OS GEMEOS CREATURE - P.S. 11 IN CHELSEAIdentical twin brothers Otavio and Gustavio Pandolfo are known the world over as Os Gemeos - or the twins in Portuguese.  Born and raised in Sao Paulo, Brazil Os Gemeos are tagging the world- one giant mural at a time.

THE UNITED NATIONS OF SHORTSThe Pandolfo brothers create massive creatures that seem as if they are on some humanitarian effort from another planet.  A few months ago their latest mural - or one eerily similar to their work popped up in NYC, down in Chelsea.   Gracing the side of the seven story P.S. 11 - this Os Gemeos creature is uniting the world with his (or her) U.N. shorts made of flags from nations around the world.  OS GEMEOS IN THE DISTANCE

The kids at P.S. 11 are accustomed to art on the walls - the school is covered with messages of the hopes and dreams of the students.   Obviously, P.S. 11 is a school that is fostering creativity and teaching students to work hard and dream big!OVER THE RAINBOW AT P.S. 11 IN CHELSEA

Of course graffiti art has taken on an entirely different reputation and value in the last 10 years.   Crossing over into the mainstream modern art world - some of these artists that were once just the bane of local police forces everywhere - have become multi millionaires through prestigious art gallery showings.   You can't mention the medium without talking about Banksy - the elusive grand master of the movement.  Subject of the cult documentary - Exit Through the Gift Shop - Banksy has eluded personal fame and remained anonymous - even as his work become known around the world.   P.S. 11 IN CHELSEA - NYCThe Banksy twist on iconic images through political and social statements makes the work unmistakable.  The movie is a must see for any fan of modern art.   Clearly, the internet and social media has changed the modern art world forever.   Marketing and Public Relations wizards know have 21st century wands to wave and go just about anywhere with the snap of a digital camera or the click of a mouse. 

For more images of Os Gemeos creations, click - DEITCH

To Watch Exit Through The Giftshop now, click BANKSY MOVIE.

COLIN BROWN - SELVA OSCURA - FISCHBACH GALLERY * PARTIAL IMAGE*One of the galleries that helped put Chelsea on the Art world map has a gem of a show happening now!  By showcasing American artists with a unique eye and style, Fischbach Gallery has built a reputation that warrants attention from collectors from around the world.   This month artist Colin Brown  and his collection of "Blackboards" gives yet another example of the eclectic and fantastic talent that Fischbach curates.COLIN BROWN - THE 9TH LAKE - REVISED

Brown is a native New Yorker who grew up in the creative playground that only NYC can provide.  The energy and pulse that keeps New York moving produces talented creatives in all areas of the arts by the year, decade, and century.  The 23rd story view from his parent's apartment was more than a passive inspiration for Brown as a child and clearly in his adulthood and ultimately his work.

The time consuming process involved in creating these unique works of art that Brown calls "Blackboards" is painstaking.  

COLIN BROWN - HOUSE OF THE MORNING STARFirst, Brown applies a white under surface on a panel and then applies the black layers of dusted nickel, carbon, and charcoal powder.   It is with a jeweler's tool that brown removes tiny bits of black again and again, creating the illusion of light.   These works first appear to be night photographs, which by themselves would be desirable enough to purchase.   Once you realize the level of detail and craft involved, it really takes the work to another level completely.

Selva Oscura or Dark Forrest was the title aptly chosen for this show that has an interesting balance of darkness and light.   The reference of course, to Dante and his masterpiece - The Divine Comedy.    After all, New York has long been the place of great extremes - both magical and maniacal!

I promise you will not find another artist today, in any gallery showing,  that has such finely crafted works of art with this level of sophistication.

The show runs through May 21st and you can contact the gallery by clicking - BROWN BLACKBOARDS at FISCHBACH.   

Fischbach Gallery is located at 210 11th Avenue between 24th & 25th Streets.  

TOO YOUNG TO DIE - YOSHITOMO NARAFor an artist to find his voice, find his style, and then find an audience is no small feat.   Japanese artist Yoshitomo Nara has a unique vision of the world.  Seen through the eyes of little children and puppies, Nara's world can seem like a cold and lonely place.   The large eyes of his subjects are somewhat of a Rorschach test.  A range of emotion is there,  from sadness, to bitterness, to loneliness - or is it?  Are the children spoiled brats or just neglected?  It is interesting to learn that Nara was raised by working class parents and was like so many of generation what was called a latch-key kid.   (A termed coined in the 70's referring to kids who came home to an empty house after school due to both parents working, which was still a novelty).

