Slumber Sounds #2 by Tracy Burke on zatista.com

As of this writing, gold was priced at over $1,700 USD an ounce. This rare precious metal has stood the test of time in terms of desirability and value. From its first smelting by the Egyptians in 3600 BC to its more recent use in medical procedures, gold is a material that is both beautiful and versatile, and has been sought after by artists throughout the ages.

King Tut's burial headpiece on wikipedia.org

The ancient Egyptians viewed gold in both a spiritual as well as an artistic sense, and they were some of the first artisans to use it as such. Gold objects were placed in royal tombs to indicate both divine immortality and earthly power. The funeral mask of King Tutankhamun, which was created in 1223 BC, remains one of the most recognizable works of art to this day.

Bouquet of Lilies Clock by Peter Carl Faberge on wikipedia.org

In 1885, while California was in the grip of the greatest Gold Rush of all time, the Russian Jeweler Peter Carl Faberge created his first gold egg for Tsar Alexander III to present as a gift to his wife, and thus started a tradition that lasted until 1917.

Adele Bloch-Bauer by Gustav Klimt on wikipedia.org

In modern times gold has become a standard for common currency and continues to be a sign of wealth, but gold accessories and collectibles are no longer limited to the enjoyment of the elite. Designers often use gold accents to convey a sense of glamour in their creations, and to this day painters make use of gold leaf and gold paint to create opulence within the reach of art lovers and collectors of all kinds.

Golden Centre by Elizabeth Chapman on zatista.com

Today, thanks to affordable art markets like Zatista, one no longer needs to be a king to enjoy the luxury of this precious metal. So, if you are looking for the perfect piece of art for your own palace, try digging for gold on Zatista!

Brian Sylvester is a guest blogger on WallSpin, and an artist on Zatista.

Related articles

• Artist Glimpse – Doug Hockman (zatista.com)
• Who Discovered Gold? (mademan.com)
• Gold predicted to peak at $2,000 as precious metal ends bull run (telegraph.co.uk)
• “My Favorite Museum Exhibit”: A 13-pound gold nugget (boingboing.net)

Winter Winds by Doug Hockman on zatista.com

Photographer Doug Hockman lives in Middletown, Connecticut, which is midway between Boston and New York. He is a regular participant in the art market circuit in the Northeast and has been a Zatista artist since 2010. To the casual observer, his work is highly influenced by the beauty of the natural surroundings of the Northeast.

I had the opportunity to ask him about his process and his view of the art market:

Off Season by Doug Hockman on zatista.com

How long have you been a photographer, and what got you started?

Photography has been a hobby for years. I have been selling my work for the past 4-5 years, but this past season was my first selling full time.

What is your favorite piece of equipment?

I love my Canon 7D, but I feel you can make great photos with any equipment.

Look Up by Doug Hockman on zatista.com

What are your ideal working conditions?

Taking photos on stormy days is my biggest inspiration. I love weather and am more likely to be out with the camera in the rain and snow than on any other day.

Do you have any advice for someone just getting started with photography?

Regarding shows and art fairs, be ready to go everywhere and be willing to sit through slow market days with no sales. That way you will learn what works best.

Spring Forest by Doug Hockman on zatista.com

Are you interested in working in other mediums?

My main interest is photography but learning new camera techniques and capturing things in unique ways appeal to me as well.

Where do you see your work going?

I am looking to expand to shows in more parts of the country, as well as expanding to new gallery work.

Breaking Waves by Doug Hockman on zatista.com

How’s business?

2011 was a great year for me. I met many people at shows that have made it possible to move forward with new ventures. I am looking forward to an even better 2012.

Do you have any advice about buying and collecting photography?

I buy whatever appeals to me. Personally, I’m interested in modern and abstract pieces. But everyone has different likes and tastes. I like buying pieces from fellow photographers, and I enjoy seeking out photography of all kinds at shows and online.  The choices are limitless so you’ve just got to buy what you like.

Brian Sylvester is a guest blogger on WallSpin, and an artist on Zatista.

Related articles

• It’s Unthinkable (zatista.com)
• 10 Ways to Make a New St(ART) (zatista.com)
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• Need Art? (zatista.com)

Andreas Gursky/Christie's Images, Ltd., 2011

What you’re looking at is Andreas Gursky’s photo, “Rhein II”, which sold for $4,338,500 at Christie’s in November of last year, breaking the record for the most expensive photograph ever sold at auction. Yes, you read that right. Four million dollars. The buyer was anonymous.

