In the new film Make It New John, Irish-born artist Duncan Campbell takes on the persona of John Delorean, the realization of the DMC-12 and the Belfast plant where the car super car was built.
The film, which runs just under one hour, is on exhibition at the Artists Space in New York City through May 1. Make It New John was screened to London and Glaswgow audiences in late fall, but this is the first opportunity to view it stateside. Campbell, who is based in Glasgow, was in New York City for the March opening.
“John Delorean’s life story really sort of fascinated me,” he said. “That’s a major thread of the film. You can extricate the mythology that surrounded him, this person who stuck it to the bureaucratic culture and went on his own stand for the little guy and the consumer. He had sort of a maverick management style at GM. His life story is kind of Shakespearean; it’s a real rags to riches story.”
The imaginative sculpture of the Delorean still piques the psyche – with a two year production run that eroded in 1981 and so does the drama the man, who rose up the ranks at Chrysler and GM before forging out on his own. Both the object and the man have become a symbol for the 1980s American culture.
What casts an interesting element on Campbell’s perspective is his read on the Delorean manufacturing process. The factory was operational in the midst of Nothern Ireland, and employed both Catholics and Protestants — a rarity in those times. “With the factory being in Belfast, that’s another sort of paradox building this in the middle of the trouble,” he said. “The perspective you get in Britain and Ireland is that its’ not so much the car as a consumer object. It’s got to do with the factory and the climate it created. It was massively funded by the British government. There was a lot of accusations of fraud and embezzlement.”
Campbell filmed some of the scenes himself and drew bits and piece from archival footage including out takes of interviews. He’s on the fence about his interpretation of Delorean. “He’s a decisive character. People seem to like him or loathe him. I’m somewhere in the middle.”
Unlike most who have taken on the Delorean story who’ve been automotive writers, Campbell is uniquely qualified. He has recently shown at the Museum Moderne Kunst, Vienna; The Scottish National Gallery, Edinburgh aand the Tate Britain, London. In 2008 he was the recipient of the Art Basel Bâloise Prize as well as the renowned Paul Hamlyn Award. In an earlier film, Bernadette, he took on the young Northern Irish socialist Bernadette Devlin.
But the Delorean DMC-12 ultimately takes on a character of its own. “Of course all the Back to the Future stuff is unavoidable,” he said.
The film was commissioned by Film and Video Umbrella and is part of a series of upcoming events including Duncan Campbell in conversation with Thomas Beard Fri. March 12. For more information check out Artists Space.
More on Make It New John
Telegraph
Singularity
“the handle comes up, the hammer comes down” by Doug Aitken
Take a close look at the subject that is our fate — an unassuming parking lot. So the question is posed, where are we going when the hammer comes down?
Words were everywhere on the work at Pier 92 and 94 — the site of the Armory Show. What struck me about Doug Aitken’s piece is the use of provocative imagery accompanying strong statements and big, looming words, like fate. Words are driving the contemporary fairs like the Armory and Miami Art Basel. Copy cat neon signs are all over, but also cheeky creative phrasing like this piece that turns the use of messaging on its back: FREE BEER. Many of the guests, however, were sipping on free champagne.
I cruised through the Armory Show VIP preview this morning. Large scale art fairs like this one tend to present an overwhelming assembly of art in a relatively small space. When it’s said and done, it’s difficult to remember what was on display. After a few laps, I decided to approach this particular viewing from a singular perspective. I would look for work influenced by cars.
“The Crossing” by Robert & Shana Parkeharrison
“Any Given Sunday” by Guillermo Munoz Vera was moving. Vera is a native of Conception, Chile who lives and works in Madrid. Realism abounds with oil on canvas.
Perhaps this is not what this artist intended– but this work said “walking engine” to me.
Then I came to the Acura booth. I thought the subtle blend of car and art was interesting and definitely unobtrusive. The engineered art was nestled into a corner booth. Acura is the title sponsor of the Armory Show. However, they did not sponsor my VIP pass (That invitation came from Pommery.)
