Chuck Close

[Peter Schrager]

Sunday nyt...magazine section article
Very good read about art aging esthetics
And more...I'm sure someone can post the link
Although few of us will gain the recognition that Close has received the article is a great insight into what a great artist is
I say it's the artist himself...let the art speak for itelf...I've known several great artists and they ALWAYS tower over the art...although the art is truly amazing. ..the man/woman is the core
Best peter

 

[jvo]

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/17/magazine/the-mysterious-metamorphosis-of-chuck-close.html?_r=0

 

[Peter Schrager]

Thanks for the link

 

[DREW WILEY]

I occasionally interact with the hired guns who produce most of Close's big commissioned works, mostly regarding equipment and media questions.
They do all the software mapping, laser etching, etc. The last instance I recall is when he wanted a giant jigsaw-puzzle portrait of himself assembled in about thirty shades of real hardwood. Probably at least a million dollar piece, though their cut was $40,000 (and they actually lost money on it, though they said they'd quickly make in up on his next project). Fun innovative people who like all the different ways he wants things done. I kinda get tired of seeing his own portrait over and over. But they have the lab and digital digs for his kinds of projects, including the ability to laser etch
images even onto big slabs of polished granite. Otherwise, don't ask. They don't want your business unless you too can sell a piece in the millions.
And their idea of even a paper digital print involves millions of dollars worth of prepress equipment that makes the common inkjet looks rather
pathetic, though they are experts at things like traditional platinum printing too. If you happen to want a platinum museum print six feet wide, they
know how to do it, though no longer will due to cumulative health concerns.... getting close to retirement, and don't want any more worries. I guess
once you're canonized like Close you can design a dog food can label and assume some museum will buy it. But at least a portion of his substantial
venue kind reads like photography to photorealism, to what some critics called photo-photorealism, back to photography... Makes me glad not to
be famous. I'm just rags to riches back to rags, or something like that.