Jacques Louis Gautier – Mephistopheles

Many years ago, I came across this amazing bronze sculpture in a Los Angeles shop. Unfortunately, it was already sold and the owner was on his way to pick it up. Ever since, I’ve been looking for another opportunity to come face to face with Mephistopheles.

From Sotheby’s:

Gautier modelled this extraordinary figure of Mephistopheles in the early 1850′s and sent it for display at the Exposition Universelle of 1855. Its idiosyncratic design proved a success and soon after the firm of Duplan et Salles began to cast the model in bronze. Busquet, a critic for the journal L’Artiste was moved to write ‘They have edited this strange Mephistopheles with a long and grimacing profile which one can see, not without some surprise, in the showrooms of the principal stores in Paris’. One customer was the Duchess of Alba, who acquired a cast for the cabinet of Napoleon III.

Mark Ryden – Incarnation

Center piece of his latest show at Paul Kasmin Gallery. 

Here’s a time-lapsed video of Mark Ryden painting the above work, Incarnation. Spectacular.

Links:
Paul Kasmin Gallery
Mark Ryden

Skull Bank

Picked up this kitschy skull coin bank from Urban Outfitters. The slot is in the back of the head. Pretty Cool.

I’m thinking about going back and buying nine more, painting them all matte black, and then, stacking them in one of the corners of my play room….evoking the eeriness of the Catacombs of Paris…or not.

Exit Through The Gift Shop – Awesome

Saw a late showing with the cool kids. Puts art into perspective.

I always wondered what happened to the film, Life Remote Control. I’ve been waiting for it. Now I know. =)

By the way, the caprese sandwich at Arclight is pretty good.

Link: Banksy Film

Open House: Studio 129

Madame JL opened up her studio to the public.

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Pablo Picasso paints his lover and wonders why she’s always bitchy.

Paging through Sotheby’s latest Impressionist and Modern Art catalogue (5/5/10 Evening Sale), I came across this curiosity. Entitled Bust de Femme (Sotheby’s Sale N08633, Lot 30), Picasso painted his lover at the time, artist Dora Maar. My initial reaction was, “Really!? it looks like Yogi Bear….. or Chewbacca” Anyways, it has pre-sale estimates between 1.5 to 2 million USD.

Sotheby’s notes that, “In the years that followed the completion of this compelling picture, Picasso’s relationship with Maar would become increasingly strained.” Rich.

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Banksy Cave Art

In honor of Banksy’s latest film playing in the city, I’d like to share a photo (credit goes to some guy off of flickr) of one of my favorite works from him.

This finely preserved example of primitive art dates from the Post-Catatonic era.

The artist responsible is known to have created a substantial body of work across South East of England under the moniker Banksymus Maximus but little else is known about him.

Most art of this type has unfortunately not survived. The majority is destroyed by zealous municipal officials who fail to recognise the artistic merit and historical value of daubing on walls.

It was originally unveiled to the public in 2005 at the British Museum. You can read about it >>here<<. LOL. 

Gomorrah – Awesome Italian Gangster Film

Gomorrah was a joy to watch. Gritty and honest, it intertwines five stories of people who were affected by the Camorra, Italy’s largest organized crime syndicate. Matteo Garrone, the director, did an excellent job portraying how entrenched the group is in Italy’s culture and economy. From drugs and weapons to high-fashion textiles and waste management, they’re everywhere.  

The above picture is from the story of Marco and Ciro, a couple of wanna-be gangster teens who quote Scarface and try to create their own little gang. Kind of funny.

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KAWS 1000% Dissected Companion Bearbrick – Mono

Came in the mail today all the way from Brooklyn, NY. Stands at ~29 inches.

Mobstr – Funny

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