soon discovered Marion Toy whose art is imaginative, colorful, and uniquely fun (page 13). This lightened my mood. I later
stared into the face of one of Kos Cos’ portraits and admired his bold approach to his life and his paintings. See what I mean on page 3. My last shot in the arm came from an artist by the name of darked-. I had never seen work like his before and was intrigued and motivated to learn his methods and techniques. I learned a basic lesson in problem-solving and discovered some cool art along the way (page 21). I hope this issue helps you unplug from a world that seems quite chaotic at present. You will eventually find that solution and tackle a problem of your own. But in the meantime, enjoy the art that is all around (even if it reminds you of politics just a little bit).
ArtDiction | 2 | November/December 2016
Master of Portraiture Kos Cos’ signature style of bold, layered colors over a black and white base is leading the trend of portraiture in the art world. His success and popularity is quite possibly due to his early exposure to art and creativity. Kos grew up in Mt Lavinia, the largest suburb of Colombo, Sri Lanka. “On weekdays after school, I would go to my father’s advertising agency where they created all the hand painted billboards and shop signs. I’d sit and watch people drawing while I was waiting for my father. If he wasn’t around, the artists would ask me to fill the backgrounds for them and I did that extremely happily.” Kos began his professional art career as an Illustrator and later worked as an Art Director. He then took a leap, and moved more than 2,500 miles (4,000 kilometers) to Hong Kong. “I didn’t plan to move to Hong Kong; the opportunity came completely out of the blue,” he recalls. “One day I received a call from one of my best friends who used to work at the same advertising agency as me in Sri Lanka but had moved to Hong Kong in 1996. He asked me if I’d like to come and work in Hong Kong. I said ‘yes’ and told my parents that I was going away for two years ... here I am 17 years later! Kos’ first job in Hong Kong was at a digital media company where he worked on all web designs and animations. Although an artist for many years, Kos says it is only within the last three years that he began to exhibit his work. It took years of experimenting for him to finally be happy with his style. But he has always been drawn to portraits more than any other type of painting. Although favoring portraiture, Kos has never been satisfied with the typical portrait interpretation. “I’ve never liked doing simple portraits in a traditional way. I tend to start with very sketchy and patchy strokes to get the essential features of the subject and then I use large color brush strokes to add movement and energy so that the whole piece becomes more engaging with the viewer.” Kos doesn’t follow a specific process when he paints, but relies on his subjects to guide him. “There needs to be an external catalyst. My mind is full of faces that I’d like to paint and so I’m constantly looking out for these imaginary faces in real life, because I need real people to add soul to my work,” he says. “Once I see someone - usually just on the street, in a bar or at a party - it’s pretty straightforward ... I ask them if they’ll sit for a portrait. Sometimes they agree, sometimes they don’t.” Kos acknowledges the complexity of the human, and considers it his challenge as an artist to read emotions and understand personalities and show that in his work. “For me, the main elements are the mouth and eyes. You’ve got to get them right,” he asserts. “The mouth shows feelings. The eyes are even more revealing. They help to identify the character of the person you’re painting. And in general, a portrait is more powerful if it can engage with the viewer. If you get the eyes right, it will pull you in. Kos has pulled us in. Kos’ art will be featured in the Spring 2017 Asia Contemporary Art Show in Hong Kong. For more information, visit www.asiacontemporaryart.com.
ArtDiction |3| November/December 2016
Kos Cos, Liza Crimson
Kos Cos, Elaine Leung
Kos Cos, Liza in Blue
Kos Cos, Clementina
Kos Cos, Enigmatic Look of Nam
news London Mayor Addresses Affordable Housing for Artists
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he Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, is considering plans to set up a Creative Land Trust to address the increasing problem of unaffordable rental costs for artists in the city. The Creative Land Trust is from a combination of private and public funds, and it aims to ensure that people who provide spaces for artists to work can receive loans to buy their buildings. Additionally, the Trust will ensure that these spaces are protected. According to the Greater London Authority, between 2014 and 2019, approximately 3,500 artists are expected to lose their workspaces in the city. “Culture is in the DNA of the capital, but we cannot be complacent,” said Khan. “As property prices rise and new areas of the city grow, artists
are finding themselves unable to put down roots here. I am committed to improving access to dedicated, affordable workspace so that the next generation of creatives are given the extra support they require to flourish.” Other art suppoters echo Khan’s sentiments. “Artists and creatives need affordable workspace in which to develop their ideas. As such, artists’ studios are far more than just physical places of work. Instead, they are economic and social hubs, with their own supply chains and communities,” said co-founder of Outset Contemporary Art Fund and Studiomakers, Candida Gertle. “Artists’ studios are centres for creative exchange, education and mentoring. They also support new businesses, get local people involved
and help develop a sense of community.” “Artists and creative people are like the advance party—they find the unusual places that no one sees much value in and they breathe life into them,” said Justine Simons, deputy mayor for Culture and Creative Industries. “I’m really excited about the Creat Land Trust idea. If we get it right, it could go a long way to addressing this important issue by providing access to much needed finance to secure permanent spaces for the creative community.”
