Art * Film * TV * Music * Sports * Politics
Gartel's Glitterati
(c)2012; All Rights Reserved, Laurence Gartel
June is full of Birthdays. I'm recovering from mine...Now its time to get ready for the Host of Miami, Gerry Kelly.
GARTEL at Pearl - Nikki Beach, Color-A-Cause, April 2012
GARTEL meets G. Gordon Liddy.- Calisle Auctions
Feb. 2013, GQ Cover Girl with GARTEL at SuperCar Weekend. Courtesy of Neil London.
Meeting his hero, futurist designer Syd Mead sent Gartel out of this world.
Mead is best known for his designs for science-fiction films such as Blade Runner, Aliens and Tron.
Of his work, Mead once commented: "I've called science fiction 'reality ahead of schedule.'"
http://sydmead.com/v/11/
Mead is best known for his designs for science-fiction films such as Blade Runner, Aliens and Tron.
Of his work, Mead once commented: "I've called science fiction 'reality ahead of schedule.'"
http://sydmead.com/v/11/
"John Kennedy", GARTEL, Tucker (his father designed the Tucker) and Austen Angel, in Boston
Racing legend Richard Petty, Daytona International Speedway - Coke Zero 400, July 2012
Alex Marley (Bob's Nephew) rocks the Gartel Rally Car
Rock pioneer DION with GARTEL and the Love Car, June 2012 - Rock on Bronx Brothers
Impressario Gerry Kelly
Gartel with Sir Ivan Wilzig, "Peaceman", at Pearl - Nikki Beach -- Art Truck debut
GARTEL and Tom DuPont at the Dupont Registry VIP Jetport Event with the SX/GARTEL Cadillac Limousine.
Jose Canseco, Las Vegas, March 2012
Fifty Centy; Andrew dice clay in Las Vegas, March 2012
John Secada and host Gartel, FREC Star Gala 2011
GARTEL and Ferrari Designer Jason Castriota in Connecticut who wrote the Introduction to "GARTEL AUTO MOTION."
Jay Leno checks out Gartel's AUTO MOTION book, 2010
Boca Raton Concourse D'Elegance.
Boca Raton Concourse D'Elegance.
Maestro Gartel, 2011 - Casino photo Mr-Houston Cypress
Art Basel Miami 2011
Michael Caine and wife Shakira
GARTEL and Film Producer Robert Evans. - You know those little films like "Rosemary's Baby," "Godfather," and "Chinatown." - LG
Chancellor of Austria Viktor Klima honoring GARTEL for "LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT" Editions of Art Fair Innsbruck, 1998.
Surprise Party Guest
Magic Johnson at GARTEL PARTY, Joia Lounge, Miami
You throw a party and you never know who is going to show up. Isn't that part of the fun? You just never know. It could be great, it could be terrible, it could be wild, it could be exciting, but surely I've yet to throw a party that was dull. Nope that just wouldn't be me.
I like to have a little outrageousness going on. The night was during ART BASEL 2004 and I chose the JOIA Lounge to host the event. I had Miami Dade College participate in terms of video taping and projecting outside the club. Low and behold Magic shows up and says he's here for the party. Okay then. Step right this way. Sometimes a television persona is a lot different than a real appearance. I can certainly attest that Magic Johnson is a straight up guy, polite and well mannered. Wouldn't you be if you were worth a few hundred million dollars? What's to be cross about? You have the world by the BLEEP!! It reminds me of the time I was in Los Angeles with my homie Michael Stern. We were eating at a restaurant and right behind us was Snoop Dogg. Naturally as photographers it was our first inclination to pull out our cameras. But this time the guy was with a young lady and we felt it was best to give him respect. Leave the poor guy alone! I cannot tell you the amount of people -young kids- that went up to him and kept asking for his autograph. They wouldn't leave him alone. More over, the parents were the one's that encouraged it. No respect or decency whatsoever. I really took offense to it myself. In America few people have manners. It is a totally -in your face- world these days. We let Snoop eat his lunch and enjoy his company as best as he could. In the case of Magic he was there to check out the scene and stayed awhile. Good times had by all. - Now if only Magic would have me design one of his Burger King stores, I would be a happy fan.
Laurence Gartel
Boca Raton, Florida
July 22, 2008
Mama Mia Favorite Actress
GARTEL & Meryl Streep (c) GARTEL 1999
Mamma Mia! My favorite actress in the world has a hit movie out now. I loved her in The French Lieutenant's Woman (1981). What a performance. Amazing in Silkwood. But low and behold Meryl shows up at my gallery opening at DFN in New York City's Soho District in 1999. Meryl was enamored with me. I have to laugh because these stars are never who they are on the big screen. And I'm really surprised when they get all shy and all considering they are such big stars getting paid the big bucks. It always floors me to see how they behave in the real world. Meryl kept asking me technical questions about my work. What kind of printer do you use? What kind of inks? Are they archival? What kind of camera do you recommend? I'm thinking to myself, "Does EVERYONE want to get on the Digital Art bandwagon?" Alas, it is true. When you hear someone talk like Meryl's current co-star Pierce Brosnan, he was telling the host of the evening show, "Yeah, I like to do a bit of painting and I hope to do a lot more when I retire." - WTF?? That is not what ART is about. Grrrr. It is not a past time. Something to wash away the golden years of one's life. I hate hearing that. Art is the passion that someone does regardless because it is in their hearts and in their minds. They do it at great sacrifice. The Sunday painter or the painter that makes art AFTER their career is not a bonafide artist in my estimation. Many have tried though: Billy Dee Williams, Donna Summers, Anthony Quinn, Red Skelton, Paul McCartney, even Ron Woods, (who isn't bad). We all know Linda McCartney was a great photographer (Wonder why? Does her real last name of Eastman ring a bell?) Of course Graham Nash snapped a few pictures while touring around with Crosby and Nash, and Dennus Hopper was a shutterbug. Same can be said of Kenny Rogers. But is all this serious art? I dont think so. You either have something masterful to say, or you don't. Art just is not something you put on the back burner or in your closet and take it out now and then. That is then called a "hobbyist."
So Meryl can go on making great movies as one of the world's greatest actresses of all times, and I will continue to explore and pioneer Digital Art until the day the skeptics who have all turned me away hand me an award and a medal of honor. It has already started so I know I am on the right track. I will never rest on my laurels, and will continue to define the medium. This ART BLOG is exactly that. The journal, the diary, the life story for all the world to read and get educated in my own lifetime. It is a first hand account rather than hearsay by third parties.
Laurence Gartel
Boca Raton, Florida
July 27, 2008
Magic Johnson at GARTEL PARTY, Joia Lounge, Miami
You throw a party and you never know who is going to show up. Isn't that part of the fun? You just never know. It could be great, it could be terrible, it could be wild, it could be exciting, but surely I've yet to throw a party that was dull. Nope that just wouldn't be me.
I like to have a little outrageousness going on. The night was during ART BASEL 2004 and I chose the JOIA Lounge to host the event. I had Miami Dade College participate in terms of video taping and projecting outside the club. Low and behold Magic shows up and says he's here for the party. Okay then. Step right this way. Sometimes a television persona is a lot different than a real appearance. I can certainly attest that Magic Johnson is a straight up guy, polite and well mannered. Wouldn't you be if you were worth a few hundred million dollars? What's to be cross about? You have the world by the BLEEP!! It reminds me of the time I was in Los Angeles with my homie Michael Stern. We were eating at a restaurant and right behind us was Snoop Dogg. Naturally as photographers it was our first inclination to pull out our cameras. But this time the guy was with a young lady and we felt it was best to give him respect. Leave the poor guy alone! I cannot tell you the amount of people -young kids- that went up to him and kept asking for his autograph. They wouldn't leave him alone. More over, the parents were the one's that encouraged it. No respect or decency whatsoever. I really took offense to it myself. In America few people have manners. It is a totally -in your face- world these days. We let Snoop eat his lunch and enjoy his company as best as he could. In the case of Magic he was there to check out the scene and stayed awhile. Good times had by all. - Now if only Magic would have me design one of his Burger King stores, I would be a happy fan.
