Museums in Lisbon - Extended Hours

Included in the several initiatives to celebrate the Oceans Festival (Festival dos Oceanos) and the Centenary of the Portuguese Republic, several museums and cultural venues in Lisbon are going to open during the Thursdays of 5th and 12th of August 2010, between 18h00 and 00h00. Admitance will be free.
To know more about this event, you can direct to the Tourism Association of Lisbon in the Rua do Arsenal, 15 (rua is the portuguese word for street), call them at (351) 210 312 700, or e-mail .
In the last decade Lisbon has become one of the favourite cities in the world for tourism, offering an extensive variety of cultural events.

Edward Hopper at Fondation de l'Hermitage in Lausanne, Switzerland

In collaboration with the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York, the Hermitage Foundation in Lausanne, Switzerland, brings to the public a collection of 160 works by Edward Hopper, one of the most famous artists of the XX century.
Curated by Carter Foster, the exhibition includes sketches, oil paintings, illustrations, etchings and watercolours, and has the purpose of showing Hopper's artistic development, from an illustrator and printmaker in the early 1900's to his recognition has a major artist.
The influence of Europe is evident on his works, such as "Soir Bleu" (1914), with scenes of Paris and social life assuming particular importance.
After his stay in Paris between 1906 and 1910, he goes to live in New York, earning his living as an illustrator and producing etchings and watercolours, many of urban scenes of Paris and New York.
Edward Hopper starts focusing his attention on rural landscapes and Americal urban architecture, painting famous works like "Cobb’s Barns" (1930-1933) and "New York Interior" (1921)

Well known by his architectural scenes, namely of american diners, of which "Nighthawks (1942) is quite probably his most famous painting, Hopper also painted female nudes, such as the iconic "A Woman in the Sun" (1961)

Besides the 160 works, the exhibition includes a biographical and historical section, as well as a documentary film on the artist.

Visitors will also have the chance to watch Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho, Jim Jarmusch's Stranger than Paradise and Wim Wender’s Don’t Come Knocking, among 17 screenings by filmmakers influenced by Hopper's scenes.

Edward Hopper at the Fondation de l'Hermitage, Lausanne (Switzerland) is available for viewing until October 17, 2010.

Gian Bernini - The Art and Life of a Sculptor (Part Five)

Watch the previous episode or follow this series from the start.

Kunstmuseum Bern: Albert Anker Beautiful World. On the Centenary of His Death.

On the Centenary of Albert Anker's death, the Kustmuseum Bern (Museum of Fine Arts, Bern) exhibits a retrospective of the artist's works through September 19th, 2010.
Born on April 1, 1831 in Ins, Switzerland as the second of three children to the veterinarian Samuel Anker and Marianne Elisabeth Gatschet, Albert Anker studied in Neuchâtel and among other studies, he took private lessons in drawing with Louis Wallinger.
Having stayed in Paris during part of his life, he attended the Ecole Impériale et Spéciale des Beaux-Arts and participated in the Salon (also know as Salon de Paris) where he was awarded a gold medal in 1866.
Albert was a member of the greater council of the Canton of Bern and supported the construction of the Kunstmuseum Bern.
In 1878 he was appointed Knight of the Legion of Honor and Doctor honoris causa of Bern University in 1900.
Giving up all painting almost completey due to a stroke suffered in 1901, that left his right hand partially handycaped, he passed away on July 16, 2010 in Ins.
Albert Anker was married with Anna Ruefli (1835-1917) from Biel, with whom he had six children.
After the success of the exhibitions organized between 2007 and 2008 by the Kunstmuseum Bern for four Japanese museums, this exhibition brings to the public a retrospective about the artist's favourite themes and subjects, and the mediums that he worked on, namely drawings, paintings, faiences and watercolours.
Albert started his artistic career as a portrait painter and took on commissions during his lifelong.
This facet is visible on the more than 500 faiences that he painted for the Deck Brother's company between 1866 and 1892, where he often included portraits or three-quarter-view-figures, as well as children reading or playing.
Illustrated on plates and wall panels, these commissioned works for a select Parisian clientele were based on preliminary watercolour studies.
Being a participant member of his community, his paintings depict the daily life of its inhabitants, with particular focus on playing children and their educational development.

