TTFN

Leg of Lamb is running away to the Cook Islands to turn 30 (gulp), so no posts until the second week of March.  Aere ra!

Kalimanrawlins set to open in July

Facade of Kalimanrawlins, somewhere in Melbourne...

Vasili Kaliman, Former Director of the now defunct Kaliman Gallery in Sydney has joined forces with Jarrod and Tara Rawlins of Uplands to create a new exhibition space, Kalimanrawlins, that will open in a currently undisclosed location in Melbourne this July.  Accordingly, the current incarnation of Uplands will be closing its doors in April.

Oh Tracey…

Hot Photo Friday – Pierre Molinier

Pierre Molinier, 'Le triomphe des tribades ou Sur le pavois', photomontage, c. 1965

David LaChapelle vs. Rihanna

A still from Rihanna's video 'S&M' (left) and a detail of a photograph by LaChapelle (right)

Kitschy fashion photographer David LaChapelle has filed a lawsuit against popster Rihanna, claiming that she plagiarised his work in the video that accompanies her new single ‘S&M’.   The clip (which has been banned in some countries for its explicit content) was directed by Melina Matsoukas, who referred to images of LaChapelle’s work on set.

From these, LaChapelle asserts that Rhianna’s posse copied his ‘composition, total concept, feel, tone, mood, theme, colors, props, settings, decors, wardrobe and lighting’.  For an authentic LaChapelle video experience, check out the clip above.  The photographer directed it for The Dandy Warhols in 1997.  And they hated it.

Some recent work by Nick Austin

'Aquarium (with page)', 57.5 x 78.5 cm, 2011

'Aquarium (with bottles)', 57.5 x 78.5 cm, 2011

'Aquarium (with briefcase)', 57.5 x 78.5 cm, 2011

'Aquarium (with sunglasses)', 57.5 x 78.5 cm, 2009

QAG/GoMA Reopens

Queensland Art Gallery and the Gallery of Modern Art reopened their doors today following prolonged closures due to the recent flooding in Queensland. This means GoMA’s summer exhibition 21st Century (which showcases works acquired within the last decade) is back up and running.  The collection-based blockbuster contains over 140 artists, including Fiona Hall, who discussed her work as part of the gallery’s public programme (above).

Paint Pouring

Alexander Calder’s grandson Holton Rower thinks he’s come up with a new form of painting called ‘paint pouring’ (above), but Leg of Lamb reckons Daniel von Sturmer does it better…

Hot Photo Friday – Rineke Dijkstra

Rineke Dijkstra, 'Villa Franca, Portugal, May 8', 1994

Burke leaves Power Plant

Greg Burke (with collector Norah Stone)

Former Govett-Brewster Director Greg Burke is leaving The Power Plant.  During his six year stint as Director of the Toronto institution, Burke increased visitor attendance numbers by 250% and commissioned major works by Pae White, Simon Starling and Lawrence Weiner, among others.  He stands down at the end of May.