Exhibitors Announced for Art Basel Hong Kong 2017
From the series The Thousand Year Old Boy © Yvette Monahan included at the Photo50 exhibit.
2017 London Art Fair The 29th edition of London Art Fair takes place on January 18-22, 2017. Annually launching the art world year, the Fair is a supportive environment for art collectors at all levels. Museum quality Modern British art is presented alongside contemporary work from today’s influential artists, covering the early 20th century to the present day. In addition to the main Fair, two curated sections, Art Projects and Photo50, focusing on contemporary photography, will be included. More details are included at www.londonartfair.co.uk.
It’s still months away, but conversation has already begun about Art Basel Hong Kong 2017. An exhibitor list has been released for the fair that will bring together 241 galleries from 34 countries, and place them in sectors such as Galleries, Insights, Discoveries, and, for the first time this year, the Kabinett sector, which has been featured previously at Art Basel Miami Beach. Newcomers to Art Basel Hong Kong are included on the list, including Galerie Buchholz, König Galerie, Project Native Informant, Clearing, Luxembourg & Dayan, and Various Small Fires. There are also ten new galleries from Asia. The fair takes place at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre March 23–25. The full list is available at www.artdictionmagazine.com.
Publisher Weekly Reveals Top 10 Reads for 2016 Publisher Weekly has revealed their top 10 reads for 2016. The list includes a book about one of America’s darkest moments that is depicted in a new light as well as a book written by a Nobel prize winner. A partial list is below. For the full list, visit www.artdictionmagazine.com. •A Kingdom of Their Own: The Family Karzai and the Afghan Disaster by Joshua Partlow (Knopf) •Ninety-Nine Stories of God by Joy Williams (Tin House) •Secondhand Time: The Last of the Soviets by Svetlana Alexievich, trans. from the Russian by Bela Shayevich (Random House) •The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead (Doubleday) •The Vegetarian Han Kang, trans. from the Korean by Deborah Smith (Hogarth) ArtDiction | 9 | November/October 2016
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f all the books I’ve read in the past year, none have quite unnerved me as much as Dark Matter, the newest novel by Blake Crouch. The concept of alternate universes is not a new one, nor is it new even in sci-fi literature. But Dark Matter comes at the material in a way that feel unique, in that it couches the action in what is primarily a love story – the myriad of different ways in which every choice we make can dramatically affect our relationships – but with a significant twist: What if every choice, every change, was reality? While the writing sometimes is a bit boilerplate action-sci-fi in places, Crouch excels at setting a scene – which makes sense, since he is also a screenwriter, with some of his previous works (like the Wayward Pines trilogy) having already been adapted for TV. It wouldn’t be surprising to see a serialized version of the novel on a TV screen near you soon. I, for one, would love to see what a good cinematographer could do with the art exhibition described in chapter five; it could be a sight to behold.While the science portions of the novel are rather thin & farfetched, the scientific “cause” of the plot isn’t really as interesting as the effect, which starts off in familiar territory but doesn’t stay there for long. If you can set aside your incredulity for a bit, this story will definitely make you think long after you’ve finished reading.
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reat Expectations. Yes, the title might already be taken, but it feels an apt subtitle to Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney’s first novel, The Nest. The book speaks volumes about the weight and power of
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expectations, and the effect they have on our lives. The “nest” of the title refers to the trust fund left to the four adult Plumb children – Leo, Beatrice, Jack and Melody. The story is set several months before the Plumb’s are set to inherit, as an accident puts the money into jeopardy. As all have come to rely on the security net their future windfall has provided in one way or another, the siblings come together to set matters straight. Whether you sympathize with them or not, anyone who suffered during the banking crisis of the early 2000’s will most likely recognize the slippery slope traversed by the Plumb children, banking their futures on something they never realized was tenuous. Beyond the obvious impact of money, though, I was also struck by how effective Sweeney was in showing the molding influence people’s expectations can have, both on ourselves and others. Expectations that come with familial hierarchy, financial status, gender, sexual orientation, even physical ability – all come into play in interesting and sometimes unexpected ways in this book. If you feel that your life is stuck in a pattern you’re not sure you like anymore, The Nest might be just the book you need to read.
