Foundations | Art Privee ™

Highlights from the 2022 Venice Biennale

Written by Linda on July 7, 2022. Posted in Exhibitions, Foundations, Travel.

A view of the Venice canals during the Venice biennale

Though it was a year late due to the Covid pandemic, the 2022 Venice Biennale was globally attended by people who were eager to travel, and were especially looking forward to seeing art in this very special city.

The Anselm Kiefer show at the famed Doge’s Palace was the most exciting art installation in Venice. Walking to the gallery where Kiefer’s work was shown was a history lesson on Renaissance art. The visitor passes ornate gilt ceilings and masterpieces by Titian and other old masters, frescos, and gold everywhere.

Arriving at the Palace’s Sala dello Scrutinio, where the works were shown, we were overwhelmed by these awe-inspiring, oversized canvases. Made with unorthodox materials such as resin, straw, ash, gold leaf, lead and oil, these art pieces easily compete with the masterpieces on the ceiling.

The Anselm Kiefer show at the famed Doge's Palace in Venice, Italy

What will happen to the artworks after the show closes? Kiefer says, “When I start a painting, I know that I will annihilate it.” The canvases will return to the studio. and he might chisel away the surfaces, add another lawyer of paint or lead. His works are monumental and impermanent. Each day, paint and straw might shred from his hanging works. The artist knows that his art will deteriorate – that is part of the process.

Detail of Anselm Kiefer's show at the Doge's Palace

“When I start a painting, I know that I will annihilate it.”
Anselm Kiefer

Visiting Anish Kapoor’s Palazzo Manfrin was especially memorable. Kapoor restored this beautiful palazzo but kept the remnants, making it feel ancient. As we walked in, we were confronted by a large, red sculpture that almost blocked our path to the garden.

Anish Kapoor at the Palazzo Manfrin in Venice, Italy

There were many installations throughout the building, with sculptures and brightly colored powder bonded together in a surprising way. The color red was prominent. Outside, a large whirlpool of red liquid revolved in circles in a gigantic vat. Kapoor discussed his process with us and his concept of the fourth dimension. It was an amazing experience and especially rewarding to be able to speak with the artist in his environment.

7 More Highlights from the Biennale

Raqib Shaw had a magnificent showing at the Ca’ Pesaro. Shaw painted twelve works over a two year period. His intensely beautiful work calls to mind India’s miniature paintings and a longing for Kashmir, his homeland. His paintings are colorful, complicated, and brilliant.

Shaw lives outside of London and cultivates an extensive garden that is shown in many of his works. As a visitor to his garden, you are transported to an exotic jungle of flowering plants that brings you to another reality.

An outstanding show of Louise Nevelson’s sculptures and collages, many that have never been seen before, are on view at the newly renovated Procuratie Vecchie. Room after room is filled with her absolute brilliance as an innovator, sculptor, and artist. Be sure to enjoy the video in the last gallery that highlights her process of building her sculptures.

Louise Nevelson at the Procuratie Vecchie in Venice

As you tour the Giardini, the site of the Biennale, be sure to visit Simone Leigh’s monumental sculptures. We can all feel proud of her work and that she represents the United States in such a magnificent way.

The wonderful Foundation Giorgio Cini always has amazing art installations. This year they outdid themselves with an extravagant display of Kehinde Wiley: An Archaeology of Silence – monumental works that offer a meditation on the killing of black men, inspired by historical images of fallen heroes.

Kehinde Wiley: An Archaeology of Silence at the Venice Biennale

Stanley Whitney: The Italian Paintings, at Palazzo Tiepolo Passi, was also a standout. His beautiful colors mirror the sea, sky, and colors of Italy. Besides his paintings, I enjoyed his homemade books on summers in Italy beside his glorious colored paintings.

