We're staring at the end of 2014, making it the perfect time to take a look back before embracing art in 2015. We recently published a list of staff picks for the best Hampton exhibitions in 2014. Following is the list of the stories that were most popular with readers in 2014. Just like the countdown to Midnight on New Year's Eve, they are presented in a countdown to number one. Have fun reading!
15. "Donald Baechler’s “Walking Figure” Causes Furor in Westhampton Beach"
By Pat Rogers
Published June 10, 2014
The installation of a 30-foot aluminum sculpture by Donald Baechler at the Hamptons Business District causes controversy and conversation on its aesthetics.
"Donald Baechler’s “Walking Figure” Causes Furor in Westhampton Beach"
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“Walking Figure” by Donald Baechler. Photo by Kyle Rogers.
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14. "ART REVIEW: Virva Hinnemo's Painterly Monologues Explore the Space Between Nature & Abstraction"
By Janet Goleas
Published May 26, 2014
A solo show of 12 small paintings by Hamptons-based artist Virva Hinnemo, exhibited at ILLE Arts in Amagansett, N.Y., is reviewed by Janet Goleas.
"ART REVIEW: Virva Hinnemo's Painterly Monologues Explore the Space Between Nature & Abstraction"
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“Garage Friend” by Virva Hinnemo, 2014. Oil on linen, 10 x 8 inches. Courtesy ILLE Arts.
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13. "CRITIC'S VIEW: Revelations and Secrets Inhabit Spring / Break Art Fair"
By Gabrielle Selz
Published March 8, 2014
Spring / Break art fair was a satellite art fair presented during Armory Week in New York City in March. Art critic Gabrielle Selz breaks down the unusual art fair that features curated artworks, installations and durational performances taking place inside the classrooms, hallways and stairwells of a former four-story Catholic schoolhouse in NoHo.
"CRITIC'S VIEW: Revelations and Secrets Inhabit Spring / Break Art Fair"
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“Luminous Objects: Re-Imagining The Large Glass Bride” (presented by Two Rams) by Lia Chavez, 2014. Durational Meditational Performance Art. Photo by Kathy Zeiger.
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12. "Southampton Society (and the Blue Book) Revealed in Photographs"
By Pat Rogers
Published May 10, 2014
A solo exhibition by society photographer Bert Morgan (1904-1986), held at the Southampton Historical Museum, revealed the lives of some of the Southampton residents listed in the Blue Book, a society register whose selection for inclusion is secreted.
"Southampton Society (and the Blue Book) Revealed in Photographs"
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Jacqueline Bouvier Jumping, July 29, 1939 at the Southampton Riding & Hunt Club by Bert Morgan.
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11."ART REVIEW: Thread Lightly – Three Exhibitions Tied Together by One Idea"
By Janet Goleas
Published October 12, 2014.
The rise of fine art incorporating textiles and the fiber arts was a trend spotted by art critic Janet Goleas. She calls out three shows in her review: "Thread Lines" at The Drawing Center in New York City; "Loop Holes" at Silas Marder Gallery in Bridgehampton, N.Y.; and "Fiber: Sculpture 1960-Present" at Boston’s Institute of Contemporary Art.
"ART REVIEW: Thread Lightly – Three Exhibitions Tied Together by One Idea"
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"One Hundred and Sixty Three Shades of Yellow, Green, Orange, Red, Purple, Brown, Gray and Blue (so far)" by Mónica Bengoa, 2005-14. Wall drawing and hand-made embroideries on photographic transfer on cotton cloth. Dimensions variable (originally installed at Artspace, Sydney, Australia). Courtesy of the artist and Collection of Jorge Bustos. Image by JMGoleas.
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10. "IN PICTURES: 'Sisyphus' – A Highlight of the Watermill Center Summer Benefit"
By Pat Rogers
Published August 2, 2014
The Watermill Center's Summer Benefit is the highlight of the social season. It's also the largest presentation of performance art in the Hamptons. Human installations and durational performances were captured on film by journalist Pat Rogers.
"IN PICTURES: “Sisyphus” – A Highlight of the Watermill Center Summer Benefit"
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"Sisyphus" by Dimitris Papaioannou. Photo by Pat Rogers.
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9. "ART REVIEW: The Magic of Realism at RJD Gallery"
By Eric Ernst
Published April 13, 2014
Contemporary Magical Realism is the focus of art presented by RJD Gallery in Sag Harbor. Art critic Eric Ernst puts the paintings in context for the gallery's exhibition “Get Real: New American Painting."
"ART REVIEW: The Magic of Realism at RJD Gallery"
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"Weightless Mad Tea Party 2" by Anne Marie Kornachuk. Oil on linen, 48 x 36 inches.