he story in Dominic Smith’s latest novel, The Last Painting of Sara De Vos, shifts between three time periods, telling the story of the titular painting, an inconvenient forged copy, and the people surrounding both. While reading the book, I kept having the nagging feeling that I had read it before. It wasn’t until I was about a third of the way in that I realized that the feeling of recognition came from the story, which feels like a combination of several good books I have read in the past all under one cover. The parts of the book set in the 1600’s, told from the perspective of Sara De Vos herself, felt very similar to Gregory Maguire’s Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister, with a bit of Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier thrown in for good measure. This is mostly because of subject matter; there is very little fiction regarding female Dutch painters, mainly because there were very few recognized under their own name in that time. The portions in more modern times (New York in the late 50’s and Sydney, Australia in 2000) felt like an amalgamation of the celebrated book by Donna Tartt, The Goldfinch, and a less recognized but equally good book, Great House by Nicole Krauss. Both books have to do with the complicated history of objects, as does the modern portion of Smith’s novel, as it tracks both the painting and its owner, the forgery and its creator, and how all of them intersect. The trick of this book is that it pays homage to its predecessors by using similar themes, yet producing a unique and equally interesting book all its own.
Isabella Chow ArtDiction | 10 | November/December 2016
exhibits The Dinner Party The Dinner Party, an installation artwork, is an icon of 1970s feminist art by Judy Chicago. It is presented as the centerpiece of the Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art located at the Brooklyn Museum. The enormous ceremonial banquet is arranged on
World War II. Gandhi’s letter begins with the greeting “Dear friend.” Mist diffuses Gandhi’s projected text, echoing the fate of his message, which went unheeded. Kallat defines this correspondence as a plea from a great promoter of peace to one of the most violent individuals who ever lived. He believes it is equally an open invitation for self-reflection, as its scrolling words speak to the extreme violence in the world today. Covering Letter is hosted by the Philadelphia Museum of Art and is the first exhibition of this work in the United States. It also marks the tenth anniversary of the Museum’s Live
The Dinner Party, 1974–79. Ceramic, porcelain, textile, 576 × 576 in. (1463 × 1463 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Elizabeth A. Sackler Foundation, 2002.10. © Judy Chicago. (Photo: Donald Woodman).
a triangular table with 39 place settings that commemorate important women from history. The settings include gold chalices and utensils, as well as china-painted porcelain plates with raised central motifs that are rendered in styles appropriate to the individual women being honored. Names of an additional 999 women are inscribed in gold on the white tile floor underneath the triangular table. For additional information, check out www.brooklynmuseum.org.
Covering Letter This exhibit is video projection and installation projection by Mumbai-based artist, Jitish Kallat. Projected onto a curtain of falling fog, this creation presents a historical letter by Mahatma Gandhi to Adolf Hitler. The letter was written just weeks before the start of
Photograph courtesy the artist and Museum of Contemporary Art Australia; photograph by Jessica Maurer. © Jitish Kallat.
Cinema series that is dedicated to exploring the vast production of contemporary video and film work. For more details, visit www.philamuseum.org. Watch Kallat’s interview on www.artdictionmagazine.com/ artist.
Stuart Davis: In Full Swing Stuart Davis (1892–1964), an American modernist, blurred distinctions between text and image and abstracts and figures. His unique style influences art and artists of today. Included in the exhibit hosted at the National Gallery of Art in
Stuart Davis, Arch Hotel, 1929, oil on canvas, Sheldon Museum of Art, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Anna R. and Frank M. Hall Charitable Trust. Photo © Sheldon Museum of Art.
Washington, D.C., are 100 of Davis’ most visually complex, jazz-inspired compositions. Davis paintings almost always made careful reference to one or more of his earlier compositions. This exhibit presents a new exploration of his working method. For additional details, visit www.nga.gov.
Beyond Bling: Jewelry from the Lois Boardman Collection The Beyond Bling exhibit at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art presents an ensemble of contemporary studio jewelry from the United States, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. A selection of 50 works is on display from the gift of over 300 pieces from collector Lois Boardman that explores the use of nontraditional materials and techniques, how jewelry can communicate personal or politiCactus Quadruple Ring © Philip Sajet. cal messages, and the medium’s ability to evoke shock and delight. The collection is the first of its kind to a West Coast museum. More information can be found at www.lacma.org.
