Sarah Crowner-Hand Built Vessels

I meant to post about this show last week, but I must have been caught up in post-Tangier world. Sarah Crowner, an artist based in NYC and a dear friend of mine, has a fantastic new exhibition of hand built, ceramic vessels at the Nice and Fit Gallery in Berlin, www.niceandfitgallery.com. This new body of work (she previously focused on painting and abstraction), is inspired by Beatrice Wood, the famous ceramic artist who lived over 100 years during which time she hung out with early Modernists like Duchamp, Picabia, Anais Nin and the like. Wood was a pioneer on many levels. Not only did she leave home and traditional routes to live in New York and immerse herself in avant garde artistic movements, she then became a renowned ceramic artist, supporting herself completely and then became involved in spiritual movements such as theosophy. She continued to write, travel and make art until her death at 105. What a better person to be inspired by? Crowner's work (admittedly only seen in photo because I couldn't go to berlin), are unglazed, hand built, sensual objects that are meant to be abstract portraits of the circle of friends that surrounded Beatrice Wood. Wood would no doubt be honored by this homage.

salon du livre et papiers ancien

On through tomorrow at the espace champerret in the 17th, is the annual salon du livre and papiers ancien. Housed in what appears to be the basement of some uninteresting conference center, this is a gem of a salon for anyone who loves to hunt for old books, postcards, posters, and emphemera. The average viewer and dealer could be considered a bit "crusty," I would say that M and I lowered the average age by a few years, but none-the-less, it is a fun way to spend the afternoon. I bought a couple of small posters and cards of 1940 or 1950s advertisements for coffee and rum, filled with bold, graphic colors and shapes. M found some old religious texts and politcal studies for his work. Plus, not to be missed is the fabulous "cafe" that serves delicious wine and champagne alongside plates of charcuterie and fromage, homemade tarts and fresh bread. Makes the whole experience even better.