Laurence Gartel
Boca Raton, Florida
July 22, 2008
Mama Mia Favorite Actress
GARTEL & Meryl Streep (c) GARTEL 1999
Mamma Mia! My favorite actress in the world has a hit movie out now. I loved her in The French Lieutenant's Woman (1981). What a performance. Amazing in Silkwood. But low and behold Meryl shows up at my gallery opening at DFN in New York City's Soho District in 1999. Meryl was enamored with me. I have to laugh because these stars are never who they are on the big screen. And I'm really surprised when they get all shy and all considering they are such big stars getting paid the big bucks. It always floors me to see how they behave in the real world. Meryl kept asking me technical questions about my work. What kind of printer do you use? What kind of inks? Are they archival? What kind of camera do you recommend? I'm thinking to myself, "Does EVERYONE want to get on the Digital Art bandwagon?" Alas, it is true. When you hear someone talk like Meryl's current co-star Pierce Brosnan, he was telling the host of the evening show, "Yeah, I like to do a bit of painting and I hope to do a lot more when I retire." - WTF?? That is not what ART is about. Grrrr. It is not a past time. Something to wash away the golden years of one's life. I hate hearing that. Art is the passion that someone does regardless because it is in their hearts and in their minds. They do it at great sacrifice. The Sunday painter or the painter that makes art AFTER their career is not a bonafide artist in my estimation. Many have tried though: Billy Dee Williams, Donna Summers, Anthony Quinn, Red Skelton, Paul McCartney, even Ron Woods, (who isn't bad). We all know Linda McCartney was a great photographer (Wonder why? Does her real last name of Eastman ring a bell?) Of course Graham Nash snapped a few pictures while touring around with Crosby and Nash, and Dennus Hopper was a shutterbug. Same can be said of Kenny Rogers. But is all this serious art? I dont think so. You either have something masterful to say, or you don't. Art just is not something you put on the back burner or in your closet and take it out now and then. That is then called a "hobbyist."
So Meryl can go on making great movies as one of the world's greatest actresses of all times, and I will continue to explore and pioneer Digital Art until the day the skeptics who have all turned me away hand me an award and a medal of honor. It has already started so I know I am on the right track. I will never rest on my laurels, and will continue to define the medium. This ART BLOG is exactly that. The journal, the diary, the life story for all the world to read and get educated in my own lifetime. It is a first hand account rather than hearsay by third parties.
Laurence Gartel
Boca Raton, Florida
July 27, 2008
House of Versace
Above, Santo Versace, Milano
GIANNI GIANNI GIANNI FASHION / GLAMOUR / GLITZ
If you are living in Italy you need a few accoutrements: A good cologne, a cell phone, a good pair of pants, good shoes and a good shirt. Four out of five of those items could be gotten at one location: VERSACE. And if you are sporting Versace, that could only mean you are part of a very elite class of people.
Gianni loved my work. He saw it for the first time at the Miami International Airport at Concourse F. He told me if I get to Italy to look him up. I told my Italian agent this story and we went over to see the Versace family. I was invited to the House of Versace to see a fashion show. In attendance were the Back Street Boys, Naomi Campbell, Boy George and a few Princesses from Arab Nations. My goodness, some people had diamond rings that weighed down their petite bodies bodies and threw off their balance. When a diamond ring can do that, you know that it had to be LARGE!
Santo Versace and Donatella were very cordial to me and gave me and my agent personal attention. They were indeed very kind and very generous. I created this piece on Gianni in homage to his genius. There has never been quite a talent since and here in Florida, South Beach took a turn for the worse. Gianni with his mansion on the beach added tremendous glamour. The fashion trucks were all over Miami and you could feel how the area was on the rise for high couture fashions. It was a different time when Gianni was here. The hip hop culture invaded South Florida and the fashion folks rolled up and left. There is still fashion week here in Miami and there are still parties at Casa Casurina (Formerly the Versace Mansion). But everyone still refers to it as Versace. It is something we just can not forget or let go of.
GIANNI GIANNI GIANNI FASHION / GLAMOUR / GLITZ
If you are living in Italy you need a few accoutrements: A good cologne, a cell phone, a good pair of pants, good shoes and a good shirt. Four out of five of those items could be gotten at one location: VERSACE. And if you are sporting Versace, that could only mean you are part of a very elite class of people.
Gianni loved my work. He saw it for the first time at the Miami International Airport at Concourse F. He told me if I get to Italy to look him up. I told my Italian agent this story and we went over to see the Versace family. I was invited to the House of Versace to see a fashion show. In attendance were the Back Street Boys, Naomi Campbell, Boy George and a few Princesses from Arab Nations. My goodness, some people had diamond rings that weighed down their petite bodies bodies and threw off their balance. When a diamond ring can do that, you know that it had to be LARGE!
Santo Versace and Donatella were very cordial to me and gave me and my agent personal attention. They were indeed very kind and very generous. I created this piece on Gianni in homage to his genius. There has never been quite a talent since and here in Florida, South Beach took a turn for the worse. Gianni with his mansion on the beach added tremendous glamour. The fashion trucks were all over Miami and you could feel how the area was on the rise for high couture fashions. It was a different time when Gianni was here. The hip hop culture invaded South Florida and the fashion folks rolled up and left. There is still fashion week here in Miami and there are still parties at Casa Casurina (Formerly the Versace Mansion). But everyone still refers to it as Versace. It is something we just can not forget or let go of.
GARTEL & CASTRIOTA....Designer of the Ferrari 599 and contributor to the gold embossed limited edition "AUTO MOTION" publication.
ART FOR BRITNEY
Talk about strangeness. I got off the plane in Los Angeles and proceeded to the car rental. I had a photo shoot to make and my client was on a very strick schedule. After all she probably did about 6 photo shoots that day. I had to make sure I go to my location on time. It reminded me of the time I was asked to create art for the Spiderman ride for UNIVERSAL. They asked me to drive and they would give me directions along the way. WTF?? The same happened for this assignment. I was not told were Britney was located until I reached the car rental. When I forked over my driver's license, they told me that it had expired. OH NOOOOO. Now I had to figure out alternative transportation. I hired the guy from the rental place to drive me over. Low and behold the manager scoped out this little house in Beverly Hills to do the photo shoot. Can you imagine....it was just over a little fence where Britney was staked out. I laughed to myself thinking if they only knew.
Britney was dressed impeccably and she was very sweet. She asked me where my crew was, where my Polaroid test camera was, where my stylist was, where my assistant was, etc. I pulled out of my pocket my Olympus 3030 camera and proceeded to tell her, "real artists don't need all those extra people and extra equipment." Artforum Magazine had just come out and my ABSOLUT GARTEL ad was on the inside back cover. I was hot shit. On the other side of the magazine was a picture of Warhol holding an Olympus point and shoot camera. - I was in fat city!! I took these incredible pictures of Britney using this pocket point and shoot digital camera in 2001. It was a three megapixel camera. I then proceeded to create the art work for her 52 city world tour. I was counting my acres and my Arabian horses I was about to buy for going on tour with Britney. After all, I was about to collect 20% royalties on the biggest pop star in the world on all the merchandise on her likeness I was creating. Shortly after that the World Trade Center disaster took place. The tour was cancelled and my dream of Arabian horses collapsed. The entire creative world ended at that moment. It has been a wasteland since.
