World Art - by Craig Hill

Art reviews Exhibitions & Performances - World Art

Star Wars Renaissance Paintings

September 4th 2008 03:31

The Force was with us a Long, Long Time ago

Yoda regails the Nymphs

The 14th century renaissance period in Europe, so named because of its “rebirth” of artistic and intellectual expression was arguably the richest time in human history for art, religion and science.

The Venus De Leia?

A long time ago in a galaxy far far away, (Earth in 1977) a film called Star Wars came along and triggered a renaissance of its own. One that reignited cinema audiences appreciation of the classical 1930/40’s serials and adventure romps.

Da Vinci goes Wookie

Taking traditional mythologies and inserting them into a contemporary, lived in future opened many eyes to the possibility that a postmodern approach to the past was desirable.

Grievous on the Throne

As with most successful ventures, the hand was eventually overplayed and illustrated by the disappointment that many feel for the continuation of the saga in the last decade.

Vader taller than Napoleon but the dark Side is strong

It seems logical then that the Photoshop competition site worth1000.com would embrace this renaissance idea with a call for gurus to create images that draw on George Lucas’ massively influential space opera. Images that draw on the philosophical revolution from centuries ago to reinvigorate its historical significance with a motif leaning towards cleansing the decaying quality of wasted opportunity into real world context.

The horrors of a trooper facism

I have included just a few examples from the worth1000 site that I found pleasing, to view the complete body of entries into the competition please click HERE.

Look closer and use the force

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Posted By: Dexter - Category: Art reviews, Film reviews, Popular culture, Exhibitions & Performances

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Bill Henson - Art or Sinister Exploitation

May 23rd 2008 02:33

Art show closed down with Accusations of Pedophilia

Exhibit A

Bill Henson is one of Australia’s most respected photographic artists, his work has received prestigious recognition over the years. Last night in Sydney his latest exhibition opened to controversy and has been promptly closed down pending an investigation into accusations of child pornography.

Like filmmaker Larry Clark, Henson has always been fascinated with the coming of age, the limbo between adolescence and adulthood. Much of his work revolves around images of teens that attempt to study the nature of breaking into adulthood.

Artist Bill Henson with his work

The problem with this particular collection seems to the inclusion of nude images of girls 12 – 13. According to a report on monstersandcritics.com it is Hetty Johnston, executive director of child sexual assault action group Bravehearts that has insisted on closing down the exhibit.

“'It's child exploitation, it's criminal activity and it should be prosecuted,' Johnston told Australia's AAP news agency. 'They are clearly illegal child pornography images. It's not about art at all. It's a crime and I hope they are prosecuted.'

Young love or something more sinister?

Australian Democrats leader Lyn Allison who instigated a Senate inquiry into the sexualisation of children in the media said “I think it is shocking and confronting, but I am torn on this. I have to say because I was an art teacher and I am very reluctant to want to censor what artists do and a lot of artists do want to be confronting, to raise issues, and in some ways, this does that.”

'Police have spoken to the photographer and gallery owners,' Superintendent Allan Sicard told reporters outside the gallery. 'As a result of this conversation, all parties have agreed the exhibition will be temporarily closed to allow further inquiries to be made.'

On the subject the artist himself says: 'Kids of this age, they seem to, as all those clichés go, be half in childhood and half in the adult world,' Henson told The Sydney Morning Herald. 'They're at a point where there is an exponential change, both psychologically and physically taking place, and this all kind of creates a floating world of expectation and uncertainty.'

Henson’s collections are often shocking and carry a moody atmosphere that elevates them to be defined as “art”. Whether or not he is innocent of exploiting his subjects is unclear, but he does always receive parental consent. The real problem lies more with the predators who will get sexual arousal from such frank images, but then these pedophiles also get the same thing from glossy magazine advertising anyway. Often publications and television sexualise under age children to hawk clothing, soft drinks and a myriad of other products.

Personally I am not offended by what I’ve seen of his work, challenged yes, but can certainly appreciate the concerns raised. There does seem to be an element of hypocrisy in the debate, aside from the aforementioned media’s sanctioned promotion of child pornography in commercials, the streets are filled with pre teen girls who flaunt there flesh with minimal clothing while accompanied by parents in shopping malls and other public places.

So in a way isn’t this just art reflecting society?

Another of Henson's more honest images of teen sexuality

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Posted By: Dexter - Category: Artist profiles, Art reviews, Exhibitions & Performances

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The Obesity of Record Breaking Art

May 16th 2008 01:26

The Body Treasured

Benefits Supervisor Sleeping

Proving again that art is like beauty “in the eye of the beholder” a picture titled “Benefits Supervisor Sleeping” has gone under the hammer at London’s famous Christie’s Auction house for the staggering sum of $33.6 million.

The work painted by British Artist Lucian Freud broke the record for the largest sum ever paid for a work by a living artist. Reported on CNN.com the painting depicts Sue Tilley, a civil servant manager sleeping on a tattered lounge.

Lucian Freud at work

From the CNN article:
“Christie's calls it a "bold and imposing example of the stark power of Lucian Freud's realism," depicting "the forceful and undeniable physical presence of people and things."

“The painting challenges modern notions of beauty and elicits a reaction from everyone who sees it. That may have been precisely the aim of Freud, who told London's Tate Gallery in 2002 that he wanted his paintings to "astonish, disturb, seduce, convince."

