Anteism is a Canadian publisher working with galleries and artists to produce unique art books. Our blog showcases the books we produce and the artist books we love!
Ever had an arguement whether a colour is blue or green, pink or purple? How do you know who is right? Take the online colour test to see how accurate your colour vision is. It's free and you get the results right away. You just need to have the patience to rearrange these colours in the proper order.
I can't stand the not in my back yard attitude. Everyone consumes oil but no one wants the waste in their eyesight. I changed my mind when I realized that there has been a ban on oil tankers for the last 35 years why risk catastrophe now!
For over 35 years the coastal waters of BC have been protected from oil tanker traffic. This ban on tankers is now under threat. Plans to build pipelines and a supertanker port in Kitimat by Enbridge are moving forward with support from the BC and Canadian governments. But there is still time to save our coast.
Join the successive generations that have successfully kept oil tankers out of BC waters for over thirty years. The first step is signing the petition.
Steve Kim is a painter residing in Los Angeles, currently attending Claremont Graduate University. I'm a sucker for a chance to see other artists process. Steve Kim has documented his painting process of a current painting he is working on.
Ron Mueck is a London-based photo-realist artist. Born in Melbourne,Australia, to parents who were toy makers, he labored on children's television shows for 15 years before working in special effects for such films as Labyrinth, a 1986 fantasy epic starring David Bowie. Eventually Mueck concluded that photography pretty much destroys the physical presence of the original object, and so he turned to fine art and sculpture. In the early 1990's, still in his advertising days, Mueck was commissioned to make something highly realistic, and was wondering what material would do the trick. Latex was the usual, but he wanted something harder, more precise. Luckily, he saw a little architectural decor on the wall of a boutique and inquired as to the nice, pink stuff's nature. Fiberglass resin was the answer, and Mueck has made it his bronze and marble ever since.
His work is lifelike but not life size, and being face to face with the tiny, gossiping Two Women (2005) or the monumental woman In Bed (2005) is an unforgettable experience.
I don't usually post movies on Anteism but The Fall is art. You could take a still frame from almost any scene in this movie and frame it. The movie is as beautiful and astonishing as they come. It's rare to see such a big production that isn't ruined by Hollywood scripts and product placement.
In a hospital on the outskirts of 1920s Los Angeles, an injured stuntman (Pace) begins to tell a fellow patient, a little girl with a broken arm (Untaru), a fantastical story about 5 mythical heroes. Thanks to his fractured state of mind and her vivid imagination, the line between fiction and reality starts to blur as the tale advances.
Edel Rodriguez was born in Havana, Cuba in 1971. He left for America on a boat with his parents and sister when he was eight years old. He majored in painting at Pratt Institute (BFA) and Hunter College (MFA). His work has appeared in four picture books, on stamps for the U.S. Postal Service, and on posters for Broadway shows. He is a regular contributor to The New Yorker magazine and was also an art director at TIME magazine for over a decade. His website is edelrodriguez.com
"A study on prisoners, looking at their childhood, teenage years, and what led them to gangs and violence."
Shepard Fairey was arrested in Denver during the Democratic National Convention. Apparently he was taken in for pasting up posters around the city. Check out the article, and a video below.
I recently stumbled across an interesting article about the identity of Canadians and the status of the arts here. It states that Canadians don't seem to have a proper identity?? Is this true? After living in Asia for a few years I did notice something strange from other foreign people living in Asia. When they asked me where I was from I said Canada. They continued by saying where are you really from? I think Canada is one of the very few places we have got past the identity of imaginary lines. There are plenty of problems here but Canada may be one of the first places where national identity may disappear. The cup is half full and empty.
The Canadian Renaissance Project aims to strengthen the art community in Canada and I believe it has some very valid points. Whether or not it's possible to implement is another subject. Visit the site Canadian Renaissance Project.
Read The Statement Below Then Click Here to Find Out How You Can Be Involved
It is almost a cliche to say that Canadians have an identity problem, no one, not even Canadians can seem to define exactly what it means to be a Canadian. In spite of this, the Canadian voice is unique in the world. Perhaps this is because, in a world where the environment is in crisis, it is a vast country where nearly everyone is close to nature almost all the time. Perhaps it is because of multiculturalism. In the rest of the world ethnic and religious tension are spiraling out of control. In Canada, the world's most multi-cultural country a wide variety of social, ethnic, and religious groups manage to live together relatively peacefully and cooperatively. Whatever it is, it is a voice that resonates the world over. Whatever else people know about Canada (it is sometimes very little, and often wrong) they know Canadian art, music, literature, actors, directors and other artists.
There is also no question that arts and culture are a vital part of the Canadian identity (whatever it is). The arts are both a part of industry and part of the daily quality of life of Canadians. According to the Canada Council for the Arts: 75 percent of Canadians believe that the arts are important in enhancing the quality of their lives and 85 percent aggree that governments should provide support for arts and culture. Further, according to Statitstics Canada, the 7.7 billion dollar government investment in culture generates 40 billion dollars in economic activity and creates 600,000 jobs. The importance of arts and culture for tourism, as an example, goes without saying.
With all of this said, the social and economic status of the artist in Canada in no way reflects the importance of their contributions to society. In 1995, Parliament implemented the 'Status of the Artist Act' which, through a heavily bureaucratized process, allowed certain tax deductions, under certain circumstances for certain artists. According to the Canadian Journal of Communication there were "670,000 people working in the arts and culture, representing six times as many employed in fisheries and three times greater than in the forestry industry." But, the article points out, "In 1991, self employed painters and artists earned an average of $11,947; artisans and craftspeople $10,020; musicians and singers, $14,473; dancers, 13,757; actors, $21,800; broadcast composers, and arragners $26.201."
So with nearly 10 years since the "Status of the Artist Act" have things improved substantially for Canadian artists? It wouldn't appear so. According to a study published in 2004 the number of Canadian artists had risen by 29%, but they were still making less than people in other professions. Another study in 2005 determined that a Canadian artist earns on average $23,500 and minority artists even less. This average is also inflated by highly successful Canadian actors, producers and recording artists as well as artists employed full time by arts and media companies. This would indicate that a large number of artists earn substantially less than that average.
It is little wonder that many of the most successful Canadian artists and performers have sought larger markets, and higher incomes, in the United States and Europe. The goal of the following proposals is to lessen this trend, not by making artists wealthy, but to offer them the ability to stay to stay in Canada, earn a stable income and enjoy a standard of living comparable to other highly skilled professionals; An income that is more reflective of their importance to Canadian society. Doctors and lawyers and business executives are undoubtedly vital to society, but they do not define that society in the way the arts do. Without definition; without understanding who we are, it is difficult to understand the past, make appropriate decisions for the present or plan the society we want to create for the future.
Part One of the plan draws it's inspiration from but does not copy the Irish system. In Ireland certain artists pay no taxes at all. This system though has two major drawbacks, the first is that those artists pay no taxes at all no matter how successful they become. Even in the case where they are making millions, they still pay no income taxes. The second problem is that the Irish put in place a government bureaucracy to decide what constitutes art. This is an area which I do not think Canadians want the government directly involved in.
What I propose as an alternative is a system where an artists profits (after expenses) which comes directly from their art, are tax exempt up to fifty thousand dollars. It should be pointed out here that the excemption would apply to artists in the broad sense, not only visual artists. This would ensure that highly successful artists payed taxes and it would enable and encourage many artists to quit their 'day jobs' and focus on their art. Since their non-art income is not tax exempt it would also provide incentives for them to focus more on earning income from their artistic pursuits.
Part Two is inspired by the new Children's Fitness Tax Credit which provides up to five-hundred dollars for health and fitness activities for children. While health and physical fitness are obviously important, the nurturing of the mind and the soul and ultimately of Canadian culture is of equal importance.
The second part of the plan would apply to both children and adults and provide a five-hundred dollar (per person) tax write off for arts and culture purchases and activities. This would include everything from music or art lessons to buying a musical instrument or art supplies. It would also include the purchase of concert or theatre tickets, and the purchase of books, music, films, and art by Canadian artists. It should be stressed here that in order to qualify for the deduction that it must fall within the guidelines of Canadian content. Purchases of non-Canadian music, books, etc., would not qualify.
This does several things at once. It encourages individuals and families to participate in more arts and culture related activities. It puts Canadian content at a premium over imported content. It provides an improved marketplace for Canadian artists to make a living in, the marketplace is not larger, but it is more lucrative. It encourages content producers to produce more Canadian content. It encourages venues to showcase more Canadian talent. It encourages retailers to carry more Canadian content. It encourages children, and adults to to an extent, to become more educated in the arts and to make arts and culture a more integrated part of their day to day lives. Finally, on a more timely and controversial note, the tax deduction would encourage Canadians to buy rather than download for free, Canadian music and movies.
The Canadian Government, like most Western governments, has many priorities to deal with. The military, business and industry, health care, infrastructure, the environment, education, culture, the arts and more all contend for precious tax dollars. All of these things are obviously, to varying degrees, important. Many of them are essential to the quality of life enjoyed by Canadians.
