By Andrew Russeth 1/25/12 9:04am

links

Hals

Morning Links: Hippie Jokes Edition

Matthew Marks discusses his new Los Angeles gallery. Brice Marden has never had a one-person show in the city, he tells reporter Kelly Crow. Have collectors there been deprived, she asks? “Yes, but my artists are more interested in showing their work to other artists,” replies Mr. Marks. “That is the audience they care most about.” [WSJ]

Aldon James of the National Arts Club skipped an eviction hearing. [DNAInfo]

Heritage Auctions has hired Brian Roughton, founder and president of the Dallas–based Roughton Galleries, as its director of American and European paintings. Mr. Roughton had previously been working as a consultant for the firm. His 38-year-old gallery will continue to operate. [Heritage] Read More

By Andrew Russeth 1/16/12 9:33am

spots

A Gagosian gallery T-shirt. (Patrick McMullan)

Damien Hirst's 'Complete Spot Paintings': 10 Reviews

Damien Hirst’s 11-gallery spot-painting exhibitions is probably impossible for just about single working critic to review.

Even the most frugal writer making the worldwide Gagosian tour—crashing on couches, taking trains throughout Europe, etc.—would need to spend at least a few thousand dollars on airplane tickets to cross the Atlantic, the Pacific, the U.S. and the gigantic gap between the Gagosian outposts in Athens and Hong Kong. Though critic Adrian Searle floats the rumor that one journalist is making the trip, it is hard to believe any publication—or even major media company—would be willing to back the sojourn. Read More

By Anthony Haden-Guest 1/12/12 12:51pm

spots

'I Used to Jump on Tables': Anthony Haden-Guest Talks With Damien Hirst About Sobriety, His New Work and, Yes, Spot Paintings

'I Used to Jump on Tables': Anthony Haden-Guest Talks With Damien Hirst About Sobriety, His New Work and, Yes, Spot Paintings

Anthony Haden-Guest first met Damien Hirst in New York in the early 1990s. Today, exhibitions of Mr. Hirst’s “Spot Paintings” open at all 11 Gagosian Galleries worldwide.

This interview with Damien Hirst took place yesterday, in a conference room in the Gagosian Gallery on West 21st Street in Manhattan. Mr. Hirst was wearing a scarlet wool hat, a Joe Strummer T-shirt, two fistfuls of skull rings. We sat at a glass and metal table.

DAMIEN HIRST: So how are you, Anthony? Read More

1/11/12 3:35pm

spots

Mr. Hirst. Photo by Andrew Russeth.

A Photo Opp With Damien Hirst [Insert Your Own 'Seeing Spots' Joke Here]

Millicent Wilner, a director at Gagosian Gallery in London, was standing before a gaggle of reporters and photographers at the art dealer’s space on West 21st Street, talking about Damien Hirst’s spot paintings. There are more than 300 she said. They will be on view at all 11 Gagosian galleries worldwide (a fact all the art journalists in the room were well aware of by that point). They comprise spots ranging from one millimeter in diameter to five feet in diameter. The most spots on any of the paintings is 25,781. The biggest spot painting is in the back of the gallery and is about 40 feet long. Read More

By Janice Phaiste 1/10/12 1:54pm

doggerel

A 2009 clock by Damien Hirst.

Spot Challenge: An Epic in Limericks

As we gear up for Damien Hirst’s spot extravaganza at all 11 Gagosian Galleries, and its accompanying “Spot Challenge”–whoever proves that they have seen all 11 exhibitions gets a personalized spot print–we turn to verse for an imagining of the quest.

“SPOT CHALLENGE: AN EPIC IN LIMERICKS“
A writer, seeking spots, finds love, and money

NEW YORK: CHELSEA

At the crowded press preview for spots
She took her place with the have-nots
And withdrew her pad
And wrote, “I’m so glad
These are paintings of spots, not dots.” Read More

By Andrew Russeth 12/29/11 1:36pm

Mayhem

Hirst ad.

11 Hirst 'Spot' Shows, One Artforum Ad

Earlier this month, we speculated that Damien Hirst would go on a whirlwind international tour by private jet, visiting the opening receptions at all 11 Gagosian galleries hosting his “spot” painting retrospective. However, it was later revealed that he will be in New York for the opening, delighting us and disappointing his fans in Athens, Rome, Hong Kong, Paris, London, Geneva and Beverly Hills. Read More