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KiptonART Presents KISMET, an Exhibition of Paintings by Azadeh Ghotbi and Michael Rollins
WHEN: WEDNESDAY, September 16th, 2010 – 6:30-9:00pm
WHERE: 75 Wall Street (Ground Floor Gallery and Penthouse)
RSVP: http://www.kiptonart.com/events/september16
Opening on September 16th at KiptonART’s 75 Wall Street Gallery is Kismet (pronounced KIHZMeht), an exhibition of paintings by Azadeh Ghotbi and Michael Rollins. Curated by Heidi Lee, the works span the gallery floor, continuing up into the Penthouse overlooking New York City.
Arabic for Fate, Kismet explores the dichotomy of nature’s organic forms and man’s most affective invention, finance. Located in the Penthouse are a series of stock tickers paintings by Michael Rollins. As a means of life, money has always been the driving force of capitalist society. The iconic image of a stock symbol is universal to all existing within this financial structure. Rollins’ tickers use real and imagined stock quotes to create a new language – in which the nature is cryptic, yet with the purpose to communicate a message. Closer inspection of the paintings reveal that the separated stock quotes emerge as linguistic quotes, often creating humorous proverbial text. Like the market, interpreting the paintings can become frustrating, depending on the results. These works exist as a reminder of the greed and confusion that has arisen from the present financial climate. They are to be understood as both difficult to decipher but also funny, hoping that good will eventually come out of the current complications.
Exhibiting within the Penthouse are works from Azadeh Ghotbi’s Metallica series. Platinum, gold and silver are precious metals traded in the futures market and referenced by Ghotbi throughout her artwork. These metals have steadily increased in value. Ghotbi’s works evolve organically with abstract procession and natural beauty, like the commodities found within the earth. In the ground floor gallery, shapes existing within the environment such as clouds seen from the earth or landmasses from the air inspire Ghotbi’s abstracts. She investigates the relationship between nature and man, creating structured abstracts on the canvas and then projecting acrylic paint onto the artwork, unsure of how the results will settle. Her style of painting is similar to man’s impulsive behavior with nature. While she focuses on the world at large and man’s existence within nature, Rollins’ paintings, also present on the ground floor, are symbolic of what is rooted within man; financial gain. Fate, Kismet, will ultimately dictate the outcome of both nature and finance, which are currently in a state of flux
The exhibition opens to the public on September 16th and will be on display through September 26th at KiptonART’s pop-up gallery at 75 Wall Street (at Water Street) with lighting provided Suffolk Designer Lighting, chocolate tasting provided by La Maison du Chocolat, wine provided by The Greene Grape and décor by Andrew Martin.
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ABOUT KIPTONART, 75 Wall Street, New York, NY
Since 2005, KiptonART, wholly owned by entrepreneur Kipton Cronkite, has grown into the leading e-commerce art site for interior designers, collectors and art enthusiasts listing over 1,000 registered artists and an online inventory exceeding $20 million. Artists upload works by listing prices and dimensions while also choosing whether to display various mediums such as photography, painting, sculpture and more. Registered users are given the ability to sort by specific price ranges in order to customize art for any budget and access the ranking system which sorts artists by experience levels. On a continual basis, the organization selects a varied group of up-and-coming artists and provides an outlet for them to display their work in exhibition pop-up spaces and online. The 20 Finalists for the KiptonART Rising 2011 program will make their debut in New York at the exclusive Andrew Martin International showroom located at 222 East 59th Street. On October 5, 2010, 6 Winners will be chosen from these finalists and will embark on a traveling tour to Cohen Design Centers; DCOTA in Dania Beach, Florida (November 2010), The PDC in West Hollywood, California (March 2011) and DCH in Houston, Texas (April 2011). In