It is important to consider though that great societies are remembered as great not by their industry or military power, or even by the daily quality of life of their citizens. Even where these societies were particularly violent, or committed great attrocieties, they are remembered most by their art and cultural achievements. If we look back though history: The Babylonians, Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, the ancient Muslim world, ancient China and Japan, the British, Spanish, French, Germans in their glory days, and the Aboriginal cultures of North America they are remembered because of their art, architecture, literature, music, theatre and other cultural achievements. Even the great United States of America, when thought of fondly, conjures up images of Hollywood, Motown, Woodstock, Elvis, Sinatra, and Marilyn Monroe. There are some societies who achieved historical infamy without widely recognized artistic achievements. Cultures such as the Huns, Mongols, Vandals and Vikings are remembered almost purely for their brutality.
Combined these two initiatives will make being a full time artist in Canada a more realistic proposition. It is hoped that it will encourage more Canadian artists to stay in Canada, and that it might even lure some Canadian artists home from other parts of the world. In any event, it would allow more artists to give up their 'day jobs' and devote themselves full time to their art. It would enhance Canada's image abroad as a hotbed of arts, culture and creativity. It would promote and encourage tourism within Canada and from abroad and boost the travel and hospitality sectors on the whole. It would help to finally define the Canadian identity in the minds of Canadians and others and, given the amount of talent and creativity we have in this country, it would fuel an arts movement of historic proportions.
Take action by signing the petition http://www.gopetition.com/online/13374.html Contacting your Member of Parliament http://crp.publicbroadcasting.ca/mp.html and adding a promotional graphic to your website (see right hand column.) Stay involved by adding the Canadian Renaissance Project MySpace http://www.myspace.com/canren and/or joining the facebook group http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=676355194
I could look at the illustrations of Andrew Brandou all day long. Andrew's work is inspired by children’s books and LSD, Charles Manson, and opium dens. Hovering skulls,flowers and storm troopers are recurring images as well as the cute little animals carrying weapons that you find hard to believe could be deadly. Maybe there are no orange bands on the barrel of those rifles for a reason.
"After Audubon" is a series of paintings featuring the work of John Audubon revisited to include Harajuku fashion, vinyl toys and other pop culture icons. Andrew's seamless integration of these pop culture icons is both impressive and hilarious.
Check out more artwork by Andrew Bradou through his online portfolio. If your in or around Portland stop by the allways awesome GrassHut gallery to view some of Andrew's work in person at his current show "From the Funk Drawer"
Why do artists really sign prints? It makes them worth more$$$? Makes the print more of an original because the artist has come in contact with the print? To authenticate ? I think a signature should be used as a method of showing that the artist has approved the print. The artist is stating that this print is of quality in visual craftsmanship and longevity. Think twice before signing your name to a laser copier print or other unarchival medium. In my opinion there is no problem selling low cost colour copy prints (in open editions), but by signing them your telling the buyer that this is a true piece of art. I don't think this is a fair practice when shortly down the line the print is faded and all that's left is the ink from your signature.
I've compiled a glossary of the different kinds of print editions, terms and what they're all about. This section will be updated from time to time as I learn and re-learn about the subject.
Chop Mark A small design like a logo which displays the company or person who printed or sold the print. Printers use a chop mark to show that the print was created in their studio. Publishers use a chop mark to show that they commissioned and published the edition. Dealers and galleries also sometimes add their chop mark to show that they sold the print.
Reproduction A copy of an original piece of art by means of a photograph or digital scan. This duplication is then printed by offset printer, Giclée (High Quality Ink Jet - Iris Printer) or any mechanical method where the artist does not have a hand in the printing.
Edition The number of prints made of one design on a matrix. The artist chooses the number of prints in the edition. The prints are as similar as possible and are matched to one print which the artist selects as perfect (bon à tirer). As an example the prints are marked 1/25, 2/25, 3/25 which would be the third print out of a total of twenty five prints. After printing the edition the printing plate should be defaced or destroyed.
Special Edition Special Edition prints are numbered in Roman Numerals (e.g.  X/XV). They are created to commemorate a special occasion or use of a canceled plate which creates a similar but different print. These prints have a Roman numeral "II" after the title.
Preferred Edition A preferred edition is similar to a special edition but usually is printed on a better or different paper than the rest of the edition.
Varied Edition The artist purposely makes changes throughout the edition such as ink & paper colour.
Artist's Proof Formerly, when an artist was commissioned to execute a print, he was provided with lodging and living expenses, a printing studio and workmen, supplies and paper. The artist was given a portion of the edition (to sell) as payment for his work. Today, while artists get paid for their editions, the tradition of the "artist's proof" has remained. Artist's proofs are usually annotated "Artist Proof," "A.P.," "Épreuve d'Artiste" or "E.A." Artists Proofs should not be more than 10% of the total edition size or 5 prints in small editions. A.P. are considered more valuable because of the quantity made and the connection they have with the artist. Unfortunately this convention has been abused and at times there have been more artists proofs than regular prints in an edition.