Barry, Baker, Brookline, MA by Joel Degrand on zatista.com

According to NPR’s Claire O’Neill, “The photo comes at the mammoth proportion of about 6-by-11 feet, and that’s got to count for something. Plus (sorry all starving photographers), that price tag is nothing unusual for Gursky. Until the purchase of Cindy Sherman‘s Untitled in May, Gursky’s 99 Cent II Diptychon had been the most expensive photo, which sold at Sotheby’s for $3.3 million in 2007. He has photos in major museums like the Museum of Modern Art and London’s Tate Modern and studied under the renowned Bernd and Hilla Becher in Germany.”

Byron Bay by Daniel Grant on zatista.com

The good news is, we don’t sell $4 million photos here on Zatista. We sell affordable photographs, like the two above and this one:

Sheets on a Clothesline by Norman Lerner on zatista.com

And this one:

Shadows by Jeffrey Hummel on zatista.com

And this one:

Negatives #18 by Klaus Rossler

And that’s barely the tip of the iceberg. So make yourself a pot of tea, grab your lap top, sit back in your easy chair, breathe a deep sigh of relief, and enjoy the bounty of budget-friendliness that we have to offer. It’s art that’s fit for folks with fabulous taste and a budget like you and me!

Related articles

• 10 Ways to Make a New St(ART) (zatista.com)
• Gursky sets record for photograph (bbc.co.uk)

Tangerine Tango!

Prada in Tangerine Tango image: GoRunway/Indigital

Eiseman continues, “Reminiscent of the radiant shadings of a sunset, Tangerine Tango marries the vivaciousness and adrenaline rush of red with the friendliness and warmth of yellow, to form a high-visibility, magnetic hue that emanates heat and energy.”

Pantone comments, “Over the past several years, orange has grown in popularity and acceptance among designers and consumers alike. A provocative attention-getter, Tangerine Tango is especially appealing in men’s and women’s fashion.”

“Tangerine Tango is a bit exotic, but in a very friendly, non-threatening way. Tangerine Tango is a complementary opposite that flatters blue or green eyes. When paired with brown, it brings out an amber cast,” says Pantone.

Pantone suggests, “Energize interior spaces with Tangerine Tango patterned home accessories. Pillows, bedspreads and tabletop accessories in this high-impact hue add spice to any room. Or incorporate Tangerine Tango appliances and personal electronics for an unexpected pop of color.”

Related articles

• Color of the Year 2011 (zatista.com)
• Color of the Year 2010 (zatista.com)
• Pantone names orange as its colour of the year (money-gurus.com)
• Yellow is the New Red (zatista.com)

New Beginning 1 by Konnie Kim on zatista.com

Now that that the holidays are over and the season of making good on resolutions has begun, here are ten ways to bring more art into your life in 2012:

1.  Visit a museum or gallery – Museums and galleries are perfect spots for artistic inspiration and a low cost or even free way to spend an afternoon.

2.  Attend a lecture – Lectures are often intellectually stimulating no matter what the subject is, be it an artist’s talk or art historical exposé.

Abandon by Laura Carter on zatista.com

3.  Take a class or workshop – Most communities offer a wide variety of classes and workshops. If you’ve wanted to try your hand at creating some of your own art or crafts, this is the perfect way to start.

4.  Volunteer at a cultural institute or community center – Volunteers at museums and cultural centers are usually given free passes to events and shows. This is a great opportunity for a wide exposure to all types of art while helping to keep these institutions strong.

Tall Grasses - Blue by Michelle Han on zatista.com

5.  Check out some of the many wonderful art zines and artists blogs online – The internet is full of art blogs and zines, and most offer an unflinching view on the art community around the globe.

6.  Rent a movie about an artist’s life – There are many documentaries and biopics about artists out there.  Spend an evening and get to know your favorite.

Eucalyptus by Mary Lea Bradley on zatista.com

7.  Set aside daily time to create something (anything) and don’t forget to have fun – It only takes a few minutes each day to create something unique. Remember, practice makes perfect!

