Entertainment companies are betting on it, Netflix included.
CBC

View in browser

Hi, Art!

Sunday, May 29, 2022

Hi, Art!

Sunday, May 29, 2022

Hi, art lovers!

 

In the last few weeks, I’ve spent way too much time thinking about immersive attractions and 360-degree tributes to the all-stars of the museum gift shop, but there’s one question some light listicle research wound up raising for me: how does an artist — one who’s been dead for ages at that — become so famous they’re basically a brand? 

Conveniently, this week’s news cycle delivered the answer (plus enough tabs to crash my browser), and it’s all because of a Jean-Michel Basquiat exhibition that recently opened in New York. A question you might have asked yourself, with or without discovering the existence of the Basquiat edition of Uno: why is there such a boom in Basquiat-branded everything, from skateboards to Barbie dolls? This is one short answer. And the artist’s sisters speak at some length about managing his estate in this podcast. But for more expansive thoughts on the subject, here's a long read that explores the commodification of Basquiat. This audio conversation offers another wide-ranging take, and it also takes a few intriguing tangents, including the potential perks of licensing artwork if you’re an artist who’s still very much alive — not that anyone could ever expect to match Basquiat’s record-breaking auction figures or anything. (Related: here’s why art prices are going through the roof.) Beyond Basquiat, art merchandise is apparently a big financial opportunity for both artists and museums. And about the latter, if you’re a sucker for a museum gift shop, have you ever considered how those places actually shape our understanding of art? Whatever your answer, this list will be very bad for your wallet.

And because we promised you eye candy ...

 
3D digital image of a decorative vessel illustrated with thick female forms in silhouette. It is blue, green and reflective silver and rests on a dark orange backdrop.

@hannaleejoshi/Instagram

Ooooooh. Hanna Lee Joshi (last seen here) recently Instagrammed this virtual vase, a collab with Abhishek Dhoj Joshi. Maybe I’m saying this because I spent way too much time reading about artist merch, but I wish it were a real, tangible thing — one that was mass-produced and sold at a reasonable price point for someone on a writer’s salary perhaps.

 
Surrealistic painting suggesting a ghostly sphinx with crying human eyes against a blue sky.

@rae_klein/Instagram

Holding and Beholding by Rae Klein.
 
Photo of a framed artwork. Layered acrylic painted with dots to create the suggestion of a spectral human figure in a colourful gradient.

@suitbyday/Instagram

A way in which two or more things are alike by Montreal artist François Arès.
 
Abstract painting a spectrum of pastel colours.

@foirepapier/Instagram

Painting by François Lacasse. Blouin Division will be presenting more of his work at the Papier Contemporary Art Fair in Montreal this August.
 
 

You've got to see this

 
 
 
Photo of two young white woman in formal gowns admiring a photo wall made of wisteria blossoms.
Fever

The Bridgerton ball and beyond: immersive pop-up experiences are back

 
Is this what we waited all pandemic to do again? Entertainment companies are betting on it, Netflix included.
 
A still from the film Compulsus. Two young white women are photographed at a small bistro table. Bathed in orange light, they hold hands across the table and look into each others' eyes.
Jessie Redmond

The state of queer Canadian cinema

 
Inside Out is the biggest festival in Canadian LGBTQ cinema. Read essays from five of this year’s featured filmmakers.
 
Close-up black and white photo of the performer Harvey Fierstein, an older white man with short grey hair, he frowns and rests his face in his left hand.

Penguin Random House

 

Harvey Fierstein is a living legend we can all learn from

 
And you can start by reading this interview.
 

Follow this artist

 
 
 
Instagram

Stephanie Temma Hier

@stephanie.temma.hier
Photo of a sculpture on a white plinth. The sculpture is in the shape of a three-layer cake with a large section cut out and placed next to it. It is trimmed with realistic meats and savoury garnishes. The slice reveals 2D paintings of hot dogs.

@stephanie.temma.hier/Instagram

Born in Toronto and based in Brooklyn, N.Y., Stephanie is on the longlist for the Sobey Art Award. 
 

Share this newsletter

Facebook Twitter

or subscribe if this was
forwarded to you.

 
 

Got questions? Typo catches? Story ideas?

 

We're just an email away. Send us a note, and we'll do our best to get back to you.

If someone forwarded you this message and you like what you've read, here's where to subscribe for more.

I’m Leah Collins, senior writer at CBC Arts. Until next time!

 
XOXO CBC Arts
XOXO CBC Arts
 
Follow us
Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Instragram Subscribe on YouTube
View in browser Preferences Feedback Unsubscribe
CBC
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
250 Front St. W, Toronto, Ontario M5V 3G5
cbc.radio-canada.ca | radio-canada.ca | cbc.ca

 
Get this newsletter delivered to you