"It's the sort of thing that everyone immediately wants to voice an opinion about," he said of the painting. "It challenges conventional taste ... and people do find that rather exciting and interesting to talk about."

“Though some regard the painting as shocking -- ugly, even -- that is also the appeal for collectors, said Michael Hall, editor of Apollo Magazine in London.”

"There's a reaction against art that's regarded as too pretty," he said.

Lucian Freud Reflections - Self Portrait

Personally I see a tranquil poetry to the image, a relaxed outsider at ease in her skin. A woman comfortable in her own over sized body, the peaceful essence exuding the intended “beauty”.

A compilation of Britian's most respected living Artisan Lucian Freud

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Posted By: Dexter - Category: Artist profiles, Art reviews, Exhibitions & Performances

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Art in blood.

February 2nd 2008 05:29

Jordan Eagles

Jordan Eagles let's the blood run free

Art has always had a broad meaning, often it is a subjective point of view formed from life experience and learning that defines the individual perception of…what is art.

Broader still is the means of expression, tools and mediums employed to optimize an artists own creative expression. Proof positive of this is the challenging dye chosen to decorate the canvases of New York based artist Jordan Eagles.

Jordan Eagles at work

Painted in animal blood for its unique texture, reflective qualities and overall composition, Jordan Eagles has naturally sparked a flow of controversy ever since his first started nearly a decade ago.
“The curves and flows, created with blood allow the sleek and smooth synthetic elements to exist in harmony with the organic” – Quote from Jordaneagles.com

Open for discussion

An exhibition of his latest creations is currently on display at the Mark Wolfe Contemporary Art Gallery in San Francisco. A report on mmdnewswire.com says that the lead up to the show met with a lot of opposition. According to the site the concept is to “explore themes of regeneration and the physical and intangible connections between body, spirit and nature.”

In 2006 the Village voice said "As seemingly ghoulish as the impulse appears on paper, in person, Eagles and his work are anything but macabre… Light reflects off its smooth, hard surface, but it also penetrates the work's interior, bouncing through resin and pigment before spilling out again," (From jordaneagles.com press page)

Phas 1 & 2

Personally I am opposed to accepting the realities of mass wild stock slaughter but feel it’s positive to use all bi-products of inevitable killing for food. Despite what I may feel about the use of animal blood as paint it is impossible for me to deny the aesthetic allure of Eagles work.

The striking colours and arcing patterns draw the eye and have a texture that makes me believe a digital image is no comparison to seeing the paintings first hand. Sad that the display may never reach Australian shores for me to find out.

Splat

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Posted By: Dexter - Category: Art reviews, Popular culture, Exhibitions & Performances

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The Groovin Artist

December 18th 2007 00:12

Painting to Dance

I’m on a bit of a performance art kick at the moment and foraging through you tube footage I stumbled upon this delight.

This is urban visual art to a distinct beat, expressing a creative soul. What may just look like some guy in street ware prancing around like a show horse reveals itself to be more. There is a grand design to the piece, a twist of perception that like the sand art previewed a few weeks ago is fluid in execution and the pleasure is found in the journey of style.

Set in an atmosphere of nightclub lights and throbbing rhythm a lone painter bops his way around the stage splashing white onto a spotlight canvas. Administering the material with a seemingly casual aplomb, gradually a picture begins to emerge.

There is distinct street culture ingenuity to the act. You can tell that it would entertain in on a crowded New York street just as aptly as onstage.

Sadly I couldn’t find out any information about the artist or even an official name for this merging of disciplines. The lack of more details is vexing. I have asked for more information from the youtube author and if I get it then rest assured I will share it.

Here is the dancing artist and his work…a word of advice, make sure you watch till the very end.

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Posted By: Dexter - Category: Miscellany, Art reviews, Popular culture, Exhibitions & Performances

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Francesco Mai – Alien Sculptures

November 7th 2007 00:02

Francesco Mai – Alien Sculptures Exhibition Melbourne

Cruising around looking for what Art shows are on in Melbourne I stumbled upon this superb looking exhibition held at the Brunswick Street Gallery.

The artists name is Francesco Mai, an Italian digital photographer and sculpture who seems to be heavily influenced by the work of H.R Giger. Regular visitors will already be aware of my fascination and appreciation of this provocative visual stylist and the work of Mai seems an extension of his concepts.

The work of Francesco Mai features striking bold designs, beautifully rendered. The composition of the pieces is dominated by sensual lines and contours of distracting precision.

There is a gloss to the cosmetic veneer but lurking beneath is something more primitive, disturbingly industrial. Clashing with this artificial surface is an organic quality that triggers more primitive emotions and injects the work with a natural wonder.

Haunting and beautiful the aesthetics spiral and curve drawing the eye closer to the central meaning and purpose of the artist. There is a less horrific philosophy when compared to the work of Giger ensuring his images are unique and original, despite the obviously derivative influences.

Apologies, I wish I could display some of pictures of Mai’s work but they are all stringently copyrighted. Instead, I will insist that those interested in seeing more visit his homepage which includes a bounty of high resolution renderings.

You can see the art of Francesco Mai at francescomai.com or visit the brunswickstreetgallery.com.au
for further information on the exhibition

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Posted By: Dexter - Category: Artist profiles, Art reviews, Exhibitions & Performances

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