More art on Gotryke:
Jeff Koons to Create BMW Art Car
Site Unseen Miami Art Basel Murals
The Armory Show’s Commissioned Artist Susan Collis on ‘Fiddling While Rome Burns’ (nymag.com)
Sweet Jewels (coolhunting.com)
Animal Collective at the Guggenheim (coolhunting.com)
In Exercises for Gentleman, the author manages to explain the toe stand and knee bend in masculine terms, avoiding the fact that this exercise is essentially a ballet plie and releve — which would have been taboo when this book was originally published in the early 20th century by the School of Health. Nonetheless the advice and diagrams dole out here are still practical tips for the manly man and the curious woman, on proper bathing techniques and soothing cures for other ailments.
The Allure of the Auto: Driving in Style 1930 – 1965 captures the allure of the golden era of the automobile, when driving was simply about flossing fly architectural curves. Written by Ken Gross and Ron T. Laboco the era of motoring is sumptuous. Incidentally, the High Museum of Art in Atlanta opens an exhibit also in March, including the Porsche Type 64, and is curated by Gross.
The 1001 series is among my favorites, while I’m not much of a beer drinker, I imagine my brother would pour over this, and perhaps even check off the list of all the beers he’s sipped. Notes on flavor, proper temperature are included with a list that includes Czech pilsners, German lagers, Belgian wheat beers, Trappists ales, c British porters and Irish stouts.
Luxist
A glimpse of the studio belonging to Jeff Koons
Gotryke’s insider artist Lee Quinones attended a reception at Jeff Koons’ Chelsea studio, in which BMW announced that Koons will create the 17th art car, joining an esteemed group including Andy Warhol, Jenny Holzer, Andy Warhol, David Hockney, Roy Lichtenstein, Frank Stella, Robert Rauschenberg, and Alexander Calder. A packed room of art world luminaries, socialites, journalists and car executives roamed the studio to munch on food prepared by Chef Thomas Keller. Here are Lee’s impressions.
When I arrived at the studio, the first work that caught my eye was a series of paintings in progress depicting the subject of pinup girl Betty Page. It appeared that the paintings would eventually reflect the bulbous sculptural work that is pure Koons.
In the pieces I saw in progress, everything was meticulously detailed on every point of the canvas. It seemed as if the imagery was projected onto the canvas, because there was no evidence of the telltale worked lines of pencil sketching. In his work, everything is broken down into grids to ensure the realization of the photo-realist qualities that are found in his painting style. His assistants were at it, painstakingly working fine brushes and custom-mixing oils blended to match the imagery on the computers. The resulting paintings were hypnotic. The pieces were filled with messages enhanced by lush oils.
I was drawn to a monochromic abstract painting that reminded me of a John Chamberlain sculpture. One of his assistants, Abby, was watching over the still-wet oil painting. She told me that each painting takes one year to complete, even with all the assistants. This particular piece was a recreation — the original painting was damaged in transit and Koons opted replace it. He destroyed the original. “Everybody has their process,” she said.
The studio was well kept and orderly with posted signs that workers should return things to their place to ensure order. It was like a series of garages joined at the hip to make one large space to accommodate the enormous spectrum of his work. Koons has everything in this space — giant sculptures, paintings, a research area,and drawing centers.
In some ways, the efficient production reminded me of my visits to Keith Haring’s studio in his heyday, but Keith only used five or six assistants and participated in the painting himself. Koons has 130 workers, most of whom are artists and create the factory ambiance that he cultivates with a highly refined vision. It made for a polished environment. Each Koons worker takes a tremendous amount of prides in the work that they do — working for one of the world’s best known living artists. They took time out to cheerily explain their process to the guests.
When the announcement was made by BMW President Jim O’Donnell, that Koons would create the next art car, it came across to be a partnership based in sincerity. The car was nowhere in sight, nor any imagery of the car, because they said it was still in the beginning stages. Koons said he was a fan of the BMW art cars and was seen in deep conversation with David Hockney. It was a fun eveining — I ran into several old art world pals, and one friend-of-a-friend one who told me that he had crashed the party with skater Oksana Baiul.
Yvonne Force Villareal, Dorothy Lichtenstein, Jeff Koons and Doreen Remen celebrate the announcement that Koons will create the 17th BMW Art Car at Koons' Manhattan studio Tuesday, February 2,
All in all, it was an evening that created anticipation for the coming of the 17th BMW art car– keeping them curious is always an effective approach in the art world spectacle.
