October 18, 2007...12:29 am
“Execution”
A few days ago I became fascinated by the stories surrounding Yue Minjun’s painting “Execution” being sold at Sotheby’s Hong Kong Contemporary Chinese Art sale for a record-breaking $5+ million—and just found out that an exhibit of his breathtaking work is going on at the Queens Museum of Art. The opening reception, though, is the most exciting part, it will take place on October 23 from seven to nine p.m., preceded by a discussion with Yue himself at six thirty (yay). I am there.
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News report about “Execution” (plus heckler at the auction):
and
“Execution” sitting outside a crate
One of the paintings that inspired Yue Minjun,
Manet’s “Execution of Emperor Maximilian”
Another painting that inspired Yue,
Goya’s “The Third of May, 1808″
3 Comments
November 5, 2007 at 12:28 pm
So…. did you make it to the artist’s discussion ? If so — can you report your reactions ?
What a strange story — about the man who “had to own it” — only to lock it away in a warehouse for over 10 years.
November 5, 2007 at 5:06 pm
I did make it! I will post something about it soon, I promise, but here’s my reaction in brief: Yue Minjun sure is a tiny guy. And immensely talented. It was exciting to stand among the throng of admirers, and though I am no art critic in any way, I could see plainly why he’s getting so much attention, as those smiling faces are so eerie and sad. And so spot-on. I asked him what he thought of the hoopla surrounding the sale of “Execution,” and he replied that he was overwhelmed, was still trying to understand what the big deal was.
But note that I stupidly forgot to bring my camera, so I have no pretty pics to share. Instead, you will have to be satisfied with a pic of my pretty shoes that I wore there.
January 17, 2008 at 8:48 am
I think Picasso’s Masacre en Corea might also have inspired Yue.
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