ArtDiction | 11 | November/December 2016
music Here
Alica Keys
soulful-chill-Sunday-cruising, feeling-
if it’ѕ well-meaning, Bоу King is a
privileged-to-be-black ablum.
disconcertingly blеаk роrtrаit done withоut blinking. By the еnd оf Boy
Alicia Keys’ new album is strategi-
Square Two
cally sprinkled with interludes, and
BlackPink
she’s made ѕоmеthing соnсrеtе
King, liѕtеnеrѕ mау hаvе considered deeply thе shape аnd dаngеr оf mоdеrn mаnhооd, оf inѕtitutiоnаl
оut оf them. “Thе Beginning” iѕ likе
miѕоgуnу, оf thе many hidden
a ѕроkеn wоrd роеm whеrе Aliсiа
аѕресtѕ, and coded linguistics of
describes who ѕhе is, comparing
rаре сulturе. Thеу will dеfinitеlу,
hеrѕеlf to Ninа Simone and tо thе
hоwеvеr, long fоr a bаnd whо only
beautiful ѕоundѕ wе hеаr whilе
might hаvе a fеw fucks lеft to givе.
listening to muѕiс. Right away, it
FLOTUS
becomes сlеаr thаt on some ѕоngѕ,
Lambchop
Aliсiа iѕ intеnding tо tell hеr ѕtоrу thrоugh the ѕtоrу оf оthеrѕ. “The Gospel” раintѕ a рiсturе of whаt life iѕ likе fоr реорlе living in a ghеttо,
“Plауing With Firе” opens up with
with lуriсѕ referencing роvеrtу, drug
a rоugh piano bеаt that brеаkѕ
abuse, рhуѕiсаl abuse, and оthеr
intо a nice EDM inѕtrumеntаl,
harsh realities. “Thе Gоѕреl” is аn
ассоmраniеd bу strong vосаlѕ.
excellent ѕtаrting роint fоr the аlbum
Similаr tо thеir debut trасkѕ, Blасk
аnd it ѕеtѕ thе tоnе for thе tуре оf
Pink imitаtе 2NE1’s classic style with
ѕubjесt mаttеr thаt уоu саn еxресt
their own nеw ѕоund. It iѕ almоѕt
tо hеаr from Alicia this timе аrоund.
like liѕtеning tо Park Bom and CL thеmѕеlvеѕ during the firѕt minutе
Black America Again
of thiѕ dance trасk. “Stay” takes the
Common
cake and eats it too. The melancholic lyrics paired with a cheery beat is an excellent contrast and actually
Ovеr thе course оf FLOTUS’ 68 min-
helps the song’s vibe become more
utes, Lаmbсhор alternates bеtwееn
empowering rather than being your
dоwntеmро, Krautrock, folk, and
next sulking-in-the-corner track. The
ѕуnthрор withоut losing thеir diѕtinсt
chorus is by far the best aspect with
idеntitу. Wаgnеr еxрlаinеd in an
lyrics such as, “Don’t ask why it has
intеrviеw thаt hе wаѕ drаwn tо
to be you, don’t ask/Just don’t ask
еxрlоrе modern hiр-hор аftеr years
and stay with me.” Who would ques-
of hearing hiѕ nеighbоrѕ рlауing
tion Black Pink’s plea anyway?
mixtареѕ frоm thеir hоuѕе, аlwауѕ
Boy King Wild Beasts
оnе step ahead оf current rаdiо trеndѕ. Wаgnеr ѕtаrtеd liѕtеning tо аrtiѕtѕ likе Kеndriсk Lаmаr, Flying Lоtuѕ, аnd Shabazz Pаlасеѕ, еxсitеd
“Blасk Amеriса Again” combines
There’s sonic beauty еvеrуwhеrе
bу thе сutting еdgе рrоduсtiоn and a
роwеrful, socially conscious lуriсѕ
in Bоу King. Thе аrrаngеmеntѕ
muѕiсаl wоrld he hаdn’t paid much
with a jаzz-infuѕеd inѕtrumеntаl. It is
аrе impeccable and frequently
attention to. A kеу аѕресt wаѕ thе
mоrе than juѕt a рrоtеѕt ѕtаtеmеnt,
ingenuous, but thе album dоеѕn’t
idеа of vосаl diѕtоrtiоn, the аrtiѕtѕ
thiѕ роlitiсаllу сhаrgеd album is
уiеld much оn rереаtеd liѕtеnѕ.