The charming British artist Marc Quinn took us through his extraordinary exhibition at the Museo Archeologico Nazionale Di Venezia. The integration of antiquities and contemporary art was a wonderful contrast to his own work – photos he has printed from the internet, and used as a canvas. Quinn refers to this series as history painting. He used contemporary images of Donald Trump, Britney Spears, Kim Kardashian, Rihanna and Lil Nas X – a part of our cultural history. At the end of the show there was a poignant video of people he interviewed – it was “of the moment” and a very meaningful reflection of our society.

Marc Quinn at the Museo Archeologico Nazionale Di Venezia

The Peggy Guggenheim Collection’s exhibition “Surrealism and Magic: Enchanted Modernity” was our last stop. What a wonderful way to end our trip to Venice. This beautiful museum overlooking the canal is breathtaking and a visit to this art shrine is a “must-see” each time one visits Venice.

You can find these and many other Venice private museums in our directory, here.

Art Viewing in London and Paris

Written by Linda on February 21, 2017. Posted in Exhibitions, Foundations, Travel.

Anytime is the best time to travel to London and Paris to see art. I had to go this February to visit the Shchukin exhibition in Paris at the Fondation Louis Vuitton because the show was closing soon.

My first stop in London was the Tate Modern to see the Robert Rauschenberg exhibition. After, I walked across the lobby to visit the new Switch House that shows art from the 1960’s to now. On view, “The Radical Eye: Modernist Photographs from the Sir Elton John Collection” was a stunning show and beautifully curated. A video showed how John lived with his collection and was extremely interesting. Room after room was filled with vintage photographs hung salon style in his home in Atlanta. It was a treat to see how he lived with his collection that he clearly loves.

On view at the V&A was the most uplifting exhibition in London. “You Say You Want A REVOLUTION: Records and Rebels 1966-1970“.

This exhibit explores the significance of the late 1960s and 1970s. As you adjust your headset one walks through various galleries, it is a delight to hear the significant music of that decade. Installations of film, design, civil rights activism of that era are highlighted. The best gallery looped a film on Woodstock. One could spend hours there enjoying the music from that event. Seeing Jimi Hendrix playing the “Star Spangle Banner” was mind blowing.

On view at the National Portraits Gallery was “Picasso Portraits” a major exhibition of over 80 works focusing on the artist’s family, friends and lovers. Picasso Portraits shows the astonishing variety and breadth of his oeuvre.

It is always exciting to meet artists in their studios. I had the good fortune to visit the studios of Zadok Ben-David, Ron Arad, and Anish Kapoor. Edmund de Waal‘s installation of porcelain vessels were showing at the Gagosian Gallery. Waal was there to explain his art and how he came to make larger works in black. He is extremely charming and articulate. Waal gifted his book “The Hair With The Amber Eyes” to his visitors.

The Anslem Kiefer show at the White Cube Gallery was a museum quality exhibition. Kiefer’s lead works, paintings and towers were highlighted. It was a breathtaking art experience.

Traveling to Paris for the day just to see the Sergei Shchukin Collection took stamina but I was determined to see this show before it closed.

Dazzling beyond comprehension are the words that I would use to describe this unique experience. It was amazing that the Louis Vuitton foundation was able to obtain the rights from the two different museums in Russia to put the collection together for the first time in Paris. The foundation did a wonderful job curating each gallery to show off these stunning masterpieces. My favorite room exhibited works by Gauguin. The art in this room felt mysterious, primitive and spiritual. These vibrant paintings were so fascinating it was hard to leave.

Shchukin was a collecting genius and I will share a quote about him:
“Here is a collector-hero coupled with a researcher-experimenter possessing some of the traits of the ‘old art lover.'” -Alexandre Benoit

Returning back to London I looked over the catalog and felt very priviledge that I saw theses masterpieces in real life. This trip was an “art highlight” that I will always remember.

Looking at Art in Miami After the Fairs

Written by Linda on January 5, 2017. Posted in Exhibitions, Foundations, Travel.

