Esoteric Survey

In October of 1992 LAMA had their first auction.  So on this, their 25th anniversary auction, it looks like they are offering up a little more of the modern classics than usual, including a lot of Eames!    It's safe to say that the Eames are a sentimental favorite for most modern dealers.  In the whole scheme of things it doesn't sell for all that much, but it truly is some of the greatest American Design. I love that LAMA keeps putting it in their sales.   The pair of 421 N  ESUs will most likely be the exception to the Eames not selling for a lot rule. These examples are as good as it gets. They are being sold individually, but it would be a shame if the same person doesn't buy both. Whatever they sell for, it will be a great deal because they should be worth double.  Now stuffed animal chairs on the other hand.... Funny things is the Campana Brothers chairs on the left are estimated at the exact same price as the ESUs above....

The  Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego   is looking a little disheveled these days. There's a trash bag in the middle of one of the galleries A piece of cardboard is leaning against the wall Seriously, an ashtray? A cardboard box on a pedestal... The box is actually by Robert Rauschenberg and it's part of MCASD's Lifelike  exhibition in La Jolla.  The group exhibition explores work  from the 1960s to present day  based on everyday objects and occurrences. It's a really good one. The hallway installation above is by Peter Fischli & David Weiss  The trash bag marble sculpture is by Jud Nelson. The cardboard laying against the wall is a Ugo Rondinone still life in bronze. The ashtray is by Ruben Nusz. Vija Celmins, 1967 Evan Penny, 2005 Jonathan Seliger, Giant Milk Carton Sell By date of June, 13 2010 = Obviously spoiled. Edward Kienholz, 1971 That...

Over the years my friend Susan has shared many stories about her parents with me. I knew they collected art and some of it was even exhibited at LACMA. It wasn't until recently, when Susan shared the catalog above with me, did I begin to understand the importance of their collection. Michael Blankfort and his wife Dorothy began collecting art in the late 1950s. Michael was a novelist and the family lived in Los Angeles. In terms of art, this was a great time to be in L.A. The Blankforts began visiting contemporary art galleries like Paul Kantor, Felix Landau and Frank Perls. They also became regulars at Ferus Gallery, which was operated by Ed Kienholz and Walter Hopps. They became friends with artists like Billy Al Bengston, Ken Price and Robert Irwin before any of them were a big deal. In his essay, Confessions of an Art Eater, Michael said Walter Hopps "Chico" helped "teach us how to use our eyes." The Blankfort's first purchase at Ferus i...

Isamu Noguchi, Coronos , Bronze OMG! John Mclaughlin with Claes Oldenburg pool balls in the foreground   Donald Judd "I haven't sufficient interest in objects or anything I can see around me to do what Oldenburg does." — Donald Judd   Donald Judd   Donald Judd Lorser Feitelson  This is from 1936. Amazing. John Mason Edward Kienholz “We didn’t talk the art out. We talked about where we were going to get six dollars so we could buy gas  for a car  to go to the Valley and get drunk… I don’t know that I’ve ever talked to Bob Irwin about art in my life.” —Ed Kienholz Richard Diebenkorn That electrical outlet pisses me off. Yayoi Kusama Way before the LV handbags John Chamberlain "Art is basically made by dissatisfied people who are willing to find some means to relieve the dissatisfaction." — John Chamberlain Willem de Kooning vs.  Franz Kline   That De Kooning once...