uѕing Auto-Tune аѕ аn аrtiѕtiс tооl
аt оnсе аn еxоrсiѕm of rаgе аnd a
Sоmеhоw thе humanity of Wild
thаt соuld extract рrоfоund depth
соnѕtruсtivе hеаling rituаl. Bеhind
Beasts’ previous wоrk is nowhere
оut of unnаturаl ѕоundѕ. Wаgnеr
a rеfrеѕhinglу invеntivе beat, “Jоу
hеrе. Thе ѕоngѕ’ construction bеginѕ
uѕеd a vоiсе processor to writе and
аnd Pеасе” аllоwѕ solemnity,
to fееl аntiѕерtiс. Lyrics like “I likе
rесоrd the mеlоdiеѕ for FLOTUS, and
аngеr аnd patience tо соеxiѕt. In
it mеѕѕу, dоn’t you mаkе it neat/
nearly three quаrtеrѕ оf thе rесоrd
“Pуrаmidѕ” and “Hоmе”, Cоmmоn
Yоur heart I’d еаt” (from “Eаt Yоur
findѕ hiѕ vоiсе оbѕсurеd, оftеn treat-
and рrоduсеr/drummеr Kаrriеm
Hеаrt Out Adоniѕ”) аrе intentionally
ing his mеtаlliс yelps аnd сооѕ аѕ
Riggins’ fusion of gоѕреl and
precise, соnvinсing the listener оf
another inѕtrumеnt rather than thе
сlаѕѕiс boom-bap сutѕ a nеw раth
a corporeal раthоlоgу more thаn
sole focus.
tоwаrdѕ justice аnd libеrаtiоn. It is a
thе оnе-ѕtер-rеmоvеd theory. Evеn
ArtDiction | 12 | November/December 2016
Linda Turer
Surreal Conceptual Art Mári Dimitrouli is the woman and name behind Marion Toy – Surreal Conceptual Art. Born in Athens, Greece, the art director has branched out into creating visually pleasing images that are rightfully hers from conception to production. Building a striking and unique brand wasn’t her initial intent, however. “Marion Toy was created on January 2013 out of my need to experiment with colors, shapes, and ideas. I actually had no clue I was building up a creative identity. I was just having fun with this whole creative process.” Marion Toy is a one-woman show, including the concept, art direction, paper constructions, styling, posing, photo shooting, and the rare editing. (She will occasionally collaborate with other artists.) She even poses for her own visuals. “I haven’t worked with models yet, and that is because I choose to have a flexible time plan when I’m creating a new visual,” she explains. “I might have to stop the shooting because I need to alter my prop, or I need something extra that I have to go out and buy. I might even shoot late hours, so I can’t really have someone ‘stand-by’ for that.” (She admits these may all just be good excuses for the fact that she enjoys working alone!) Marion plans to use models in the future, as her ultimate goal is to create a perfect visual, and using a model makes that easier to achieve. One of the unique features of Marion’s projects are her self-made paper props that are often the focal point of her images. “Most of the times, and especially when I work with assignments, [the] idea comes first and props follow. Still, there have been a couple of times that I’ve found a really intriguing object and then work on it, alter it in order to create a new visual.” To help convince some that these props are in fact real, Marion has recently begun posting photos of the making of her props. Marion’s creative process varies from project to project. “I never realize exactly when I’m inspired by something. The after-effect might come way later and in a very altered way,” she says. “I have gathered a lot of ideas, pictures, and memories in my head from the past years. It’s like a mosaic of things I’ve seen or imagined, and I’m ready to alter in my very own creative way.” Marion’s use of colors isn’t an accident.“I have a special bond with colors. I love them all. I believe that all colors look great when they are used in the right amount, on the right texture and shape of object.” As for her project that parallels pop art, she says, “I choose colors that make a good, satisfying contrast with each other. Yellow, pink, white, and red form my basic color palette and my mint background.”
“Coming Through” series feat. Adidas Originals Superstar Supercolor by Pharrell Williams. Concept, Creative Direction & Props: Marion Toy. Photographer: Panos Georgiou. MARION TOY® 2016.
Marion’s creativity hasn’t slowed down since the inception of Marion Toy – Surreal Conceptual Art. Perhaps her drive is motivated by what she hopes to achieve. “My goal is to create colorful surrealistic visuals with original concepts, easily understandable from the viewers, plus to put a smile on their face!”