Art Basel Miami draws crowds from around the world. After the fair is over there are still many opportunities to view art in Miami.

Our tour started early in the Wynwood Arts District. We went to Panther Coffee for coffee and a delicious almond croissant, while we waited for the galleries and boutiques to open. The scene was bustling, very young and hip with a Williamsburg vibe. A few doors down from the Panther Coffee is Scotch & Soda, a clothing boutique with very cool and reasonably priced clothing for men and women.

A short walk from Panther are the Wynwood Walls at 2520 NW 2nd Avenue. Artists have painted the sides of the buildings like giant canvases. The large-scale paintings are extraordinary works of art, not typical graffiti.

The De La Cruz Collection was my first stop after the Wynwood Walls. This jewel of a museum is privately funded by Carlos and Rosa de la Cruz. They consider this collection an extension of their home having shared their collection with the public for over 25 years. The current exhibition, “Progressive Praxis,” displays the merging of a variety of styles and mediums by contemporary artists. Some familiar named artists included in the show are Tauba Auerbach, Dan Colen, Aaron Curry, Mark Bradford, Felix Gonzalez-Torres, and Guyton/ Walker among other notable artists. This beautifully designed museum is filled with exciting contemporary art on all three floors.

It is always exciting to visit the Rubell Family Collection. Inspired by the Rubell’s trip to São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Belo Horizonte this year’s show “New Shamans/Novos Xamas” highlights Brazilian artists. The first floor of the foundation is devoted to paintings, photographs and sculptures of 12 emerging and mid career Brazilian artists. “High Anxiety: New Acquisitions” on the second floor presents selections of artworks acquired since 2014. I can not wait to see their new campus that is scheduled to open in 2018.

“The Margulies Collection at the WAREHOUSE” is a gigantic 45,000 square foot newly renovated space. The Warehouse presents exhibitions from the collection of the internationally known collector Martin Z. Margulies. This breathtaking exhibition of the work from Anselm Kiefer is enough to draw you to visit this museum quality exhibition over and over. Special rooms have been built to show Kiefer’s stunning works in the best possible way. The warehouse also offers the opportunity to view work from other well known artists such as Jannis Kounellis, Ricard Serra, Donald Judd, Olafur Eliasson and many, many more.
Before you leave the Margulies collection be sure to go into their office where you will find Jason Schmidt’s work. On the walls are a portion of Schmidt’s photographic documentation of the most significant contemporary artists working today.
Schmidt has photographed over 600 artist since 1996, his work is compelling and it is fascinating to see recognized artists in their creative environment.

The Bakehouse Art Complex provides local contemporary artists with studios to work in and a gallery to show their art. Housed in an old Art Deco bakery this foundation is a place I like to visit each time I am in Miami. The public is invited to tour the studios, watch the artists create and buy works on the spot. It is opened every day from 12:00 to 5:00. Russian ceramicist Gerbi Tsesarskaia, who received a MS in Mechanical Engineering at the Marine Technical University in St. Petersburg and a MFA from Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, is one artist that we have been following. Gerbi teaches ceramics and has shown her work nationally and internationally. My friends who collect her work bought three more pieces on this visit. There are many, many more museum to see and gardens to experience, I am looking forward to the next trip to Miami.

Miami Addresses:

Panther Coffee
2390 2nd Avenue, Miami

Wynwood Walls
2520 NW 2nd Avenue, Miami

Lunch Recommendations:
Michael’s Genuine Food and Drink
130 NE 40th Street, Miami

Mandolin Aegean Bistro
4312 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami

Boutiques
Scotch & Soda
2310 NW 2nd Avenue

Art Gems in San Francisco and Palo Alto

Written by Linda on November 14, 2016. Posted in Exhibitions, Foundations, Travel.

When traveling, my goal is to focus on private museums and art foundations that are highlighted in my website, Art Privee. I want to share special art experiences with other art lovers who might not be aware of these extraordinary places that are available to all.

