My Highlights from miart 2014
I like to mix key historical pioneers of art history with young artists. For me, this is a way to underline the importance of radicality, particularly for contemporary artists, who stand a chance in surviving the test of time. One of the questions I often ask myself is: is there a chance that someone will want to look at these works in 30 years time? I think yes for most of the works selected here, and certainly for the artists in this list.
My Selection:
Rokni Haerizadeh, Ramin Haerizadeh, Hesam Rahmanian and Iman Raad, Joyous Treatise, 2011-2014, at Gallery Isabelle van den Eynde
We have a growing interest in art development in the Middle East, and have been following these artists for years. Isabelle is the perfect trusted bridge between our world and theirs.
Cory Arcangel, Napkin, 2013, at Lisson Gallery
An essential artist in the development of digital art.
Paolo Icaro, Eccedenza 90°, 1967-1968, at P420
We discovered Paolo in this same gallery in Turin, which is justifiably promoting the rediscovery of this excellent Italian artist. I still cannot believe this work was created in the ’60s and sells for the price of a fashionable 2014 young artist.
Jonathan Binet, Installation Ricard, 2013, at Gaudel de Stampa
The French scene is one of the most under researched, under rated, and affordable. I still cannot completely figure it out. Here is another example of the use of canvas in a sculptural and conceptual context. A serious, quality gallery too.
Gilberto Zorio, Stella, 1978, at Mazzoleni Galleria d'Arte
Another historical piece of Arte Povera. A very powerful piece.
Goldin+Senneby, "Merger Prediction Strategy" with Paul Leong (investment banker), 2013, at Galeri NON
A great example of the quality and intelligence of works produced by the best Turkish artists. Challenging but rewarding. And NON is a must-see gallery from this part of the world.
KP Brehmer, Brief Nr. 3, 1968, at Vilma Gold
A very important German conceptual artist with a strong social conscience, elegant, subtle form, and very strong content.
Gianni Caravaggio, Sugar no sugar molecule, 2002, at kaufmann repetto
A brilliant emerging installationist and sculptor but recognized already by the relevance of its purpose and the seductive quality of his realizations. Essential Italian gallerist too.
Luca Bertolo, Untitled 13#05, 2013, at SpazioA
An interesting Italian artist trying multiple relevant strategies to still extract originality from the painting gesture.
Entang Wiharso, Untitled, 2013-2014, at Primo Marella Gallery
We have been collecting this excellent, multi-faceted Indonesian artist for years. We loved his creation in the Indonesian pavilion in the Arsenale during the last Venice Biennale. Not to be missed. Jimmie Durham, This Should Explain, 2012, at SPROVIERI
A master: full of meaning, elegant, consistent.
Mario Schifano, Paesagio anemico, 1965, at Studio Marconi 65
One of the best adaptations of U.S. Pop Art to the Italian context. An excellent historical piece.
Ahmed Alsoudani, Untitled, 2013, at VW (VeneKlasen/Werner)
Very few contemporary paintings attract us but this Iraqi-born painter has such a powerful brushstroke, serving up haunting images.
Harold Ancart, Untitled, 2013, at VW (VeneKlasen/Werner)
One of our most successful Belgian artists. This work is a new development in his still evolving creation. The marks open up the depth of the canvas revealing its secrets.
One of the most important emerging artists we are collecting. Discovered by us at François Ghebaly a few years ago, his multi-dimensional strategies perfectly mix the use of live images to take them out of context in order to underline their faults. Buy quickly before it is too late.
Neïl Beloufa, Bottles, from the series “Vintage”, 2014, at Galleria Zero
Another facet of the work of this essential emerging artist.