ArtDiction |13 | Nobember/December 2016
Marion Toy, Vitamin T
Marion Toy, Housewife
Marion Toy, Let’s Ride
Marion Toy, Be Cube
Marion Toy, Daniel Wellington Watches Breakfast
Protest Art By Devika Strother
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hether the results have left you reeling, celebrating, or quietly observing, Americans have survived another U.S. election. Although this election has been labeled a historic one, history is usually only solidified in hindsight. When reflecting on past politics, history, and socialism, it’s clear that art has always played a role. Often times, art is used as a means of political protest. It is no different today. Just as art was used as an instrument for social change in the past, art may be the catalyst to, at a minimum, draw attention to and be the voice of groups who feel they’ve been marginalized throughout history. One of the most powerful anti-war pieces of art in history was Pablo Picasso’s Guernica. This mural-sized oil painting was created in response to the bombing of Guernica, a Basque Country village in northern Spain, by Nazi German and Fascist Italian warplanes at the request of the Spanish Nationalists. Guernica was exhibited at the Spanish display at the Paris International Exposition in the 1937 World's Fair in Paris and later at other venues around the world. The mural (11 feet by 25 feet) brought worldwide attention to the Spanish Civil War. Mоrе stylized and professional art forms, and аrtiѕtѕ, hаvе bееn invоlvеd in роlitiсаl рrоtеѕtѕ and mоvеmеntѕ Guernica by Pablo Picasso. 1937. Oil on canvas. thrоughоut thе modern еrа. In today’s society, the use of music, street theatre, and all types of visual presentation have space in social activism and political protests. Street art has been one of the most popular forms of art used to voice political opinions. The prevalence of this specific type of protest is partially due to the fact this it is often unregulated and/or hard to control. But this also contributes to its effectiveness. Art аnd artistic еxрrеѕѕiоn ѕеrvе mаnу functions in political рrоtеѕt, ѕоmе of thеm аimеd аt рrоduсing knоwlеdgе аnd ѕоlidаritу within thе grоuр оf protesters. Activists and everyday citizens on both sides of the political issues have also used protest art leading up to and post election. Anti-Clinton and AnitTrump art have shown up in masses across the country. Some poignant, some hard to swallow, some tasteful, some lude. Because of art’s objectivity and placement in open spaces, it becomes an unavoidable facet of society---for the good or bad. Street art used as political protest.
As a result of the election, some artists feel a shift and new found purpose to the art they will produce in the coming years. “I’m fearful that our rights could slip away,” says painter, Natalie Frank. “I’m also hopeful that in using portrait in paintings, I can start to represent real women, real stories and convey to those who might not understand, that these issues of self-determination, feminism, humanism are shared and NOT bound by gender.” Although art is a subjective means of self-expression, art that reflects politics and socialism becomes political in itself. But perhaps that is the intent of most artists, especially from artists that draw inspiration from what’s around them. In fact, most artists proudly use their art to and help shape thoughts and beliefs as well as influence change. “How can you be an artist and not reflect the times?” – Nina Simone
Painting by Clinton supporter, Sarah Sole, that was used as the cover of an anti-Clinton book.
©GRAPHICSTOCK / TUNGPHOTO
ArtDiction | 19 | November/December 2016
Call for Artists!
Become a featured artist in ArtDiction by submitting artwork to submission@artdictionmagazine. To request additional details, send an email to info@artdictionmagazine.com.
