Category: Hermitage Museum Russia

Back from NYC – Hermitage Museum Benefit a HUGE Success

Eva Cellini, Hermitage Museum Russia, Ingrid Dee Magidson, Jay Magidson, Museum, New York, Uncategorized

We returned from New York City a few days ago.   Our hearts go out to all the people of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut who are still dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.  For the most part Manhattan looked pretty good (excluding some of the southern part).  New Yorkers are a hearty bunch and they got things up and running very quickly.  We visited our dear friend Eva Cellini in New Jersey and that was another story.  Trees and light poles littered the streets.  The damage took one’s breath away.  It is obviously much better now, but we certainly offer those still suffering our thoughts and prayers.

Saturday, November 10th the Hermitage Museum Foundation threw its annual gala to support the Hermitage Museum and specifically the “Art From America” program.  Jeff Koons and Erik Bulatov were this year’s honorees.  Both spoke eloquently about their art and inspirations.  Two great artists from different cultures, with more in common as artists than not.  Truly inspiring.

Ingrid Magidson at the Hermitage Museum Gala November 10, 2012
Ingrid and “Reflection” at the Hermitage Benefit

After the dinner and speakers the auction began.  OK, I’ll admit it now, Ingrid and I were nervous.  Her piece was the first to be auctioned off.  We held our breaths as the bidding began.  This was an $18,000 piece and the bidding began at $2,000.  It bounced around, $4,000, $6,000, then stalled at $8,000.  OK, somebody’s going to get a great bargain, we thought.  Then a collector jumped in at $10,000 and the bidding stopped.  The auctioneer was about to slam the hammer down when… I’m not going to tell you.  You are going to have to see for yourself.  I posted the video of the auction on YouTube.  Forgive the poor quality, it was taken using my iPhone.

Hermitage Museum Gala Auction Video – November 10, 2012

The video only shows the auctioning of Ingrid’s piece.  The rest of the evening was terrific and I’ve heard report that they raised quite a bit of money from the sale of works by Jeff Koons, Damien Hirst, Michal Rovner and Martin Mull.  It is also gratifying to know that a portion of the money raised will go to help relief efforts for hurricane victims – nice touch.

Ingrid and I would like to thank the many people who put on this elegant and important event: the generous board members of the Hermitage Museum Foundation, especially Paul and Chauncie Rodzianko and their daughter Marina, Mark Kelner.  Thank you staff and associates of the Hermitage Museum Foundation, especially Annie.  Thank you Phillips de Pury Auctioneers for the beautiful setting surrounded by great contemporary art.  And thank you Simon de Pury for your auction wizardry.  A very special thanks goes to Brad and Penny Place, our dear friends and patrons who helped make the evening possible for us.

Wow what a night, we’re still flying!

Hermitage Museum Benefit Auction Catalogue Now Available

Hermitage Museum Russia, Ingrid Dee Magidson, Museum, Uncategorized

 

The Hermitage Museum Foundation Annual Gala and Benefit Auction Catalogue is now available.  Items for sale are artwork: by Ingrid Dee Magidson, Martin Mull, Damien Hirst, Michal Rovner, David Levinthal, Jeff Koons; an exclusive tour of St. Petersburg White Nights, 2013 the 400th Anniversary of the House of Romanov, and many other exciting items.  The Auction is November 10th at Phillips de Pury in New York.  Click Here to See Entire Catalogue

Reflection by Ingrid Dee Magidson

Aspen, Hermitage Museum Russia, Ingrid Dee Magidson, Transparent Canvas

Ingrid recently completed her artwork honoring Catherine the Great.

Reflection by Ingrid Dee Magidson
“Reflection” by Ingrid Dee Magidson

The intricately layered mixed-media work is entitled “Reflection.”  It is an homage to the Hermitage and its founder Catherine the Great:

“I am deeply inspired by men and women who have changed the world profoundly.  Catherine the Great was one of these women.  I wanted to capture her essence in this piece.  Deeply rooted inside her soul, she knew her purpose and her destiny.  With that inner driven passion, she alone helped give the world one of the greatest gifts to its future, the Hermitage Museum.

In this piece Reflection, Catherine is shown in her coronation gown along with her crown.  The viewer is able to look into her dress to see a present-day Hermitage – a view towards the future.  Surrounding her to the right and underneath are many portraits of her family, her husband, and her lovers who influenced her and formed her life.  Like a family tree, I’ve included branches to represent their connection to Catherine.
"Reflection" by Ingrid Dee Magidson
“Reflection” by Ingrid Dee Magidson
To the left of the main portrait, the viewer can see a reflection of Catherine.  It is ghostlike, representing the lasting impression of her life echoing into eternity.  Like the butterflies, each of us lives only a brief time, but can leave a permanent mark.  Also, if the viewer looks into Catherine’s reflection at the correct angle, they will see themselves.  This is symbolic of how each of us never actually sees oneself, but only a reflection as seen through the eyes of another.”
-Ingrid Dee Magidson, 2012
 

Ingrid Dee Magidson – Incarnazioni (Incarnations)

Art, Centro Sociale dell'Arte, Hermitage Museum Russia, Ingrid Dee Magidson, Layered Mixed Media, Museum, New Work, Uncategorized

Enjoy this terrific article released today on Centro Sociale dell’Arte.  The Article is in Italian and English, so scroll down to the language of your choice.  Lots of images too.  Be sure to click on the link to see the whole article.