The artist also painted around 35 still lifes, although more for his own pleasure than for the public, considering that his complete oeuvre comprises over 700 oil paintings.
Presented by the Kunstmuseum Bern, the "Albert Anker: Beautiful World. On the Centenary of His Death" exhibition is a wonderful opportunity to know more about the artist and enjoy some great works of art.

Painting above: "Mädchen die Haareflechtend", 1887, oil on linen (70,5 x 54 cm)

Art Collection of John and Joyce Price at the Bellevue Arts Museum

The Bellevue Arts Museum presents the exhibition Eyes for Glass, featuring three different areas of the Price Collection, of which the majority is composed by contemporary works in glass.
John Price started his art collection when he was a young adult, with particular interest in the works of Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec.
During the mid 1970's, John and Joyce Price became fond of the Contemporary Inuit Art, whose collection includes works of distinguished artists such as Kenojuak Ashevak, Joe David and Preston Singletary.
During the last 50 years or so, the Contemporary Inuit artists have approached a style deeply rooted in naturalism, with many of them developing a preference for highly polished sculptures during the last decade.
By the late 1970's, John learned of the existence of Pilchuck Glass School and started collecting glass art using several techniques and styles, namely blown, cold-worked, sand-cast, fused and slumped.
Among other names are those of Dale Chihuly, Fritz Dreisbach, Walt Lieberman and Cappy Thompson.
The Eyes for Glass exhibition runs through August 8, 2010 at the Bellevue Arts Museum in Washington and includes the following artists: Sean Albert, Kenojuak Ashevak, Jane Beebe, Lisbeth Biger, Sonja Blomdahl, Curtiss Brock, Frederick Carder, Dale Chihuly, Joe David, Einar and Jamex de la Torre, Laura de Santillana, Steven DeVries, Fritz Dreisbach, Tom Farbanish, Gisele et Regis Fievet, Fabio Fornasier, Kyohei Fujita, Saburo Funakoshi, Lewis Tamihana Gardiner, Ann Gardner, Mitchell Gaudet, Katherine Gray, Gregory Grenon, Susan Holland Reed, James Houston, Clarissa Rizal, Ulrica Hydman-Vallien, Ryosuke Kinoshita, Joey Kirkpatrick, Sabrina Knowles, David Leight, Walter Lieberman, Flora Mace, Joanna Manousis, Dante Marioni, Paul Marioni, Massimo Micheluzzi, Ohotaq Mikkigak, Yasuko Miyazaki, Tobias Mohl, Benjamin Moore, William Morris, Mel Munsen, Felice Nittolo, Marvin Oliver, Allan Packer, Jackie Pancari, Danny Perkins, Shaun Peterson, Susan Point, Annie Pootoogook, Jill Reynolds, Richard Royal, Ginny Ruffner, Judith Schaechter, Preston Singletary, David Schwartz, Therman Statom, Susan Stinsmuehlen-Amend, Lino Tagliapietra, Cappy Thompson, Cesare Toffolo Rossit, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Veruska Vagen, Bertil Vallien, Laura Ward, Dick Weiss, Sally Worcester, William Worcester, Hiroshi Yamano, Mark Zirpel and Toots Zynsky.

Sculpture above: Whale Rider by Preston Singletary and Lewis Gardiner

CCB Inside Out 2010 (CCB Fora de si 2010)

The CCB Inside Out Festival continues its multicultural orientation with it's 4th edition featuring artists and performers from Latin America.
Resulting from the cultural colaboration between Portugal, Brasil, Spain and Latin American countries, the event shows the reciprocal influences caused by globalization.
Following what happened last year, the Museum Square will be the stage for main exhibitions and performances, including Jazz concerts, workshops for families and children, visual arts, installations dance and cinema, all part of the programme.

Running from July 16 through August 29, the CCB Inside Out 2010 will be a good opportunity to get acquainted with the Latin American culture.

Kobe Fashion Museum Closes "BATTA mon" Exhibition Following Louis Vuitton's Request

Started on April 15, 2010, the "BATTA mon" exhibition was closed by the Kobe Fashion Museum after receiving a letter sent on May 6 by Louis Vuitton stating that the works made with knockoff materials by the artist Mitsuhiro Okamoto were prejudicing the brand's reputation.
According to the artist, the works do not show positive views of counterfeit products and are a statement about consuming desire in Japan.
The "BATTA mon" exhibition (batta means locus and batta-mon is slang for knockoff in the Kansai dialect) also included works made from Chanel, Fendi, Gucci and Coach imitations.