Think Inside the Box You’ve heard the saying, “Think outside the box,” right? Most of us believe that by following this adage, we can create something phenomenal. Maybe. But what happens when an artist thinks “inside” the box—uses the constraints given him and works within those boundaries. Something amazing can happen. The artist, darked-, has taken images and free software to design imagery that is captivating in ways you can’t quite explain. We found out a little more about darked- and his art in this interview. AD: When did you begin working on this type of art? d-: I’ve always found photo manipulation very interesting, but as a hobby. Since Photoshop is expensive and I didn’t want a pirate copy, I started googling and three years ago or so, I discovered Free Open Source Software (FOSS) and GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program). These tools opened my mind about making art with free sources; so the step was to find the images to work with. Public Domain was the answer and, at present, Wiki Commons is my source. So, finally, I began making digital art as I still do--just photo manipulation with Public Domain sources and FOSS. AD: How would you describe this art? d-: I think about art as a way of self-acknowledgement, so I just publish my artwork in the hopes that people who see it can have their own experience through it. Art is subjectivity materialized, so it’s impossible to separate it from feelings, thoughts, experiences, etc. both of the artist and of the viewer. That’s why I conceive art as a form of self-acknowledgement, because, in the end, everyone sees what they can and that is not on the artwork but inside them. It’s a pure perception and art is just a medium. So, once I make an artwork, all my background is in there, but, when I publish it, is the viewer’s background which takes it or not. This process is what refrains me from describing my work. I don’t want in any way to influence people’s capacity to learn or discover something about themselves. AD: Do you have a specific process? d-: Yes, I pick a picture (PD art lately) and once I set the dimensions, I begin working on it; this includes some distortion and/or layering other images, and I try different ways of mixing them up. The final touch is to apply some artistic filter from FotoSketcher, a free program I found on the Internet. AD: Since you call this “dark” would you say that this art represents a place where you are personally or professionally or is there no correlation? d-: darked- is my artistic name. I think it is more related to my personality than my art itself. Perhaps it comes from the desire of not to be noticed. I’ve always felt more comfortable watching and observing than being in the center of the scene. AD: You have a lot of followers. Why do you think this art is so appealing? d-: I’ve always sought originality, which means to look and go where nobody has yet. I like to believe that a piece of art (any, not only mine) is a mirror. You can look at it quickly and go by, or you can look at it carefully and thousands of times with unexpected results. AD: Is your work available for purchase? If so, where? d-: Yes, my work is for sale, but in limited editions (1-5 copies) or unique ones. I think digital art is as valuable and collectible as traditional art and my aim is to create unique pieces which could be cherished for years. I have my portfolio on www.instagram.com/darkedigitalart, where people can send me a DM or an email to darkedok@gmail.com if they’re interested in some piece. Prints are managed via theun-tappedsource.com/darked. On Twitter, I can be found @darkedigitalart where you’ll find some promotions.
ArtDiction | 21 | November/December 2016
darked-, fluo
darked-, afraid
darked-, fight
darked-, verbena
darked-, candy (revisited series)
Art Basel in America: Highlights for 2016 by Joshua Griffin
ArtDiction | 27| November/December 2016
Art Basel Miami Beach emulates the original Art Basel that was founded in 1970 in Basel, Switzerland. In Miami Beach, however, it capitalizes on this unique geography, which is the nexus of Latin and North America. The Art Basel Miami Beach event is hosted on 500,000 square feet of exhibition space divided into 7 sectors: magazines, film, public, kabinett, edition, positions, nova, and galleries. Each of these sectors will allow visitors to navigate through the fair venue and experience as many ArtDiction | 28 | November/December 2016
Art Basel in America: of the dimensions of available contemporary art showcases as possible. For instance, most of the fair is at the galleries sector, where individual galleries will present a range of work from the artists in the booths. The positions space, on the other hand, has booths with work by one artist, while nova will feature new works of art. A Brief History
of Jonathan Napack, who would help Art Basel gain Chinese artist contacts and galleries. 2000s
Portrait of Lorenzo Rudolf courtesy of Art Stage Singapore.
Over the course of its 44 years in existence, Art Basel has disseminated its singular cultural brand across the globe. Dealers save their finest pieces for the fair, while collectors come to the allotted venue with an urge to splurge. The demand for the first-rate art that is showcased is so high that elite buyers often have anywhere between 10 to 15 minutes within which to make a purchase decision.
because of its prime location between Germany, France, and Switzerland. In the 1970 catalogue of the first Art Basel fair, the messaging was to focus on the increase in time, income, and communication in the post-war consumer society. This fair would host 30 publishers and 90 galleries from 10 countries.
So, how did this international movement become one of the most highlighted events in the art industry? How did the international art fair rise from humble beginnings and proceeded to string out its reach right to Miami’s South Beach.
In the 1980s and 1990s, Art Basel became even more popular. Collectors continued flying to Basel year in, year out. However, the fair struggled in the 1980s art market bubble especially with regards to ways and means on how to differentiate itself from Arco (Madrid), Art Chicago, Fiac (Paris), and Art Cologne. This was until Lorenzo Rudolf took over as the director of Art Basel in 1991.
