The Art of Art Appreciation

Some tips from Harolds Planet on how to appreciate art.

 

We may not exactly have a gallery cafeteria, but our Galleries are always open to serving you coffee, tea or Linderman’s beers - along other sweet treats we have in store for you!

 

Here are also some helpful points you might want to consider when collecting art (thanks for the tips, Affordable Art Fair 2011!)

 

1. Take a good look

 

Take note of pieces which you like, as well as notes on the essentials such as artist, size and price. Ode To Art offers postcards and catalogues of several works that you can take away with you for reference!

 

2. Don’t be afraid to ask questions

 

We’re always delighted to answer any questions, so don’t be afraid to ask us! When you are considering a piece of work, great starter questions is to ask about where the artist lives, what inspired them, how the work was made and the measurements of the piece. Also ask about the artist’s history for example, if their work is included in any mmajor collections or if the artist has won any public art prizes. The more you know about the piece, the more you can enjoy it.

 

3. Be prepared

 

Like everything in life it is better to be prepared, and shopping for art is no exception. While keeping your options open, take some time to think about your requirements before making a purchase. Though buying a piece of art is an emotional decision, it is OK to consider practical matters such as considering the space where you might install the work. Try to think about the colours, the degree of daylight and general surroundings of different spaces where you can place an artwork, as this means you will buy a work which speaks volumes and fit perfectly with your life.

 

4. Consider your budget

 

If the piece is out of your budget, ask if there are any other works by the same artist, unframed or in a different medium. Original prints, such as screenprints and etchings, are always a great entry-level option, and can also offer the chance to buy work by a big name. Some examples are our limited edition prints from Lee Jung Woong as well as lithographs from Japanese architect Tadao Ando.  To help your budget further, all artwork can be courtesy wrapped and taken away if you’d like to save on delivery costs (we’d like to advise that only if the artwork is small enough to be hand-carried or to fit into your vehicle) - or alternatively, we will be able to arrange for delivery both locally and overseas.

 

5. Relax and have another look

 

Take some time and have a coffee while you allow yourself some time to think through your top choices. Take another walk around the Gallery and talk to us about how you can own the piece you want. If you like, you can go home, look at the space again, and imagine your soon-to-be purchase there. Our Gallery Executives are always happy to have the artworks delivered to your place and set-up for viewing, so that you can witness for yourself how the art piece displays in your home or office.

 

 On an unrelated note, look what just arrived at our Galleries in Singapore today!

 

Cai Zhisong's catalogue, published by Ode To Art Contemporary.

 

 With an embossed canvas hard cover, these beauties will be handed out on the night of Cai Zhisong’s solo exhibition next Friday (16th December). Be sure to drop by our Marina Bay Sands Gallery on that evening at 7pm to get your complimentary copy and view the artworks featured! If you like to preview the contents, it’s all up on our Website under Publications.

 

We hope this post helps in your journey of appreciating and purchasing art, and wish you a very enjoyable week ahead!

 

 

The Rain in Singapore Falls Mainly in the Plains

It’s been raining so often in Singapore that we couldn’t help but think of Chinese sculpture artist Cai Zhisong, whose recent works, “Cloud”, were featured at the 54th Venice Biennale this year at the entrance of the Chinese Pavilion.

This spectacular series of massive “Clouds” are  filled with helium to rise, fall and float about according to the temperature and other environmental factors such as the wind. It’s probably the closest experience  you’ll ever get to “walking among the clouds” besides mountain-climbing. Or perhaps better: what’s even more amazing is that these masterpieces are designed to emit scents of Chinese Longjing (Dragon Well) Tea, together with the gentle rattle of wind chimes.

It’s a divine combination of science and art presenting the audience with scents, sounds and visual euphoria to invoke sentiments of wakefulness and enlightenment reminiscent of buddhist monks. Wish you were there to see it yourself? Our Director, Jazz, was there to meet the artist himself. Jealous much?