Project Wonderful Advertiser Wins One Year Subscription to American Artist Magazine

A few months ago The Art Inquirer publicized that one of the Project Wonderful users who has chosen this art blog as an advertising partner would win one year susbscription to the American Artist magazine.

The advertiser who invested the most during the last six months was Sheryl Westleigh, who will soon start receiving this renowned art magazine at her place, courtesy of The Art Inquirer.

£29.7 Million for J.M.W. Turner’s "Modern Rome – Campo Vaccino" at Sotheby’s London

Included in the Evening Sale of Old Master & British Paintings that took place at Sotheby's London, on the 7th of this month, the oil painting "Modern Rome– Campo Vaccino", mesauring 90.2 by 122cm (35.5 by 48 in) and painted in 1839 by Joseph Mallord William Turner RA, was acquired for £29,721,250 / $44,935,558 / € 35,727,792 by Hazlitt, Gooden & Fox, London Dealers, who bid for the work on behalf of The J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles, California.

Firstly owned by Turner's close friend and patron scottish landowner and collector Hugh Munro of Novar, who bought the work directly from the artist at the Royal Academy exhibition of 1839, the painting was then acquired at auction by the 5th Earl of Rosebery (1847-1929) and his new wife Hannah Rothschild, while on their honeymoon, for the sum of 4,450 gns.

Last Seen on the Market in 1878 and loaned since 1978 to the National Gallery of Scotland, it was part of the recent exhibition "Turner and Italy".

With a pre-sale estimate value of £12-18 million (not including buyer’s premium) and sold for £29,7 million ( including buyer's premium), Modern Rome - Campo Vaccino has set a new auction record for the William Turner, former belonging to his view of Venice, Giudecca, La Donna della Salute and San Giorgio, set in 2006.

The fact that the painting was acquired by the J. Paul Getty Museum is good news for all art lovers who will have the chance to continue to enjoy this masterpiece.

41 Drawings on Paper by Francis Bacon at the Eugénio de Almeida Foundation

Founded in 1963 by the Engineer Vasco Maria Eugénio de Almeida, Count of Villalva and located in the city of Évora (Portugal), the Eugénio de Almeida Foundation (Fundação Eugénio de Almeida) presents a series of 41 drawings on paper created by the irish painter Francis Bacon.
Named A Ponta do Iceberg (The Tip of the Iceberg) and curated by Edward Lucia-Smith and Massimo Scaringella, the exhibition will be open to the public from July 5th through October 3rd, 2010, Mon-Fri (9h30 - 19h30), Saturday, Sunday and holidays (9h30-18h30)
Admission has a symbolic value of €1, with guided visits available by appointment for a minimum of 5 people, costing €2.5 for each person.
You can contact the Eugénio de Almeida Foundation through the phone number (351) 266 748 350, or through e-mail.

Gian Bernini - The Art and Life of a Sculptor (Part Four)

Watch part three or follow this series from the first episode.

Festival International du Pastel - Feytiat 2010

Considered the most prestigious european pastel salon, receiving near 20,000 visits every year, the 10th edition of the Festival International du Pastel will take place at Espace Georges Brassens from July 3 through September 5, 2010.
Resulting from the collaboration between the city of Feytiat and the Société des Pastellistes de France, the festival gathers some of the best pastelists worldwide and is an unmissable opportunity to see great works of art, get acquainted with the artists and satisfy your curiosities towards the medium.
Every year are exhibited around 300 works chosen for their beauty and technique.
The programme includes theme based workshops: landscape, still life, florals, portrait and nude (live model), which will be carried through four sessions, with a cost of 400 Euro each.
With free admission, the 10th edition of the Festival International du Pastel can be visited between 14h00 and 19h00 (Monday to Friday) and between 10h00 - 12h00 and 14h00 - 19h00 (Saturday, Sunday and holidays)
This year's edition features Nà Luther as the guest artist.

Painting above: Pots Chinois by Nà Luther