Schatz has string of successes

Howard Schatz, internationally collected and followed for his important contributions to fine art photography, has had a month of achievements that further his leadership and skill. Mid March, Schatz was once again selected as the lead story photographer of Sports Illustrated. SI relied on Howard's motion photography techniques to capture the power and dominance of St. Louis Cardinal's Albert Pujols (March 16, 2009). Across the pond, Schatz opened in Kiev, Ukraine: H2O The Underwater Photography of Howard Schatz on March 20th. The exhibit continues until April 20th. And in Germany, The Heinz-Nixdorf Museum, Motion Science, delves into Howard's various styles (underwater, use of light paired with motion and the human form). The Paderborn, Germany museum exhibit run's through July 5, 2009.

New Media and the Masters

The art world has finally come to grip with the confluence of digital. Artists once considered ground breaking are mainstream and their use of the computer - more than accepted. In fact, film and video is permeating the contemporary shows consistently. There is a distinction between doing something for art's sake (like barking dogs being silenced or calmed by a lone tap dancer) or combining concept with motion (shooting an ascent up an adult jungle gym with a digital camera). It is experiential and enabling the "audience"/collector to interact. Is this of value to the fine arts or simply for the museum/public spectacle?

Weeks of Art Fairs - Fair Results

When the thunder of Wall Street met Main Street in mid 08, the aloof in the art world felt art would be immune. Rational players in the art world have known otherwise and the loss of "hedge fund" money/speculation in art is repricing certain artists with limited skill and maintaining quality artists, and their galleries. From late February to late March, the art world hits New York with a variety of fairs and 1 underwhelming expo.

The Armory Show is perhaps the most significant to the overall art world's "pulse". Venerable dealers from the contemporary to the masters put on their best face and have adjusted to the changing economic reality. Some of these dealers have a solid showing of Stellas, Wesselmans, Beardens and Dines up for consideration along with names obscure to emerging collectors. Attendance has been "strong" through Saturday afternoon, per the Armory press department. Of course, "strong" in lookers vs. "strong" in buyers is a distinct difference for collectors, gallerists and artists alike. Our walk from the contemporary pier up the "scaffold" stairs to the "main Armory galleries" exposed that "sticker shock" is only relevant to the contemporary mess left behind. Yet one day, perhaps not today, some from the lower level will ascend to become main, sought after artists.