Category Archives: Art

Pop Up Art Exhibit in Financial District

Art

While the gala scene in New York City takes its annual summer break, there is still a way for visitors to contribute to the economy and participate in a “boundary-pushing technological and entertainment” adventure.

From August 1-31st, a pop-up – SuperReal – has “transform[ed] the historic Cunard Building into a colorful walk-through digital art installation.” Set up by Moment Factory in conjunction with Cipriani, it is located at 25 Broadway.

According to Moment co-founder and executive creative director, Sakchin Bessette:

“Cipriani 25 Broadway provides the perfect opportunity to juxtapose iconic landmark architecture with layers of new technology to create this immersive experience that blurs the lines between the real and the unreal, illusion and reality – SuperReal aims to inspire a sense of collective wonder and connection. We thought it’s such an interesting thing right now to juxtapose layers onto reality, because where the future’s tending to bring us is the digital and the physical worlds are merging so that they’re indistinguishable. We’re adding layers of virtual reality to everything and other realities to our world — whether it’s the Internet, which is becoming as real as reality, or if it’s entertainment.”

Grand Hall’s interior design has been made to transform the visitor’s surroundings, taking them to a variety of surreal locations.  From flower gardens to balloons, techno music to meadow mellow sounds and everything in between, it truly is an intensifying of the senses. The exhibit features a maze of interactive installations that respond to the visitor’s actions, a floor mirror, balloons playing and more. SuperReal hopes to bring “an eclectic group of people who are willing to set their minds and senses free.”

New York Arts and Culture

Art, , , , ,

The spring is here and it’s a great time for the blossoming of New York arts and culture scene.  Herewith a few examples of what is going on.

First, we have – from April 5th to 8th – the yearly show held by the Association of International Photography Art Dealers.  Taking place at Piers 92/94, this is one of the world’s “biggest fine-art photography shows.”  It features images from the 1800s until today and there is a specially-curated exhibition by Elton John called “A Time for Reflection,” which takes a nostalgic trip to the time of the Black Panther movement and Joe Baio collection.

And then at The Met Fifth Avenue at Fifth Avenue and 82nd Street, Huma Bhabha (a Pakistani artist) is depicting her work.  This is quite unique in that she creates images of haunting humankind by using old, discarded materials she finds in her everyday life.  This begins April 17th.

New York Art

Art,

artNew York art is a great investment. According to Christie’s, just recently one of Mark Rothko’s paintings – ‘No. 10’ – sold for a staggering $81.92 million. Not only was that a huge price but it was actually close to twice its estimated value.  His highest paid work to date was the painting ‘Orange, Red, Yellow,’ which, three years ago sold for $86.88m.

But that’s not all for New York. In a mere three days, Christies sold over a billion dollars worth of art which beats the world record for art and puts it to the next level, higher than Sotheby’s. in addition, ‘The Women of Algiers’ at Christie’s sold for $179.4m following a tense 11-and-a-half minutes of ferocious bidding from four to five prospective buyers. This was the highest price for any piece sold at auction.

This is significant not just for the art world, but for the economy. Indeed, according to Abigail Asher, an art consultant, it is indicative of the presence of “a new type of buyer in town.” She explained, “the past few years have been building up to this moment. A new class of buyer has entered the market and they’re prepared to pay staggering sums for trophy pictures….[recent sales have become] a spectacle of excess at the highest level”.

What’s good for art therefore, seems good for the economy.