Friday, December 28, 2012

Symphony of Color: The Trio Exhibition at Steinway Gallery by Chloe J. Roberts

12/28/12
By:  Chloe J. Roberts
“Music gives color to the air of the moment.”-- Karl Lagerfeld
As I entered the Steinway Gallery to see the Trio Exhibition, I walked into a cornucopia of canvas brilliantly colored with emotional intensity.  It just turned winter, and that means one thing. . .we need more color.  The Trio Exhibition at the Steinway Gallery is Paris in spring. 
The trio of local Orlando artists, Robin Maria Pedrero, Fern Matthews and Annette Margulies, are each uniquely talented artists specializing in forms of abstract expressionistic style painting. Their brilliantly colored works float above the Steinway piano collection.  The Trio Exhibition is fun-loving and feels good. Surrounded by two of my passions, art and pianos, I was in a spectacular symphony of color. 


Fern Matthews’ canvas painting “Set Yourself Free” is a shimmering abstract that hangs over an elaborately decorated red Steinway with dancing butterflies.  Her work focuses on feeling, emotion and energy.  “Set Yourself Free” is large canvas featuring mixed bright pink, red, yellow and blue.  The feeling of the painting is complete harmony.  It is like a radiant rainbow of light, but somehow even better. 

“Mysterious Forces” by Annette Marguiles features a spontaneous combination of cobalt blue, sea green divided by black and splashed in red.  The title of this painting is fitting since it evokes cubism and contemporary modern painting.  Exhibited before, Marguiles’ painting placed first at the Guild of Creative Art Juried Exhibit. 

Finally, last, but not at least, Robin Maria Pedrero’s work shines in this exhibition. She is an experienced and celebrated artist and it shows in each and every one of her paintings. Her abstracts feature simple figures, birds and blossoms, with background ambiguity. Pedrero has absolutely, without a doubt, mastered the art of blissful color juxtaposition. 
The abstract creations in this exhibit are both worth seeing and definitely worth considering as an addition to your own collection.  Also noteworthy, this is the final art exhibition being held at the Steinway Gallery, so go see Trio for yourself while it lasts. 
Chloe J. Roberts is a lawyer, art writer and playwright. 

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Analysis of Our Love Hate Relationship with Art Basel: Is it the Fair Worth It? by Chloe J. Roberts



Analysis of Our Love Hate Relationship with Art Basel:  Is it the Fair Worth It? 

By:  Chloe J. Roberts

Art Basel Week in Miami. Do you love it or hate it? Is the art work there worth forging through the wild week of traffic, parties and jam packed restaurants? Many popular critics have refused to attend (including two of my favorites Jerry Saltz and Carol Diehl) and have declared it overrated, dying out and losing steam. Some artists, including Adam Lindemann, have disparaged the fair, then exhibited work there, only to leave wearing a “F*ck|Art Fairs” T-shirt. Art lovers have declared it a vital source for discovering new contemporary and museum-caliber art. I somewhat agree with all the above.   


Whether you are flying or driving, the largest and most prestigious art show in the Americas is about a seven hour round trip from Orlando.  The twelfth edition of the fair hosted over a hundred exhibiting galleries featuring the most respected international art dealers.  The fair also includes special exhibition sections featuring young galleries, performance art, public art projects and video art.  During the afternoons, the Art Salon program features artist talks, panels, lectures, and performances, with the range of speakers including artists, academics, curators, collectors, architects, art lawyers, critics, and many other cultural players. 


Even if you are an experienced Baseler, you need a spreadsheet and an event planner to keep all the exhibitions, conversations, salon talks, art videos and dozens of satellite art fairs straight.  No matter how deep and wide your art appetite, it is not possible to experience all that Art Basel has to offer.  Even for an extreme, “live, eat and breathe art” lover such as myself, it is absolutely an overdose of art that leaves you with mentally drained. The experience of walking around all day viewing exhibits, listening to unnecessarily long and frequently monotone art lectures, and mingling at crowded art dinner parties is absolutely beyond exhausting.  

After many years of experiencing Art Basel, I have concluded that near death by overdose of art is a worthwhile experience.  Not only did Art Basel financially help the artists and galleries left ravaged by Hurricane Sandy, but it generated unparalleled revenue for our ailing economy and South Florida businesses. I love Art Basel. I always have. I always will. With only a relatively short drive you can experience an entire week of new art from all around the globe.  My favorites at this year’s fair include a grid of 81 Polaroids from Warhol's 'Torsos' and 'Sex Parts' series at Kicken Berlin, Andrea Bowers and Ricci Albenda at Andrew Kreps Gallery and Jon Kessler at Salon 94.  
Andy Warhol Sex Parts 2

If you did not make it to Art Basel this year, go ahead and start planning for next year’s fair which takes place December 5-8, 2013.  There is nothing more exciting than spending a week in South Beach immersed in art.  I hope to see you all there! 

Chloe J. Roberts was born in Miami, Florida.  She is a lawyer, art writer and playwright.  



12/17/12
By:  Chloe J. Roberts