the past, KiptonART has hosted events at exclusive venues and private residences, artists are joined with cultural dignitaries, Hollywood actors, international socialites and philanthropists who are keen to support the arts and subsidize new talent. Some of these events have been conceived with Asprey, Van Cleef & Arpels, LVMH, Montblanc, Longchamp (company), New York City Ballet, Christie's, Sotheby's, Phillips de Pury, CNN, NYU Tisch School of the Arts, Carnegie Hall, Maurice Villency, W Hotels, Diesel (brand), Saks Fifth Avenue, Elle (magazine) and The New York Observer. In March 2009, Mr. Cronkite also formed the KiptonART Foundation, a not-for-profit entity to fund artist in-residency programs and educational programs for children. The Foundation also aims to raise funds for 6 KiptonART Rising artist scholarships awarded annually. KiptonART, 75 Wall Street, New York, NY, info@kiptonart.com, 917-224-2313, http://www.kiptonart.com
ABOUT SUFFOLK DESIGNER LIGHTING
Suffolk Designer Lighting has been a leader in illumination for forty years, and is regarded for carrying some of the most influential names in design such as Barbara Barry, Eric Cohler, Alexa Hampton, Thomas O'Brien, and Bill Blass. Their e-commerce site http://suffolkdesignerlighting.com offers a glimpse, but their newly renovated, 8000 square foot Southampton showroom stocks hundreds of fixtures from more than 450 manufacturers as well as carrying modern furniture and home accessories. A knowledgeable staff works closely with architects, designers, decorators, builders and electricians to meet all their customers' needs with a speciality geared toward high end, custom homes, restaurants, and country clubs. SDL is a family run business that is still operated by its original founders, Willam Sr. and Dolores Kreitsek, and their sons Kenneth and William Kreitsek Jr. now stand poised to continue the family legacy. Legendary Anchorman John Roland extolls, "SDL took our ocean front home to another level. They carry virtually any product imaginable, and come with my highest recommendation" and Emmy Award winning actress Susan Lucci concurs,"William Kreitsek Jr. and his family filled our lighting fantasies in all our homes. They are the most delightful family and they have the most beautiful, unusual lighting."
ABOUT LA MAISON DU CHOCOLAT, 63 Wall Street, New York, NY
For more than 30 years Robert Linxe continued to devote himself to, and to share with others, his love of creativity and his quest for perfection. The first Maison du Chocolat opened at 225 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore. In the basement of this former wine celler Robert Linxe established his first workshop. At the time it was considered very daring and innovative to devote an enterprise entirely to chocolate, which was reserved mainly for consumption at Christmas and Easter. He was quickly dubbed “The Wizard of Ganache” by Jean-Paul Aaron. In the late 1970s, the company launched the first flavored ganaches, such as the Zagora, a ganache infused with the heavenly scent of fresh mint leaves. In 1987, La Maison du Chocolat opens its second Paris premises in Rue Francois 1er, in the heart of the “Golden Triangle”. In 1990, La Maison du Chocolat’s New York opening at 1018 Madison Avenue opened, along with the incomparable chocolate éclair. In the last 12 years, additional boutiques have been opened in Toyko and London as well as the launch of the Cambello Box which contains 2 famous Champagne Ganaches: a milk chocolate ganache, flavoured with pink champagne, and a dark ganache with Champagne Brut. Gilles Marchal, ex Head Pastry Chef at the famous Parisian grand hotel, Hotel Bristol, arrived as Creative Director in 2007 and worthy successor to Robert Linxe. Marchal’s passion for innovation lead him to “bring something different while remaining simple and relevant.” La Maison du Chocolat, 63 Wall Street, New York, NY, http://www.lamaisonduchocolat.com
ABOUT THE GREENE GRAPE, 55 Liberty Street, New York, NY
The Greene Grape stocks small production wines and spirits from all over the world. There are over 140 great every day wines for under $20, along with a smaller selection of world class wines at a variety of price levels. Single malt scotches and small batch bourbons are highlights of the liquor collection. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff will help you choose the right bottle for any occasion! Open 7 days, they deliver At No Additional Cost ($25 minimum order, 4PM-Close, 7 Days per week)! The Greene Grape Downtown, 55 Liberty Street, New York, NY, http://www.downtown.greenegrape.com