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8. "ART REVIEW: The Culture of Alan Shields"
By Janet Goleas
Published November 11, 2014
A solo show by Alan Shields (1944-2005), exhibited at the Parrish Art Museum, revealed the artist and the "culture of Alan Shields" as illuminated by art critic Janet Goleas.
"ART REVIEW: The Culture of Alan Shields"
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"Maze" by Alan Shields, 1981-1982. Acrylic and thread on canvas, cotton belting, Velcro and aluminum pipe, 87 x 219 x 219 inches. Estate of the artist, courtesy Van Doren Waxter, New York. Photo by Daniel Gonzales.
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7. "Holiday Show at ILLE Arts Surpasses Expectations"
By Pat Rogers
Published December 20, 2014
An invitational, presented as a Holiday Show at ILLE Arts in Amagansett, drew the attention of Pat Rogers who threw journalism aside to write a first-person account describing why the show was so special.
"Holiday Show at ILLE Arts Surpasses Expectations"
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"Avenir" by Tracy Harris, 2014. Encaustic and oil on panel, 12 x 12 inches. Photo by Pat Rogers.
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6. "Spring Sees Julian Schnabel Showing All Over"
By Andrew Botsford
Published April 17, 2014
Four solo shows by Julian Schnabel—held in New York City, Dallas, and London—made it clear what Julian Schnabel has been up to over the last 25 years.
"Spring Sees Julian Schnabel Showing All Over"
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"Untitled (Chinese)" by Julian Schnabel,, 2011. Oil and resin on polyester, 138 x 106.5 inches. Courtesy Dallas Contemporary.
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5. "ART SEEN – Bob Dylan Art Celebrated at Mark Borghi Fine Art"
By Hamptons Art Hub Staff
Published July 7, 2014
Artwork by Bob Dylan received a Hamptons welcome with an invitation-only reception at Mark Borghi Fine Art in Bridgehampton, N.Y. Social photographer Tom Kochie captured some of the people who attended the opening of “Bob Dylan: The Drawn Blank Series”.
"ART SEEN - Bob Dylan Art Celebrated at Mark Borghi Fine Art"
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Jodi Isha Bisasor with sculptural piece by Bob Dylan. Photo by Tom Kochie.
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4. "Five Miami Shows Not to Miss During Art Basel Week"
By Pat Rogers
Published December 2, 2014
Art Basel Miami Beach and the twenty-something satellite fairs are the draw to Miami and Miami Beach during the first week of December. Lest visitors forget that Miami has an art scene outside of the fairs, a short list was compiled of winning shows revealing a slice of the South Florida artist community.
"Five Miami Shows Not to Miss During Art Basel Week"
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Detail of "Welcome to the Future" by Daniel Arsham. Courtesy of Locust Projects, Miami. Photo by Zack Balber with Ginger Photography.
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3. "CRITIC’S VIEW: Viewer Engagement a Priority at VOLTA NY"
By Gabrielle Selz
Published March 8, 2014
VOLTA NY is a satellite art fair closely connected to The Armory Show presented in New York City in March. Known for its solo projects and installations of contemporary art, critic Gabrielle Selz reveals her favorites during the much-visited international art fair.
"Critic's View: Viewer Engagement a Priority at VOLTA NY"
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“From My Paper Bag Colored Heart” by Wilmer Wilson IV, 2014. A durational performance and “living sculpture.” Gallery: Connersmith, Washington DC. Photo by Kathy Zeiger.
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2. "Ten Contemporary Artists at Art Southampton"
By Pat Rogers
Published July 28, 2014
Art Southampton presented its third edition on the grounds of the Elks Lodge. Heavy with contemporary art, Pat Rogers picked 10 artists who presented a range of work and stood out from the crowds.
"Ten Contemporary Artists at Art Southampton"
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"Fingers Crossed (It's The Chick on the Right)" by Lizzie Gill, 2014. Collage on paper, 11 x 15 inches.
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1. "Hamptons Exhibition Foreshadows MOCA Show of Contemporary Realism Painters"
By Pat Rogers
Published April 13, 2014
A mini-preview of a national survey of American Contemporary Realism painters was presented at RJD Gallery in Sag Harbor, N.Y. All four artists in the gallery show had exhibited there previously but the art on view seemed to deserve an even closer look, knowing it was headed to MOCA Jacksonville to represent the genre.
"Hamptons Exhibition Foreshadows MOCA Show of Contemporary Realism Painters"
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"Light Keepers" by Andrea Kowch. Acrylic on canvas, 60 x 72 inches.
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RELATED: "Staff Picks: Top Hamptons Shows from 2014"
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