Pier 24 Photography houses the extensive photography collection of the Pilara Foundation. Focused on photography, this couple has amassed an extraordinary collection in a very short time. The current show titled “Collected” is an exhibition of nine Bay Area photography collections which also include works from the foundation. Pier 24 offers a mesmerizing view of the Bay Bridge as well as wonderful art.

The Anderson Collection, situated on the beautiful Stanford University campus, is worth the 40 minute drive from San Francisco. The Anderson Collection shows the “best of the best” of modern and contemporary American Art. The collection started by “Hunk” and “Moo” Anderson began in the 1960’s and they still continue to collect today. The museum, a real work of art, was designed by Richard Olcott/Ennead Architects.
The Andersons seemed as delighted with the building as they are with the masterpieces that hang inside.
These extraordinary paintings by Jackson Pollock, Jasper Johns, Frank Stella, Richard Diebenkorn and Mark Rothko, highlight examples of the New York schooling Art, Bay Area Figuration and the California Light and Space movement. Visiting this jewel of a museum is a rewarding art experience.

Paris and the French Riviera

Written by Linda on October 31, 2016. Posted in Foundations, Travel.

Picasso never fails to please.

When visiting Paris this year, the most exciting show that I saw was at the Picasso Museum, which reopened in 2014 after a five year renovation. We had a private tour of the new exhibition, “Picasso-Giacometti“. This highly anticipated show was organized by the Annette and Alberto Giacometti Foundation, pairing the paintings, sculpture and drawings by these two great masters of 20th century art.

Next, we ventured south, where we found more Picasso treasures. In Antibes, we visited the Chateau Grimaldi. Picasso was given a studio in Antibes to use in 1946, after the war. He worked there for only two months, creating sculptures and ceramics. His production was so prolific that the Musée Picasso in Antibes is comprised of works that he made just in that two month period.

One of the main reasons I wanted to travel to the south of France was to visit two private sculpture gardens that are open to the public in Provence.

The Bernar and Diane Venet Foundation is a must see. The artist is a passionate collector of works by his fellow artists including Frank Stella, Sol LeWitt, Dan Flavin, Donald Judd and many others.

The day we visited the foundation, Venet showed us around his home and told us stories of how he acquired his art. After, we walked the grounds, admiring his monumental sculptures and installations. Venet installed two pieces by famed artist James Turrell, one in a building and the other outside in nature. Both are magnificent.

Venet also created a beautiful Frank Stella pavillion. During our visit, he regaled us with stories of how he acquired the pieces. When you visit, make sure to give yourself ample time to enjoy the property and the art.

The next stop was a visit to Domaine Du Muy, a contemporary sculpture park newly created by the illustrious Mitterrand family.

Jean-Gabriel Mitterrand hosted a beautiful lunch overlooking a Subodh Gupta sculpture. When hiking the rugged trails in this park, one comes across sculpture after sculpture by internationally renowned artists. These works are carefully arranged in a natural setting by Edward Mitterrand and Simon Lamunière, guest curator. Some of the exceptional pieces are the Yayoi Kusama’s 1600 spheres placed in a pond, Claude Lalanne’s “Pomme de New York” and David Saltiel’s polished mirrors, reflecting nature. It is great fun walking the hills and coming across these sculptural gems. Be sure to wear walking shoes.

Our last stop was Villa Santo Sospri in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, a beautiful estate open to the public, where Jean Cocteau created frescoes inspired by Greek mythology.

Part of the fun of traveling with an art group is getting entree to marvelous private collections. Allard Hans Georg Von Rohr was our lecturer and guide. Allard is a genius. In addition to having a photographic historical memory, he knows everyone in the art world.

In France, we saw collections that not only focused on contemporary art, but
also interior design and gardens. The furniture and lighting were unique; some pieces were playful and others elegant. The garden we saw in the French Riviera was a work of art. Sculptures were dispersed in groupings of succulents that also became little sculptures itself.

