For those of you who are unfamiliar with the phenomenon that is Mark Kostabi, please go immediately to his website or his advice column on artnet.com.
The peep show was not in operation at Kostabi World (normally you must insert a quarter to view the painters at work through a little window. After about one minute, the screen closes and you must insert another quarter to keep viewing the painters at work.) I was a little sad that I didn't get to operate the peep show window, but instead I got to get up close and personal with all of Kostabi's painters, and his rock star brother, Paul, who has been on tour with Metallica and other notable bands. Heidi, the studio manager, was very sweet and let me view paintings in storage, some of them rare collaborations between Kostabi and other famous artists.
I was also asked to participate in a "painting contest", meaning I was shown 6 variations of a painting and asked to rank them. My answers were carefully considered, and noted down. My opinion went against the grain a little, but it was all right.
I assumed that Mark would be in Rome, since that is where he spends most of his time these days. However, I was in luck! Mark was there, and graciously spoke with me for a few minutes and signed and dedicated a book I bought, "Conversations with Kostabi". Great book, by the way. He signed it - "To Michelle from Canada. Mark Kostabi, New York, Nov. 21, 2003."
Here are a few shots from Kostabi World, depicting the painters at work, and the general scene in the studio.
Long live Kostabi World!
View of main room in the studio.
Painting in progress.
The shooting studio.
One of the many painting assistants.
Another studio view.