8.  Fill your coffee table with oversized art books – Go to your local bookstore and browse the bargain section. You can often find art books at a fraction of the original price.

Theater Crowd, King Street by Jacquelyn Sloane Siklos on zatista.com

9.  Take a walk with full attention to your surroundings – Both the city and the country are full of examples of artistic forms, natural and manmade, very much like a museum on the go.

10.  Last but not least, buy original art from Zatista.com – Zatista is the Internet’s premiere source for original art. With new additions added weekly, there is something for every taste.  Enjoy!

Brian Sylvester is a guest blogger on WallSpin, and an artist on Zatista.

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• Need Art? (zatista.com)

Interested in joining our “Most Needy” art contest on Facebook? Take this simple quiz:

1. Do you own a Velvet Elvis?
2. Do you have a Van Gogh, Picasso, or similar ‘greatest hits’ poster from college still hanging on a wall at home?
3. Are your walls naked and in desperate need of help?

If you answered ‘yes’ to any of these questions, upload a photo of your dreadful art or explain to us why your wall needs updating. Then, tell all your friends to cast their votes for you on Facebook! Zatista will choose a winner from among the 3 most voted for entries. The winner will win $100 in free art from Zatista.

So, what are you waiting for? Enter today!

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Beclometasona, 2008 by Damien Hirst gagosiangallery.com

The Complete Spot Paintings exhibit, opening at all Gagosian Galleries today, offers Hirst-o-files and jet setters alike The Complete Spot Painting Challenge where dedicated dot hunters can visit each of the eleven galleries and receive a signed spot print by British artist Damien Hirst.

The Complete Spot Challenge gagosiangallery.com

Spot seekers may supplement the hunt by referencing Gagosian Gallery’s free iPad app which provides an overview of exhibitions and projects at Gagosian Gallery and includes a Damien Hirst “art board” for exploring over ninety spot paintings.

DL-P-Chlorophenylalanine Methyl Ester, 1998 by Damien Hirst gagosiangallery.com

A body of work spanning 25 years, Mr. Hirst’s spot paintings are controversial for a variety of reasons, one of which is, according to the New York Times, “Of the hundreds of spot canvases, Mr. Hirst painted only five himself”.

"Controlled Substance Key Painting," by the British artist Damien Hirst, dates from 1994, an earlier "spot painting" period.

Will this global exhibit be as “fantastically boring” as Richard Dorment, art critic for The Daily Telegraph in London, called the spot paintings? When asked about the premise of the Gagosian shows, he replied: “The accumulation of scores of them in one place like the Tate’s Turbine Hall could make a visual impact, but I can’t see the point of filling all of Gagosian’s galleries around the world. What purpose will it serve?”

Prochlorperazine, 2009 by Damien Hirst gagosiangallery.com

After today, the world (aka the critics) will decide. Meanwhile, let’s go and see for ourselves!

Related articles

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• Art World Star Doesn’t Change His Spots – New York Times (nytimes.com)
• Will Damien Hirst Dot the Art Market to Death? (bigthink.com)
• Spots (fashioncopious.typepad.com)

photo: Goeril Saetre for The New York Times

I came across this house recently in The New York Times.

photo: Goeril Saetre for The New York Times

Not surprisingly, the carefully furnished (aka, sparse interior) caught my eye. I couldn’t help but wonder: is there any artwork on the walls?

photo: Goeril Saetre for The New York Times

With each photo, the notion became less and less likely. Granted, in a house that doesn’t have running water, I’m not entirely surprised.

photo: Goeril Saetre for The New York Times

Clearly, there is an intention of simplicity in this home. Yet for conversation’s sake, my question to you is: If this was your house, would you hang art? If not, so be it. But if so, what kind of art and where?

photo: Goeril Saetre for The New York Times

Or, is the view of the dense forest outside the windows framed by the clean lines of the house, art in itself?

photo: Goeril Saetre for The New York Times

I must admit, I’d love to spend a weekend away in a place like this. Would you?

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A Walk In The Park by Dana Cooper on Zatista.com

Living in a large city or town has many advantages. Most often, there is unlimited access to just about anything you could desire such as food and shopping options, and cultural and social events in great number and variety. With all of this available, one thing lacking between the walls of brick and mortar is a commodity crucial to our well being – vast green spaces.

