The Easel

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16th June 2015

The Vienna Seccession in Paris

The decorative arts movement (art nouveau) was an expression of European pride. In Austria, where this movement got the name ‘Vienna Secession’, it was also influenced by Sigmund Freud. Out of Freud’s theories about sex and the subconscious came the idea of the ‘femme fatale’ – the lethal seductress. In Klimpt’s Judith, featured in this Paris show, that whole sexy, luxurious, and decorative aesthetic found one of its defining expressions.

7th June 2015

What to see at the Venice Biennale

The Venice Biennale which opens this week is, according to some, the art world’s most important global gathering. It is titled ‘All the World’s Futures’ – though the curator says it has no over-arching theme – and will run until November 22. This review gives an idea of the scale of the event and some highlights.

Exhibition of Sigmar Polke’s Silver Paintings on at Michael Werner Gallery

Polke came to prominence in 1970’s Europe as New York led abstract expressionism was starting to run out of puff. Robert Storr summarises him thus: “Polke has mixed media, symbolic systems and poetic messages with such marvellous alacrity that the defining characteristic of his person has become its sheer elusiveness”.  An exhibition of his “silver paintings” is on display in New York, and Cologne’s Museum Ludwig  is currently holding a major retrospective.