More cars and art on Gotryke:
Italin artist Fernando Leal-Audirac unveiled the first of a series of twelve Tramontana super cars with his artistic renditions.The Spanish made car has a V12 engine capable of 760 hp and a 0 to 60 time of roughly 3.6 seconds and has an enhanced carbon fiber body with Leal-Audirac’s metallized paints enriched with gold and the powder of precious gems. The painter and sculptor took his method to the car.
In much of his work, the artist draws from the dreamscape of luxury travel. Yachts inspire much of his work including a series of Touch Me sculptures, created especially for Ocean Independence that were made available through the Swiss gallery.
One of the pieces, The Golden Sea is a multimedia sculpture that is enriched with powder gems and gold, indicating the impetus and inherent connection to Leal-Audirac’s land and sea.
The Golden Sea
It looks like the Tramontana is still available on James List for a cool $2,814,400.
More:
Luxist
Road trips are sorted. Flights are booked. Reservations are made. But if the non-stop hustle has affected your gift buying procedure here are some eclectic options that might make your stocking list.
The Quiet Life has a certain appeal. It helps that all orders over $100.00 will receive a free QL Day Bag ( $40.00 value. )
The 12 new t-shirts are catchy — two of which are designed by Mark Owens. A new Good Cause Charity shirt by Evan Hecox is also notable. The patched sweater by Todd St. John is fetching along with stocking caps, hats, bag and a ping pong paddle case.
We’re obsessed with the C1962 Ford wares produced by the font-minded geniuses at House Industries. The T-shirts come in these replica cans – perfect for the automotive-minded consumer.
If you had a better year than the rest of us go big for your favorite Corvette enthusiast.ProTeam Corvette is hositng a popular Year End Sale until December 31st, 2009 with ProTeam featuring Bloomington and/or NCRS certified Corvettes.
If you’re Go Green Gotryke, we recommend Pommery Pop Earth Champagne for your gift bags. POP Earth NV is a blend of 70% Pinot Noir, 20% Chardonnay and 10% Pinot Meunier making for a distinctive Brut style Champagne. But Pop does it the eco-way. The bottle is made of lighter glass (1.85lbs) than conventional champagne bottles (2lbs), which in turn reduces pollution and energy costs during shipping. The bottle features a label made from recycled materials and is printed with water soluble inks. Pommery is not new to the greenscape, they have been practicing sustainable wine-growing, managing waste and limiting water and energy consumption for over a decade.
Your home will sound as good as your new Jag, while almost with the new Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Mini acquires ann audio signal from a docked iPod or iPhone in pure digital form, performing the critical digital-to-analog conversion onboard using, audiophile-grade circuitry. A mini-USB port on the back of the Zeppelin Mini permits program material from outboard sources, such as desktop or laptop Macs or PCs, to stream content to the Bower & Wilkins system for musical playback. There’s also an analog-audio AUX input that allows the Zeppelin Mini with older gear.
Miss Feeney’s ties are perfect for the naughty rat-rod driver, or the kind of guy who adds a little pizazz to his wardrobe.
With the Mad Men craze placing a focus on 1950’s advertising, one of our favorite writers Phil Patton’s 100 Years of Automotive Ads has definite culture cache.
The Dude wore The Big Lebowski bowling shirt and so can your ’60s throwback. The shirt features the 1964-1965 League Champion patch from the American Bowling Congress. “Art” is embroidered above the chest pocket and team sponsor “Medina Sod” is printed across the back. $36 from www.80stees.com
Our muscle car devotee, Lee Quinones is hoping to score a copy of Motion Performance: Tales of a Muscle Car Builder. Pure car geek — we love it.
The power of pets to lift the human spirit continually fascinates me — and this book will tug on their heartstrings as much as a trotting new puppy. Monica Holloway write about her golden retriever Cowboy and her son who was only three years old when he was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder.” Cowboy was more than a pet; she was the bridge between himself and the rest of the world. Cowboy’s very presence in his life empowered Wills to take risks, to engage and socialize, to establish meaningful and intimate connections with the world around him.” When Cowboy takes ill, keep the tissues handy.
For the reader in the crowd, buy Colin McCann’s book prize winning feat Let the Great World Spin and dazzle your book worm with literary perfection. We can’t say enough about 1001 Children’s Books to You Read Before You Grow Up. Check our book review section for more words for fodder.