In The Park by Emily Farmer on Zatista.com

Luckily, most major cities and even the majority of small towns have dedicated public gardens or parks. From New York City’s Central Park to the great gardens of Europe, these sanctuaries provide the city dweller an escape from the hustle and bustle of urban living into something more simple and serene.

A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte by Georges Seurat on wikipedia.org

As long as there have been public parks, there have been artists present to immortalize them in works of art. Georges Seurat’s 1884 painting “A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte,” taking over two years to complete and known for its detailed depiction of both natural beauty and human nature, may be the most famous of his studies of park life. Seurat, however, returned to the theme again and again during his career.

Bare City 02 by Doninique James on Zatista.com

A quick keyword search of the word “park” on Zatista proves that artists today are no less fascinated by this setting, accommodating as it does such a wide range of styles and subject choices from portraits, to leisure activities, to the architecture of bridges and fountains, to simple green lawns and colorful flowers.

Central Park Limbs by Jennifer Childs on Zatista.com

Fortunately for us, these artists continue to capture outdoor scenes and bring them indoors for us to enjoy wherever we live, at any time of year. With a long cold winter ahead, it’s nice to know that thanks to these talented artists, we don’t have to wait until spring to take a walk in the park.

Brian Sylvester is a guest blogger on WallSpin, and an artist on Zatista.

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New Year's Eve Ball, 1978. Photo credit: The New York Times.

What did you do to celebrate the New Year? If you haven’t ever been to Times Square on New Year’s Eve, odds are you’ve at least watched the ball drop on TV from a party or two. That moment when we collectively count backwards and sing “Auld Lang Syne” is one of those times when art fuses seamlessly into our existence, a cherished tradition.

Over the years, the ball itself – a fanciful amalgam of sculpture, craft and technology – has changed from time to time. The materials used in its construction relate directly to the era, so the ball is a beautiful physical manifestation of the passage of time and our status as a nation.

Millennial Ball | Image: TimesSquareNYC.com

Here’s a little time line, courtesy of Wikipedia:

• 1907 – Walter F. Palmer, chief electrician for The New York Times, creates the first New Year’s Eve Ball with iron and wood materials with 100 25-watt bulbs weighing 700 pounds (320 kg) and measuring 5 feet (1.5 m) in diameter.
• 1920 – The Ball was replaced with an iron material Ball and weighing less than the original, only 400 pounds (180 kg).
• 1942 – 1943 – During World War II, the descending of the Ball was stopped due to wartime lighting restrictions in case of enemy attack.
• 1955-1980 – The Ball gets replaced with a lighter version made from aluminum weighing 150 pounds (68 kg).
• 1981-1988 – Due to the I Love New York campaign, there are red light bulbs and green stem in a design of an apple.
• 1989-1994 – The traditional white bulbs again get put on the Ball, except for 1991 and 1992, as a symbol to salute the troops in Operation Desert Shield, the ball is covered with red, white and blue light bulbs.
• 1995-1998– The Ball gets computerized, aluminum coated, rhinestone, and has a strobe light system.
• 1999 – The aluminum Ball gets replaced.
• 2000-2007 – The Ball gets an overhaul for the new millennium celebrations with a design from Waterford Crystal and new technology. It weighed 1,070 pounds (490 kg) measured 6 feet (1.8 m) in diameter and installed with 504 crystal triangles, illuminated externally with 168 halogen light bulbs and internally with 432 light bulbs of clear, red, blue, green and yellow colors.
• 2008 – For New Year’s Eve 2008, the ball gets a makeover in honor of its 100th Anniversary. Brand new state of the art LED lighting provided by Philips is featured instead of the less efficient halogen bulbs. The new LED fixtures produce over 16.7 million colors and can be programmed to create special effects.
• 2009 – The 2008 design is maintained, but its diameter is doubled, and it is 20% more energy efficient than the previous one.
• 2011 – Energy-efficient LEDs are again used to light the ball. 32,256 little Luxeon LED bulbs, to be exact. According to Philips who manufactures an ever expanding line of LED bulbs, they are commercially available and they consume 80 percent less energy when compared to traditional incandescent lightbulbs.

The Kaleidescopic 2009 Design: Image: ArtDiamondBlog.com

Sadly, photos of the actual balls are hard to find online. Perhaps they became scarce when MTV announced last year that it would be putting Snooki from the cast of Jersey Shore inside a ball. Notice they said “a ball”, not “the ball” – very tricky none the less!

