Time to relax

7 August 2014

At last a bit of time to relax and take in this past, rather intense year. We all escaped to Sarvisalo, Finland with a few artist's following suit.

Time to relax
Jon Rafman and Artie Vierkant grabbed some respite in the hammocks as they ‘texted’ away.
Time to relax
If not texting then it was the obligatory beer drinking, eating and sauna as demonstrated by Tiffany, Daniel Keller, Jon and Michael Ruiz.
Time to relax
Stephan from Jeppe Hein’s studio also paid a visit and caught up with Jeppe’s benches installed across the island.
Time to relax
The Finland fun was short and sweet followed up with an even shorter trip back to London. I did however, manage to squeeze in a visit to Pace to see ‘Today’s Specials’ curated by Abdullah Al-Turki’s that included an awesome Claes Oldenberg spoon of spaghetti and meatballs.
Time to relax
We also grabbed some time to say goodbye to the Summer Solo Exhibitions at the Collection. Here’s Liam standing in front of Samara Scott’s wonderfully delicate Paris Melts.
Time to relax
Then just before zooming off to Aspen we acquired an amazing Tony Lewis from Massimo de Carlo. It was definitely worth the wait!
Time to relax
The Aspen Art Museum was a very pleasant surprise, with the combination of Heidi Zuckerman Jacobson’s leadership and Shigeru Ban’s architecture it was quite an intoxicating success. Shigeru Ban was also showing his humanitarian architecture; complete structures to shelter a family in times of disaster for less than $50.
Time to relax
Amongst the other incredible displays was Rosemarie Trockel’s ‘Less Sauvage than Others.’ Her ceramic works and sculptures are always show stoppers and I always feel it’s a shame that she isn’t represented in the Collection.
Time to relax
The opening of the museum kicked off with a bang courtesy of Cai Guo-Qiang’s spectacular pyrotechnic display.
Time to relax
The party itself was quite lovely, very red and very focused on raising a whacking amount of future funds for the museum. Oliver Barker was once again at the helm working wonders with works from a number of artists including Ernesto Neto and our very own home-grown Ryan Gander.
Time to relax
Then it was time to visit some friends. Mr Hulk was waiting to have his photo taken with Stefan and myself. Jeff Koons is always outdoing himself.
Time to relax
Jill posed for me in front of Stefan’s new pet donkey by Maurizio Cattelan.
Time to relax
Then into the incredible ‘Gardens of Aspen’ with each one more beautiful than the last. Ugo Rondinone’s garden with a bubbling river.
Time to relax
Another garden with another Ugo Rondinone and many other famous friends; Paul McCarthy, Tom Friedman etc….
Time to relax
Even a few Richard Woods were spread around.
Time to relax
The town itself was full of art, I even spotted Tony Oursler at Baldwin Gallery.