Franz Kline painting sells for over $40 million

Kline's Untitled (1957) sold for $40,402,500 at Christie's last night in New York (see previous two posts). The painting isn't close to being Kline's best work. So foolish to spend $40mil on that piece!

NY Contemporary Auction Viewing Update

Don't waste your time going to Bonham's unless you feel that you must view the Soulages painting (see previous post).

I had higher expecations at Christie's, but I was quite disappointed with the works on view. The contemporary auction was spotty in quality. The two big Klines weren't his best work. The Still and Rothko were overpriced. I thought that the best piece was a small Jasper Johns from Doug Cramer's collection. The Kelly, Ryman and Diebenkorn paintings were important, but not brilliant. Gallery 7 featured smaller works from the Cramer collection and should not be missed. I found two objects sublimely captivating and neither one was in the contemporary auction. A stunning Fang sculpture near the entrance to Gallery 7 and a sensational yellow diamond on display across from the elevator on the ground floor were worth the visit to Christie's. Celeb sightings this afternoon included Ralph and Ricky Lauren and Peter Brant.

Up next will be visits to Sotheby's and Phillips de Pury.

Soulages at Bonhams & Kline at Christie's

The November contemporary art auctions in New York are almost here.

I can't wait to see Peinture 116x89cm, 22 mai 1958 by Pierre Soulages at Bonhams this weekend. Estimate is $500,000-$700,000. It'll be a featured work in the November 12th auction. Viewing will begin on Friday, November 9th.
http://www.bonhams.com


Also on view this weekend will be works from Doug Cramer's superb collection and Masterworks of Abstract Expressionism at Christie's. Franz Kline's Untitled, which he painted in 1957, has received considerable coverage in the media. Estimate is $20 million-$30 million. Even though I don't think that it's his best work, I have a passion for Kline's paintings and can't wait to see it. Viewing will begin on Saturday, November 10th.
http://www.christies.com

Rimpa in New York

There are two outstanding shows in New York right now that explore the Rimpa artists of Japan. Even though my blog normally focuses on contemporary art, I had to share these extraordinary exhibitions with you:

Designing Nature: The Rimpa Aesthetic in Japanese Art at the Metropolitan Museum of Art through January 13, 2013
Silver Wind: The Arts of Sakai Hoitsu (1761-1828) at Japan Society through January 6, 2013

At Japan Society, you will see Hoitsu's magnificent Waves (1815), which is on view in the U.S. for the first time and will be on display only through November 4th. However, the final painting in the show, Suzuki Kiitsu's Morning Glories, which is on loan from the Met, will take your breath away!

http://www.metmuseum.org
http://www.japansociety.org

Must-see New York Contemporary Art Shows: Fall, 2012

Calder: The Complete Bronzes
L&M Arts
45 E. 78th St.
http://www.lmgallery.com
on view through December 8, 2012

Richard Serra: Transparencies
Craig F. Starr Gallery
5 E. 73rd St.
http://www.starr-art.com
on view through December 15, 2012

Lee Friedlander: Nudes
Pace Gallery
32 E. 57th St.
http://www.pacegallery.com
on view through December 22, 2012

Cy Twombly: The Last Paintings
Gagosian Gallery
580 Madison Ave.
http://www.gagosian.com
on view through December 22, 2012

Regarding Warhol: Sixty Artists, Fifty Years
Metropolitan Museum of Art
1000 Fifth Ave. (at 82nd St.)
http://metmuseum.org
on view through December 31, 2012

John Cage: The Sight of Silence
National Academy Museum
1083 Fifth Avenue (between 89th & 90th)
http://www.nationalacademy.org
on view through January 13, 2012

Cape Cod Getaway

The Scoop
You'll need a car on the Cape. I rented a car in White Plains, NY because the rates were twice as much in Manhattan. My destination was the village of Dennis and I allowed five hours to get there. The historic town of Dennis is centrally located on the Cape. I started my journey on an early Friday morning in August and drove home on Sunday. On summer weekends, it is best to get an early start home and cross Bourne Bridge before noon.

Hotel: Book a room at the Isaiah Hall B&B. The innkeepers, Jerry and Judy, are superb hosts and prepare scrumptious breakfasts!

Dinner: Make reservations at The Red Pheasant in Dennis and Pisces, which is close to the Chatham/Harwich border. At The Red Pheasant, request a table in the Garden Room. At Pisces, order the calamari and lobster ravioli. The Red Pheasant, which is in a 200-year-old barn, attracted mostly older couples. Pisces was lively and appealed to a younger clientele with families.

Day Trip to Provincetown: I drove to Ptown to see the Robert Motherwell exhibition, Beside the Sea, at the Provincetown Art Association and Museum. The show is on view through September 30, 2012. Parking is tight in Ptown and it is best to arrive before lunch and park in a lot because you can walk everywhere. I parked in a lot on Bradford Street. After enjoying a lobster roll at The Lobster Pot, I went on a self-guided tour of the town. I walked by the Pilgrim Monument, Franz Kline's studio, Hans Hofmann's house, Jack Tworkov's house and the site where the Pilgrims first landed. There's a walking tour booklet that you can purchase at the PAAM for $4. On my drive back to Dennis, I stopped at a beach on the Atlantic side of Truro.

If you are on the Cape for a week, explore Chatham and Hyannis and take the ferry to Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket.

Tennis: I booked an hour with the pro, Mark Brown, at The Harbor Club in East Dennis. You should be flexible in scheduling a lesson because members have priority on court time.

On my drive home, I stopped in New London at the Submarine Base and toured the USS Nautilus. My Dad was trained in sub operations during WWII in New London. The museum and Nautilus were fascinating and definitely worth a visit.



http://www.isaiahhallinn.com
http://www.redpheasantinn.com
http://www.piscesofchatham.com
http://www.paam.org
http://hylinecruises.com
http://www.ussnautilus.org
The Harbor Club: (508) 385-2628

Weekend Getaway to Washington, D.C.: Restaurant Nora, Richard Diebenkorn & kayaking on the Potomac

Toss the guidebook to D.C. If you are looking for a weekend getaway with fine dining, superb art and outdoor adventure, then the following itinerary is for you!

The Scoop
Saturday morning train from Penn Station in Manhattan to Union Station in D.C. Take the Metro to the Foggy Bottom station.

Hotel: The River Inn, which is on a quiet residential street in Foggy Bottom. The hotel has reasonable rates and I recommend booking a junior suite, which has a full kitchen. My room needed to be updated but it was commodious and clean. Trader Joe's and Whole Foods are nearby if you want to pick up some groceries.

Saturday Dinner: Restaurant Nora, which features high-end American organic cuisine in Dupont Circle. Order the scallops for your starter and the soft shell crab for your main course. Enjoy a bowl of berries and homemade whipped cream for dessert.

Sunday Morning: Go kayaking on the Potomac. Rent a kayak at the Thompson Boat Center, which is a 10-minute walk from the hotel. This is a relaxing and different way to experience D.C. After kayaking, order a crepe and bubble tea at Snap in Georgetown.

Sunday Afternoon: Stroll down Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House. Then walk over to the Corcoran Gallery of Art to view Richard Diebenkorn: The Ocean Park Series. Have a drink on the P.O.V. Roof Terrace at the W Hotel.

Evening train to Penn Station.

For more info.:
www.amtrak.com
www.theriverinn.com
www.noras.com
www.thompsonboatcenter.com
www.corcoran.org
www.wwashingtondc.com