Playlust

TAKE #22

Play Hunter — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 13:42:35 +0000

Nail varnish on paper, pencil on plywood, 2013 © Play Hunter

WIR SIND NICHT IN ISTANBUL, BABY, UND WERDEN ES NIEMALS SEIN

Play Hunter — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 14:45:07 +0000

Das Favela Café an der Art Basel war ein voller Erfolg. Die Installation des Japaners Tadashi Kawamata im Stil eines südamerikanischen Slums vor dem neuen Powerbau von Herzog & de Meuron gab ein starkes Bild ab. In den zerzausten Bretterbuden stärkten sich millionenschwere Sammler mit Champagner, während das Messebesuchsvolk fürs Erinnerungsbild posierte. Ein cooler Wurf der Art, der akkurat und für jedermann zugänglich den Stand des gegenwärtigen globalisierten Kunstbetriebs auf den Punkt brachte.

Einige lokale Kunst-Aktivisten übersahen die Ironie zwischen den Brettern. Als Protest gegen das, aus ihrer Sicht, unerträgliche Manifest der Dekadenz, errichteten sie am Freitagabend neben dem Art-Slum eine Alternativ-Favela mitsamt Spontan-Kunsthappening und Party. Die Messeleitung wiederum übersah die Harmlosigkeit der Aktion, stellte Ultimatum um Ultimatum und rief schliesslich die Polizei, die dem Spass mit Tränengas und Gummischrot ein Ende setzte.

Die Art unter Polizeischutz! Froh, nicht wie jedes Jahr, entweder über bombastische Verkaufszahlen, Kunst-Ratings oder über Brad Pitt und VIP-Zonen berichten zu müssen, schreiben seither Kultur-Redaktoren die Sponti-Aktion als Bürger-Protest gegen verkrustete Eliten hoch. In den Leserkommentarspalten entladen sich derweil Nulltoleranz-Parolen und Sozialneid-Ressentiments gegenüber Protestern und Kunstfuzzis mit voller Wucht.

Nun ist eine öffentliche und für helvetische Verhältnisse heissblütig ausgetragene Debatte über Kunst vor allem einmal das: wichtig und richtig. Das Problem: Bei dieser Aktion ging es letztlich weder um Kunst, noch die Art und schon gar nicht um Protest, sondern um die schnelle mediale Aufmerksamkeit und den billigen Applaus. Nachhaltige Veränderung sieht anders aus.

Dazu braucht es mehr Mut und mehr Wut.

TAKE #21

Play Hunter — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 13:39:21 +0000

Midway through exhibition week, my Art Basel mileage account is so high, I think by now I should qualify for a Lifetime First Choice VIP Personal Chauffeur Free Champagne Party All Area Excess Pass. Honestly, the point is reached where my iPhone and I can’t possibly take anymore in. So today is all about the show reflections of a no-show.

Over to: SHOW OFF The latest installation by Berlin-based art-duo AWST & WALTHER is a brilliant reflection on the fact we live out our public lives like show pieces in a show room. It literally mirrors the need for instant attention and constant applause in social networks. The gallery setting unites the shameless poser with the thinker. Which opens up potentials. As in where there is a mirror, there is a stone that cracks kaputt the surface. Which makes SHOW-OFF one of the standout-pieces of Art Basel show week.

Takes 1-3 out of 1’000’000, and still counting:

Experience SHOW OFF at florian christopher in Zurich, June 7 through to July 28 2013,
Sun 16/6 1-5 pm, and by personal appointment

SHOW OFF part two at SALTS in Birsfelden, June 12 through to July 21

I’M RATHER A DICK THAN A SWALLOWER

Play Hunter — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 13:58:25 +0000

It all started with a humble email:

If you had been wondering what un-bodyguarded Kanye West was discussing on his mobile at Art Basel all day long, this was the answer: a surprise free listening party for his forthcoming new album ‘Yeezus’. Set up in two hours and spread via word-of-mouth, the impromptu gig drew a good 1000 strong crowd from the international art, fashion, and design set as well as local gangstas, dressed in Versace for H&M. The stage in the middle of the Event Hall was a leftover from the opening night’s performance. The ultra-minimal adornment consisted of several Rick Owens chairs. Two makeshift-bars served free drinks.

Shortly after midnight, the self-confessed ‘very commercial celebrity boyfriend‘ entered the stage in a grey-marle hoodie, equipped with his laptop, but still sans bodyguard.

In his welcoming address, rendered in the spiritual fervour of a Steve Jobs keynote-speech, the-art-school drop-out-turned-superstar stressed his strong allegiances to the art world and will to ‘advance culture’, revering Warhol in general and Le Corbusier in particular as key-inspiration for his album. Given he said it in front of some of the art world’s leading gallerists and luminaries including Hans Ulrich Obrist, Simon de Pury and Art boss Marc Spiegler, it sounded a bit like a job interview.

Next, Kanye played a couple of his new tracks, ‘right down police level’, much to the delight of the smart phones and their owners. Before soon, the crowd urged ‘sing live’. Which he did a capella, for one final song. Then, Kanye West just disappeared into the crowd.

… only to position himself right in front the exit turnstiles, personally seeing each of his by now truly flabbergasted guests off. And still no men in black holding anyone back.

Was it a stunt? I don’t know. If it was, it was a bloody genius one from the man who says he’s ‘rather a dick than a swallower‘. All I know this session was a piece of pure Art Basel magic. Warhol would have loved it.

TAKE #20

Play Hunter — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 09:13:25 +0000

ARTIST INTERVIEW IN AESTHETICA MAGAZINE

Play Hunter — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 13:53:15 +0000

Read online

HI HERR GALLERY WEISS

Play Hunter — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 10:22:06 +0000

TAKE #19

Play Hunter — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 10:03:26 +0000

Update: competition has closed Winners are notified. Thank you all for sending in your ‘Art is’ entries. I will post a selection within the next couples of days.

Art Basel is just a couple of days away. It’s always great. But this, year, Art will be even greater: my Art Basel VIP pass has arrived. Even better, I have exclusive tickets for you, dearest readers:

2 x 1 Day Tickets (Access on a day of your choice between June 13-16. Each ticket invites you plus one.

2 x 1 Invites to the Private View on June 12. Each invite is valid for you plus one.

To enter the draw, simply complete the sentence “Art is….” and leave your name and postal address here

A selection of Art-Sentences will be published on Playlust. Of course your contact details will be treated confidentially.

Competition closes 6/6/13 midnight, CET time.

Good luck!

With thanks to Absolut Vodka which are Presenting Partner of Art Basel Conversations and host the bar at Volkshaus. The bar installation Better Days by artist Mikhalene Thomas recalls the 70s and hosts a string of exciting DJs, such as Simon de Pury.

TAKE #18

Play Hunter — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 10:08:02 +0000

TAKE #17

Play Hunter — Sat, 01 Jun 2013 15:17:14 +0000

Zurich, 12°C, solid rain. Hi, summer: