Art Cologne
Art Cologne is considered the mother of all art fairs. Through Sunday, April 13, 221 galleries from 25 countries are presenting works that range from classical modern to fresh from the atelier.
The hunters and the hunted
The dog has overlooked the hares and it looks like he's already picked up another scent. Franc Marc painted "The Fear of the Hare" in 1912. At 9.4 million euros ($13 million), it's the most expensive work at this year's Art Cologne. Galerie Thomas, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary, is presenting only the Marc painting at the fair.
Art market Germany
After a slump, Art Cologne has been brought back to life under its new director, Daniel Hug. Most of the gallery owners and collectors come from Germany, but American artists like Paul McCarthy, who's represented by the gallery Hauser & Wirth, have found a market here. This work, "Alpine Man," is going for $1.8 million.
Nodding yes
American artist Richard Jackson draws attention with his sculpture, "Bobble Head." The gallery Hauser & Wirth is asking $120,000 for the self-portrait. Like the bobbing figures some people put in the back of their car, the fiberglass sculpture's head moves back and forth.
Flowers from Beijing
Ai Weiwei is also represented at Art Cologne this year. His large, flowered tapestry welcomes visitors at the entrance. Each morning, the dissident artist, who is not permitted to leave China, places a bouquet in the basket on his bicycle in front of his atelier, which is surrounded by surveillance cameras. He's said he'll stop the routine when the Chinese authorities return his passport to him.
Warhol's soup
Decades ago, Andy Warhol raised eyebrows with his Campbell's soup cans. Now, the Thaddaeus Ropac Gallery is presenting a rarity from Warhol at their stand. The artist created only five copies of this work, on canvas rather than paper. The artistic chicken soup with the offset print can be purchased for $1.25 million.
3D art
The necklaces that Jean-Michel Othoniel has hung throughout the area represented by the Karsten Greve Gallery have an airy effect. They're clearly not meant to be worn, though, since they weigh quite a lot. The Paris-based artist had the pieces made in Murano glass by highly qualified glass blowers. They're held together with steel and cost between 75,000 and 87,000 euros each.
Wall art
The London gallery Victoria Muro has returned to Art Cologne after a 20-year absence. At their stand, they are showing works by the Scandinavian artist duo Elmgreen and Dragset. "Pinakothek der Moderne" is the title of this thin slice of wall, which they removed from the Munich museum with the same name and attached to canvas. The price: 48,000 pounds ($80,500).
Oil of another kind
Art Cologne places emphasis on supporting up-and-coming artists, like with their "New Positions" series. Rayyane Tabet, a 29-year-old artist from Beirut, investigates the impact of the oil industry on the Arab World. He integrated the logos of companies like Esso, Mobiloil and Caltex into this sculpture. In another photo series, he shows how pipelines have altered natural landscapes.
Recipe for success
The secret to success, according to director Daniel Hug, is staying connected to the local region. That also means rejuvenating the artistic relationship between Cologne and New York. A new part of the fair supports cooperation between German and American galleries. One US work for sale is Jeff Koon's "Girl with Dolphin and Monkey." Some 55,000 visitors are expected to attend the four-day fair.