Zatista wishes all of our WallSpin readers a very Happy New Year!

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image: pastemagazine.com

As December comes to a close, we’d like to wrap up with a look at what got people talking on WallSpin this year. Here’s a round-up of our most popular posts from 2011:

from 'Upset in San Francisco' post on WallSpin – Artist Tom Otterness Photo: Gawker.com

Upset in San Francisco – October 20, 2011
Gawker dropped a bomb on legions of animal lovers in San Francisco earlier this month. New York based artist Tom Otterness, who was contracted by the city to create a series of statues for a local subway station, is known to have…

from 'Sleeping With Art' post on WallSpin – Square Ring by B Perrino www.bperrino.com

Sleeping With Art – September 22, 2011
Barbara Perrino is an accomplished New York artist, versatile in many mediums. After spending years as a fine art photographer she turned to quilts. There’s no fuss, frill, or flower here. These are not your Grandma’s quilts…

from 'Journey to the East' post on WallSpin – Hiroshige "Swallows and Peach Blossoms Under a Full Moon" princeton.edu

Journey to the East – March 29, 2011
The minimalism and elegance of traditional Japanese brush work and woodblock printing has made its way into the work of Western artists of the past and present…

from 'Is It Done Yet?' post on WallSpin – "Untitled" by Fernando Velez Castro on Zatista.com

Is it Done Yet? – March 17, 2011
When I watch my wife, who is a painter, or any of our artist friends work on a piece, I’m always intrigued by how they know the work is done…

from 'In the Studio' post on WallSpin – Frida Kahlo – nytimes.com

In The Studio – Creating Community – March 15, 2011
We live in a time of reality TV and tell-all books, and I think involving artists and non-artists in the creative process sparks that natural curiosity we all have about other people’s lives…

Related articles

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• Best of 2011: Pop Culture’s Tastiest Bits (wired.com)
• ‘Conan’: Best of 2011 (huffingtonpost.com)
• The 10 Best Art Exhibitions of 2011 (complex.com)

SVAC Historical Marker on kvabbottsartblog.blogspot.com

Located in Manchester, Vermont and nestled at the foot of the very majestic Mount Equinox, The Southern Vermont Arts Center is one of New England’s premier destinations for the arts.

Mount Equinox on the SVAC Campus Image by Brian Sylvester

Founded in the early 1920’s, the Center’s goal was to give local artists an opportunity to exhibit their works and served as a gathering point for community education and outreach, but quickly attracted attention and support beyond the immediate vicinity. What began as an idea among a few friends in 1922 has since flourished into a lasting institution.

View of the Yester House on svac.org

In the early days, up and coming artists such as Luigi Lucioni, Ogden Minton Pleissner, Dean Fausett, and Norman Rockwell all exhibited at the Center and later became world renowned. The great American artist, Grandma Moses, even held her 100th birthday celebration at SVAC in 1960, and at that time, Life Magazine commemorated the event.

SVAC Campus Map on svac.org

Today, the SVAC’s sprawling 100-acre campus is home to numerous galleries, education classrooms, a 400 seat performance hall, and a beautiful landscape featuring sculpture gardens, and hiking trails. The Center is open year round and offers plenty of activities for all ages, provides the setting for private events, and continues to expand its programs.

Outdoor Sculpture Garden at SVAC Image by Brian Sylvester

SVAC exhibits art from both its permanent collection and its ever-expanding pool of contributing Vermont artists, as well as from prominent artists all across the United States and the world, through its series of group and solo shows. The end result is a unique blend of exceptional work on view in what might at first seem like an unlikely location.

The Elizabeth de C. Wilson Museum on svac.org

Manchester, Vermont is just a short 200 miles from Manhattan, New York, though it may seem worlds away, and has become best known as a popular vacation spot. Visiting art enthusiasts and collectors who return regularly to SVAC know there is much more to the area than its natural beauty.

Brian Sylvester is a guest blogger on WallSpin, and an artist on Zatista.

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The original Giving Tree cover on wikepedia.org

One of my favorite books of all time is Shel Silverstein’s The Giving Tree. This children’s book, originally published in 1964, remains a staple in the early-years reading lists and has been very influential to millions of readers around the globe.

