Beijing Press Release

[Artguy]

Congratulations dear "Prelude" group of artists!!

For Immediate Release
“Prelude”
NY Arts Beijing is pleased to announce the group show of international artists; April Bending, ARVEE, Erica Rönnbäck, Eugénie Dammer, Georgeta Stefanescu, Hans Johansson, Kurt Rostek, Monika Wally, Peggy Zehring, Ria Bisseling, Helen Joynson and Herwig Maria Stark.
Curated by Basak Malone

July 4 - July 29, 2008
Opening Reception July 6, 2008 3 - 6pm
NY ARTS Beijing is pleased to announce Prelude, a group show of talented international artists; April Bending, ARVEE, Erica Rönnbäck, Eugénie Dammer, Georgeta Stefanescu, Hans Johansson, Kurt Rostek, Monika Wally, Peggy Zehring, Ria Bisseling, Helen Joynson and Herwig Maria Stark. The exhibition, which takes place prior to the Olympic festivities, is curated by Basak Malone and will be held from July 4 - 29, 2008, with an opening reception July 6 3-6pm
The concept of Prelude revolves around the intriguing idea of humanity and nature, as explored through a number of interpretations. It includes the notion of a dichotomy between civilization and the natural world and holds out the possibility of overcoming it. It also involves the tricky concept of ‘human nature’ that has divided philosophers for centuries.
Contemporary art is witnessing a growing tendency to seek out new forms of spirituality in art. Reconstructive post-modernism regards interconnectedness, social responsibility and ecological attunement as the crucial issues for human creativity. It calls for a re-enchantment of the human soul. Reflecting such sentiments, the works in Prelude act as both prologue and epilogue. The work is about an awareness of how fragile the balance of nature is, how precious life is, and how much it all depends on us.
April Bending’s trajectory evolves around her wild imagination, through which remarkable images of a surreal world begin to appear. Working with what is in essence a very restricted technique—acrylic painting with limited color—Bendings has deployed her work into an oeuvre of astounding depth. Both ARVEE and Erica Rönnbäcks art explores intense symbolist imagery that results in dream-like narratives and emblematic characters on canvas.
The poetic works of Hans Johansson and cosmic works of Monika Wally offer a rush of color and texture to the exhibition. Both artists’ paintings fluctuate between the visible and the hidden, between clear and obscured forms, the struggle between memory and oblivion are unifying ideas that are evident within the artists’ work. Ideas of poetry and narrative continue in the work of Kurt Rostek. With references as diverse as traditional primitive art, images from popular culture, and spiritual iconography, Rostek’s intricately layered works contemplate the contemporary existence.
Georgeta Stefanescu’s art combines and contrast drips and efflorescent flows of startling, sometimes offbeat, mannerist color. Peggy Zehring work uses a similar pallet of burgundy, damask yellow, vermilion, rose, and mint green in her highly stylized work.
In a similar vein to ARVEE, Eugénie Dammer’s work consists of vast and exuberant panel paintings that blur the line between painting and drawing, with a strong emphasis on sensation and sensibility, combining elements of gestural abstraction, drawing, and writing in a highly idiosyncratic and potent expression. Helen Joynson’s intuitive works investigate the emotive effects color. By painting large canvases with delicate mists of brightly hued colors, Joynson articulates something deeper about the materiality of paint. The results are an example of spatial flow, giving the work a sense of continuation beyond the parameters of painting itself.
Ria Bisseling adds a sculptural element to the exhibition with her at once epic and intimate work. The figurative work of both Bisseling and Herwig Maria Stark reference poetry, mythology, and history.
The sphere of each artist’s creativity bounces between aesthetics of Abstraction and Figuration. These artists do not depend on traditional themes and technique; they are each on a journey —where the relationship between color, composition and subject are connected with their own vital aesthetic views.
Prelude is one of many cultural events that will take place in the summer of 2008 that seek to further an East-West exchange and dialogue. Each international artist in Prelude shares NY ARTS Beijing’s objective of solidifying the relationship between Eastern and Western artists and strengthening the identity of contemporary art in Asia.
Please go to www.nyartsbeijing.cn for more information.
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Just saw my babies off yesterday
The press release will appear in 3 internationally published art mags..I'm scared shitless...

[judih]

Oh, this is truly wonderful!
Yay!
Huge, deafening applause that goes on, almost embarrassingly so(it's Kurt! Kurt!) but what can you do, we keep on applauding.

Beijing and international papers
and all kinds of people coming to view your work in the context of such a fabulous show and being the Olympics and all.
There's no hesitation here - what a huge rush.

There'll be pictures?
My imagination is off and running on this one.

[Doreen Peri]

Just saw my babies off yesterday
The press release will appear in 3 internationally published art mags.

I am so happy for you!

What a wonderful project to be involved with!

Congratulations, Kurt!

[Dave The Dov]

Good luck!!!! Glad to see one of our own has made it big!!!! Get pics of it please!!!!
_________________
American Forum

[Artguy]

I've just learned that my babies have landed safely on the tarmac of Tianemmen square.....

[judih]

you in the middle of history. very cool.

[WIREMAN]

congradulations kurt.....just watched an interview with the dalai lama and he feels we should engage the chinese in ways such as this.....let's hope art creates a bond that will one day bring about change....

[judih]

it takes art
it takes a person's willingness to be open to art
listening and seeing in new ways
it takes art matching open eyes and ears

it takes a lot
but is it too much to expect?

[Dave The Dov]

Let Art show the way!!!! Art Guy that is!!!!
_________________
blue moonshine seeds

[westcoast]

What a rush, comrade!

~westie

[mtmynd]

Kurt! congratulations to you. well deserved.

i did see your name in that link along with the others. you know the words spoke well of you.

pictures of the paintings..? we'd all like to see what they see.

keep us posted!

[Artguy]

I'm a nervous wreck....so after 4 days in Chinese customs my paintings arrive at the gallery and there is some confusion over tarriffs...the gallery is not responsible for them, that was made clear on all the paper work...trust me I feel guilty about this enormous dead tree...so now my agent here is trying to get it straightened out meanwhile my paintings remain in limbo....I need a joint and a stiff drink...or maybe a straight jacket.....aaaaahhhhh!!!!!

[mtmynd]

how many paintings are you talking about... was it three?

[Artguy]

My paintings are still in customs!! Apparently because of the Olympics everything is being checked thoroughly....

[judih]

i know the end of this story - you'll have no choice but to fly over
and identify yourself.
take your camera, please!