Full Stop To Spots?

With the release of Damien Hirst's catalogue raisonné The Complete Spot Paintings 1986-2011, my latest blog entry for Ohh Deer poses the question: could this be a full stop to spots? 

Charting the artist's first expression of his now iconic series in his art school days at Goldsmiths, London through to the unprecedented global exhibition held by Gagosion Gallery in 2011, which the catalogues takes its name, the spot-aesthetic has emblazoned over 1000 artworks across nearly three decades. 

The 929-page full colour tome - published by Other Criteria in conjunction with Gagosian Gallery - documents one of the most prolific and recognisable visual images from the late-twentieth century that has experienced phenomenal mileage beyond the white cube walls, appreciated by the worlds of design, fashion and luxury. The publication looks at the significance spot paintings have had on popular culture, transcending accessibility with a host of brand collaborations from Becks to Manolo Blahnik.

The spot-aesthetic has by no means lost its virility. Since 2011 we have seen yet more demand for the systematic spots in addition to Hirst's other signature styles of colour, carats and chemicals showcased in the celebrated retrospective at Tate Modern, London in 2012 and subsequently in the largest survey of the artist's career at ALRIWAQ, Qatar Museums Authority in Doha.

The launch of such a comprehensive publication alludes to the end of what is arguably one of Damien Hirst's most important veins of investigation. Is the controversy, or even empowerment, of ending a chapter of his practice too irresistible for the artist who relishes on throwing art world convention into a spin?

Read my full article Full Stop To Spots? and view further images from ‘The Complete Spot Paintings 1986-2011’ at the Ohh Deer blog.

Follow @JMVELARDI for more on Arts, Culture & Lifestyle.

Images courtesy of Other Criteria

10 Ideas

The Holiday season is just as much about giving as it is about receiving, so cue my annual Christmas gift guide that will guarantee priceless cheer under the tree this year. Inspired by art, culture and design that have been featured on this very blog over 2013; from my Twitter and Pinterest boards as well as some new items thrown into the festive mix - here’s my curated countdown of ideas for connoisseurs and the curious alike…

1. Bring home the Bacon
2013 marks the year Francis Bacon’s triptych, Three Studies of Lucien Freud sold for a record $142.2 million at Christie’s – play auction house at home with this cushion after the artist’s Self-Portrait, 1969 available from The Estate of Francis Bacon 

2. Performance Art
Turn the WC into a White Cube with Tim Noble and Sue Webster’s printed toilet paper Wipe That Grin Off Your Face, 2013 - available at Other Criteria

3. Quality control
The good, the bad and the ugly with architectural historian Gavin Stamp - Anti-Ugly: Excursions in English Architecture and Design published by Aurum Press

4. Poolside patron
Culture cred at the cabana with Yayoi Kusama’s art towel for Works On Whatever, the annual initiative for contemporary art accessibility from Art Production Fund

5. Less is more
Five golden rings have nothing on this 1907 interlocking unisex band – available in solid brass, sterling silver and 18k gold from Wintercheck Factory

6. Mighty pink
Make a statement with Sir Paul Smith’s pen of choice - Caran d'Ache fluorescent aluminium ballpoint pen from Paul Smith

7. Big Kids
A host of celebrated international creative talent contribute to this grownup colouring book of graphic and graffiti design - Souris Hong-Porretta curates Outside the Lines: An Artists’ Colouring Book for Giant Imaginations published by Pengiun

8. Christmas Twist
“Please sir, I want some shmores” – forget the flambé figgy pudding and melt marshmallows around the fire with these handmade wire toasting forks from RE

9. Sun, sea and salt
Supersized fun under the sun – pretzel pool float from Urban Outfitters

10. Think twice…
… before refusing the brussels sprouts this year – soild milk chocolate ‘sprouts’ from Marks & Spencer

Images courtesy of The Estate of Francis Bacon, Tim Noble and Sue Webster, Aurum Press Ltd, Art Production Fund, Wintercheck Factory, Paul Smith, Penguin Group, RE, Urban Outfitters, Marks & Spencer 

Portraits From The Bottom Up

In my latest contribution to the Ohh Deer blog, I attend the opening of Tim Noble and Sue Webster's exhibition at Other Criteria's New Bond Street outpost. Portraits from the Bottom Up presents a new body of work - in every sense of the word - by the Brit duo after a residency in the Caribbean. Both artists and technology are stripped bare in a series of prints and bronzes that remain rooted in the narcissistic mania that Noble and Webster are so renowned for. 

To find out what's inside the box visit Ohh Deer's blog to read my review in full. 

Portraits from the Bottom Up by Tim Noble and Sue Webster is on show until 20th November 2013 at Other Criteria, 36 New Bond Street, London W1U 3BG.

Follow @JMVELARDI for all the latest updates from the blog and beyond and visit jonathanvelardi.com/writing for a selection of writing on arts, culture and lifestyle. 

Image courtesy Other Criteria, © Tim Noble and Sue Webster 2013

10 Ideas

With only ten days left to Christmas here are ten gift ideas that will get you some culture points this Holiday season - taken from the worlds of art and design that have featured on this very blog and @JMVELARDI over 2011 as well as some new items thrown into the festive mix
... and not a pair of socks in sight...

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1. First impressions count
Cheeseburger wrapping paper set at Gift Couture

2. Get the party started
Quartz Pinatta - handmade - by Confetti System at Other Criteria

3. Design Deity
Fornasetti: The Complete Universe at Rizzoli

 4. For those who have been naughty...
Christmas coal toffee at Fortnum & Mason

5. ... or nice

Andy Warhol Tribute Dom Pérignon Champagne at Dom Pérignon

6. The better to see you with

Maison Martin Margiela magnifying glass from 13 collection - available in right and left - at Selfridges Concept Store

                                                                                                  

7. Megabeads

Seat computer bag at Henrik Vibskov 

8. Hit the road 
36 Hours - weekend itineraries across 150 North American locations from The New York Times at Taschen

9. Exhibition of the year
Design for an interior (1983) by George Sowden from Postmodernism: Style and Subversion 1970-1990 at Victoria & Albert Museum
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10. Kitsch after Koons 

Balloon Dog decoration at Paperchase