Talk about strangeness. I got off the plane in Los Angeles and proceeded to the car rental. I had a photo shoot to make and my client was on a very strick schedule. After all she probably did about 6 photo shoots that day. I had to make sure I go to my location on time. It reminded me of the time I was asked to create art for the Spiderman ride for UNIVERSAL. They asked me to drive and they would give me directions along the way. WTF?? The same happened for this assignment. I was not told were Britney was located until I reached the car rental. When I forked over my driver's license, they told me that it had expired. OH NOOOOO. Now I had to figure out alternative transportation. I hired the guy from the rental place to drive me over. Low and behold the manager scoped out this little house in Beverly Hills to do the photo shoot. Can you imagine....it was just over a little fence where Britney was staked out. I laughed to myself thinking if they only knew.
Britney was dressed impeccably and she was very sweet. She asked me where my crew was, where my Polaroid test camera was, where my stylist was, where my assistant was, etc. I pulled out of my pocket my Olympus 3030 camera and proceeded to tell her, "real artists don't need all those extra people and extra equipment." Artforum Magazine had just come out and my ABSOLUT GARTEL ad was on the inside back cover. I was hot shit. On the other side of the magazine was a picture of Warhol holding an Olympus point and shoot camera. - I was in fat city!! I took these incredible pictures of Britney using this pocket point and shoot digital camera in 2001. It was a three megapixel camera. I then proceeded to create the art work for her 52 city world tour. I was counting my acres and my Arabian horses I was about to buy for going on tour with Britney. After all, I was about to collect 20% royalties on the biggest pop star in the world on all the merchandise on her likeness I was creating. Shortly after that the World Trade Center disaster took place. The tour was cancelled and my dream of Arabian horses collapsed. The entire creative world ended at that moment. It has been a wasteland since.
OLIVIA PALMERMO
Socialite, Model, Actress |
Director Michael Bey
He is known for directing high-budget action films characterized by their fast edits, stylistic visuals and substantial practical special effects.[1][2] His films, which include The Rock, Armageddon, Pearl Harbor and the Bad Boys and Transformers series, have grossed over three billion dollars world-wide. |
Eric Raddatz, Stephen Humphrey Bogart (Humphrey Bogart/Lauren Bacall's son),
GARTEL at Naples International Film Festival with Stephen Humphrey Bogart. - The legend lives on. - LG ))
GARTEL at Naples International Film Festival with Stephen Humphrey Bogart. - The legend lives on. - LG ))
GARTEL with Louie Psihoyos, Director of the film, "THE COVE." - An absolutely MUST SEE movie about the insensitive killing of dolphins in Japan.
Photographer, William Kennedy on "Culture Talk" with Warhol prints
IF there was a news photograph taken in the last 40-years, either one of these men probably had something to do with it.
Photographer David Burnett, and former Time Magazine Picture Editor Arnold Drapkin. - Bravo Boys!
Photographer David Burnett, and former Time Magazine Picture Editor Arnold Drapkin. - Bravo Boys!
Meredith Scott Lynn
I freakin' LOVE Boy George. A genius. An individual. Passionate about his ART which to me makes a person a true artist. I had the pleasure of catching up with Boy at the House of Versace. They asked me to do something for their VERSUS line. I thought Boy was the perfect poster Boy. He was not exactly the Boy of years past, but the talent was still there none the less. His music still gives me the inspiration to push forward and make great art in the face of all conservatism in the United States. Hopefully we can bring back the edge of ART and inspire the human spirit that has obviously been held hostage for the last eight plus years. Do you really want to hurt me?
Laurence Gartel
Boca Raton Florida
July 15, 2008
Red Hot Chili Peppers
I am starting to forget dates these days, and that is NOT a good thing. Was it 1993? I think it was 1994. My friend, buddy, colleague Herb Decordova (Thank goodness I can still remember names) commissioned me to do a very cool project. A poster for the RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS. - At the time people said, "Are you kidding?" "Are you freakin' for real???" "You did a poster for the RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS??" - Sure kids think you are an old man, especially when your hair turns gray. They think you are old, and ready for a rocking chair and at best a nursing home. TIME is a very funny entity. I do know that it evaporates fast. However, how someone acts is all in their character, and all in their mind. It is their mind that decides if you are OLD or not. In some cases I am getting younger! - Ha.
Herb asked me to create something that represented them and put them over the edge.Nothing like using my crazy color palette, a dayglow persona to depict them. As the world thinking digital, is all about resolution. High resolution, high quality. To me it is all about texture and that makes an image look more like ART than a conventional photograph. If this be the case, then everyone's images pretty much look like everyone else's. I say one has to have an identity, a signature, and a personal look. The final result was a four panel work which the Chili Peppers absolutely loved.
Laurence Gartel
Boca Raton, Florida
August 28, 2008
Ground Control to Major Tom
Look: Up in the Sky...Its a Bird; Its a Plane
Its Astronaut ED MITCHELL
Here is a piece of trivia for you....As of July 8, 2008 there were approximately 6 BILLION 708 MILLION, 700 THOUSAND 100 people walking the earth. (That's a lot of people.) Now factor in how many people have lived on this planet up until that date? That's a lot of people consuming a lot of things and each following some sort of life path. In mulling over that number, how many people can really say they are unique? Different from the other person. Well, I guess we are all different in some way, shape or form. We certainly look different, although I was told yesterday that I look like some body's neighbor next door that is a musician. (I'm filing that comment away. .in the trash). So how many people are really singular is the question? EDGAR DEAN MITCHELL is one such person. I had the privilege of meeting Dr. Mitchell, who also founded the Institute of Noetic Studies (IONS), right here in Florida. Astronaut Mitchell was part of APOLLO 14 and is the "sixth" man to walk the moon and he did so on February 9, 1971. Now if you ask me, after review the statistics above....that makes Mitchell a very special fellow. To think that his eyes saw the moon, that his feet walked on its surface, that he experienced deep space from such an external viewpoint, you then just become in awe of the man. It is one thing to hear a story and try to "visualize" and attempt to deduce the experience, but that is certainly second hand. (Big time in this instance.) It is another to be Edgar Mitchell. And when he tells you "There is NO dark side to the moon," it really sends shivers up the back of your spine. You just keep starring at him, wondering. Wondering what he is wondering about? Wondering about infinity and divinity. What does Mitchell know? You just keep looking at him for answers.
Look: Up in the Sky...Its a Bird; Its a Plane
Its Astronaut ED MITCHELL
Here is a piece of trivia for you....As of July 8, 2008 there were approximately 6 BILLION 708 MILLION, 700 THOUSAND 100 people walking the earth. (That's a lot of people.) Now factor in how many people have lived on this planet up until that date? That's a lot of people consuming a lot of things and each following some sort of life path. In mulling over that number, how many people can really say they are unique? Different from the other person. Well, I guess we are all different in some way, shape or form. We certainly look different, although I was told yesterday that I look like some body's neighbor next door that is a musician. (I'm filing that comment away. .in the trash). So how many people are really singular is the question? EDGAR DEAN MITCHELL is one such person. I had the privilege of meeting Dr. Mitchell, who also founded the Institute of Noetic Studies (IONS), right here in Florida. Astronaut Mitchell was part of APOLLO 14 and is the "sixth" man to walk the moon and he did so on February 9, 1971. Now if you ask me, after review the statistics above....that makes Mitchell a very special fellow. To think that his eyes saw the moon, that his feet walked on its surface, that he experienced deep space from such an external viewpoint, you then just become in awe of the man. It is one thing to hear a story and try to "visualize" and attempt to deduce the experience, but that is certainly second hand. (Big time in this instance.) It is another to be Edgar Mitchell. And when he tells you "There is NO dark side to the moon," it really sends shivers up the back of your spine. You just keep starring at him, wondering. Wondering what he is wondering about? Wondering about infinity and divinity. What does Mitchell know? You just keep looking at him for answers.
