BJARNE MELGAARD
Nationality: Norwegian
City of Residence: New York
Profession: Artist
“I BELIEVE THAT THE WORK AN ARTIST ACTUALLY SHOWS IS OF HIGHER IMPORTANCE THAN WHERE THE ARTWORK IS EXHIBITED”
The intellectually clear-cut, and refreshingly reflected artist Bjarne Melgaard continues to shake the art world. He is widely known as a bad boy artist, highlighting the deepest dark of the sexual underground in his work.
In spite of his reputation, the artist himself insists that provoking is far from his real intention. Bjarne Melgaards real aim is to question established opinions of truth on a more philosophic level. This visual philosopher – today one of the most renowned Norwegian artists on the international contemporary art scene, expresses himself in a variety of visual disciplines – paintings, sculptures, installations, photography and video art. His work points to subversive themes often inspired by various provocative sub-cultures such as S&M and heavy metal.
During the last four years he has expanded his communication of art further, by writing A New Novel and collaborating with architecture and design firm Snøhetta to create A House to Die In. Bjarne wants to spend the end of his life in this house.
BOB RECINE
Nationality: American
City of Residence: New York
Profession: Artist
“I UNIFY ALL OF MY SEEMINGLY VARIED WORLDS — OF ‘FASHION’, OF ‘ART’, OF ‘STUDY’ — FOR PEOPLE TO SEE THAT ALL IS INTERCONNECTED”
During the late 1970’s in New York City, Bob Recine, at the time a musician and aspiring artist, befriended Andy Warhol. This crossing of paths strongly influenced Bob Recine’s further career. The iconic artist, rumored to be extremely fascinated by hair, was the one who inspired Bob Recine to explore art – with hair as a central component.
Recognizing his extraordinary talent, Warhol connected him with famous hairdresser Jean Louis David in the French capital. Moving to Paris turned out to be a wise move as the eccentric character took him under his wings and taught him hair sculpting as an art form. When Bob Recine left Paris, his portfolio was packed with innovative visions. Now, years later, Bob Recine collaborates with contemporary celebrities like Lady Gaga and fine artists like Vanessa Beecroft and Bjarne Melgaard.
His work can be delicately uncomplicated, yet it is bold and untraditional, integrating unusual materials like cellophane, hairclips, playdough, plastic, headphones – even glass. It reflects a finesse, beautifully documented through collaborations with leading fashion and fine art photographers such as Mario Sorrenti, Paolo Roversi, Peter Lindbergh, Helmut Newton, and Irving Penn.
