Chris Martin at MITCHELL-INNES & NASH

[quenchedinlife]

That Kostabi's is a slimy cunt

[jewelfewel]

its amazing what some people call art. looks like complete crap to me

[eenkjet]

these are shit rainbows on canvas.

[seintzeit]

mark kostabi NOT jeff koons. ha.

[veuvecliquot]

If one looks carefuly into Kostabi's eyes one can see a thousand dying babies crying in pain and fear.

just a rumor that is

[RonSchira]

Congrats to Chris, a great turnout, ... and who the hell is Lauren?

[artboy2]

there is a humor and playfulness I really appreciate. thanks for sticking it out till the end james!

[monkcycle]

Thanks MrWowforever and jameskalm,

As I've never seen his work in the flesh, I'll check it out... it'll be of interest as to how and what he pushes...; the press release unfortunately doesn't use the word 'Outsider art'...

[monkcycle]

... a place in history...

[martinhocosta]

i dont give you that benefit. to me his work is almost null. but is my opinion. i found it to gratuit....

[monkcycle]

i'm giving Martin the benefit of doubt as to him having a place...

[monkcycle]

can someone explain where Martin fits in the historical timeline? i honestly don't get his work on many levels, someone please enlighten me...

[MrWowforever]

he's an abstract painter in the handmade tradition, as opposed to those of the hard-lined geometric bent. he doesn't seem concerned with the death of painting, and there is a psychedelic aesthetic that goes back to alfred jensen, lucas samaras and further back to surrealism. there are many young artists in new york (where i live) working under some of these influences, and some not so young. hopefully there is not a name for this group because names slow the thinking.

[MrWowforever]

....just my opinion.

[jameskalm]

monkcycle,

Chris actually considers himself a "visionary" painter, coming from the legacy of Ryder, Dove, Forrest Bess and others. He's also influenced by Alfred Jensen (who didn't consider himself a mystic) and other obsessive painters like Myron Stout. Recently "Outsider" art, particularly by southern African Americans, has become important for him.

[jameskalm]

Where he fits on an art historical flow chart isn't so easy to map, but I believe that's the current state of Post-Modernist painting. By avoiding a signature image or narrow stylistic devices Chris opens his work up to harebrained and chancy ideas that work and sometimes don't, but that's the challenge. The gallery's selection of work and the people at the opening are factors that Chris doesn't have total control over, so what else is new?

[martinhocosta]

Pathetic the social side of the thing. A mediocre work that Cris Martin.

[MrWowforever]

this is a very 'social' opening; not to be confused with all openings; one does not need a social armature to succeed, not like this one; long live the single artist model!!!!!! most social groups serve to keep you 'in your place', counter intuitive to the artists job, to reinvent 'your place'.

[jameskalm]

MrWow,

I disagree. One must have a social support group, an artistic coterie, to get anywhere in the New York scene. One of the missions of the "Kalm Report" is to show just how the networks relate. The lone artist, out in the wilderness, is a nice image but totally wrong. Unless you've got some one to take on that responsibility (of creating and maintaining relationships) you've gotta have a network.

[MrWowforever]

i don't mean to imply 'out in the wilderness', i just don't want everyone to think you need this kind of a support group to be a competent artist. you can be in the thick of it with very little 'support' and still build a fulfilling life as an artist, not all of us benefit from group thinking. some of us survive against its grain.

[spawndonacle]

The social aspect is not pathetic, it is social. Congress in session -- now that's pathetic. And social. Everyone was smiling, that was well noted.

[martinhocosta]

When i was saying pathetic i was thinking in that "character" mr. Kostaby. To me that is a pathetic figure.

[spawndonacle]

Kostabi is politely self-editing his speech. I also don't believe that this type of network is essential to an artist. Genius and great talent can emerge anywhere.

[jameskalm]

spawn,

Yes "true genius" can emerge anywhere, it just won't be recognized or rewarded. The list is long of "geniuses" living in Podunk who were unappreciated, and unfortunately their life's work ends up in the local landfill. It's less a question of the genius creating than the genius being SEEN. Visibility = Existence.

[MrWowforever]

the hermit v. the warhol. there are many other options than these two polarities.i moved to new york because it is the ultimate support group. compete against the best artists in the world,try to.show your work in the best galleries and museums.but, i maintain that ,even here,you do not need a large support group to succeed.you don't have to glad hand dealers, curators or other artists to establish yourself as an artist. YOU CAN focus almost solely on your work and let that work open the doors.

[MrWowforever]

mr james kalm, is your name lauren?

[jameskalm]

MrWow,

I can honestly state, No my name is not Lauren.

[MrWowforever]

its a nice name.... thanks for the videos

[andfalling]

i don't know james, what was there, something like three spoken "lauren"s and one drawn and signed "lauren"? either you set it up, or this isn't the last you've heard of "lauren". but not the reason i'll be returning to the kalm report.

[spawndonacle]

We're witnessing a hair being split above. There is a "Lawrence" at 2:04. I like "James Kalm" -- it sounds spiritual and soothing.

[RonSchira]

Spawn, that's unless "James Kalm" is a pseudonym and we're not in on the secret, OR there is a mass misconnection in the artworld regarding James' name. As far as Martin's work, I enjoy that he has no loyalties to any movement and paints mind to hand. That he has such a large support group, well why not, he's good. And in my opinion it's impossible to be primitive in NYC under the influence of psilocybin with 12 foot canvases. He lost his virginity years ago and I want to see what he does next.

[andfalling]

no hair splitting. it's funny that people kept calling james lauren and then his book was signed lauren, like a private joke.

[Thiago1950]

@MrWowforever ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha :) :) :) :) good question!

[spawndonacle]

I initially felt that this crowd would gather every time that a firetruck passed. I'm sure that's too harsh. Fully half of the flavors at Baskin-Robbins also mystify me. Knowing primitiveness? I'll digest that motionless like a hawk on a fencepost for a while. I'm happy for Mr. Martin. It is good to see someone prosper in the U.S. who is not selling securities, insurance or influence. Thanks as always.