sidedoorgallery, out of Bethel, NY (the site of Woodstock ’69), has generously consigned 5 extraordinarily beautiful pieces by the Macedonian artist Robert Dandarov (www.selfportrait.net/robertdandarov) to our inventory. They are for sale and viewable by appointment at the selfportrait offices in Manhattan. If you are interested, please e-mail info@selfportrait.net.

Malevitch – oil on canvas – 44 x 44 – $8,000 – info@selfportrait.net

Jupiter and io – oil on canvas – 44 x 44 – $8,000 – info@selfportrait.net

Mary – oil on canvas – 44 x 44 – $8,000 – info@selfportrait.net

French Painting – oil on canvas – 44 x 44 – $8,000 – info@selfportrait.net

Catullus – oil on canvas – 44 x 44 – $8,000 – info@selfportrait.net

From sidedoorgallery:

Marrying classical 17th century Flemish painting technique with a love and understanding of imagery and symbolism drawn from his Macedonian roots, Robert Dandarov creates intellectually provocative contemporary portraits. Delving into his subjects’ psyches he produces astonishingly beautiful and uniquely symbolic paintings that are at once of the moment and ageless.

What do you do after you’ve invented art rock, perfected punk and forged the modern age of music? If you’re David Byrne you build a building.

For the last thirty-five years, the former Talking Heads front man has changed the face of art and music a dozen times over. From his earlier days as an artist in Rhode Island to his work with the Heads and a collaborative career with Brian Eno which spanned almost a de arguably gave birth to hip-hop and techno.

Recently Byrne, a conceptually trained artist has focused on his art, exhibiting around the world and publishing two books through Dave Egger’s McSweeneys. His newest project, Playing the Building, melds conceptual art and music in a way that only he could.

In it, Byrne takes a step to the sidelines and allows visitors to play the role of musician, operating an antique organ in the center of an old industrial building downtown. The organ itself is not the instrument but rather a controller for the building, which through a system of cables causes the structural elements of the building to vibrate; making noises that sound somewhere between Cocteau Twins and gastric bypass surgery.

Although the sounds are scaled according to pitch, the instrument is virtually unplayable; putting professionals and amateurs at equal foot in a wonderful allegory of modern music, art and life.

Playing The Building is free and open to the public Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Noon – 6 PM at the Battery Maritime Building located at 10 South Street in New York City.

This is something unrelated to selfportrait, but which we thought might be interesting to our members — the frieze writer’s prize. As you probably know, frieze magazine is a highly esteemed publication, and their annual award to discover and promote new art critics (who have been published a maximum of three times). For aspiring art writers seeking a rather immediate chance to have their work read by established critics and curators, this is an excellent and simple way to do so. Here’s the link with details.

frieze writer’s prize

As promised, here’s a bunch of photos from Fingerpaint, thanks to Antwan from guestofaguest. His personal site, with plenty more photos from the event, is at ithinkyoureswell.com

I just want to give a shout out to everyone who made last Wednesday’s Fingerpaint event possible – LOLA first and foremost, as well as the sponsors: Jawbone, Svedka, and of course BlackBook. A lot of money was raised for Make It Right, and I dare say that nearly as much would have been sold had there been no charity attached – the art was superb, and very well-received. Look out SOON for features on the artists exhibited at the show and for their work in the marketplace.

Here’s the press from BlackBook

Coming tomorrow . . . photos from the event.

PARIS