Latest news with #MOMA
New York Post
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Hollywood legend Michael Ovitz discovered a cousin through buying his art
Legendary Hollywood power player Michael Ovitz, 78, has donated a stunning sculpture by Joel Shapiro to MOMA — and revealed the surprising link he has to the renowned artist Ovitz and his fiancée Tamara Mellon, 57, have recently gifted a nearly 12-foot tall, multi-colored sculpture by Shapiro called ARK to the museum. The dealmaker has been close to Shapiro, 83, ever since discovering they were cousins back in the '80s. Advertisement 7 Michael Ovitz and his fiancée Tamara Mellon have donated a nearly 12-foot sculpture by his cousin Joel Shapiro to MOMA. Getty Images 7 ARK, by Joel Shapiro, debuted last year at the Pace Gallery in Chelsea. It will now go to MOMA. Courtesy of Michael Ovitz In an astonishing story, Ovitz only made the connection after buying his first Shapiro piece at the Paula Cooper gallery in NYC in 1982, telling The Post, 'I was so excited, it was hard to get his work even then. Advertisement 'I went home to LA and my mom asked what I did in New York, I told her 'I bought a piece of sculpture by a young guy called Joel Shapiro' — she didn't skip a beat and said 'oh yeah he's your cousin' … I had no idea.' When Ovitz asked why he had never met Shapiro before, his mother replied, 'You never asked!' 7 Shapiro is married to fellow artist Ellen Phelan. Getty Images He then got Shapiro's phone number by calling up the Cooper gallery and telling an employee, 'I think I'm related to Joel Shapiro. Advertisement 'He said, 'it's funny, he told me once he had a cousin in the movie business', and I said 'yeah that's me,' ' reminisced Ovitz. When he finally reached Shapiro, he told him, 'I'm told you're my cousin.' 'Yes, I think that's true.' the artist replied. Ovitz was more dramatic. 'I said 'Joel, I hate you, I'm never talking to you again',' he recalled, 'You're my cousin and I just paid retail for a piece of your art.'. Since that day we've talked five times a week for the past 40 years.' Advertisement 7 Ovitz — seen with Mellon at a MOMA benefit hosted by Chanel in October 2024 — told The Post how he discovered that Shapiro was his cousin quite by chance in the 80s. Getty Images for MoMA Ovitz co-founded Creative Artists Agency (CAA) in 1975 and went on to become one of the quintessential power agents of the 1980s, cunningly negotiating big deals for a star-packed roster of clients that included Meryl Streep, Sean Connery, David Letterman and Steven Seagal. He left CAA in 1995 to become president of the Walt Disney Company but left the following year — with a severance packaged valued at $140 million — after butting heads with CEO Michael Eisner. He's also known for his extensive art collection and philanthropy, and he's such a fan of his cousin's work that when he built a CAA headquarters in Beverly Hills in 1989, he commissioned only two artists to make pieces for the lobby — Roy Lichtenstein and Shapiro. Shapiro debuted ARK last year at the Pace Gallery in Chelsea, as part of his his show, 'Out of the Blue.' It was his first solo show at Pace in a decade. 'It's the biggest wood construction I've ever made, but I think it's not monumental, it's within human experience,' he told Forward at the time. 7 MOMA curator Ann Temkin said of Shaprio's work, 'This is a major late work, both in its scale of the imagination and its literal scale.' Getty Images Ann Temkin, the Marie-Josée and Henry Kravis Chief Curator of Painting and Sculpture at MOMA, said she has the perfect place for ARK. 'When Shapiro's work was shown at the Pace Gallery last autumn, the fantastic response that it had from everybody who has been following Joel's work for decades was really so enthusiastic,' Temkin told The Post. Advertisement 'Here is someone producing something as strong and surprising as ever after more than a century of making sculpture. 7 Shapiro and Phelan have been married for 35 years. WireImage 'It was really joyful when this work was shown and everyone agreed it was a real milestone in his work, we at MOMA were delighted when Michael Ovitz, one of our trustees, told us he would like it to come to us.' MOMA already has plenty of Shapiro's work on display, including drawings and sculptures. Temkin is thrilled to have a more recent work from him. Advertisement 'One of the real distinctions of the MOMA collection is that we really try to show artists' careers from beginning to end,' she said. 'This is a major late work, both in its scale of the imagination and its literal scale.' They plan to place ARK in one of the galleries that has natural light and is adjacent to the sculptural garden. 7 Shapiro's 'Untitled' sculpture is seen on Chicago's lakefront in 2017. Getty Images Advertisement 'I think that is an ideal situation,' she added. Shapiro has no plans to stop making art anytime soon. 'I'm still improving,' he told Forward last year. 'Working keeps me going. As long as I don't get Alzheimer's, I've got plenty of work left in me. The joining together, the arranging, the language of sculpture, how it transcends cultures. All that still thrills me every day. What I am still aiming for is work you cannot refute.'
