To mark the First Day of Spring here are two colourful exhibitions that will get you in the spirit for longer light and warmer nights:
On show at one of my favourite museums in the world and my very first pit-stop whenever I'm in New York, is Color Moves, a retrospective of Russian-French artist Sonia Delaunay at the Cooper-Hewitt. Delaunay's work spanned various mediums with her specific use of colour linking them together to form a body of geometric abstraction. Recognised by placing contrasting colours together to create fluid forms, Delaunay applied her colour theories to all creative realms, including interior design, film, theatre and fashion. I have been inspired by her graphic works onto textiles for my own practice - bold blocks or strokes of colour form stimulating patterns in an abstract, yet simple construction. The exhibition is a must-see for anyone who is in New York and interested in the origins of commercial design - rare works will be on display with some of Delaunay's trademark designs on show from the 1920s and 1930s. Color Moves is currently show at the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum up to 5th June 2011.
Keeping on the topic of design, for those of you who are in Madrid, check out Espacio Brut, a fantastic interior design studio that creates in-house furniture with a touch of retro nostalgia. This year, Espacio Brut have launched a space to showcase contemporary art and my good friend from my Chicago days, Ignacio Chavarri, inaugurated the studio's new direction with a solo show, Celebration!. It has been great to see Ignacio's work grow from the silk screen studios at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago that we both took over with our European charm offensive many years ago to what is now, a refined and colourful use of print and installation. The mixed-media exhibition is up until 10th April 2011 - for more information about the exhibition and more photos of the work on display visit ichavarri.blogspot.com
