Saul Leiter, Early Colour (Photography Book)

Saul Leiter is an American photographer and painter who has, by his own admission, been able to do what he wanted to do with his art as he has never had the burden of being famous. His photographic work is "painterly" in the true sense of the word, and his version of "street photography" is one of abstraction and impressions. He worked, or was close friends with, many influential artists in New York and Europe and his work has been exhibited alongside the likes of Guston and de Kooning. His framing and use of shadow is a great lesson on how to use "direction" in photography.

http://www.steidlville.com/books/145-Early-Color.html & http://www.lensculture.com/leiter.html

Edward Winkleman (Blog)

The owner of a gallery representing "emerging and mid career artists" in Chelsea, New York, Mr Winkleman's posts are always interesting, usually well thought out and often trenchant comments on what it is to be involved in the art world. He talks about, and accepts comments on, some contentious issues in the art world, such as appropriation (think Richard Prince and Shepard Fairey) and patronage. Beyond his posts, the comments from his readers are often as enlightening as the posts he writes.

http://edwardwinkleman.blogspot.com/

The Mekons; Where were you? (Song)

As a callow youth in my early 20's I was in love with this band. And this song seemed to sum up a lot about life and love at the time I was listening to it. The Mekons are still performing and recording, both together and with various members being involved in side projects and are often cited by many indie bands as an important influence.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afFqy--NADw

Lux Interior, The Cramps ( R.I.P)

Lux Interior, 21/10/1946 - 04/02/2009. The voice, the sweat, the trousers. There is nothing more to say than, "you will be missed".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kC4LqiRoIE8&feature=related

smarthistory.org (Website)

A great, easy to navigate and use, art history resource that is continuing to grow and develop as time goes by. The site has videos that discuss art works and their significance, importance and place in history. Linked to the site is a flickr page where people are encouraged to upload images of art in their contextual surrounds. The site is strongly in the western canon, but the people who are developing it, who are academics involved in teaching the Western canon, have indicated a desire to include art from Asia and other areas by partnering with art historians who teach outside of the western canon..

http://smarthistory.org/

Homo Faber by Max Frisch (Book)

I have lost count of the number of times I have read this book. The title translates as "Man the maker" and refers to man controlling the environment with tools. The book, first published in 1957, tells the story of a successful engineer, Walter Faber, and his travels in America and Europe and his search for identity beyond that of a technocrat. Strongly influenced by Greek tragedy, it has been described as the first "post holocaust" novel it is wonderfully allegorical, and should probably be read in conjunction with (either before, or after,) Frisch's earlier work I am not Stiller.

http://www.amazon.com/Homo-Faber-Report-Max-Frisch/dp/0156421356

Tehching Hsieh (Exhibition)

Now this is something I would love to see but seriously doubt I will get the chance. Tehching Hsieh was a pioneer of performance art and his influence is profound. This exhibition centres on his first One Year performance piece where he was locked in a cage for one year where he didn't read, talk, write or watch television. Subsequent to this he undertook four more demanding one year performances. These where, punching a time clock every hour for one year, being tied to another artist, living outside and the final one, not making or looking at any art.

http://www.moma.org/exhibitions/exhibitions.php?id=11546

Tomorrow will be the same, but not as this is. Colin McCahon, 1958 - 59 (Art Work)

This painting is probably the most influential works that I saw in my early teens. Up until I saw this hanging in the Robert McDougall Gallery in Christchurch my experience of art had been only reproductions in books. And then predominately religious art and the few traditional "old masters" that were in school text books. This painting stopped me dead. It was both totally unfamiliar and totally reassuring. It was the work that I think made me want to be an artist.

http://www.mccahon.co.nz/

ArtWalk 2009 (Art Event)

On March 11th, from 5pm to 12midnight, Hong Kong's premier charity art event will again take place. This year, 65 galleries and 59 restaurants join together to bring you a wide range of art, art events and great tastes. Alongside the galleries will be ArtWalk Extra with various local contemporary artists and art students will be contributing. This is a great opportunity to see what is happening in the Hong Kong art world, and to have an enjoyable, relaxing (hopefully) time with friends whilst raising money for a deserving local charity (SoCO). Tickets are available from a selection of galleries along Hollywood Road and from the book shop on the ground floor of the Hong Kong Art Centre in Wan Chai - get in quick, they sell out every year.

http://www.hongkongartwalk.com/2009/aboutaw.html

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