ABOUT TOURBILLON, 45 Wall Street, New York, NY
Tourbillon - The Tourbillon Boutiques bring together the most prestigious brands of the Swatch Group all under one roof - Breguet, Blancpain, Glashütte Original, Jaquet Droz, Tiffany & Co., Omega, Léon Hatot and Swatch - with each store offering an elegant and exclusive shopping experience. The only authentic multibrand store in the world, owned by 8 leading brands in Fine Watchmaking. 2. Spanning three continents, each of the 18 Boutique Tourbillon has the complete collection of each brand for you to enjoy. Boutique Tourbillon, 45 Wall Street, New York, NY, http://www.tourbillon.com
ABOUT ANDREW MARTIN, 222 East 59th Street, New York, NY
Andrew Martin began in Richmond, UK in 1978 and has grown into one of the largest privately owned furniture & fabric houses. Andrew Martin currently has distribution in over 49 different countries and has been a consistent source of innovation for the interior design industry. Martin Waller's philosophy is to provide simple yet innovative designs with global inspiration - using distinctive colors and textured fabrics. Martin translates crafts and cultural traditions found on his travels, into stylish, contemporary creations. Andrew Martin, 222 East 59th Street, New York, NY, http://www.andrewmartin.co.uk
ABOUT THE HAKIMIAN ORGANIZATION
The Hakimian Organization in partnership with Peykar Brothers Realty and Gorjian Properties are developing 75 Wall Street. The Hakimian Organization is a third-generation real estate family that has been developing major projects in New York for over 40 years. As full service owners- builders-managers, they have daily involvement in the entire spectrum of development activities, from site selection and construction to marketing and management. The Hakimian Organization currently owns and operates over 2 million square feet of residential and commercial properties in Manhattan.
About Andaz Wall Street, 75 Wall Street
Experience Lower Manhattan’s renaissance at Andaz Wall Street from Hyatt. Like every Andaz hotel, Andaz Wall Street provides a kaleidoscope of local culture that offers you a Lower Manhattan hotel stay unlike any other. Every detail and every moment, from cutting-edge guestrooms to authentic farm-totable cuisine are designed to give a genuine and intimate New York experience. Andaz Wall Street, New York, NY, http://www.75wall.com
ABOUT CURATOR HEIDI LEE
Heidi Lee is a New York based art advisor with extensive experience in Modern and Contemporary art. She founded Heidi Lee Art Advisory in 2002 providing comprehensive consulting services for corporations, private collectors and estates. Core services include collection management, art acquisitions, sales, exhibition planning and appraisals. HLAA clients have enhanced the value of their collections as well as gain exclusive access to top quality fine art. Ms. Lee advises private wealth clients for JP Morgan Chase, Sotheby's and Christie's auction houses, the Armory Show, America's premiere art fair and others. Ms. Lee holds a master's degree from Christie's Education in Modern Art, Connoisseurship and the Art Market and is a USPAP accredited art appraiser. She worked at VIART Corporation, a leading art consulting firm, where she helped manage art collections for Fortune 500 companies including, Merrill Lynch, Goldman Sachs, Capital Group and Davis Polk. She is a member of the Association of Professional Art Advisors (APAA). Recognized for its excellence in the independent art advisory field, APAA ensures complete impartiality and transparency. Members observe the highest standards of professional conduct, integrity and curatorial competence when advising clients. She is also a member of the Guggenheim's acquisition and contemporary art committees, the New Museum's Contemporary Council, and the Whitney's Patron Circle. Recently, Ms. Lee was re-elected a second term as Chairperson of Christie˙s Education Alumni Society serving over 600 alumni.
For more information, contact KiptonART, 75 Wall Street, New York, NY 10005, press@kiptonart.com, 917-224-2313, http://www.kiptonart.com