If you’re opting for benevolent gift option, former Universal/Motown Records music executive Shanti Das has an interesting initiative that is accepting donations. With May WE Rest in Peace, Das has raised $20,000 to cover 20 burials in Detroit, with support from Busta Rhymes, Akon and the Kid Rock Foundation in the name of Detroit Clothing Company. Das wanted to provide burials for the unclaimed 67 bodies lying in the Detroit morgue, after viewing a CNN report. To make donations, visit www.maywerestinpeace.org,
For more gift background on Gotryke:
House Industries C1932
Phil Patton’s 100 Years of Automotive Ads
1001 Children’s Book to Read Before You Grow Up
Northwest 2nd Ave was a flurry of paint this week in the Wynwood Design District. Gotryke columnist/artist extraordinaire Lee Quinones took us on a tour as he visited some friends at work on walls:
Futura mural in progress
Barry McGee mural in progress
Shepard Fairey mural in progress
Ron English mural in progress
Martha Cooper snapping Lee and Shepard
Futura at work
“Art is more real when it consists of objects from the real world. — Robert Rauschenberg, quoted by AUDI Chairman of the Board Rupert Stadler in the Audi A8 Reveal.
“Vorsprung Durch Technik” — Audi communications.
Yesterday at the “The Art of Progress” exhibit collector brunch three top Audi executives took time to speak the press. The prominent Audi leaders shared their incentive for attaching the brand to Art Basel and explained why a starchitecht won’t be designing a limited edition Audi anytime soon.
Chairman of the Board of Management Rupert Stadler, Member of the Board of Management for Marketing and Sales at AUDI AG Peter Schwarzenbauer and AUDI Design Chief Stefan Sielaff chatted with writers about all things Audi, A8, and Design Miami/Art Basel.
Writers from Dwell magazine, Complex, Paper Magazine, Intersection and several UK publications were included in the conversation. Essentially, a cluster of design writers chatted with movers and shakers in the luxury car world for a cross-convergence of cars and culture, appreciated by Gotryke.
Here’s the gist of the discussion.
On how Audi benefits internally from Art Basel:
“You need to have creative persons in an exchange,” Sielaf explained, citing the benefit his designers take away from checking out the art world happening in Miami.
On an end to a means:
“You have to allow the high level of creative and then trim down to meet the goals,” Stadler explained.
Audi, might like design, but this is a pragmatic car company — not an abstract expressionist.
On the Audi buyer:
“We know from market research our customers collect art. 5,000 – 6,000 art collectors will come through to buy art.” Schwarzenbauer said. When these lucky buyer stop by the Art of Progress they will discover they are in the market to afford an Audi A8 in their collections.
Audi trumped the LA Auto Show with impeccable timing, unveiling the 2011 Audi A8 at the Art of Progress, an event held on the opposite coast inaugurating Design Miami and Miami Art Basel.
Audi is an established part of Art Basel as title sponsor of Art Basel for the past four years, but this is the first car they’ve revealed outside of a traditional auto show setting. It makes perfect sense to use an event that is essentially Audi branded to woo design and art devotees, while adding emphasis to the aesthetic of the redesigned car.
The Audi A8 is the German automaker’s flagship sedan, a lustrous powerful full-bodied creature, completely redesigned from the engineering DNA to the exterior skin. The outside is sculpted to refined proportions that join together in a distinctive grille, using a linear format to juxtapose the bulbous contours.
The interior is made up lush materials that position new technologies in an unobtrusive way, balancing classic leathers and woods with the buttons and whistles of the multi-media interface and a refined option for Bang & Oluffson stereo system with 19 speakers.
Audi’s biggest story with the A8 is what isn’t seen — the massive fuel economy improvements for a car that operates in the US with a big 4.2-liter FSI V8 engine. There’s more power here (372 horses) and an eight-speed Tiptronic gearbox that still manages to cut fuel economy, with reductions ranging from 13 to 22 percent. Lightweight materials like the aluminum Audi Space Frame (ASF), weighing about 40 percent less than a comparable steel structure, are partially accountable for this engineering coup. The A8 is leaner and meaner car that has the language of Audi’s latest slinkier reveals.