Shel Silverstein on americanpoems.com

On the surface, the story is a sad and simple one. But upon further examination, especially with adult eyes, the meaning becomes much more profound and, some would argue, disturbing. Nevertheless, the power of the story is everlasting.

The Clearing by S. Josephine Weaver on zatista.com

Trees are indeed giving and perhaps we take them very much for granted at times. They are like silent partners in our lives, always standing nearby watching over us, providing materials required for everyday living, and indeed, helping maintain the health of the planet.

Tree Lane by Corey Ulrich on zatista.com

Beyond the fruits and nuts that they contribute to our diets, they give us some of the raw materials for paper, building materials, and many cellulose-based products.  They are one of our few renewable resources, and with smart forest management, the cycle of give and take can remain equitable and sustainable.

Where Evening Begins 1 by Konnie Kim on zatista.com

Given their prominence in our lives, it’s no surprise that trees were chosen to be and remain one of the primary symbols of the holiday season, subject of songs and greeting cards, and assigned an honored place in our homes and year-end celebrations. They remind us that this is a time of year about both giving and receiving.

Alone by Doug Hockman on zatista.com

The aesthetic nature of trees cannot be denied. As specimens in a landscape, they are magnificent. A quick search of Zatista‘s offerings proves their popularity with artists of all media. They give us a yearly four-season show, with each different aspect more beautiful than the next. We enjoy their company in any form because they pass the time with us, and let us know that all is well.

Brian Sylvester is a guest blogger on WallSpin, and an artist on Zatista.

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Hero from Miguel Endara on Vimeo.

What?! Another crazy-great video about an unusual art making process? This one also seems like an advertisement for a pen company, but it’s not.

I find these types of videos to be fascinating – especially when they’re this well made. They can give you a great window into an artist’s method in a very short period of time. Of course, with our rapidly diminishing attention spans, we now demand to be shown every bit of information that a video like this has to give in less than three minutes, which can be problematic.

An example of stippling via Wikipedia.

Simplicity and succinctness are cool and everything, but in some cases, pared down filmmaking leads to heavy editing. What I’m getting at here is that I think I learned more about the video and what was happening once I read the “FAQs” added by the artist/filmmaker Miguel Endara on Vimeo.

Hero by Miguel Endara miguelendara.com

For example, the ongoing tally of dots on the screen is pretty amazing, but I was floored when I learned that the piece took Endara 210 hours to complete. I also learned the term for his process: stippling. Similar to pointillism, in which dots of different colors come together to create the appearance of a single color, stippling limits artists to just black.

An example of stippling via Wikipedia

Artists who focus on stippling alone aren’t tremendously prolific because the style is so time-intensive, but it’s hard to argue with the outcome. If you’d like to learn more about how Miguel does what he does, visit his Vimeo page. There are all sorts of goodies there, including how he estimated the final dot count (3.2 million). It’s also a nice reminder that even in this age of ever-increasing digitalization, it’s good to read up on what you’re seeing online from time-to-time.

You can also check out Miguel’s website here.

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Kay Sage and Yves Tanguy on artloversnewyork.com

It was on a recent trip to the Davis Museum at Wellesley College to view the collected works of Kay Sage and Yves Tanguy that I found myself in a discussion of famous artist couples. More often than not, these pairings lead to a collaboration and enrichment of creative energies, but sometimes, they lead to tragic outcomes.

Le Passage by Kay Sage on wikipedia.org

Artists are famously known for being “lone wolves,” but when they do find a suitable mate, the ups and downs of the creative life are intertwined with the ups and downs of domestic life.

Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera on creativecouples.net

You only need to ask yourself: Where would Frida Kahlo have been without Diego Rivera, or Jackson Pollock without Lee Krasner, or Christo without Jeanne-Claude? Some might argue that these couples would have been better off without each other, and some might argue the reverse, that it was actually the conflicts that arose from two artists living and working together that brought their art to new levels.

Jackson Pollock and Lee Krasner on artecony.blogspot.com

What can’t be denied is that these couples have left a lasting mark on the art world. Their contributions, more likely than not, were profoundly influenced by their connection – whether stormy or harmonious, direct or indirect, whether one existed in the others’ shadow, or like Sonia and Robert Delaunay, they were equal partners in productivity and involvement with the art world.

