Introducing Ben Krell

After having sat on my ass for too long, I’m happy to announce that I have finally written my first article on Benjamin Krell. The piece, “Fusing Light and Motion on Canvas: Interview with New York Artist Ben Krell,” introduces the work of this artist to OhmyNews.com’s readers and explains his approach to the canvas.

Ben is an interesting guy, and I love his work. So, I’m happy to add him to the group of artists I cover. We have had some decent opportunities at major magazines, but unfortunately they didn’t materialize. We did, though, get live rejections from some serious magazines.

Get used to seeing Ben Krell’s work on my blog. It’s going to continue. After all, the Migrant Blogger loves art, and this is art that I’m excited to cover. Now, my portfolio of artists is up to three, with Krell joining Julio Aguilera and Nelson Diaz. Someday, I’ll have to get the three of them together at once for an ad hoc show. Maybe I’ll have these painters do performance art, just to fuck them up a bit.

Diaz Doubles Down: NY Artist Auctions Two Paintings

SoHo-based artist Nelson Diaz is stepping up the pace. The accomplished artist, whose work is held in the New York Academy of Art and The Eileen Guggenheim Collection, is auctioning two more paintings as a way to protest art market inflation. Using eBay to communicate this unique political message, Diaz has elected to begin the bidding at $1 and has set a price objective of $300 per painting … at most.

 

Diaz embarked on this project following the May 2008 Christie’s Contemporary Art Auction, at which a triptych by British master Francis Bacon fetched a princely sum of $86 million. Based on conversations he had had with Bacon during a weekend in 1985, Diaz is convinced that the eccentric and reclusive genius would not have been happy with the prices collectors are willing to pay for his work. Thus, the “Grand eBay Experiment,” as Diaz calls it, is a show of respect for and solidarity with Bacon.

 

Currently, the bids for both auctions are still at $1, but much could change in the next 6+ days. Keep an eye on these auctions, and don’t be afraid to participate!

 

 

Check out Auction 3 on eBay >>

Check out Auction 4 on eBay >>

I’m a Winner! Second Nelson Diaz $1 Auction Complete

Well, the second $1 auction by rebel artist Nelson Diaz has come to a close, and I can proudly say that I am the owner of another Nelson Diaz original. I’m quite excited about this and can’t wait to hang it up. I haven’t decided if I’m going to hang it at work or at home yet. Tough call.

Here’s the dilemma. Sometimes when I’m at work, I need some “art therapy.” I need to infuse the aesthetic into the daily grind. Writing about the stuff I cover at the office can get dry, and I just need to behold something creative. I keep a few books at my desk for this reason: Rene Magritte and Francis Bacon. From time to time, I wander the halls and check out the work selected by our interior designers. It can get me through a slump, but it isn’t the same as having my own canvas above my desk.

But, there are security concerns, and I’d hate to see the painting stolen. On the other hand, none of the company’s stuff has been stolen, but I don’t know how firmly they have been fastened to the walls.

Self-Portrait with Pipe Misses Goal by 2X

When Nelson Diaz put “Self-Portrait with Pipe, 2008” on eBay, he had hoped the price would not exceed $300. The auction, which began at 10 PM on June 15, 2008, ended last night. The winning bid was $745, and the buyer’s identity is not readily available. Despite the fact that the painting sold for twice Nelson’s objective, it is still far below the price the painting would have fetched in a private sale.

 

For those who missed the previous opportunity, Diaz has already begun his next auction, which is set to expire on June 29, 2008. As always, the bidding starts at $1.

 

For anyone familiar with Nelson’s art, this is a real steal. More important, it’s a chance to participate in a revolution. As Nelson fights the art market, he needs the help of those who are not obscenely wealthy and merely want to participate in the thrill of having an original hanging on the wall.

Nelson Diaz Auction Update

As followers of this blog know, I’ve been watching Nelson Diaz’s eBay experiment closely. So far, the price is up to $56. Well, he has put together a video explaining his thinking. Check it out.

Nelson Diaz Covered in Bacon

Nelson Diaz, the artist who is fighting the art market by selling his work for $1, is seeing his message spread. Francis Bacon-focused site, alexalienart.com, just picked up my ohmynews.com story on Diaz and Bacon. Check it out >>

Note: you’ll have to scroll down a bit. Just hit “page down” four or five times.