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April on Art and Music --
and Design In South Florida and Beyond
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 Balacing figures by Polish sculptor Jerz Kedziora perch over the VIP lounge. [Photo: Agata Ren] The second edition of Art Boca Raton is capturing the city's heart. But it is doing so very differently than it did last year. At first, some visitors were surprised by the large number of 20th c. masterworks, even though the fair was billed as an contemporary art fair. But by the end of Friday, the first full day of the show, visitors found the contemporary art--much of it in the Parisian galleries--and were delighted by it. However, the 20th century masterpieces should not be missed. Some of the best examples of this work are found in Howard Brassner’s Art Link International (Booths 100, 101 and 102) and Sandra Neustadter’s corner gallery (Booth 121).  Rainbow Rythm by Vaacov Agam seen at back of Masterworks Fine Art booth. [Photo: Agata Ren] When it comes to more contemporary pieces of art, make a beeline for the Masterpieces Fine Art gallery. Right right across from a Picasso you will find an exciting piece of contemporary art: Rainbow Rhythm by Israeli artist Yaacar Agam--a rectangular canvas consisting of vertical fan folds that delight the eye as you walk past and the colors appear to move and change constantly. (Booths 103-2014) www.masterworksfineart.com/  Marilyn by Gavin Rain [Photo by Agata Ren] Other versions of optical illusion art turn up at a number of other galleries. This pointellist painting entitled Marilyn by Gavin Rain looks totally abstract to the naked eye. But when you look through a camera--or photograph it--a face emerges. Very fascinating. But to me too gimmicky--as if the artist would rather make films than paintings. trandor shock value and edginess, the best place to go is the Gallery 55 Bellechasse from Paris. Don’t be put off by the angry faces and scribbles you'll see at first. Other paintings inside the booth are less distressing, but capture emotions and ideas not seen elsewhere in the show. Many of these pieces are short through with pain and anger. But as gallery owner Bertrand Scholler says, “It’s what happening now” He is certainly correct from a historical perspective. Most gripping to me in his booth are a series of portraits of Muslim women. They are by the Iranian artist Niloufar Banisadr. Each woman is draped in khimar (coving hair, neck and shoulders), but bare flesh is exposed in two of the artworks. All four pieces reflect different repressive and confusing forces Muslim women must confront each day in their homelands. The broad variety of 20th century, coupled with edgy, contemporary pieces, is making ArtBocaRaton worthwhile this year. These top quality offerings counterbalance the qualms some visitors felt entering the show. when they saw a big sign for "Nieman Marcus” -- with decorative glass for sale. The commercialism this display put some people off. But the store was a major funder of the exhibition. It even sponsored some side events at the Boca Museum. So, all in all, most people forgot about this commercialism. As they toured the show they saw great 20th century art, examined new contemporary art, chatted with dealers and made purchases. They were satisfied, since, after all, that is what they came for! IF YOU GO: Art Boca Raton contemporary fair runs through Sunday March 19th and is located on the campus of Florida Atlantic University. See link for directions. http://nextlevelfairs.com/artbocaraton/
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