Indefinite Divisibility by Yves Tanguy on wikipedia.org

Kay Sage and Yves Tanguy had a relatively brief time together as a couple, and they made a point never to exhibit in the same space, with the exception of a 1954 show in which their work hung in the same museum but in separate galleries. In the exhibit at the Davis, “Double Solitaire: The Surreal Worlds of Kay Sage and Yves Tanguy,” their paintings for the first time hang side by side. One can easily see how they influenced and supported each other, and that at least in this instance, two artists were better than one.

Brian Sylvester is a guest blogger on WallSpin, and an artist on Zatista.

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1. Gift for the kids – What’s not to love about this modern doll house?

Brinca Dada Dylan Doll House from brincadada.com

2. Gift for the photo lover – Customize your own View Master:

Custom Viewfinder from image3d.com

3. Gift or brilliant idea for the cocktail party – A great way to keep track of your glass:

Chalkboard Wine Glass from chalkboardchina.com

4. Recipe for the holiday menu – This is a proven crowd pleaser:

Paula Deen's Pumpkin Gingerbread Trifle from foodnetwork.com

5. Gift for the art lover, yourself or otherwise – There’s nothing better than the real deal from Zatista.com:

Looking South by Jan Ter Weele from Zatista.com

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Tree in the library photo: Chris Scott/flickr

Egg in the library photo: Chris Scott/flickr

Coffin in the library photo: Chris Scott/flickr

Tea cup in the library photo: Chris Scott/flickr

The phantom returns photo: Chris Scott/flickr

Then the sculptures started popping up again, this time with an explanatory note.

Explanatory note photo: Chris Scott/flickr

Since I never want to be the spoiler of a good mystery, feel free to spend a few minutes reading up on this creative whodunit (links below). You won’t be sorry. In fact, you may be inspired this holiday season to give the gift of original art! Trust us, art is the gift that does not disappoint.

Related articles

• Who Left A Tree, Then A Coffin In The Library? (npr.org)
• The Library Phantom Returns! (npr.org)
• Mysterious paper sculptures – Central Station Blog post (community.thisiscentralstation.com)
• Mystery sculptures appear at Edinburgh book festival (guardian.co.uk)

The Persistence of Memory by Salvador Dali on wikipedia.org

Artists have long been attracted to the concept of time. In fact, the very creation of artwork can be seen as an attempt to capture a moment in time, and in some ways, make it last forever. But as much as we try to capture time, it is something that refuses to be held or defined. Salvador Dali’s “Persistence of Memory”, and its ironic use of the melted clock motif, famously expresses this fluidity of time and reality.

Le Dejeuner by Francois Boucher on wikipedia.org

Traditionally, the clock has been a symbol of the comfort and stability of domestic regularity and routine. Francois Boucher’s “Le Dejeuner” is a perfect example of depicting a happy household in which the clock seems a benevolent force, overseeing and protecting the scene below.

Fire Transfer by Latisha Yates on Zatista.com

Even now, the image of a clock tower brings to mind a sense of continuity and community, a reminder of a time when people’s schedules were punctuated by church bells and clock chimes as calls to worship or announcements of important news.

Candle Dust by Joey Thate on Zatista.com

But in today’s society, in our constant state of information overload, it seems like the clock is a source of anxiety. It reminds us that time is slipping away from us, like a candle burning down. Often, there is no balance between the natural rhythms of our days and the expectations we impose on ourselves. This lack of balance can take a heavy toll (no pun intended).

The Glass Slipper by Kristin Llamas on Zatista.com

As the year draws to a close, thoughts focus on events of the previous months but also of the months to come. The holiday season is the perfect time to slow down, stop watching the clock, and take a moment to relax and reflect on those things in life which stand the test of time.

Brian Sylvester is a guest blogger on WallSpin, and an artist on Zatista.

Related articles

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Art installation by Chrisotpher Janney at Miami airport photo: Design Boom

Running through the weekend, Art Basel “features contemporary works by more than 2,000 artists offered from some 265 major galleries representing five continents, as well as an array of events, satellite fairs extending from Miami Beach to vibrant new Miami art districts like Wynwood, and of course the jet-set parties roaring up and down the Art Deco corridors of Ocean Drive and Collins Avenue,” says Time’s Global Spin blog.

