Florence Italy Mimmo Paladino Sculpture Contemporary

Dear Art Lover,

     There is a lot of “meh” and actual disgust going around now in Florence, Italy, [at least among my Florentine and Florence-based friends here] because of contemporary artist Jeff Koon’s current exhibition of two art pieces…. And not JUST here in the Renaissance City, but inside and in front of the Palazzo Vecchio!  [City Hall and in the main square of Florence]. 

     I have been perhaps too vocal about my feelings surrounding this artist and his work on Facebook, so look him up if you are curious about what could possibly disturb me so.

    The great thing is that during this same time there IS a marvelously successful CONTEMPORARY art exhibit in front of an antique building that works beautifully together.  The body of work out front anyway is titled, “The Witnesses,” by Mimmo Paladino.  As you can see, I was there late at night and thus, I have not yet seen the inside.  However, I will certainly do that once back from London.

    These primitive looking figures appear to be made from a volcanic stone; the sign says tufa, which is apparently a more porous form of limestone.  See?  This exhibition has taught me something already!  The artist has also used wood and metal in this composition of figures. I very much love how this works so well with the stone textured wall of the basilica.  I enjoy this area of town and it is a shame that I have never lived in that zone.  That is pretty much the only way I spend any real time anywhere.  But there is a lot going on and I have fond memories of my first trip to Italy in 2004 since I stayed at a hostel around the corner from this piazza.  ‘Twas lovely!

   













     Enjoy these images.  I include a snapshot looking away from the statues because this really cute girl rode up on her bike and starting speaking with the cute guard who watched over for vandals.  I am happy the shot is in focus since I get rather shy about taking these sorts of photos and often move the camera too quickly, ruining my bold effort.  I also included a shot of my friend and fellow painter Susan in front of the stone figures so that you have a better idea of their sizes.

      Exhibition continues until 9 January 2016, which thankfully is longer than what we must endure in Piazza della Signoria.  [There I said it again.  Jajaja]
FREE entrance, Monday – Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
See another Mimmo Paladino installation in historical Florence (also a good fit) that I wrote about years ago:  http://artbyborsheim.blogspot.it/2012/11/florens-2012-culture-week-florence-italy.html
And here:
http://artbyborsheim.blogspot.it/2012/11/the-kindness-of-strangers-and-angry-nun.html
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Let us meet in London!

Art NOW - London!

The Artists Fair - London [Yes, in the UK!]
WHEN: OPENING Preview > Thursday October 22, from 4 - 8 p.m.

Exhibition Hours > Friday & Saturday, October 23 & 24, from 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Sunday October 25, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

WHERE: BARGEHOUSE, OXO Tower Wharf, South Bank, London SE1 9PH
WHY? Featuring Kelly's pastels and charcoal drawings from Morocco

The Artists Fair London 2015 presents 50 emerging and recently established artists from 30 countries (random order): Japan, France, Denmark, Australia, Bulgaria, Italy, Germany, Israel, United Kingdom, Martinique, South Africa, USA, Kosovo, Netherlands, Catalonia, Spain, Poland, Belgium, Sweden, Turkey, Norway, India, Lithuania, Russia, Canada, Taiwan, Finland, Switzerland, Romania, Estonia.

Free entry for visitors.

The great location, steps from both the Hayward Gallery and Tate Modern, and the perfect time, following the Frieze Week, can find yourself, ideally, in the heart of an international, fresh and vibrant art scene.

Receive Priority FREE ticket(s) ... no waiting: http://www.art-now.net/pdf/ART%20NOW%20priority%20ticket.pdf

Feel free to contact us for any information by info@art-now.net
ART NOW The Artists Fair London: www.art-now.net

Thank you for reading and making it all possible.
Peace,
Kelly

~ Kelly Borsheim, sculptor, painter, writer, teacher

http://BorsheimArts.com

Art Too Contemporary

Cari Amici (Dear Friends),

It is interesting how growth with the passage of time aids in our understanding of so many things. I have been spending my evenings lately going through many, many files in my office and weeding out things I no longer need. In my “Gallery File” I ran across a printout of the Artists Submission Policy for the John Pence Gallery in California. I had contacted them in regards to an exhibition they were collecting art for titled, “The Nude.”

The bottom half of the page is full of my handwritten notes. I had e-mailed an inquiry and during my follow-up call, I was told that they had checked out my work online and my paintings were “too contemporary” and they had no need of sculpture. This was January 20, 2003.


I include here some of the works that they might have seen. I still have these, having rarely exhibited them as I kept creating newer and newer images. I must say that finding this paper made me laugh, for I rarely get labeled as “TOO contemporary.” Hindsight and much experience give me a better understanding of where I was at the time. These artworks all sell for $300 or less. They were all done from 3-hour life drawing sessions in Austin, Texas.

This is a primo example of an emerging artist who was simply not ready to be exhibited in a gallery. There is nothing particularly horrid in the work, it is just too early in my development and also, the prices are way too low for a gallery to even bother with, certainly not a gallery of the reputation and clientele of the John Pence Gallery. Anyway, I think their response is a keeper for my files . . . and maybe someday, I will again hear the criticism that my work is “too contemporary.”


If you would like to see more of my early paintings, visit these pages on my site:

• 1996-1997 Figurative Oil Paintings
  
• 1996-2000 Figurative Oil Paintings
  
• 1999-2001 Figurative Oil Paintings
  
• 2001-2002 Figurative Oil Paintings
  

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Oh – I recently submitted an entry of two painting to an online self-portrait competition. I could really use your support - please vote (once each day is possible) to help me win the $2500 CASH People's Choice Award:

http://Kellyborsheim.see.me/aw2011
In the upper right hand corner, click on the star you want to vote for (left star is 1, a low rating, while the star on the right is a 5-star highest rating).

Thank you so much!