I adored the placement of Danh Vo’s deconstructed “Statue of Liberty” next to the view of the Eiffel Tower in one collection.

Collectors can be so generous. Each year Daniel and Florence Guerlain give a contemporary drawing prize honoring three artists. The prize has been in existence since 1921. They hosted a beautiful lunch and private viewing of their collection pre FIAC. We ate well at private homes and restaurants, stayed in wonderful hotels and saw memorable art.

Recommended Restaurants:
Paris
-Restaurant Michel Rostand
-Restaurant Violin d’Ingres
-Market
-Le Train Bleu
French Riviera
-La Petite Maison
-La Colombre d’Or
-Le Reserve de Nice
Hotels
-Grand-Hotel du Cap-Ferrat

Joop van Caldenborgh’s Beautiful Brainchild: Museum Voorlinden in Wassenaar

Written by Linda on October 5, 2016. Posted in Foundations, Travel.

The world of private museums is constantly changing: every day, collections are unveiled, new (and often unexpected) collaborations between institutions arise and boundary-pushing architectural marvels are built. The private museum sphere often sees the pairing of the historic and the contemporary in beautiful settings – nowhere is this tradition better displayed than the newly opened Museum Voorlinden in the Netherlands.

Fresh off of a September 11th opening, the Museum Voorlinden is located in Wassenaar, a stunning landscape with forests, dunes, winding waters, vast grasslands and gardens. The opening exhibition is an “ode” to the late Ellsworth Kelly, the first solo exhibition of the artist’s work in the Netherlands since 1979.

The most impactful private museums are the ones that spring from the deep passion and dedication of their often collectors. Museum Voorlinden is the brain child of Dutch businessman Joop van Caldenborgh, who, according to the New York Times, started designing the museum seven years ago, meticulously planning out all the details of the museum’s infrastructure to ensure a seamless viewing experience for visitors. The director, Wim Pijbes, was most recently general director of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.

The new Ellsworth Kelly exhibition is well-matched by the permanent collection, which includes pieces tailor made for the museum. James Turrell captures the scenery and natural light of Wassenaar with a piece called Skyspace. Argentine conceptual artist Leandro Erlich created “Swimming Pool” specially for Voorlinden.

If you happen to be in the Netherlands, we encourage you to also explore the unique art and architecture of Rotterdam and Amsterdam. And while you’re at it, make sure to check out the private museum scene.

Mana Contemporary

Written by Linda on May 19, 2015. Posted in Exhibitions, Foundations.

Mana Contemporary is a hotbed of artistic energy and unlimited possibilities. This arts center is based in New Jersey and named after the man who started Moishe’s Moving Systems.

As you approach the facility, you are greeted by a knockout red outdoor sculpture, and then large hanging white sculptures made of styrofoam in the foyer, down a hall are realistic sculptures by Carole Feuerman.

Mana Contemporary provides an impressive list of services for artists, art collections and institutions. It is first and foremost a storage facility. Other services include a frame shop and a crating business for art transportation. There are offices for magazine publishing, artists’ studios, a dance studio, performance spaces, a commercial silkscreen business, and a student art residency program.

The space is home to the Middle East Center for the Arts (MECA) and renowned Chinese art star, Shen Wei and the Richard Meir Model Museum.

During our visit, there was a preview of art for a charity auction and a show of the Pellizzi Family Collection, which included works by George Condo and Francesco Clemente.

Mana Contemporary brings together different parts of the art world. In their small cafe as you look around you can see artists, dealers and collectors all interacting. One gets an “art high” just visiting this artistically stimulating environment!

Mana Contemporary is open to visitors Monday to Friday from 10AM to 5PM. Tours are at 11AM, 2PM, and 4PM. Closed weekends.

Guest Blog —The Menil Collection

Written by Linda on October 18, 2014. Posted in Foundations.