Words Social Forum

Ingrid Dee Magidson – Incarnazioni

26 settembre 2012 · di · in Pittura, Prospettive, scritture, traduzioni, visioni visive
Ingrid Dee Magidson is an american artist born in Dallas, Texas. She lives and works in Aspen, Colorado, where she’s got her studio and creates her beautiful work. Ingrid’s work is in notable collections throughout the world, including: Antonio Banderas…click to read the rest of the article

 

Memories of a Winter's Garden

 

Ingrid Dee Magidson è un’artista statunitense originaria di Dallas, Texas. Vive e lavora ad Aspen, Colorado, dove ha il suo studio e crea le sue stupefacenti opere d’Arte. Famosa in tutto il mondo, le sue opere fanno parte di notevoli collezioni fra cui: Antonio Banderasvia…

Ingrid Dee Magidson – Incarnazioni.

Ingrid’s Recently Completed Commission

Art, Aspen, Commission, David Floria Gallery Aspen, Forre Gallery, galerie zuger vail, Greenwood Village, Hermitage Museum Russia, Ingrid Dee Magidson, Layered Mixed Media, New Work, Transparent Canvas
Ingrid with her recently completed commission
Ingrid with her recently completed commission

Ingrid recently completed a commission for a Colorado client.  You can see from the photo how large it is, nearly 7 feet tall.  It was a challenging piece that was started in March and finished in mid August.  We asked her a few questions about working on this piece and commissions in general.

Was the size of this piece a challenge?

I love working on large pieces, it allows me the space to express my visual ideas.  But it is also physically very demanding.  Just the shear size of the panels and weight can be hard on my body.  [The final piece was well over 100 pounds requiring two persons to move it.]  I’m very proud of this piece.  It brought out some new ideas and challenged old ones.”

Working on a commission
Working on a commission

Are there more commissions in the works?

Oh yes, I’m working on one now I’m very excited about.  And there is another in the idea stage.

Working on the commission
Working on a commission

How long does a commission take to complete?

That’s not easy to answer.  It depends how busy I am, if I’m working towards a show.  And it depends on how large the piece is.  But all things being normal (which they never are) I usually tell the client to allow 4 to 6 months.  If I can do them quicker, I always do.

Do you put more effort into a commission?

I pour my heart into every piece I create.

working on the commission
Working on a commission

Would you advise collectors to buy a completed piece or wait for a commission?

It depends on the collector, but I usually advise that they buy the piece they fall in love with when they see it.  If that piece is already sold, let’s talk.  I can’t do the same piece twice, but I can create something similar.  Some collectors are wary of commissions, that they may not be as good as the works the artist creates for himself.  If they are uncomfortable, I suggest they wait for new work.  But it might help to remember that many of the greatest works of art were commissions: the Mona Lisa, for example.  And many great renaissance painters only painted works for patrons on commission.  Some collectors are worried that they won’t like a commission piece when it’s done and they’ll be stuck with it.  That’s never happened with any of my collectors, but I understand their concern.  Each person has to judge their own comfort level about doing a commission.  Either way, it always works out.

Show Dates Announced for Annual Hermitage Museum Benefit Dinner

Hermitage Museum Russia, Ingrid Dee Magidson

The Hermitage Museum Foundation has announced the date for the annual Hermitage Dinner – November 10th.  This year the event will be hosted by Phillips de Pury & Company in New York.  Jeff Koons and Erik Bulatov are the featured artists.  Ten to fifteen important artist’s works (including Ingrid Dee Magidson’s) will be auctioned off to support the Hermitage Museum’s expansion and collection of post-war and contemporary American Art.  If you would like to attend, please see the information below and call early.  There is limited space and the event is likely to sell out.

SAVE THE DATE: Hermitage Dinner Saturday November 10, 2012 at Phillips de Pury & Company (450 Park Avenue, New York). Honoring Artists: Jeff Koons & Erik Bulatov. Our hosts for the evening are: Simon de Pury, Paul Rodzianko & Mikhail B. Piotrovsky (Director of the Hermitage Museum) Proceeds from the evening will support the Foundation’s Art from America campaign, which aims to build up the Hermitage Museum’s collections and exhibition program of post-war and contemporary American art. The Museum’s Impressionist and Modern art collections will be displayed in the Museum’s new 20th and 21st century galleries of the General Staff Building, set to open on the occasion of the Museum’s 250th Anniversary in 2014. Other projects of vital importance to the Hermitage will also benefit, such as educational outreach, restoration projects and curatorial exchanges.

