Spring in art part 2: One lilac does make the spring.

Expect to see plenty of Russian art on here for it is one major passion of mine. Places like the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow are where every day more I long to go back and lose myself until those rather stern-looking museum supervisors unceremoniously inform me that it's closing time. All in due course.

Until that day comes, let's feast our eyes on this stunning piece by Russian-Soviet symbolist painter Kuzma Petrov-Vodkin. Although the artist is mostly known for his iconic Bathing of a Red Horse, for me this painting truly has it all: vibrant colours, unusual perspective, superb optical illusion (look at how the light shines through that finely-shaped inkwell) and very balanced composition, which is dominated by the lilac flowers Petrov-Vodkin placed at the center of the canvas.

This gem came to market in 2019. The hammer went down after a nearly $12 million bid by a private collector, making this the most expensive painting ever sold at a Russian art auction. It is not often I find myself wishing a painting of this calibre graced the walls of my flat, but this colourful still-life stole my heart the moment I saw it.

#petrovvodkin #symbolism #russianart #avantgarde #spring #art #artblog #artblogger #beyondthecanvasblog

Kuzma Petrov-Vodkin (1878-1939),Still Life with Lilac,1928, Private Collection

Photo credit: Christie's

On World's AIDS day 2024

"Don’t be afraid of the clocks, they are our time, the time has been so generous to us. We imprinted time with the sweet taste of victory. We conquered fate by meeting at a certain TIME in a certain space. We are a product of the time, therefore we give back credit where it is due: time. We are synchronised, now forever. I love you." – Felix Gonzalez.

Felix Gonzalez-Torres' installation "Untitled (Perfect Lovers)," is a heartbreaking exploration of love, time, and loss. The piece features two clocks set in sync, symbolising the artist's relationship with his partner, Ross Laycock, who died of AIDS in 1991. The gradual falling out of sync between the clocks poignantly mirrors the merciless progression of the illness leading to the inevitable separation. Gonzalez-Torres also passed away from AIDS-related complications in 1996.

In 2023, 39.9M people globally were living with HIV, 1.3M people became newly infected, 630 000 people died from AIDS-related illnesses. Since the start of the epidemic. 88.4M people have become infected with HIV and 42.3M people have died from AIDS-related illnesses (source UNAIDS). War zones breed a perfect storm for HIV infection: conflict, displacement, sexual violence, and healthcare collapse, mostly impacting women and adolescents. Donate to research and community outreach programmes if you can.

#felixgonzaleztorres #perfectlovers #art #contemporaryart #WorldAIDSDay #WAD2024 #EndAIDS #blog #beyondthecanvasblog

"Untitled" (Perfect Lovers), 1987-1990. Installed in the Permanent Collection. Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, Hartford, CT. 31 Jan. 2015 – 24 Oct. 2018. 

© Felix Gonzalez Torres Foundation

The Flowers of Yves Saint Laurent - Musée YSL Paris

Small museums make me happy. Especially those in large cities. As a case in point, the Musée Yves Saint Laurent Paris is a delightful gem where I enjoyed surprising levels of customer service in the only city I know where the concept continues to be overwhelmingly ignored, as well as a superbly curated and jaw-droppingly beautiful show. I will also mention that the €10 ticket seems very reasonable given I have paid €7 for a bubble tea.

The Flowers of Yves Saint Laurent is an exquisite exhibition that honours the designer’s deep connection with nature and his literary hero, Marcel Proust. For the first time, over 30 of iconic garments and drawings are displayed, revealing how flowers became an infinite and ever evolving source of inspiration. Much like Proust's use of floral metaphors in his writing, Saint Laurent explored and celebrated flowers to transform women into living works of art. Roses, Lily of the Valley, (a favourite of his mentor Christian Dior), Bougainvillea, Irises and Hydrangeas, Camellias, YSL transformed his runway shows into botanical wonders.

These stunning pieces illustrate the intricate craftsmanship and creative process behind the vibrant floral designs that became one of YSL’s most recognised signatures. The show is an homage to nature’s beauty, brought to life through the artistry of one of the greatest couturiers.

#YvesSaintLaurent #expoYSLfleurs #HauteCouture #fashion #MuseeYSLParis #Paris #blog #beyondthecanvasblog