What’s Good now?

What were the What’s Good group chat discussing over the late summer? Well, events largely: exhibitions, fairs, talks and shows. We don’t put those in our round-ups simply because so many of them are one-time only, or will have closed by the time we publish, so if you want to know what’s hot IRL then make sure to join the chat. Otherwise, read on for books, articles, movies and more.

[Fictional, art]

This is objectively one of the most sexy and glamorous films ever made, and Pierce Brosnan wears a sarong for one all-too-short scene. It is the remake of a 1968 film of the same name, but in the original the eponymous character steals money, not art, so obviously it’s not as good. 

Look out for: Rene Russo’s knee-high lace up boots, the skin-tinglingly good ode to Magritte, and one of the most indulgent sex scenes of all time

[Art, documentary] 

One for the fresco heads out there. An extremely charming overview of Italian culture and history told through the mediums of art and food, by two pals who obviously love each other very much. Some of the subjects they discuss may be lofty at times but the way they explain everything to one and other [and the viewer] is beautifully accessible and tender.

Look out for: Andrew Graham-Dixon gives Alan Partridge vibes in a way that is not unbecoming, and I now have a crush on Giorgio Locatelli

[Darklight Art sidebar: We do usually stick to arts and culture recommendations in the chat rather than, say, true crime, but there is an unexpected Man Ray connection to this podcast which we couldn’t not mention.]

[Biography, art, photography]

It is extremely difficult to get hold of Kiki de Montparnasse’s memoirs – trust me I’ve tried – so Braude’s account of her life and relationships is a bit of a godsend to those of us captivated by her image. A lot of this book is lifted directly from Man Ray’s own writings which can be a bit annoying if you’ve already read them, but there is more to Kiki than Man, and some of the [perhaps less well known] portraits of her by other artists are rather lovely to read about. 

Look out for: Mention of a 1924 essay by Djuna Barnes about the modern muse that I am desperate to read

[Art]

Sam Knight investigates the story of a painting, on which the art world cannot come to an agreement regarding its provenance. Is it a Lucian Freud? Some say yes, some, including the artist himself, say no. This proclamation from the late painter ought to, on the surface, have cleared up the matter, but it’s a little more complicated than that. 

Look out for: “Discarding art is an aesthetic gesture in itself, the inverse of the creative act, ” the right to deny ones work, plus a hand written list of reasons you hate someone

[Art, opinion]

This article is prescient reading in the way it laments the sad state of affairs which will likely only worsen due to the cost of living crisis, but I suspect the writer Martin Herbert is stating what we all already know here. Art is elitist AF. What this piece does not answer is the headline: what does rich-kid art look like? Can you tell if someone is monied and privileged from the aesthetic of their work? DISCUSS.