Axios
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
Your fancy TV can look like a Seurat
Zoom out: The digital store offers more than 3,000 artworks from institutions like MOMA, The Met, and now, the Art Institute of Chicago. How it works: A subscription to the art store makes your TV look like a piece of art mounted on the wall rather than a blank black screen. Famous works from the AIC such as Georges Seurat's "A Sunday on La Grande Jatte — 1884" and Edward Hopper's "Nighthawks" will now be available to display. Follow the money: Samsung would not disclose to Axios the financial terms with AIC, but a spokesperson said: "All Art Store partners are fairly compensated for their works" and that revenues for partners can "exceed seven-figures per year." Samsung pays partners from subscription revenues based on how much their artworks are displayed by subscribers. By the numbers: A 55-inch Frame TV starts at about $1,500 and goes up to $2,500 for an 88-inch.
Edinburgh Reporter
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Reporter
John Bellany: A Life in Self-Portraiture
An exhibition John Bellany: A Life in Self-Portaiture and a programme of associated events and talks will take place at the City Art Centre from 31 May to 28 September. John Bellany, CBE, RA, is one of the most significant painters of modern times. He was born in Port Seton, the son and grandson of fishermen, and his art regularly features fish and seaside themes. The assembled works on display will include paintings, drawings, prints and sketchbooks from the 1960s to 2103 when he died. He was a prolific artist and in particular he drew many self-portraits almost to the point of obsession. His work helped him to explore personal and universal themes and he often depicted himself as a mythical figure or fantastical character. Some of the exhibition includes art which has never been on public display before, and which is on loan from collections both public and private, as well as some from the artist's estate. His work is on display in many places worldwide including MOMA in New York and the Metropolitan Museum there, and the Yale Center for British Art, New Haven, Connecticut which has a vast collection of art in lofty airy rooms. The works will span his whole career. and there will be a book to accompany the exhibition. This will include a foreword by John Bellany's widow, Helen and essays by Sandy Moffat who was a contemporary at Edinburgh College of Art, and Bill Hare who have curated the exhibition. John Bellany died in 2013 and he is buried in Dean Cemetery, near the National Galleries of Scotland the Modern. Event Programme Highlights Lectures: Thursday 31 July, 2pm – 3pm: A Life-Long Friendship A reflection on the enduring friendship between John Bellany and Sandy Moffat. Sandy will discuss Bellany's boyhood in Port Seton, their time together at Edinburgh College of Art, his turbulent London years and final years in Italy will all be explored. Thursday 14 August, 2pm – 3pm: 'I don't borrow – I steal': John Bellany and the Art of Visual Quotation Bill Hare will explore Bellany's technique of incorporating visual references from European art history into his own distinctive style, creating rich, multi-layered works. Thursday 21 August, 2pm – 3pm: Time Will Tell Reading from her critically acclaimed memoir, The Restless Wave, Helen Bellany will talk about her enduring relationship with John Bellany. Wednesday 24 September, 2pm – 3pm: The Bellany Sketchbooks Helen Bellany will lead exclusive exploration of Bellany's private sketchbooks, which reveal the raw, personal side of his creative process. In Conversation: Thursday 10 July, 2pm: John Bellany: In Conversation with Bill Hare and Sandy Moffat Join the curators for a conversation about Bellany's artistic journey, his impact on Scottish art, and the special connection they had with him. Gallery Tours: Monday 11 August, 2pm – 3pm: Gallery Tour with Curators Bill Hare and Sandy Moffat An intimate guided tour of the exhibition with the curators, offering expert insight into Bellany's work and career. Saturday 23 August, 2pm – 3pm: Gallery Tour with Curators Bill Hare and Sandy Moffat Another opportunity to experience the exhibition with the curators, who will discuss the life and art of John Bellany in detail. Described Tours and BSL Tours: Friday 15 August, 11am – 12pm: BSL Interpreted Tour of 'John Bellany: A Life in Self-Portraiture' A British Sign Language (BSL) interpreted tour, offering a deeper understanding of Bellany's artistic journey for the Deaf community. Friday 15 August, 2pm – 3pm: Described Tour for the Visually Impaired of 'John Bellany: A Life in Self-Portraiture' A guided tour specifically designed for visitors with visual impairments, offering detailed descriptions of the artworks on display. Adult Creative Workshops: Saturday 12 July, 10.30am – 3.30pm: Self-Portraiture in Ink and Watercolour A hands-on workshop exploring Bellany's techniques, encouraging participants to create their own self-portraits using ink and watercolour. Saturday 9 August, 10.30am – 3.30pm: From Sketchbook to Masterpiece A workshop that delves into the process behind Bellany's iconic works, guiding participants through transforming initial sketches into finished art. John Bellany, 'Sad Self-Portrait', 1976. © The Estate of John Bellany Like this: Like Related
Forbes
19-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
HBO ‘Harry Potter' Actor Addresses Fan Concerns About His Casting