GOTH KING Goes BEYOND - The Filmography of TIM BURTON
How many people can you say are cool? How many people in the art world would you say are really talented? Oh, I'm not talking about about the Street Art Fair dingaling artists. I'm talking about the high end, elite world of true creators with museum track records, public art displays and books on their work? Now after that, how many filmmakers can you name that "push the envelop" on film, as a complete art form, and still have it tell a story and look distinctively like ONLY ONE PERSON could have done it? Two people come to mind: First is Alfred Hitchcock. Signature lighting, signature look. How he did it, I don't know, but he did. The other person in the entire world, and through the history of film is TIM BURTON. Blessed am I to have met Tim on a couple of occasions. An authentic artist, a genius, an individual, and someone who has a unique eye that nobody but Tim has. What a special person. To all those goth kids out there: Go back home and figure out someone and something else to be: GAME OVER, TIM BURTON WINS!!! TILT on the rest of ya'll! - )) His work in stop frame animation is just extraordinary. Using real character models and shooting scenes frame by frame. The enormity of technical proficiency is beyond comprehension. And then to be cool with it all, is just over the top.
I created the Official poster for the Future Film Festival of Bologna, Italy in 2000. Tim had his Italian Release of "Sleepy Hollow" at this Festival. It was a great honor to hang out, drink dozens of bottles of red wine, and be part of a festival in Italy that was as great as all the contributors who participated. BRAVO Guilietta Fara for organizing the Future Film Festival. "Sleepy Hollow" is just incredible. What can you say about Johnny Depp??? There is cool and then there is COOOOOOOOL.Tim knows exactly who should star in his films. To me, this is what makes it ART. It is as much theatre as it is anything else. Great imagination at work. Tim, you have my deepest respect. I am glad I have had the privilege of meeting you.
Cotton Balls and X Rays For Sale
The Julian Schnabel Extravaganza
OK. It took me a while to get up the courage to post this blog. - The "ART" of Julian Schnabel. I usually put the word "ART" in caps because I beleive ART to be sacred, and holy. It is very special to me. ART has been the most core part of my existence. On the day of the Schnabel opening at the Gagosian Gallery the word ART came into question. Julian was pedaling "Cotton Balls and Xrays." In due respect to Julian, whose smashed plates I've grown a fondness for,...I had a hard time processing his giant xrays and cotton ball assemblages as ART. He personally referenced Duchamp's toilet to bring the lineage and link to this "body" of work. I didn't buy it whatsoever. And neither did anyone else in the room.
However, this was the greatest collection of celebrities and A+ List personalities I have ever seen in one place. I believe the Schnabel opening was the unofficial Academy Awards Pre-Party anywhere in the world. Granted Gagosian Gallery is located in Beverly Hills, but that is only half the equation. Schnabel's "X-rays" were $600,000. His "Cotton Balls were $175,000. I think a trip to CVS Pharmacy or Walgreens to pick up a box of Johnson and Johnson cotton balls for $3.29 is a far greater deal. The x-rays at the doctors office may cost you a bit more most likely. In any case, the entire show was completely absurd. But who looked at the "ART?" It was so overflowing with stars it was just over the top. My friend Karen Sperling went with me to the "exhibit" and it was a hoot to see Nicky Hilton, Roberto Cavalli, Michael York, Dennis Hopper, Diane Keaton, Vanna White, John Waters, and just about everyone else who had nothing to do that night except SEE and be SEEN. Completely over the top the show was. I hand it to Gagosian for orchestrating such a show at this precise time. After this night the Academy Awards paled in comparison. Onward the celebrities go into the night. I loved the fact that Brett Ratner showed up with Morgane Polanski, (Roman's daughter.) Brett is all so cool. I saw him at the Palm Beach Film Festival with Salma Hayek. Can Brett do any wrong? -)) Well G-D bless everyone who showed up. It was indeed the Greatest Show On Earth.
Laurence Gartel
Boca Raton, Florida
August 29, 2008
How many people can you say are cool? How many people in the art world would you say are really talented? Oh, I'm not talking about about the Street Art Fair dingaling artists. I'm talking about the high end, elite world of true creators with museum track records, public art displays and books on their work? Now after that, how many filmmakers can you name that "push the envelop" on film, as a complete art form, and still have it tell a story and look distinctively like ONLY ONE PERSON could have done it? Two people come to mind: First is Alfred Hitchcock. Signature lighting, signature look. How he did it, I don't know, but he did. The other person in the entire world, and through the history of film is TIM BURTON. Blessed am I to have met Tim on a couple of occasions. An authentic artist, a genius, an individual, and someone who has a unique eye that nobody but Tim has. What a special person. To all those goth kids out there: Go back home and figure out someone and something else to be: GAME OVER, TIM BURTON WINS!!! TILT on the rest of ya'll! - )) His work in stop frame animation is just extraordinary. Using real character models and shooting scenes frame by frame. The enormity of technical proficiency is beyond comprehension. And then to be cool with it all, is just over the top.
I created the Official poster for the Future Film Festival of Bologna, Italy in 2000. Tim had his Italian Release of "Sleepy Hollow" at this Festival. It was a great honor to hang out, drink dozens of bottles of red wine, and be part of a festival in Italy that was as great as all the contributors who participated. BRAVO Guilietta Fara for organizing the Future Film Festival. "Sleepy Hollow" is just incredible. What can you say about Johnny Depp??? There is cool and then there is COOOOOOOOL.Tim knows exactly who should star in his films. To me, this is what makes it ART. It is as much theatre as it is anything else. Great imagination at work. Tim, you have my deepest respect. I am glad I have had the privilege of meeting you.
Cotton Balls and X Rays For Sale
The Julian Schnabel Extravaganza
OK. It took me a while to get up the courage to post this blog. - The "ART" of Julian Schnabel. I usually put the word "ART" in caps because I beleive ART to be sacred, and holy. It is very special to me. ART has been the most core part of my existence. On the day of the Schnabel opening at the Gagosian Gallery the word ART came into question. Julian was pedaling "Cotton Balls and Xrays." In due respect to Julian, whose smashed plates I've grown a fondness for,...I had a hard time processing his giant xrays and cotton ball assemblages as ART. He personally referenced Duchamp's toilet to bring the lineage and link to this "body" of work. I didn't buy it whatsoever. And neither did anyone else in the room.
However, this was the greatest collection of celebrities and A+ List personalities I have ever seen in one place. I believe the Schnabel opening was the unofficial Academy Awards Pre-Party anywhere in the world. Granted Gagosian Gallery is located in Beverly Hills, but that is only half the equation. Schnabel's "X-rays" were $600,000. His "Cotton Balls were $175,000. I think a trip to CVS Pharmacy or Walgreens to pick up a box of Johnson and Johnson cotton balls for $3.29 is a far greater deal. The x-rays at the doctors office may cost you a bit more most likely. In any case, the entire show was completely absurd. But who looked at the "ART?" It was so overflowing with stars it was just over the top. My friend Karen Sperling went with me to the "exhibit" and it was a hoot to see Nicky Hilton, Roberto Cavalli, Michael York, Dennis Hopper, Diane Keaton, Vanna White, John Waters, and just about everyone else who had nothing to do that night except SEE and be SEEN. Completely over the top the show was. I hand it to Gagosian for orchestrating such a show at this precise time. After this night the Academy Awards paled in comparison. Onward the celebrities go into the night. I loved the fact that Brett Ratner showed up with Morgane Polanski, (Roman's daughter.) Brett is all so cool. I saw him at the Palm Beach Film Festival with Salma Hayek. Can Brett do any wrong? -)) Well G-D bless everyone who showed up. It was indeed the Greatest Show On Earth.