Promotional material for Art Cologne 1967
1970s Before Art Basel came into existence, there was Kunstmarkt Köln (Art Cologne), which was opened in 1967 as a platform for selling contemporary art. In direct response to this German fair, Ernst Beyeler, Balz Hilt, and Trudi Bruckner decided to copy the same in their native city of Basel—with a localized venue but with a focus on the international market. Basel was the perfect hub for art commerce
1980s and 1990s
Rudolf would proceed to condense the gallery selection committee from 30 members down to 3—with the highest standards in his mind. He inducted the cordoned VIP lounge in 1994 and initiated the Art Video Forum in 1995. For the first time—in 1999—big name galleries from New York were invited to participate. They included Luhring Augustine and Barbara Gladstone. Rudolf made the fair international by foraying into foreign markets. During his tenure, the Art Basel website was launched. Additionally, Hong Kong came into the picture with the entry
ArtDiction | 29 | November/December 2016
In 2000, Sam Keller took over. He continued the international expansion and kicked off Art Basel in Miami Beach in 2002, primarily because it was the meeting place for Latin and North American culture. Keller also fine-tuned and marketed the idea of contemporary art as the idyllic lifestyle choice. 2016 Miami Beach Art Basel This year will mark the 15th edition of Art Basel Miami Beach. This edition will provide an opportunity to reflect on the impact of the show on the city, as well as Miami’s quick evolution as the quintessential art destination. As a result, more than 85 galleries from the inaugural 2002 show will participate. Running from December 1 to 4, this fair will also be larger than its predecessors—with participation from 269 galleries from 29 countries. Of course, the show will focus on the local hemisphere, with 50% or more of the galleries having exhibition spaces in the Americas. It is also interesting to note that Art Basel Miami Beach has 21 new galleries, which is a noticeable increase from the previous years. The new director of the show, Noah Horowitz, will be looking to secure more new artists into the positions and nova spheres, which feature emerging artists such as Ishmael Randall Weeks, Ignacio Liprandi, Max Hooper Schneider, and Rita Ponce de León. TICKET PRICES Last year, the Miami Beach Convention Center collated 75,000 attendees. Organizers will be expecting similar numbers this round. For a day pass, you will be required to get a $45 ticket, while weeklong access to
Highlights for 2016 Art Basel Miami Beach will cost $100. In addition to the shows at the Miami Beach Convention Center, innumerable contemporary artists will have their work displayed at Pulse Miami Beach. This alternative art fair will offer free display to local residents on December 3 and 5. Pulse will feature a total of 75 galleries, with a friendly atmosphere and will primarily be geared towards both experienced and new collectors.
this end, will be throwing parties and events—from the rooftops of South Beach’s chic boutiques to luxury retailers at Design District. Overall, Art Basel is founded on delight and surprise. This year, things will not change. Those who will attend will enjoy public art, interesting installation, unparalleled people-watching opportunities, and spectacles that are as yet unpredictable.
Max Hooper Schneider will feature his work at Art Basel Miami 2016. Portrait by Milan Zrnic.
Miami Beach 2016 exhibitors
Cherry and Martin will be featured at Art Basel Miami 2016
WHY MIAMI? In recent years, Miami has grown into a popular art destination. Top artists have been flocking to the city every year since Art Basel Miami Beach was introduced in 2002. The sophistication of this show is mostly targeted at the cultural connoisseur. Miami also has many local galleries and museums. Some of these will be participating in Art Basel this year. This is because Art Basel Miami is the quintessential place for showcasing. It also provides a spotlight for the newest among the new, with artists producing their best works of art to present at the fair. Fashionable crowds always follow art. Magazine editors and designers, to
Alfonso Artiaco Bortolami Cherry and Martin Mehdi Chouakri Thomas Dane Gallery Andrew Edlin Gallery Stephen Friedman Gallery Cristina Guerra Contemporary Art Kavi Gupta Hirschl & Adler Modern Ingleby Gallery Alison Jacques Gallery Kewenig Luhring Augustine Barbara Mathes Gallery Galerie Nordenhake OMR Pace Lia Rumma Marc Selwyn Fine Art Stevenson Galeria Luisa Strina Tornabuoni Art Vermelho Galerie Jocelyn Wolff David Zwirner For full list of exhibitors, visit www.artdictionmagazine.com.
ArtDiction | 30 | November/December 2016
artist index
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www.mariontoy.com www.instagram.com/marion_toy/ www.facebook.com/mariontoyworld www.behance.net/mariontoy
www.koscos.net www.saatchiart.com/KosalaNamal
www.instagram.com/darkedigitalart www.theuntappedsource.com/darked
Marion Toy
Kos Cos
darked-
www.theartistcierralynn.com ArtDiction | 31 | November/December 2016
WWW.MARIONTOY.COM