By creating the exhibition space deemed The Art of Progress, Audi reached beyond the confine for a generally traditional corporation — a point that will go unnoticed by car journalists in search of nuts and bolts. Over 900 international media were brought in for the unveiling — most of them are auto inclined. (I did meet a few German art critics.)
What Audi achieved was an event that had real artistry and design nuances. Famed art collectors, the Rubells, curated the exhibition that matched Audi design speak with art world luminaries. The Rubells are a savvy couple that have devoted their lives to acquiring one of the world’s most coveted art collections. The best part is that in their travels far and wide there known to fly coach in pursuit of their next great piece. The Miami-based Rubell Family Collection is a testament to their painstaking efforts. Audi invests in their show that opens Thursday Beg, Borrow and Steal.
Kehinde Wiley
More than a tag-along to an existing marketing partnership, the event had depth to it that went beyond branded materials. Kehinde Wiley’s piece was the first glance patrons have when they arrive in the space.
Celebrities were escorted in the premised, but remained low key including the likes of Twilight’s Kellan Lutz, Chris Noth, Pharrell and Christina Ricci. Host Lucy Liu moderated a round table with Audi Design Chief Stefan Sielaff, Design Miami Director Craig Robins and designer Tom Dixon that at times seemed choreographed. The conversation touched on few interesting points by the panel about the importance of design and taking the unusual paths to build something innovative.
Audi Chairman of the Board Rupert Stadler introduced the redesigned A8 with car speak that sounded more like auto show territory again. But Tom Dixon’s dramatic light installation was a sight to see as the car descended from the ceiling — and alas cars, art and design converge.
The Art of Progress Pavillion
Audi Pavilion
46th & Collins Avenue
Miami Beach
December 2 through 5, 2009
Open daily from 12-8 pm
We’ll be bringing more on Audi’s Art Basel connections and the 2011 Audi A8 soon enough.
Audi on Gotryke:
Audi S4
Car & Driver was there.
Jalopnik was there.
Coolhunting was there.
AutoBlog was there.
Karl Lagerfeld collection, courtesy New York Magazine
Karl Lagerfeld likes to be the leader of the pack. In recent years, the eco-friendly and economical scooter has seen a surge in sales, with women helming Vespas for their daily commute. Just in time, Lagerfeld unveils his
Les Ateliers Ruby couture helmets for $1,805 to $6,837 that are now available at Colette and certain other boutiques, upping the ante on the bespoke helmet with gems to kickstand.
Pavillon Eley Kishimoto Helmet
The Lagerfeld line is an extension of Les Ateliers Ruby’s limited edition designer collection. Helmed by Jerome Coste, whose motorcycle helmets are made from extremely light-weight durable carbon fiber that’s all the rage on race cars, the Parisian company takes the helmet game seriously.
Coste studied at the Ecole Estienne Arts Des Arts Applique in Paris and then went to work for a real deal American company in motor sports equipment JT Racing. He ventured forward to explore the look of the action sports culture launching the apparel line Hold Up in 1996. But eventually, he returned to helmets made popular in Japanese motorbikes, and joined the ranks of California designers like Troy Lee.
Yet, Coste is French, and the French have a knack for a certain approach to couture. When he founded Ruby in 2004, his original design was the Pavillion helmet, inspired by the medieval knight. His online shop allows customers to create a bespoke helmet with sumptuous materials using Nappa Lambskin borders, Metal emblema and with a screenshield covering the whole face. Each helmet comes with three visors in different tints.
Lagerfeld is not the first designer partership. He started with French graffiti artist Honet and then the duo Eley Kishomoto to create the Belverdere Helmet. His next line was the spunky creation with Martin Margiela.
Honet for Les Atelier Ruby
Martin Margiela for Les Atelier Ruby
Lagerfeld, however, is on a higher profile for Coste’s Programme Court Signature line, and is certainly the most opulent, covered in mink fur, pearl and iPod hookups.
Sexy scoot, scoot, scoot!
Read more: Karl Lagerfeld’s ‘It’ Helmets Are Finally for Sale in Stores — The Cut http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/2009/11/karl_lagerfelds_it_helmets_are.html#ixzz0YD4drPRq
More helmets on Gotryke:
Helmets: the Safe Choice
More on Karl Lagerfeld Helmet Heads
Riding Pretty
Sassy Bella
NY Mag
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