Art Basel travels

Art Basel was truly incredible. A true sensory overload with so much too see and do - so many people to meet, so much art to observe and admire. The landscape was vast as it was very spread out and i can definitely see why people go for a whole week. I had a wonderful and amazing travel partner, Janette Beckman, who of course wanted to go on visual adventures!  We spent one of the best days ever wandering around the Wynwood arts district and I was overwhelmed by it. The huge murals that were everywhere, the tucked away galleries, seeing murals actually in progress at all phases, the ENERGY there was palpable. We also attended many of the art fairs and met many gallerists, artists and saw incredible pieces. When you think about how many people are out in the world pursuing and creating art, making their own personal statements and presenting their perspective and technique, you can't help but feel awed and inspired.  Personally I love taking it all in --  greeting new artists, observing new mediums and perhaps unique methods of hanging and displaying art, etc.  But at the end of the day I am just a fan of art like anyone else.  I'd encourage anyone and everyone to go - you don't need to be "in the art world" to admire, observe or be 'affected' by art.  So, see you next year! Below are some shapshots from the trip...

Janette bumped into her buddy Mr. Brainwash! they may do a future project together!

this mural in wynwood arts district was STUNNING

Janette left her keith richards t-shirt under my pillow!

mural painting in action, in a beginning phase...at wynwood of course

seen at one of the fairs, clever - entitled 'cops and robins'

yikes, i can't remember where i saw this, but i loved it!

john breed 'goodbye paradise'

seen at SCOPE art fair, by artist carlos aires, made of vinyl!

very profound words... i now love the art of citizen X

This was AMAZING at betsy hotel! The room had a vinyl ceiling and the photos were illuminated... they were lost photos of The Beatles and Rolling Stones by Bob Bonis

speedy graphito mural @ art miami, amazing to watch

the eye of a fish mural...the line work here was INCREDIBLE

more of the fish mural...wish i knew the artist, will find out!

random from wynwood arts district

peter tunney from 'enough is possible' exhibit

words in neon...interesting statement

more words we love, seen at CONTEXT art fair

Bansky mural on display @ Art Miami...this guy's become a pretty famous rat... behind a red rope and all!

ron english mural at underground location / wynwood arts district

BAD picture, but this was such a beautiful rare photo of Andy Warhol & Basquiat 

camille rose garcia @michael kohn booth

starbucks coo coo clock seen on exhibit at art basel miami opening night! funny.

Muhammad Ali 1977 Event at Design Within Reach

The event was a huge success! The space looked stunning adorned with the rare photos, and the wall of Ali's competitors told it's own story, a compelling one at that. Michael Brennan is a wonderful british lad and he was over the moon to see the photos displayed. They've never been printed so it was a surreal moment for him.

Michael Brennan and Chris Forney (Artworks)

Jen in front of Ali's wall of competitors

Press coverage could not have been better: From LA to Vegas (Robin Leach's column!), boxing blogs, to the Hamptons...it was well covered!

Joe Frazier by Michael Brennan...a beautiful portrait

If you weren't able to make it, the exhibit is at DWR until this Monday... 

It then moves to its home at Artworks in Pasadena. There is discussion of a launch party there so stay tuned for that!!  Either way these photos must be seen and will be there until January for Ali's birthday...and then, who knows. They are a highly desired collection!

You can see all the event photos HERE. 

What's cooking?!

Summer is (kind of) winding down...well, for us it certainly is as we are shifting into HIGH gear with a HUGE announcement. Art Duet will have a downtown pop up gallery come September, with an opening being planned TBD at the end of the month. We are working hard and are so excited to present new artists, give proper attention to those on our roster, plan AMAZING events and simply be able to bring a physicality to what we have worked hard building for the past few years. Soooo announcements will abound, that's for sure - please stay tuned for all the news!!! People have asked - so, yes, it will be called ART DUET. What else? We can't wait to see the sign on the front door!

In other updates, we are on the Board for a few charities this year, all of which are people we met last year through donating and gladly offered to help out this year.  We are happy to lend art, time & support to the following and make friends along the way:

ARTWORKS benefiting the TJ Martell foundation

ART MERE ART PERE started by Brooke Kivovitz and benefiting Livestrong

PROJECT SAVE OUR SURF started by Tanna Frederick and benefiting oceanic causes

A little story about Janette Beckman and Jen DiSisto

Boy George

By Jen...

When I trepidatiously decided to leave the corporate record label world behind  and start Art Duet, one of the first people to reach out to work with me was Janette Beckman. Her support was a part of the "I can do this" mantra that I told myself.  Janette had shot a few bands during my time in the Art department and  we developed a natural friendship...let's call it 'love at first phone call'.  Being SUCH a big Janette fan, I was BEYOND flattered by the opportunity to work with her in another capacity. Her work strikes such a major chord with me...

The Breaks;  \'Stylin and Profilin'

My first event was  a book signing for Janette's book 'The Breaks' at Taschen in March of 2008. It was a wonderful evening, and I felt so proud that I could deliver a night that she deserved. For all of the above reasons and because of her endless faith and support,  Janette is quite special to me & to Art Duet as it evolves. She's high on my list of seriously cool people one could ever meet...

Debbie Harry

She was recently ranked fifth on Flavorwire's '10 Rock Photographers You Should Know' list. Might we add, she was the first female on the list!

sex pistols

Given her long career shooting truly fascinating people, places, and events, Janette has THE best stories. From Slick Rick to the Sex Pistols, Paul Weller to Ice Cube, you never know what Janette will talk about next.  It's never a boring conversation, that's for damn sure...As such, she just started a blog which everyone will definitely enjoy. If you love music, trends, and iconic stories, follow her blog here: http://janettebeckman.com/blog/

Beastie Boys