Exhibition details released for July 5th and 6th

galerie zuger vail, Hermitage Museum Russia, Ingrid Dee Magidson, Layered Mixed Media, Masters Gallery, Museum, Transparent Canvas

Here is the official Press Release for the upcoming Exhibition in Vail this week.  We are excited for this Thursday, hope to see you there!

A Cameo Performance
A Cameo Performance by Ingrid Dee Magidson

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Transparent Canvases of Artist Ingrid Dee Magidson to be Featured at  Galerie Zuger in Vail

VAIL, Colorado (July 2, 2012) – On Thursday and Friday, July 5th and 6th Galerie Zuger will be presenting the innovative artwork of Ingrid Dee Magidson.  The artist will be at the receptions for both evenings.  Magidson, a Colorado artist, has been showing her transparent canvases for just over five years.  In that short time, she has captured the attention of numerous museums and prominent collectors, including the Smithsonian Museum of American Art, The Whitney, the Hermitage Museum Foundation and Antonio Banderas and Melanie Griffith.  This exhibition, her second at Galerie Zuger Vail is titled, “The Illusion of Time.”

Magidson mixes modern materials and renaissance images to capture what she calls “the illusory nature of time.”   In the piece “The Butterfly Effect” Magidson presents a beautiful renaissance woman in a classic pose.  But she is ghostly and transparent.  One can see through the subject into the layers beneath.  Butterflies hover in and around her as if in full flight.  Images, musical sheets, antique jewelry and manuscripts can be seen through her.  The more the viewer looks, the more is revealed.

To create this floating effect, Magidson uses layers of acrylic, collage and objects in a kind of three dimensional assemblage or transparent canvas.  As the viewer moves around the artwork, hidden objects reveal themselves and others disappear.  It is a kind of reverse illusion; what appears flat is actually three dimensional and the objects that are three dimensional appear flat.  Once involved, it is difficult to look away.

Magidson is no stranger to art.  Both her parents are artists, as is her identical twin sister.  Her husband is an art dealer and writer, whom she met at his art gallery.  Asked how she came up with her unique style of art Magidson said:

“I used to go to museums with my parents as a child.  I never forgot the paintings I saw and wondered how many other beautiful paintings were tucked away in storage that no one would see.  Later, as an artist, I decided to bring these paintings and the people they depicted back to life.  I couldn’t just paint them in an ordinary way – that had been done before.  So I started playing with modern materials and techniques. Those first exploratory months were the most challenging and darkest times of my life, but I finally had a break-through and it made all those moments worth it.”

There will be two receptions with the artist in attendance, Thursday, July 5th and Friday, July 6th from 3 to 7pm both nights.  The exhibition will continue for two weeks.   Galeryie Zuger Vail is on the second floor of the Solaris building in the heart of Vail, Colorado.

For More Information:

Rayla Kundolf
art@galeriezugervail.com
(970) 476-5619

Documentary of Ingrid Magidson’s Work Wins 2012 Telly Award

Art, Aspen, David Floria Gallery Aspen, Forre Gallery, galerie zuger vail, Hermitage Museum Russia, Ingrid Dee Magidson, Layered Mixed Media, Masters Gallery, Museum, Rob Reid, Telly Award, Uncategorized

Congratulations to The Reid Effect of Pioria, AZ for their recent award of a Silver Telly (highest honor) for “Windows Through Time” a documentary of Ingrid Dee Magidson’s art work.

Rob Reid came to the studio of Ingrid Dee Magidson in Colorado in the fall of 2010 to record and interview Ingrid and Jay Magidson.  He and his film crew were on site for three days filming and interviewing the artist and her husband.  It was a unique experience to say the least.  Rob is a consummate professional.  He has a way of making you feel at ease even in the most difficult shots.  For example, Ingrid was retelling the story of her youth, about particular difficulties that ultimately led her to a life of art.  At one point, she was overwhelmed with emotion and was unable to continue.  Rob respected the emotion and the moment.  He never hurried her or tried to move on, he simply waited, “when you’re ready, we’ll continue.”

Filming moved into Ingrid’s studio.  This was not an easy place to shoot.  It is very crowded and the light is difficult.  Ingrid’s work has many reflective surfaces that make it very difficult to photograph.  Rob and his crew moved in without a complaint, setting up lights and reflectors and in no time they were filming.  Take a look at the final minutes of the film, it shows some very creative shots that Rob came up with where Ingrid is on the other side of the art.

Thank you Rob and congratulations on your much deserved award.

2012 Silver Telly Award to The Reid Effect for Film Documentary, “Windows Through Time,” the work of Ingrid Dee Magidson

Video of Ingrid’s Lastest Pieces – Together We’ll Make History

David Floria Gallery Aspen, Forre Gallery, Hermitage Museum Russia, Ingrid Dee Magidson, Layered Mixed Media

Below, is a very brief video of one of Ingrid’s works, “Together We’ll Make History.”  It is a romantic and beautiful work dedicated to all lovers of beauty.  It is 47 x 36 inches and is one the newest works featured at Forre Floria Fine Art Gallery in Aspen, Co.

To see other videos about Ingrid Dee Magidson and her extraordinary work, click here or “Videos” on your left.