contemporary

From Beeple to Basquiat, the Contemporary Art Market Notched $2.7 Billion in Sales Over the Past Year

Robert G. Mull 3 weeks ago

The contemporary art market raked in a record-breaking $2.7 billion in sales between June 2020 and June 2021, according to Artprice’s annual report. This incredible bump follows the relative implosion of the art market during the first half of 2020, when gallery sales dipped 36 percent following the early stages of the pandemic, according to a study.

According to the report, the pandemic-era switch to online auctions initiated a shift in the kinds of works buyers are purchasing. Pieces that more easily translate to a digital format did especially well this year. “Photography and prints have been particularly successful in this new online environment and in 2021,” said Artprice CEO Thierry Ehrmann in a foreword to the report. “We have [also] seen the sensational arrival of completely dematerialized artworks, the famous NFTs.” Sculptures, however, have dipped in demand.

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Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) accounted

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BMoCA’s Artmix auction fundraiser to feature work from over 100 contemporary creatives

Robert G. Mull 1 month ago

Sep. 10—Art organizations have been hit hard by the pandemic — adapting to new safety guidelines, at times having to reduce the number of visitors to a specific time slot and even temporarily closing for stretches to keep citizens safe.

On Sept. 17, BMoCA’s Artmix — an annual fundraising auction, featuring the diverse work of over 100 creatives — presents an opportunity for folks to support the museum and participating artists by casting bids either online or in person.

“Artmix is always an exciting time for the museum,” said Gwyneth Burak, deputy director of BMoCA. “There is great artwork from so many artists and that brings a unique energy to the museum that visitors and staff always enjoy.”

All work in the 16-day event is for sale and tickets to access the auction online and visit the exhibition for the duration of its display are $15, or $10 for members.

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Women artists on display at The Contemporary Dayton at the Arcade

Robert G. Mull 3 months ago

Mychaelyn Michalec: From A Basement On A Hill

Dayton-based artist and Oakwood resident, Mychaelyn Michalec’s latest body of work is of embroidered “drawings” and deeply textured tufted rug “paintings.”

Using her own family as her primary subject, she depicts those closest to her in a shared space preoccupied by different things. She couples these images with awkward selfies taken during routine household chores, other daily tasks, and activities.

"Femme Games" by artist Nina Chanel Abney. CONTRIBUTED

“Femme Games” by artist Nina Chanel Abney. CONTRIBUTED

Nina Chanel Abney

As a skillful storyteller, Abney visually articulates the complex social dynamics of contemporary life.

Her works are informed as much by mainstream news media as they are by animated cartoons, video games, hip-hop culture, celebrity websites, and tabloid magazines.

Using loaded topics and controversial issues with irreverence and satire, Abney’s works are both pointed contemporary genre scenes and scathing commentaries on social attitudes and inequities.

A still composite from "Soft Films," by artist Sara Cwynar. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

A still composite from “Soft Films,”

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MAINSITE Contemporary Art to host ‘The Left Hand of Liminality’ reception as first in-person event in over a year | Culture

Robert G. Mull 6 months ago

MAINSITE Contemporary Art will host an opening reception for “The Left Hand of Liminality,” an art collaboration from artists Denise Duong and Gabriel Friedman, on May 14 as a part of the the first in-person 2nd Friday Art Walk since the pandemic began. 

The exhibit will open in conjunction with the art walk and will be the first in-person opening event held by MAINSITE since February 2020, according to a tweet from the Norman Arts Council. Duong and Friedman’s exhibition will run through July 9 and features works inspired by the tumultuous feelings surrounding the pandemic, according to the Norman Arts Council website. 

In addition to the MAINSITE exhibit, the art walk will feature the grand opening of the Oscillator Press — a print shop that offers custom screen printing and design services, according to the Norman Transcript. 

Duong is a Vietnamese American artist from Oklahoma City who,

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