What do Putin, McQueen, Zuckerberg and 50 Cent have in common?

A memoriam to Alexander McQueen and the first showing of Anton Kandinsky’s art work on the theme of “Obsession” at the CATM Chelsea gallery, hosted by DEPESHA magazine. Sounds like a good night out for a Saturday.

The organizers may have underestimated their promotion skills, however. It was certainly a crowd pleaser. At least the weather spared some snow. There was a longish line of little glares of cigarettes and eager onlookers who were trying to catch a glimpse of an arguably controversial collection through the gallery windows that shown against the dark night.

If you have some free wall space and about $50,000, you’re in luck. The paintings are rather bright (as far as the use and choice of color). Did I mention illuminating rubies and crystals sprinkled throughout the canvases? But there were much deeper and mostly darker themes of power, dynasty, ambition, recognition and success. In other words, what do Putin, McQueen, Zuckerberg and 50 Cent have in common? These were the huge name droppings in the works, representing a melting pot of impressionist, surrealist and romantic periods (in my non-expert opinion).

Not surprisingly, the gallery exhibition opening attracted a bunch of characters that typically swarm to these events (in my experience). Alice in Wonderland movie production was probably missing some costumes. All in all, it was good times filled with curiosity about the mindset of the artist and the attendees. And so, my friends and I decided to move on and let others take in the chattering air. We went for some cheese and wine tasting a block away at the Drunken Horse.