Laurence Gartel
Boca Raton, Florida
August 29, 2008
GARTEL with Mohammad Ali's Ring Doctor, the legendary Ferdie Pacheco at the Grace Cafe Gallery.
Liv & Let Liv, Miami Int'l Film Fest, 2005
MIAMI INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2005 HOSTED BY MIAMI DADE COLLEGE. The Miami International Film Festival (MIFF) brings the best of world cinema to South Florida and plays a leading role in maintaining and further enriching its film culture. MIFF uses the unique geographical and cultural position of Miami to be a premier venue for the exhibition of international and US films, with a special focus on Ibero-American cinema. Both juried and audience awards are given in Documentary and Dramatic categories.
JT - Photo shoot and Sing-a-long
Beverly Hills, California
I had a very interesting commission to photograph both Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake on the very same day, at the very same house, but not together. One could not see the other. It was very odd. None the less, the lunch was being served and everyone was clammering throughout the house including the home owners who were probably making buckets of money renting out the house for the day. The condition was, they probably had to be present just to get a glimpse of the two stars. I recall one half of the couple was a school teacher and the other was an attorney. (What a surprise). It was a neat little house though in Beverly Hills. Only a small fence separated us from the rest of the world. - If they only knew! Justin was very nice and respectful and he called me Mr. Gartel. You know you are getting old when you are older than the kid's mother. Mrs. Timberlake was there too, and she was ranting and raving about her "chocolate diamonds" she was wearing on her hand. Her brand new Porsche Carerra was sitting outside being watched by two humongous body guards. One day I will find their picture and add it to the blog because they were just so big it was too funny. Getting back to Justin though, considering he was coming into the serious bucks he was as polite as could be and not a wise guy at all. He picked up a guitar and we both sang "My Sharona." It was a classic moment. I was really surprised to find out that Justin really could sing. - Duh?? All the while I was making fun of the guy, but learned during this photo shoot that this guy really did have amazing talent. So everywhere I go, I say how cool and talented Justin really is. He reallllly is! - )
Beverly Hills, California
I had a very interesting commission to photograph both Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake on the very same day, at the very same house, but not together. One could not see the other. It was very odd. None the less, the lunch was being served and everyone was clammering throughout the house including the home owners who were probably making buckets of money renting out the house for the day. The condition was, they probably had to be present just to get a glimpse of the two stars. I recall one half of the couple was a school teacher and the other was an attorney. (What a surprise). It was a neat little house though in Beverly Hills. Only a small fence separated us from the rest of the world. - If they only knew! Justin was very nice and respectful and he called me Mr. Gartel. You know you are getting old when you are older than the kid's mother. Mrs. Timberlake was there too, and she was ranting and raving about her "chocolate diamonds" she was wearing on her hand. Her brand new Porsche Carerra was sitting outside being watched by two humongous body guards. One day I will find their picture and add it to the blog because they were just so big it was too funny. Getting back to Justin though, considering he was coming into the serious bucks he was as polite as could be and not a wise guy at all. He picked up a guitar and we both sang "My Sharona." It was a classic moment. I was really surprised to find out that Justin really could sing. - Duh?? All the while I was making fun of the guy, but learned during this photo shoot that this guy really did have amazing talent. So everywhere I go, I say how cool and talented Justin really is. He reallllly is! - )
Homage to Robert Rauschenberg (c) 2005
Letter from Tom: On Rauschenberg and GARTEL Laurence,
When a genius like Rauschenberg is gone it creates... a void, a space, a gap. His work was our dreams…combining the commonplace realities and the unreality of the likes of Marcel Duchamp. "Neo-Dada"…ha' ha'…His vision was pure, sharp, uncluttered by the unimportant. Even his "Art Cars" wonderfully combined the real and the imagined into unforgettable sculptures.
The power of his work was his perfect vision…how he saw those common objects in relation to the work he was crating. He was a Giant…leaving a Giant footprint on art and his audience. He has left behind a visual treasure, a wealth of art that fathered and inspired new artists and works…your work follows this blood line. Your gift is in this vision...combinings that "Work".
We are very fortunate to have your work to add to our art text books. We have recently added some of your images to the re-worked version of our Middle School textbook now in the works.
Best,
Tom
Dear Tom,
I spent the day very quietly working here. My day was focused on Rauschenberg. Im not sure if you know this, but I met Rauschenberg in 2005. The short interview is on my site. I ask Bob a very poignant question: "Do you find the computer helps you in any way?" He replies with a smile, "yeah...It does my work." ))
Rauschenberg obviously came first. He was a great influence over me, my ideas and my approach. Living in the second part of the last century you had to be influenced by his work, ("GOAT" and "BED" in particular.) - Monuments to a new world. He was a genius and that genius will live forever. Far greater than the kitch of Warhol, Rauschenberg's ideas were paramount. Working material, concepts all in one: A complete champion if there ever was one. The art absolutely spoke for itself in roaring fashion. Yet he was a quiet, gentle person. Fast forwarding, his ideas maturated my artistic sensibilities. Then like the "Big Bang," I invented a completely new world. Not only that; but new tools, new vision and new methodologies. In essence a completely new paradigm. - The Bellwhether proprietor.
In 2005 I created a tribute piece to Rauschenberg in homage. When Rauschenberg said he used the computer, I knew right then and there, that the tides of influence changed.
Letter from Tom: On Rauschenberg and GARTEL Laurence,
When a genius like Rauschenberg is gone it creates... a void, a space, a gap. His work was our dreams…combining the commonplace realities and the unreality of the likes of Marcel Duchamp. "Neo-Dada"…ha' ha'…His vision was pure, sharp, uncluttered by the unimportant. Even his "Art Cars" wonderfully combined the real and the imagined into unforgettable sculptures.
The power of his work was his perfect vision…how he saw those common objects in relation to the work he was crating. He was a Giant…leaving a Giant footprint on art and his audience. He has left behind a visual treasure, a wealth of art that fathered and inspired new artists and works…your work follows this blood line. Your gift is in this vision...combinings that "Work".
We are very fortunate to have your work to add to our art text books. We have recently added some of your images to the re-worked version of our Middle School textbook now in the works.
Best,
Tom
Dear Tom,
I spent the day very quietly working here. My day was focused on Rauschenberg. Im not sure if you know this, but I met Rauschenberg in 2005. The short interview is on my site. I ask Bob a very poignant question: "Do you find the computer helps you in any way?" He replies with a smile, "yeah...It does my work." ))
Rauschenberg obviously came first. He was a great influence over me, my ideas and my approach. Living in the second part of the last century you had to be influenced by his work, ("GOAT" and "BED" in particular.) - Monuments to a new world. He was a genius and that genius will live forever. Far greater than the kitch of Warhol, Rauschenberg's ideas were paramount. Working material, concepts all in one: A complete champion if there ever was one. The art absolutely spoke for itself in roaring fashion. Yet he was a quiet, gentle person. Fast forwarding, his ideas maturated my artistic sensibilities. Then like the "Big Bang," I invented a completely new world. Not only that; but new tools, new vision and new methodologies. In essence a completely new paradigm. - The Bellwhether proprietor.
In 2005 I created a tribute piece to Rauschenberg in homage. When Rauschenberg said he used the computer, I knew right then and there, that the tides of influence changed.
GARTEL and Digital Visionary Judson Rosebush (TRON), on the occasion of a Gerald Marks stereoscopic art opening, NYC. 2009
Uoko Ono, NYC, 2006
Retro ART BASEL 2005: GARTEL and the Miami Twins.