Trial Proof A working proof. Pulled before the edition, to see what the print looks like at a stage of development; this differs from the edition. There can be any number of trial proofs, but usually it is a small number and each one differs from the others.
Bon à tirer Bon à tirer means "good to pull" in French. It is also called R.T.P (Ready to Print) in the US. If the artist is not printing his own edition, the bon à tirer proof is the final trial proof. There is usually only one of these proofs. This is the trial proof that the artist approves, telling the printer that this is the way he wants the edition to look; it is often accompanied by printing notes, such as paper, ink or inking process and it is the one print used as a reference for the printing of the whole edition.
Cancellation Proof At the end of an edition the plate is to be defaced so no more prints can be made. A cancellation proof is print made which shows the defaced plate.
Printer's Proof A complimentary copy of the print given to the publisher. There can be from one to several of these proofs, depending on how many craftsmen (printers) were involved in the production of the print.
Hors Commerce Proofs annotated "H.C." are supposedly "not for sale." These "proofs" started appearing on the market as part of editions printed in the late 1960s. These proofs are meant for business use only and can become worn and damaged from handling.
Presentation Proof Identical to the edition but usually reserved as gifts.
Posthumous Edition is one printed from a matrix after the death of an artist.
Remarqué The practice of adding a small personal drawing near the signature in the margin. Similar to a chop but is hand drawn and therefore different each print.
Restrike Restrike is the term used for a print made from a canceled plate.
Suite A term for a series of prints done by an individual artist or a series of artists based on a theme. They may be sold individually or separately.
Dedicated Print A print signed and dedicated to family, a friend or publisher.
Imp Imp comes from the latin "has printed it" and means that the artist has printed the print personally.
Multiple A print that does not belong to an edition. The artist or publisher has chosen not to set a limit to the number of print made. Often called an open edition.
LIZ WOLFE is a photographer from Toronto. Candy, animals, plants and blood all done in a fairy tale fashion. The juxtaposition of bright sugar coated colours with often dark imagery is hard to swallow. Images range from crime scene photos to nature/botanical imagery all from an alternate but parallel universe. There is an attraction to these feminine images but we are forced to look at the morbid truth.  Remember gum stays in your stomach for seven years...
The "Sorry" truck paper sculpture by Taylor McKimens messed with my eyes and my brain. Looking at the photo it seems like a cartoon that has been drawn into a photograph. Waking life kinda thing. It also had some kind of familiarity. I realized that Keith Jones had done a similar installation in the past. Below is a picture of an installation done by Keith in 2004 call Nobody Land. It's cool to see the comparison between the two artists styles. I think a car/art show would be awesome! Have it out in a field somewhere, BBQ's, get your photo taken with cars and all the other stuff you do at car shows....
" Taylor McKimens combines hand-drawn paper cutouts with various support materials to create drawings that exist in three-dimensional space. These hybrid sculptures depict objects from daily life and people engaged in common activities. McKimens is attracted to "everyday things that are loaded somehow" - not by indicating anything particularly symbolic, but by drawing attention to how meaningful everyday objects are in their own respect. A hotdog with a trail of mustard on a slice of Wonder Bread, an oozing packet of fast-food catsup, and a broken down truck on cinderblocks are all emblematic of American life. By recreating these items out of paper and relocating them from their natural habitat to the gallery, the artist makes it easier to acknowledge them as a part of a common narrative we share.
McKimens' works are more recognizable as icons than as naturalistically depicted renderings. His early inspiration was comic-book art, particularly the cartoons of Jim Davis who created Garfield; however he was interested in moving outside the limitations of the printed book. His paper sculptures stylistically share the look of cartoon art, but instead of being confined to a comic-book cell, McKimens' subjects exist in a world that provides an actual and figurative dimension. Far from amounting to sleek advertising images, these objects are shown in use or after being discarded oozing, dripping and dirty. There is something at once appealing and repulsive about them."
-Tracy L. Adler Curator "Off The Wall" at the Bertha and Karl Luebsdorf Art Gallery,Hunter College NYC, September - October 2005
I'm excited to announce an upcoming book Anteism is working on with Peter Thompson and Thesis (James Kirkpatrick). The book is titled "Brain Trust" and will showcase the collaborative drawings Peter and James have been working on for years. The book will be available mid September, in an edition of only 350 copies. Each copy will contain a signed screen-print. Get em' while they last.
View some of the duo's collab work on Peter's Flikr Page * Check out Jame's Myspace page ( Thesis Sahib ) for a few good tunes. If your into Subtle you gotta take a listen.