Jazz with Cai Zhisong and his work, "Cloud", at the Venice Biennale 2011

If you haven’t been able to make it to the Venice this year, fret not that you’ve missed out on one of the most prestigious contemporary arts festivals in the world. We’ve got great news for you: we’ll be bringing a piece of the Venice Biennale to you!

Cai Zhisong will be at our Gallery @ Marina Bay Sands Shoppes this 16 December at 7pm to showcase his sculptures in a solo exhibition entitled Timeless Heritage. It’ll be an evening of fun, food and drinks where you can surround yourself with a range of works from his other series of sculptures, “Motherland” and “Rose”.

Refinement to Motherland No. 2 (2003) made of sheet plates and brass wires

Cai Zhisong with "Rose" at his solo exhibition in China, 2009

This sculpture, "Custom to Motherland No.1" was what made Cai Zhisong the first Chinese artist to win the prestigious Taylor Prize at the young age of 29.

Midnight in Paris and Dali

Did you manage catch Midnight in Paris while it was showing at the Cathay Picturehouse last month?

An American romantic comedy-fantasy film produced by Woody Allen, this delightful gem not only  features a star-studded cast (Owen Wilson,  Rachel McAdams, Adrien Brody, and so on) – but also some of the greatest literary and artistic stars of history. The Rotten Tomatoes community certified it “Fresh” with a whopping 93% rating!

If you are familiar with renowed historical characters such as Ernest Hemingway, Gertrude Stein and Cole Porter, you’d absolutely love this film as much as we did. It’s a light-hearted and whimsical tale about how the protagonist – an American screenwriter, Gil, who visits Paris with his fiancée and her family – discovers a way to travel back in time to the 1920s, an era that he admires and idolizes. Even Pablo Piccaso is part of the storyline; and more importantly… Adrien Brody starring as Salvadore Dali!

Dali's sculpture, the Rhinoceros Dressed in Lace (produced using the lost wax technique), is currently located at our Gallery in Pavilion KL.

It’s a shame if you didn’t manage to catch Midnight in Paris on the big screens; but how about considering a cozy popcorn and movie night at home with friends or family when you manage to get your hands on the DVD? In the meanwhile, don’t forget to check out our other other Dali sculptures when you drop by any of our Galleries, be it in Singapore or KL.

We hope you had a fun and restful weekend, and wish you a happy Monday!

Happy Childhood Memories

 

Merci to all who came to meet our two French naive artists, Christian Pendelio and Eric Chomis last week!

11.11.11 was a very special date indeed while they were at our Gallery in Raffles City to open for Childhood Tales, a joint exhibition which the two friends have been preparing for over the past 6 months. We also hear that Eric had been practicing his speech in English – a feat for Eric, as he is much more confident speaking in French – for nearly 2 months. And his efforts certainly bore fruit that evening.

Eric Chomis giving his speech in English, with Chrisitan Pendelio and one of our Ode To Art staff, Deborah, by his side.

Childhood Tales at Raffles City, 11 November 2011

 

That was not the end of it – the following day, on the 12th of November, the artists hosted a children’s live painting event sponsored by Citigold at our Gallery in Marina Bay Sands. It was a fun-filled Saturday afternoon of games, food, face-painting and balloon sculpting with families – and most importantly, where over 50 children unleashed their artistic creativity through a painting contest themed: “My Favourite Things”.

 

Dozens of the children's paintings being laid out to dry. Can you spot our artists?

This was also the first time the two charming and enthusiastic men have been to Singapore, and they were lovin’ it! Newton Circus, Chinatown, Little India, Orchard Road and the Botanic Gardens were drunk in by them in a jiffy. Ask them which local delicacy they enjoyed the most here, and we are pretty sure they’ll say it’s the chilli crab they savoured at Newton Circus.

  

From left: Christian, his wife Corrine, Eric and Vincent posing gleefully with a sculpture of Chopin in the Botanic Gardens.

Subsequently, they flew off to KL on Sunday morning to paint the town red at Pavilion KL with the final event for Childhood Tales. We certainly enjoyed their warm and sunny company over the weekend, and we hope you did too!

 

 

To preview Christian Pendelio & Eric Chomis’ works, we invite you to view our online catalogue here.