Isn't that "Gregg Brady"?
Will Smith, Art Basel
Wolfgang Puck
GOOD FELLAS Good Art by Kenny Scharf
You gotta put up or shut up is how I feel the art world is. Most of it is the Emperor's New Clothes. The real art is someone who continues to do his / her work day in and day out and it has the signature of the artist. When you look at it, you marvel. Each piece has its own story which you just cant wait to solve the riddle of. Kenny's work has always engaged me in deep thought and a laugh. Not necessarily in that order. It is whimsical, it is fun, and it is purely Scharf. He isnt trying to get over on anyone, he is simply trying to make great work. Which he is very successful at. I always wanted to own a Scharf. Kenny created an Absolut ad before I did. He was one of the very first. I still had to battle the fact that my work was Digital and that it was a valid art form. This took years. People laughed at it the first 15 years. The experts in the art world did. They didnt get it because they did not invent it, nor did they invest in it. Now they want it for free, and unfortunately that just isnt possible anymore. (Sorry). The days of getting deals are long over. They should have tried that in my early 20s but they could not believe a young artist. So they dismissed it. In the meanwhile I still had the eye for other great art, like Rothko, Motherwell, Ansel Adams, Rauschenberg, and many others. But Scharf's work always stands out as authentic. Hail to good work! I love seeing it. I am the proud owner of his print for Absolut. Yo Kenny. You are a good fella!
You gotta put up or shut up is how I feel the art world is. Most of it is the Emperor's New Clothes. The real art is someone who continues to do his / her work day in and day out and it has the signature of the artist. When you look at it, you marvel. Each piece has its own story which you just cant wait to solve the riddle of. Kenny's work has always engaged me in deep thought and a laugh. Not necessarily in that order. It is whimsical, it is fun, and it is purely Scharf. He isnt trying to get over on anyone, he is simply trying to make great work. Which he is very successful at. I always wanted to own a Scharf. Kenny created an Absolut ad before I did. He was one of the very first. I still had to battle the fact that my work was Digital and that it was a valid art form. This took years. People laughed at it the first 15 years. The experts in the art world did. They didnt get it because they did not invent it, nor did they invest in it. Now they want it for free, and unfortunately that just isnt possible anymore. (Sorry). The days of getting deals are long over. They should have tried that in my early 20s but they could not believe a young artist. So they dismissed it. In the meanwhile I still had the eye for other great art, like Rothko, Motherwell, Ansel Adams, Rauschenberg, and many others. But Scharf's work always stands out as authentic. Hail to good work! I love seeing it. I am the proud owner of his print for Absolut. Yo Kenny. You are a good fella!
GARTEL and Artist Anastasia the Great.
Mutant Monkees
Back in 1992 I was commissioned to create a double page spread for an upcoming book. As it turned out, it was for one of my favorite television bands of all times: The Monkees. They gave me the idea and concept of the Monkees on MTV, the band that triggered or shall we say "gave the idea" FOR MTV, before there was an MTV. I can recall the fact that I translated a black and white fax image of people with sound mics into part of the artwork I was organizing for this particular piece of art. It was the first time I can recall fax imagery used for art. The imagery was crude, and without much details. But there was a unique quality about it. My work has always enjoyed a mix of resolutions but high and low. It added a unique aspect of texture. The book was a really interesting project as it hoped to fuse computer generated art with the Mutant Monkees. - Quite an unusual mix I have to say. It remains a quirky commission that turned out to be a landmark piece. Davy Jones loved it. )) --Laurence Gartel, July 29, 2008
Honoring Paik
Video Guru Nam June Paik
This is not the first time I am writing about Nam June, nor will it be the last. My beginnings are due to this man's incredible vision. While I take credit for pioneering digital art, I bow my head in honor to my friend and mentor. His vision of video supercedes everyone else's. It also shows you how far ahead he was, and even with his major museum shows at the Guggenheim and the Whitney Museums in New York, people still do not fully understand what Nam June did for the world. In many ways, this is due to the fact that he was a Fluxist, and he did not take himself seriously. One might even go so far as calling him the "Rodney Dangerfield of the art world." (I am cautious when I say that.) The point being, he was full of humor and did not take himself seriously. I know first hand his mind was constantly racing because it had to catch up to his last thought.
I met Nam June at Media Study/Buffalo in upstate New York. It was a facility created by Gerry O'Grady so that "video artists" could have a place to work. (What the heck was a video artist in 1975 I asked myself?) But at least I was asking. It took people 15-20 years on the average, before the "average" person could ask such a question. It really was a very small community of people and even smaller when it came to exhibition spaces and sales of art. Who even knew what the tangible product was and how could it be quanitified? Commerce aside, Nam June asked me day one, "Why are you photographing the screen with a still camera? "What are you doing? I replied, "I am a photographer but prior a painter. I see video art as a picture you hang on the wall like a painting." He said to me straight away,, "You are a crazy man." - I took this as a very high compliment. And so after creating these initial works, I knew in that moment that this was going to be my life's calling. That the electronic medium was going to be the communicative tool of the future. Nam June fostered this kind of insight. He was very happy to know that he influenced a young mind. Several years later in his studio on Green Street in Soho, Nam June whispered to me, "Don't tell anyone I do not know how to use a computer." "Best kept secret," he said!" And so, I never said a word until now. It didnt matter, he had the vision and it was extraordinary.
Nam June was kind enough to write the Introduction to my first book, "Laurence Gartel: A Cybernetic Romance" which was published by Gibbs Smith in Utah. Nam June was both witty and funny. Typically Nam June. The book has been out of print and out of circulation. It can be found in many libraries. To Nam June's knowledge, it is the first full monograph written on anyone's Computer Art. I think of Nam June every day. He is indeed the reason I do what I do every day of my life. Thankful am I.
Honoring Paik Optica Festival
Spain
One year rolls into the next. I keep turning around and its preparation for ART BASEL MIAMI BEACH. This show has definitely kept the pulse of the entire art world on Miami. A good place to be considering Ive been here for the last 14 years, and have been there longer in my "mind's eye." My parents used to go down to Miami Beach when I was a young teenager vacationing at the Nautilus Hotel on 18th Street and Collins. My dad and I used to walk Lincoln Road when they had discount shoe stores with racks that only had sizes with no boxes and no salesman. It was the first wholesale shoe store I had ever seen. My dad was quite flamboyant and I recall him purchasing a pair of "orange suede shoes." Matter of fact, I still have them. Good news, my foot was the same size as my dad. However, of late Im sure it is a lot wider. ))
I mention ART BASEL in the blog because the magazine art.es from Spain was a co-sponsor of an event I threw at MANSION on Thursday December 7, 2006 during the the ART BASEL FAIR. In their magazine they showcased my tribute art work I created to my friend and mentor Nam June Paik. The work was revered as a special work during the OPTICA VIDEO FESTIVAL in Spain. I was happy to contribute as the last time I was in Spain was during my visit to the Guggenheim Bilbao with my friend and art agent Antonia Blasco. Spain is such a great country (at least to an outsider). It feels very much alive and creative. How can it not be when it highlights great artists like Goudi, Miro, Picasso, Dali, and Tapies? Great art can be found everywhere though everyone is claiming Christopher Columbus as their own.
My salutations to Nam June Paik at every turn. A genius of an artist, with a wonderful sense of humor. Forever missed by me.
Laurence Gartel
Boca Raton, Florida
July 21, 2008
Yoko Ono Eulogizes Paik
END OF AN ERA. - Merce Cunningham dead at 90. End of the 20th Century of Art. It is now complete. -
Rauschenberg, Cage, Cunningham. They gave so much to so many.