Nara has a cult following around the world.  His work is KITTY2 - YOSHITOMO NARAmerchandised in a whole range of items from t-shirts to note cards.   The latest show of Nara's work was at the Asia Society on New York's Park Avenue.   The show, entitled Nobody's Fool brought these little children to life with a life-size tree house, cottage, & playrooms throughout.  The show is over, but you can still view it on-line by clicking the above links.  Shop the Asia Society Gift Shop now.  

NOTHING IS SIMPLE - SEMPEMy summer holiday on the French Riviera was full of wonderful and relaxing experiences.   One big surprise was to find a show of one of my favorite cartoonists on display at the Louis Vuitton boutique in St. Tropez.   Jean-Jacques Sempe is known the world over for his witty commentaries on life.   His unique style is instantly recognizable and his work has graced the cover of countless magazines over the years,  including many issues of The New Yorker.

Born in the early 30's in Bordeaux, Sempe has spent most of his adult life in St. Germain in Paris - and it shows.   His work is full of ironic and funny moments that poke fun at those who take themselves a little too seriously.   Oftentimes children star in the show by acting out behavior learned from adults.   First brought to fame by a child character he created called Le Petit Nicolas.  SEMPE ON PARENTHOOD The comic strip was largely drawn from memories of Sempe's own childhood.

I enjoyed seeing Sempe's work showcased in the newly renovated Louis Vuitton Boutique in St. Tropez.  Now incorporating a large courtyard, the LV space is impressive!

LE PETIT NICOLAS - SEMPELater that same week I stayed at the house of a family friend.  Imagine my great surprise when I realized my bedroom was housing an original Sempe poster.  The subject of the poster?  The antique fair in St. Tropez! SIGNED SEMPE POSTER What an amazing coincidence.   To make matters more interesting - the poster was signed by the artist himself!     Wow - talk about serendipity!  I couldn't have been more pleased.   My hosts were so glad I knew Sempe's work - I was about as tickled as can be.   I immediately went to Amazon on my return home to New York.   Sempe is now in my own collection forever!

To see more work by Jean-Jacques Sempe - click -

SEMPE FOREVER

ANDY WARHOL SELF PORTRAITAndy Warhol was famous for many things.   As a painter, print maker, record producer, and filmmaker -his vision was revolutionary and avant-garde.   Turning the art world on it's ear and changing the concept of pop art and pop culture, Warhol's subjects and entourage were the first reality.   A cast of characters and references that are still embedded in the psyche of any avant-garde filmmaker or artist today.DESIGNER / FILMMAKER TOM FORD

Warhol's paintings have never been more commercially valuable.   Capitalizing on the state of the Auction market is none other than fashion designer and fledgling filmmaker Tom Ford.   Ford will sell the Self portrait he purchased from the Artist's estate in 1998 through Sotheby's on May 12th.   The portrait is 9 feet square, making it the largest self portrait from the artist.   So chilling it was said to have spooked Warhol himself, the image is unique to say the least.    Estimate:  $10 - 15 Million.

Andy coined the phrase "15 minutes of fame".   The full quote was that "In the future, everyone will be famous for 15 minutes".    What an amazing commentary on pop culture, considering what has evolved since the artist's death in 1987.ANDY WARHOL'S FERRAGAMOS   It's as if her knew that celebrity would evolve ( or dissolve depending on how you look at it) into the current "real" housewives phenomenon.  Having died over 20 years ago, it's clear Andy's 15 minutes go on and on and on.

Proof of the Artist's lasting relevance in the creative fields of design is the release of the latest Ferragamo Creations shoe.  The  Italian powerhouse known for basically inventing the designer shoe  has paid homage to the late pop artist and his love of Ferragamo.     Andy Warhol wore Ferragamo shoes... every day.    One style in particular became part of his wardrobe when he was creating in his famed "Factory".   The Salvatore style is unique in that the entire upper is made from one piece of leather.   Warhol's Ferragamos were paint splattered and worn in to say the least.   After the artist's death, the fashion house purchased the shoes from his estate and added them to the permanent collection of the Ferragamo Museum in Florence, Italy.  FERRAGAMO'S CREATIONS SALVATORE ALA ANDY $950  

This Spring Ferragamo is honoring the Artist by adding the style to its archive Creations collection.   This group honors original styles that were custom made for Hollywood legends such as Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, Grace Kelly, & now Andy Warhol.  It is the first Mens style to be in the Creations collection.

The Warhol Salvatore will be limited to just 150 pairs and are decorated to look exactly how Andy's looked after he left his mark on them (another first for the Creations group).  

To order a pair of these collectible shoes, or find out more information - contact the Ferragamo Boutique on 5th Avenue - (212) 759-3822