Harry Potter Harry Potter is now filling up at least its adult roster of cast members for the upcoming HBO series, and at least a few of the choices have raised eyebrows. The most controversial is Paapa Essiedu, a young, great-looking black actor cast as Severus Snape, which raises a few different questions, namely how his torment by James Potter will play due to that change, plus extreme handsomeness and being 34 years old not really being suited for the adult version of the character. However, this is not the cast member in question. Rather, that is the first cast member announced, John Lithgow, who will play Albus Dumbledore, perhaps the most central figure in the novels outside of Harry, Hermione and Ron themselves. In an interview with BBC's The One Show, he addresses the controversy around his casting but…I would argue that wrong controversy. Lithgow talks about how people were 'appalled' at his casting because he's American: 'I will be following the great Michael Gambon. I'm not an Englishman, although I've played one on TV,' he said. 'I remind everyone that I did play Winston Churchill on The Crown and did just fine…But yes, I mean, it's an enormous thrill. But I know there were plenty of people appalled that an American should be hired to play the ultimate English wizard. But, I will do my best.' NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 14: John Lithgow attends The Old Man" Season 1 NYC Tastemaker Event at ... More MOMA on June 14, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by) Lithgow won an Emmy for that Churchill role, Supporting Actor in a drama series, but again, unless this is some huge dust-up in the UK, it feels like the issue with Lithgow isn't being American (how many UK actors play American all the time?), it's his age when taking the role. John Lithgow is 79. He is ten years older than Michael Gambon when he finished filming the Harry Potter at 69. If this was a one-off Harry Potter movie it would be one thing, but we're talking about a show that probably won't even arrive until 2027, with a plan to do all seven books. That is absolutely not going to be seven years as A) one more or of those huge books will probably have to be broken up and B) big streaming shows essentially have 5% chance of actually airing yearly, where it's more often 1.5-2.5 years. Being generous, Lithgow would easily finish the role at 90+. I mean if he can, more power to him, but it's certainly an odd choice given the context of the role. Lithgow is a great actor, but starting a project that is likely to run well over a decade at 79 is quite a commitment. I wish the best for him and his health. Follow me on Twitter, YouTube, and Bluesky Pick up my sci-fi novels the Herokiller series and The Earthborn Trilogy.
CBS News
05-03-2025
- CBS News
Leaders unite to end gun violence after fatal shooting of Fort Worth rapper and daughter
A coalition of North Texas community leaders called for an end to gun violence on Wednesday, following the fatal shooting of Fort Worth rapper Lil Ronnie and his 5-year-old daughter at a Forest Hill car wash the previous day. A suspect has been identified and a warrant issued for capital murder, police said. The department, however, is not releasing suspect names as the investigation is ongoing. During a news conference, Fort Worth City Councilman Chris Nettles said the issue of gun violence isn't just in one city or one neighborhood. He emphasized that the community must have a hand in fighting the issue. "If you have any knowledge of what happened yesterday and you have not said anything, if you were aware that a takedown was going to take place prior to the hit, you are not only part of the problem, you are the problem," Nettles said. "And we need you to stand with us to prevent these actions from happening again." Nettles joined Forest Hill Mayor Stephanie Boardingham, Melinda Hamilton, founder of Mothers of Murdered Angels (MOMA); Michael Bell of the Unity in the Community Coalition of Tarrant County; and Rodney McIntosh, program director of VIP Fort Worth, in calling for a unified front. Monday's double murder is the fourth and fifth reported homicides in Forest Hill this year. There were zero last year, Boardingham said. "We can't keep doing this," Boardingham said. "We need to stop burying our children." Late last month, a former employee of an auto sales business in Forest Hill was charged with murder following a shooting at the company that resulted in two deaths and one injury. Days later, a 36-year-old Forest Hill mother was killed by stray bullets in her backyard. Family members said she was by the fire pit when a stray bullet came through the fence and struck her. "Violence has no place in our community," Bell said. Bell called Monday's murder a "heinous act of violence" that "demands justice and urges action." "We should not be burying 5-year-old kids," McIntosh said. McIntosh, speaking on behalf of the mother who lost her daughter Monday at the Forest Hill car wash, said she is heartbroken and grieving. He said the mother dropped her daughter at the car wash after she had spent time at a birthday party at Great Wolf Lodge with family. "Fort Worth, we must do better," McIntosh said. Forest Hill police responded to Slappy's Car Wash on Forest Hill Drive just north of I-20 just before 11 a.m. on Monday. One witness told a CBS News Texas photojournalist that they heard 20 to 30 gunshots. Police have said the suspects are described as two Black males wearing blue jeans and gray sweaters. Forest Hill police said the suspects exited a white, four-door Kia and approached the victim's vehicle, which was stationary in a bay at the car wash. The suspects opened fire and fled the area. Video from CBS News Texas chopper showed dozens of evidence markers on the ground and a heavy police presence around the car wash. The Texas Rangers are leading the investigation, Forest Hill police said, with the assistance of the Forest Hill Criminal Division, Fort Worth Police Department, Everman Police Department, Kennedale Police Department and Tarrant County Sheriff's Office.