Rauschenberg, Cage, Cunningham. They gave so much to so many.
Another One of my very Creative & Talented Colleagues Gone.......Death of Jean-Claude (wife of CHRISTO). - May you create beauty in the After Life. -
Mimmo Rotella
Decollage The Art of MIMMO ROTELLA
WOW. Where do I start? I had the privilege of meeting Mimmo Rotella or shall I say introduced to him when I had an exhibition in Frankfurt, Germany in 1997. Two men walked into the Amerika Haus where I was showing my work and they said to me, "You must come with me immediately." I turned pale white. They said they were on their way to France and that I should come with them. They were going to an exhibition of a friend, who just happened to be the number1 painter in all of Italy, Mimmo Rotella. I scratched my head wondering "Who would pay my ransom note, as I would surely be kidnapped?"
I politely said, "No thanks fellas....maybe next time." In America if someone said to you "come with me...." you surely would be dead in a matter of hours, found in a low lying ditch some where covered in ants. I guess its slightly different in Europe but what they were suggesting was that I go with them to a foreign country. (We are so dumbass in America we actually think that Germany in relation to France is another galaxy away.) Its only now that the Euro is united, that we tend to think that these countries are "closer" together.
So what IS eye raising about this experience is that I DID indeed take them up on their offer, but a few months later. That summer I was invited to exhibit in Rome and in that instance I had the opportunity to meet Mimmo Rotella. There was a conference and Mimmo gave a speech about his thoughts on Digital Art. As Mimmo was a painter and not knowing who he was, I only listened with half an ear paying attention. - Its crazy how we dismiss someone, "just because." My big error because Mimmo was a genius. He had been Italy's "Warhol" for so many years and a member of Pierre Restany's Nouveaux Realistes group, which included other artists, Yves Klein, Jean Tinguely, Cesar, Spoerri, Arman and Niki de Saint Phalle.
Mimmo and I became instant friends. His great sense of humor, and his stories were so engaging you could listen for hours. It is a really strange feeling to meet someone you know is a ton smarter than you are. You feel like your pants are down to your knees and constantly pulling them up. Mimmo was the real deal. An authentic person. And for this reason it was clear to see how he could "deconstruct" art of others and make something new out of it. Re-contextualize something that held other meanings elsewhere. From that point on, his vision played an important influence on me. I saw a lot of parallels and similarities in our work. Our tools were different but there were similar expressions. Our manner of application regarding mixed media was different. But we both used photo based imagery and painting in combination. Knowing Mimmo influenced me to take it steps further and during the years I was in Italy 1997-1998, my collage work got "heavier" and full. I had to push the envelop to the end.
Mimmo was a good sport and had no problem posing for pictures. I think he liked me and that might have had something to do with it. He enjoyed the fact that I was a New Yorker and loved to tell me stories of living at the Chelsea Hotel on 23rd Street. (Trust me I have plenty of my own!! - )) I have to save other Mimmo stories for future BLOGS that will include him. For now, I just want to recognize my dear friend who recently passed. I was so glad to spend the time with him that I did. What a great guy, what a fantastic artist. His art will live forever. Im glad I had the opportunity to immortalize him GARTEL style.
WOW. Where do I start? I had the privilege of meeting Mimmo Rotella or shall I say introduced to him when I had an exhibition in Frankfurt, Germany in 1997. Two men walked into the Amerika Haus where I was showing my work and they said to me, "You must come with me immediately." I turned pale white. They said they were on their way to France and that I should come with them. They were going to an exhibition of a friend, who just happened to be the number1 painter in all of Italy, Mimmo Rotella. I scratched my head wondering "Who would pay my ransom note, as I would surely be kidnapped?"
I politely said, "No thanks fellas....maybe next time." In America if someone said to you "come with me...." you surely would be dead in a matter of hours, found in a low lying ditch some where covered in ants. I guess its slightly different in Europe but what they were suggesting was that I go with them to a foreign country. (We are so dumbass in America we actually think that Germany in relation to France is another galaxy away.) Its only now that the Euro is united, that we tend to think that these countries are "closer" together.
So what IS eye raising about this experience is that I DID indeed take them up on their offer, but a few months later. That summer I was invited to exhibit in Rome and in that instance I had the opportunity to meet Mimmo Rotella. There was a conference and Mimmo gave a speech about his thoughts on Digital Art. As Mimmo was a painter and not knowing who he was, I only listened with half an ear paying attention. - Its crazy how we dismiss someone, "just because." My big error because Mimmo was a genius. He had been Italy's "Warhol" for so many years and a member of Pierre Restany's Nouveaux Realistes group, which included other artists, Yves Klein, Jean Tinguely, Cesar, Spoerri, Arman and Niki de Saint Phalle.
Mimmo and I became instant friends. His great sense of humor, and his stories were so engaging you could listen for hours. It is a really strange feeling to meet someone you know is a ton smarter than you are. You feel like your pants are down to your knees and constantly pulling them up. Mimmo was the real deal. An authentic person. And for this reason it was clear to see how he could "deconstruct" art of others and make something new out of it. Re-contextualize something that held other meanings elsewhere. From that point on, his vision played an important influence on me. I saw a lot of parallels and similarities in our work. Our tools were different but there were similar expressions. Our manner of application regarding mixed media was different. But we both used photo based imagery and painting in combination. Knowing Mimmo influenced me to take it steps further and during the years I was in Italy 1997-1998, my collage work got "heavier" and full. I had to push the envelop to the end.
Mimmo was a good sport and had no problem posing for pictures. I think he liked me and that might have had something to do with it. He enjoyed the fact that I was a New Yorker and loved to tell me stories of living at the Chelsea Hotel on 23rd Street. (Trust me I have plenty of my own!! - )) I have to save other Mimmo stories for future BLOGS that will include him. For now, I just want to recognize my dear friend who recently passed. I was so glad to spend the time with him that I did. What a great guy, what a fantastic artist. His art will live forever. Im glad I had the opportunity to immortalize him GARTEL style.
Gidget Gein
ART on the EDGE People on the EDGE
Gidget Gein
Back in 2004 I had the opportunity to have a show with my art dealer friend Big Bill. Bill was one of the first guys to open a gallery in the Wynwood area of Miami. Today its the place where Art Fairs are held during the prestigious ART BASEL MIAMI BEACH. Huge tents to house the AIPAD and ART MIAMI photo shows are located on that very street. SCOPE and PULSE Art Fairs are also held in Wynwood, along with approximately 100 other satellite gallery spaces.
They are all there during the first week of December. Bill was/ is an art preparator which means he handles art and places it strategically in a space. Sounds simple enough, but its not. It is a rather meticulous and precision job. It appears easy to knock a nail in the wall, its another to place a hanging sculpture or to construct an installation. In any case, Bill is an expert at this and decided to open his own gallery after working for institutions such as the Norton Museum of Art and the Coral Springs Museum of Art to name a few. If Bill hung your work, you knew it was going to look fantastic in its chosen place. (And well lit too!)
