Letter from Madrid
"When Benedikt Taschen extends an invitation to go somewhere, to see something, it is best to go" - Impressions of the Taschen Collection and Martin Kippenberger show as seen by Eric Kroll
Page [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]
Rainer had suggested I meet him and his friends at the Bar Cook. It was on Reina street, near the hotel. I found it but no doorknob and had to knock on the glass of the doorknobless door. The doorman opened the door, stepped back and I moved forward into a curtained off area that completely blocked my view. I moved the curtain aside and stepped into a very hip bar, indeed. Tall ceilings, wood paneled walls, beautiful women and well dressed men. I sat and talked art and women with painter George Dokoupil, Rainer and others till 5 am then walked home. Welcome to Madrid, Mr. Kroll. Park your need for sleep somewhere else. You will find none in Madrid. Every night I would end my evenings at this former Franco era bar and, when I passed it in daylight, I noticed the name above the door wasn't COOK but rather, bar COCK.
Sunday morning to El Rastro, the flea market to listen to the Arabic street jazz bands and buy some Spanish leather then, in the afternoon, to the Museo Thyssen - Bornemisza to see a special exhibition of the work of Gauguin and to stare down a rare Balthus.
Sunday night I met up with Edwin and we walked along Calle Montera watching the young South American prostitutes until we got to the street that lead to Korynto, a restaurant known for its seafood. Benedikt was there with his mother and fifteen year old daughter, Charlotte, looking elegant and acting decades more mature then me. It was late and the restaurant was ours alone to enjoy. I got to refresh my friendship with the art dealer Max Hetzler in from Berlin and Lauren Weiner, events manager for Art Basel Miami Beach. Then to Bar Cock and home before dawn.
Monday morning, October 18, 11 am, an important news conference at the Reina Sofía. The press meets Benedikt Taschen. Facing the writers and photographers, Benedikt was joined by Amelie Aranguren, Coordinator of the Taschen Collection show, Ana Martínez de Aguilar, Director of the Museum and Marga Paz, Curator of the show. "Why do you choose to collect the art that you have amassed"? To paraphrase, "I collect what I like...no reason...no apologies." Benedikt seemed to be enjoying himself and after everyone made a short statement and Mr. Taschen answered some questions, Benedikt snuck behind the partition and returned with a smile and three large bouquets of flowers, one for each lady.
Page [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]
Page [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]
Rainer had suggested I meet him and his friends at the Bar Cook. It was on Reina street, near the hotel. I found it but no doorknob and had to knock on the glass of the doorknobless door. The doorman opened the door, stepped back and I moved forward into a curtained off area that completely blocked my view. I moved the curtain aside and stepped into a very hip bar, indeed. Tall ceilings, wood paneled walls, beautiful women and well dressed men. I sat and talked art and women with painter George Dokoupil, Rainer and others till 5 am then walked home. Welcome to Madrid, Mr. Kroll. Park your need for sleep somewhere else. You will find none in Madrid. Every night I would end my evenings at this former Franco era bar and, when I passed it in daylight, I noticed the name above the door wasn't COOK but rather, bar COCK.
Sunday morning to El Rastro, the flea market to listen to the Arabic street jazz bands and buy some Spanish leather then, in the afternoon, to the Museo Thyssen - Bornemisza to see a special exhibition of the work of Gauguin and to stare down a rare Balthus.
Sunday night I met up with Edwin and we walked along Calle Montera watching the young South American prostitutes until we got to the street that lead to Korynto, a restaurant known for its seafood. Benedikt was there with his mother and fifteen year old daughter, Charlotte, looking elegant and acting decades more mature then me. It was late and the restaurant was ours alone to enjoy. I got to refresh my friendship with the art dealer Max Hetzler in from Berlin and Lauren Weiner, events manager for Art Basel Miami Beach. Then to Bar Cock and home before dawn.
Monday morning, October 18, 11 am, an important news conference at the Reina Sofía. The press meets Benedikt Taschen. Facing the writers and photographers, Benedikt was joined by Amelie Aranguren, Coordinator of the Taschen Collection show, Ana Martínez de Aguilar, Director of the Museum and Marga Paz, Curator of the show. "Why do you choose to collect the art that you have amassed"? To paraphrase, "I collect what I like...no reason...no apologies." Benedikt seemed to be enjoying himself and after everyone made a short statement and Mr. Taschen answered some questions, Benedikt snuck behind the partition and returned with a smile and three large bouquets of flowers, one for each lady.
Page [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]
Taschen Collection
Hardcover, 29.7 x 42 cm (11.7 x 16.5 in.), 254 pages
$ 70.00
$ 70.00
The Benedikt Taschen Collection on show at Reina Sofía
Benedikt Taschen and fifteen year old daughter, Charlotte, looking elegant and acting decades more mature then me
Benedikt Taschen and Lauren Weiner with Director Ana Martínez de Aguilar and Mia Gargiulo at a sneak preview of the Taschen Collection