 |
The 32nd edition of Arte Fiera Art First will be held in Bologna, Italy, from 24 to 28 January 2008 under the artistic direction of Silvia Evangelisti, the fair will be an unmissable appointment for the international modern and contemporary art world.
Thanks to the deep awareness of the international artistic changes, Arte Fiera Art First has consistently been able to understand the international artistic scenario, proposing in 1977 the first performance project with artists such as Marina Abramovic, Luther Price, Vito Acconci, Hermann Nitsch, and many others.
The art fair operates a synthesis between the 20th and 21st century artistic movements and the most interesting examples of contemporary art, allowing a unique comparison of Italian and international art.
|
|
This year’s appointment occurs again through the over 200 prestigious galleries of Modern and Contemporary art from Italy and abroad, confirming itself as a reference point for the international art system.
The fair is also devoting special attention to young galleries with a broad picture of contemporary artwork and the latest research through a meticulous selection of the most interesting and innovative proposals.
n o k n o c k r o o m this year selected one of the coolest proposals, the projects presented by the young French Galerie Magda Danysz. The gallery will exhibit a solo show of Mike Giant, an amazing wall painting created site specific. You can also find works by Miss Van, Shepard Fairey aka Obey and Alain Delorme.
|
|
 |
Mike Giant has achieved fame as a graffiti artist, illustrator and tattooist. Black ink is Giant's specialty and whether his medium is concrete, paper or skin his signature style - made up of equal parts Mexican folk art and Japanese illustration - is unmistakable. Though it is his graffiti art for which he remains most widely recognizable, his tattoo work has become internationally renowned in the relatively short number of years in which he has been tattooing. Latin and hispanic culture too play a major role in the execution of his silhouettes, which often resemble buxom pin-up femme fatale's and assorted other voluptuous characters, often with skulls and animal tenticals (for good measure). Be them shapely graceful figures or flashy femme fatale's from various era's and cultures, Mike Giant's characters from every epoque gurantee a stellar viewing experience. [read more] |
|
|
|
|
 |
Miss Van started wall-painting in the streets at the age of 18, in the early 1990's. With her frescos and paintings, she establishes an innovative concept, creating an feminine alternative to the predominantly male realm of street art. Her dolls - sensual and capricious, yet sweet and sensitive - attract. Her works have generated an imaginary universe full of colors, erotism and voluptuousness... [read more]
"At the beginning, my dolls were self-portraits. Graffiti has a very megalomaniac side; instead of writing my name, I chose to represent myself through my dolls. I felt a real need to affirm myself, maybe because I have a twin sister and I had to show my difference. Later on when I didn't feel as much this need to mark my identity, my work became. The idea of provocativeness has also a part in my conception of my work. I have always liked painting a sexy doll in an inappropriate place. I want to provoke strong reactions" - Miss Van |
|
|
|
|
 |
The visual codes used by Shepard Fairey, aka Obey Giant, are worthy of those of Stalinist propaganda, but here they highlight the mechanisms of advertising propaganda which invade public space. Currently based in Los Angeles, Fairey's rising success has helped transform his once homemade Xerox style into lush multi-colored screen prints.
"The OBEY sticker campaign can be explained as an experiment in Phenomenology. Heidegger describes Phenomenology as "the process of letting things manifest themselves." Phenomenology attempts to enable people to see clearly something that is right before their eyes but obscured; things that are so taken for granted that they are muted by abstract observation. The FIRST AIM OF PHENOMENOLOGY is to reawaken a sense of wonder about one's environment. The OBEY sticker attempts to stimulate curiosity and bring people to question both the sticker and their relationship with their surroundings..." [click to read the Manifesto by the artist]
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Inspired by, or, more truthfully, revolted by, the imagery of the modern media, French photographer Alain Delorme has created "Little Dolls" a series of digitally manipulated photographs featuring the smiling faces of barbie-tized little girls. His manipulations, making their mouths and eyes larger, faces more made-up, make clear his message that the representations of women in the media are delivering this unnatural image to little girls looking for idols to worship, models as role-models. In each photo there is the presence of an adult's hand correcting, readjusting, forcing the child to react and appear in a way that is and should be completely alien to them; forcing a doll-like image of women onto girls too young to know better. His bright compositions and cheerful settings drive home the irony of each picture. It's astonishing to see something at once so colorful and light and at the same time so dark and sinister. [for more info: www.alaindelorme.com]
|
|
|
|
|
|