Works by artist Jeff Koons at Rubell Family Collection photo: Jeff Koons

Miami billionaire and art collector extraordinaire Norman Braman (who helped bring Art Basel to Florida) tells Global Spin, “There’s no question that this is now the foremost art fair in the U.S.”

Installation by artist Paulo Nazareth at Mendes Wood photo: GalleristNY

The fair’s tenth anniversary will inaugurate a new collaboration with the Bass Museum of Art on the Art Public sector, which will transform Collins Park with unique artworks and performances by renowned artists and emerging talents. For the first time, Art Video will be presented free to the public in SoundScape Park on the large-scale outdoor projection wall of the New World Center, designed by Frank Gehry.

Installation by artist Mike Kelley at Tony Shafrazi Gallery photo: GalleristNY

If the main event is not your cup of tea, follow Huffington Post’s Miami blog for daily reports on the best under-the-radar happenings. There are, quite literally, hundreds of different events going on daily in Miami this weekend. There’s something for everyone during the Miami fair season.

Lanvin's Disco Tableau at The Rubell Family Collection photo: Huffington Post

And when your appetite for art is fully satisfied, head over to the Electric Pickle to check out the beachy club scene and kick back or find your groove via the sounds of Culpirt. If it turns out that music or a 24 hour party is a better fit for you, return to Miami in March for Winter Music Conference.

Jennifer Rubell in front of her installation "Incubation" at Rubel Family Collection photo: Huffington Post

Finally, here’s StyleCaster‘s list of eight artists not to be missed at the Miami fairs. By all means, enjoy! And don’t forget to report your findings back to us here on WallSpin.

Related articles

• Art Basel Miami: How the Seaside City Became a Cultural Hotspot (globalspin.blogs.time.com)
• Scene City: At Art Basel Miami Beach, Insiders Meet Newcomers – Scene City (nytimes.com)
• Live Blogging From Art Basel Miami Beach (LIVE BLOG) (huffingtonpost.com)
• Your Guide to Miami’s Art Basel (marieclaire.com)

James Alex after Christina's World by Andrew Wyeth

Odds are you’ve heard of a meme, defined by dictionary.com as, “an idea or element of social behavior passed on through generations in a culture, especially by imitation.” Wikipedia defines an Internet meme as, “a concept that spreads via the Internet.” Pretty ambiguous, I know. But, these days most Internet phenomena, from Barking Cats, to Double Dream Hands, Honey Badger (and its parody), to stuffwhitepeoplelike.com, fit into the meme category. If you are still confused, reference this guide.

James Alex after The Gross Clinic by Thomas Eakins

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James Alex after Arcadia by Thomas Eakins

Last week when UC Davis police pepper sprayed student protesters on campus, one result was the near-instantaneous creation of a new Internet meme. In this case it happens to be art related, which we love here on Zatista.

James Alex after The Spirit of '76 by Archibald Willard

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James Alex after The Luncheon on the Grass by Édouard Manet

After watching lengthy videos of the UC Davis event on YouTube, an American artist living in Scotland named James Alex, Photoshopped some quick alterations of several masterpiece paintings. The idea caught on quickly and within a few hours, Lt. John Pike – by that time notorious around the world – appeared to be pepper-spraying his way through canvas after famous canvas.

James Alex after A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte by Georges Seurat

Alex “mashed” up The Gross Clinic and Arcadia by Thomas Eakins, The Spirit of 76’ by Archibald Willard, Christina’s World by Andrew Wyeth, and The Luncheon on the Grass by Édouard Manet. Then, other Internet denizens took up the torch altering Georges Seurat’s A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte, and John Trumbull’s Declaration of Independence.

James Alex after Declaration of Independence by John Trumbull

Where does it go from there? Well, Abbey Road, for starters:

image: The Dissenter

Next stop, Star Wars:

image: The Dissenter

Where it ends is another question all together. What are your favorite memes? Share with us here on WallSpin.

Related articles

• ‘Casually Pepper Spraying Cop’ Meme Takes Off (npr.org)
• Pepper-spray incident takes on own life on the Web (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• The joy of viral art inspired by UCD pepper-spray video (news.cnet.com)
• Pepper Spray Cop Becomes an Internet Meme (mediabistro.com)