We are pleased to introduce our first guest blogger, the talented President of Elizabeth Kohn Design, who recently visited The Menil Collection and shared her experience on her own blog, “Cream Colored Pony.” Elizabeth brings her unique perspective on design and architecture, and her impeccable taste, to each project. She launched her eponymous design practice in 2010, after eleven years in the field.

Houston is one of my new favorite cities. The people are friendly, the weather perfect nine months of year, the outdoors are easily accessible and they have amazing ART. I was able to spend a few hours at the Menil Collection which stole my heart. The main building designed by Renzo Piano seamlessly integrates indoor and outdoor spaces with interior gardens and canopies that stretch beyond the roofline. Piano beautifully “suffuses” the natural light into the interior spaces through ceiling louvers. The collection is lovely, especially a gorgeous royal blue & green Rothko.

Dario Robleto’s exhibition, The Boundary of Life is Quietly Crossed, connects the invention of the artificial heart with man’s exploration of space. Scientists and astronauts postulated- should they encounter life in outer space, how would they communicate? The heartbeat was thought to be the universal language. I was most intrigued with the sound of the human heart beat and the first recordings of the human pulse. It was captivating to hear the sound of the human heart pulsing after various emotional stimuli. Something so pure and simple, so integral to every living being. I know what I want for Christmas- a stethoscope!!

I could have stayed for hours in the Twombly gallery. The architecture, also designed by Piano, was in my opinion pure perfection- no base board, no crown molding, no adornment, just simple elegance. Soft ivory cloth tarps draped the ceiling to diffuse the natural light. I found it meditative and calming to my soul. There is something about good art, set in the right context that could make my heart weep and never want to leave.

The Dan Flavin gallery is also meditative but in a totally different way. Colorful and dark with an industrial twist. Lastly the Rothko chapel, a bit somber for my mood but an important part of the collection and history. I left playing yet again with the idea of color and how it moves our soul in different ways from Rothko’s paintings, to Flavin’s neon lights, to Piano’s ability to diffuse natural light in space. One’s experience is further affected by the integration of art and architecture. The Menil Collection champions this notion.

Shanghai: 6 Private Art Museums in 8 Hours

Written by Linda on September 30, 2014. Posted in Foundations.

What could be nicer than spending the day in Shanghai exploring private art museums with Chinese artist Chen Hangfeng? Chen Hangfeng has had international shows, speaks perfect English and has an “insider’s perspective” on Chinese art — not to mention, a wonderful sense of humor.

I felt compelled to visit Shanghai at this moment because there are many new private art museums that have recently opened and I was eager to see as many as I could. I was also invited to the opening of the new home of the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, a beautiful concert hall designed by Japanese architect Arata Isozaki.

The Rockbund Art Museum

The Rockbund Art Museum was our first stop since it was quite near our hotel, The Peninsula. Ugo Rondinone’s “Breathe Walk Die” is on view until January 2015. It features 40 living clowns in various positions throughout the space. It is the artist’s first ever solo exhibition in China. Of the exhibition, Rondinone said: “Since 2007, all my exhibitions were either black and white or had different shades of brown colors. This is one of the reasons that this time I would like to do a very colorful exhibition, where I combine different color works from the past and present into one unifying exhibition.”

Read more here…

Denver: An Art Whirlwind

Written by Linda on July 11, 2014. Posted in Foundations.

When one thinks of Denver, activities such as hiking, biking and fly-fishing come to mind. We must now add “great art viewing” to this list.

The Clyfford Still Museum

The real reason that I wanted to visit Denver was to see The Clyfford Still Museum. Many cities vied for his collection and Denver won the opportunity to exhibit and house this extraordinary body of work.

As the visitor enters the museum, one sees a well-produced video about Clyfford Still and the philosophy of the museum. The second floor is a firework of color, with room after room of monumental paintings. It is visually exciting and vibrant to the point of being almost overwhelming.

Read more here…