There is something fascinating about "live" painting.  Painting, is nearly always a private act by a single artist alone in his or her studio. Austrian painter Hermann Nitsch brought the act of painting into the performance art arena in the 1960s with his Orgien Mysterien Theatre performances. This week he painted live at Mike Weiss Gallery.. (Feb 15 & 16). Lynn Maliszewski's report on the happening includes great photos of Nitsch and his assistants painting, clad in white robes.

Hermann Nitsch: 60. Painting Action // 60. Malaktion is on view at Mike Weiss Galllery through March 19, 2011.  Concurrently the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver will also present Bloodlines: Paintings by Hermann Nitsch from February 4 through May 29, 2011.