Contemporary Art News Condensed

• In conjunction with its show "Haunted" the Guggenheim New York presents a reception with five of the artists.  A short program, private exhibit viewing and reception will take place with each artist.  For info on dates and how to get tickets click here.
• The New York Times reports on Vollis Simpson, a 91-year-old self taught 3D artist who has gained fame in the short time he's been making whirligigs and windmills.  Although most of his art is relatively small, he was commissioned to complete a piece for the Inner Harbor in Baltimore that's nearly 55 feet tall.  To read more about his works check out the NYTimes article.
• The Museum Kunst Palast in Germany April 4,2010 - August 1, 2010 hosts a show of post-WWII abstract expressionism.  The show focuses on art which is described as "disjointed and disillusioned, but also highly motivated by moral and existential issues."  Read a short review on E-Flux.com.
• E-Flux reports on the Art Dubai fair as it closed.   The art fair was reported to be very successful in that it had a record attendance of 18,000 and sold much of the work.
• The BBC ran an opinion piece about artists depicting war.  Countries have been sending artists, in addition to journalists, to war to document the scene.  The article reports that wartime art has become increasingly popular.  Click here for more.
• An article in the TimesOnline highlights the resurgence of contemporary art into churches.  Although churches and cathedrals once commissioned artists frequently, the practice of hiring a contemporary artist to complete a piece for a church building has been in remission for decades if not centuries.  The author states that much of art history came from religious pieces and that artists would often rise to the occasion by making some of their best work.  Read more here.