Big Bill is eccentric just like the rest of us, naturally.... and one day he said, "You know what GARTEL, I can so see you pairing up with Gidget Gein." "Gein is a big fan of you and your work and both your backgrounds connected to music is an interesting parallel. - How could I argue? Bill was right on the money just like he pairs two works of art together. So now that I have mentioned my "duet brother's name"
Gidget Gein are the bells and whistles going off? Does the name ring any chimes?? If you lived in Palm Beach County, I would hope that it wouldnt. Mr. Gein was the photographer and documenter for the coroner's office. Gein's accounts regarding his adventures with dead smelly people is not to be believed, though you can read up on it all on his website. At first you think they are merely pranks, however the guy is "dead serious." (No pun intended). It is worth a read anyway if they are still on his page. I guess I should check to see if they are still there, but I am a bit lazy (and scared!!). More importantly though Gidget's art was pretty trippy. Bugs and other insects were the subject for a lot of his work. Reminded me of the punk days in many ways of CBGBs. Yes. While I have never worn bug t-shirts or things that remind me of human waste products, I was venturing with pretty "out there" people in those 70s days of punk rock. Meanwhile does the name ring a bell yet? Okay: Time is up. Gidget was one of the most notorious bass guitarists for Marilyn Manson. For the record Brad Stewart invented his name through the TV character Gidget and Ed Gein a serial killer from Wisconsin. - Makes sense when you think about it.
We had a very provocative show. I don't think Miami was quite ready for us back in 2004. Gidget left for Los Angeles.
Laurence Gartel
Boca Raton, Florida
July 11, 2008
Gidget Gein
Back in 2004 I had the opportunity to have a show with my art dealer friend Big Bill. Bill was one of the first guys to open a gallery in the Wynwood area of Miami. Today its the place where Art Fairs are held during the prestigious ART BASEL MIAMI BEACH. Huge tents to house the AIPAD and ART MIAMI photo shows are located on that very street. SCOPE and PULSE Art Fairs are also held in Wynwood, along with approximately 100 other satellite gallery spaces.
They are all there during the first week of December. Bill was/ is an art preparator which means he handles art and places it strategically in a space. Sounds simple enough, but its not. It is a rather meticulous and precision job. It appears easy to knock a nail in the wall, its another to place a hanging sculpture or to construct an installation. In any case, Bill is an expert at this and decided to open his own gallery after working for institutions such as the Norton Museum of Art and the Coral Springs Museum of Art to name a few. If Bill hung your work, you knew it was going to look fantastic in its chosen place. (And well lit too!)
Big Bill is eccentric just like the rest of us, naturally.... and one day he said, "You know what GARTEL, I can so see you pairing up with Gidget Gein." "Gein is a big fan of you and your work and both your backgrounds connected to music is an interesting parallel. - How could I argue? Bill was right on the money just like he pairs two works of art together. So now that I have mentioned my "duet brother's name"
Gidget Gein are the bells and whistles going off? Does the name ring any chimes?? If you lived in Palm Beach County, I would hope that it wouldnt. Mr. Gein was the photographer and documenter for the coroner's office. Gein's accounts regarding his adventures with dead smelly people is not to be believed, though you can read up on it all on his website. At first you think they are merely pranks, however the guy is "dead serious." (No pun intended). It is worth a read anyway if they are still on his page. I guess I should check to see if they are still there, but I am a bit lazy (and scared!!). More importantly though Gidget's art was pretty trippy. Bugs and other insects were the subject for a lot of his work. Reminded me of the punk days in many ways of CBGBs. Yes. While I have never worn bug t-shirts or things that remind me of human waste products, I was venturing with pretty "out there" people in those 70s days of punk rock. Meanwhile does the name ring a bell yet? Okay: Time is up. Gidget was one of the most notorious bass guitarists for Marilyn Manson. For the record Brad Stewart invented his name through the TV character Gidget and Ed Gein a serial killer from Wisconsin. - Makes sense when you think about it.
We had a very provocative show. I don't think Miami was quite ready for us back in 2004. Gidget left for Los Angeles.
Laurence Gartel
Boca Raton, Florida
July 11, 2008
Gartel Gibson steals the show
Miami's K.C. & the Sunshine Band, 2005
Classic Time Breaker: Yvonne (Max's Kansas City Former Owner) and GARTEL in New York City celebrating 30-Years of Punk Rock.
Long Live SID VICIOUS. - "Homage to Sid" - GARTEL POSTER.
Jayne County - Time for Music. - Lets roll back the clock and enjoy JAYNE COUNTY.
Check out "his/her/its" music. - "I remember when disfunction was an asset lol. - GARTEL ))
Check out "his/her/its" music. - "I remember when disfunction was an asset lol. - GARTEL ))
GARTEL & Genya Ravan. - If you were out and about in the Punk Rock / Glitter era you partied with Goldie & the Gingerbreads
and a little friend of hers named David Bowie. - LG )))
and a little friend of hers named David Bowie. - LG )))
GARTEL and COSMO. Original Creator of the CBGBs logo. - A symbol that represents an era in rock music history. -
One of the greatest moments in American culture. A legacy. LG ))
One of the greatest moments in American culture. A legacy. LG ))
15th Annual Avant Garde Festival of New York TATTOO YOU
Get Ready: July 20th - The 15th Annual Avant Garde Festival of New York at Passenger Ship Terminal Berths 5 and 6. 55th Street and 12th Avenue, in New York City. Sounds good doesnt it?? You didn't think this event was this year did you? How could you? Has there been anything avant garde in New York City in the last 10 years? Has there been anything avant garde in the last 20 years? Has there been ......well as it just so happens the 15th Annual event took place in the summer of 1980. Thats about the last time the city saw anything avant garde and controversial. Today youll be happy to be part of art fairs all over the world that are corporately head. The same can be said for music. Thats why everything that is out there is sophomoric and terribly bland without substance.
I participated in this show and there was an amazing cast of characters who also participated like Charlotte Moorman with her infamous Video Bra as well as her then sidekick Nam June Paik. I recall a guy building a tower and then blowing it up into flames at the end of the event. Could it be the NY burning man??? Who knows. We were all too mesmerized by overstimulation to really know.
I had the opportunity to hang out with Spider Webb. Spider was THEE original Tattoo Artist who was considered a real ARTIST. Nobody was doing tattoo art at that time. Spider was breaking all the rules. On Spider's poster there are the breasts of prostitute porn star turn sex educator, Annie Sprinkle. Back then Annie was just a porn star artist. (Not exactly your run of the mill.) Annie of course contributing a writing to my brand new ART OF FETISH book published in 2007. I am sooo happy to now that the avant garde is STILL alive and well and living in Berkeley. That be Annie. Spider is living wonderfully in North Carolina last I heard.
Get Ready: July 20th - The 15th Annual Avant Garde Festival of New York at Passenger Ship Terminal Berths 5 and 6. 55th Street and 12th Avenue, in New York City. Sounds good doesnt it?? You didn't think this event was this year did you? How could you? Has there been anything avant garde in New York City in the last 10 years? Has there been anything avant garde in the last 20 years? Has there been ......well as it just so happens the 15th Annual event took place in the summer of 1980. Thats about the last time the city saw anything avant garde and controversial. Today youll be happy to be part of art fairs all over the world that are corporately head. The same can be said for music. Thats why everything that is out there is sophomoric and terribly bland without substance.
I participated in this show and there was an amazing cast of characters who also participated like Charlotte Moorman with her infamous Video Bra as well as her then sidekick Nam June Paik. I recall a guy building a tower and then blowing it up into flames at the end of the event. Could it be the NY burning man??? Who knows. We were all too mesmerized by overstimulation to really know.
I had the opportunity to hang out with Spider Webb. Spider was THEE original Tattoo Artist who was considered a real ARTIST. Nobody was doing tattoo art at that time. Spider was breaking all the rules. On Spider's poster there are the breasts of prostitute porn star turn sex educator, Annie Sprinkle. Back then Annie was just a porn star artist. (Not exactly your run of the mill.) Annie of course contributing a writing to my brand new ART OF FETISH book published in 2007. I am sooo happy to now that the avant garde is STILL alive and well and living in Berkeley. That be Annie. Spider is living wonderfully in North Carolina last I heard.
Gartel as Charlie, the Three Legged Dog
Gartel & Ryan Paul Simmons, Artist
Modern Masters