My Paranoia in the round, Christopher Stone

                          “Hockney dog bowl”
 “Has the art world! gone mad, where is the slump? recent news from the international art world tells us that YBA Damien Hirst’s diamond encrusted skull will be on display in Florence Italy, the skull with an estimated value of 100 million pounds must be worth at least a look see, American artist Jeff Koon’s, who in 2007 was reported to be the highest selling living artist after his work “Hanging heart” brought in almost 24 million, another of Jeff Koon’s pieces made on November 11th this year almost 17 million at a Christies auction in the states.
What can I say? except good luck you guy’s, its all good for art, and good for artist’s, and all that loot makes its way back into the economy somehow. Now this week an electrician who worked with the great Spanish artist Picasso has revealed several unique works with a value of 70 million, the electrician tells us they were gifts made to him by the artist, watch this space for the outcome of this snippet, I promise it will grow and grow, all this brings me around to Dog bowls, yes that’s right, a few very talented and famous artists have bent their brushes and designed some Dog bowls, these Fido feeders have an estimated auction price of 3000 each, stop! dont panic, its all for a very worthy cause, British veteran artist David Hockney is amongst the designers, all the proceeds from the auction  will go to a Los Angeles charity called “Paws/LA” which helps senior citizens and disabled people care for their pets, apart from Hockney, artist’s the like of Ed Ruscha, Kenny Scharf, Charles Arnoldi, and more have designed bowls with a view to helping this very worthy cause. And talking of worthy causes there’s one about to take place real soon on your doorstep, on Friday 10th December from 10-20 hours a radio auction will held, all auction proceeds will go to the Cudeca cancer care hospice,during the last four years 200,000 GBP has been raised.
Details on donations, bidding etc  on 952 564 910 – 952 564 910, or email pr@Cudeca.org  www.cudeca.org/en/bc/caresuport 
 
What about children’s art classes ? could make an original Christmas gift, Terry Durham give kiddies classes at the “Casa de correos” restaurant which is at C/ Santa Anna, No 11,
again full details from Gary or Tina Steele 952 498 027 – 952 498 027,  casa-de-correos-restaurant.vpweb.co.uk/  Terry Durham
 
At the Casa de la Cultura in Coin, Madrid artist Carlos Bautista is exhibiting his work from Nov 28th untill 17th Jan,
Casa de la Cultura, Blas Infante, C/ Manuel Garcia. Telephone 952 453 377 – 952 453 37.
I have not seen this artist’s work in person, but from what I hear it is well worth a visit
 
It seems that Spain is not all doom and gloom after all, Fine art agent Stephen Howes tells me things are still booming on the Costa’s art scene and that 2011 will prove to continue the trend, unlike many other places the Costa del Sol has  thriving art, and art related activity, Stephen Howes has just returned from England and assures me that the trip was very interesting indeed with regards to next year which he has firm dates confirmed for three shows at the Marbella casino, more to come on that note. www.stephenhowes.es  watch this space.
Christopher Stone
www.sculptormine.com