World Art - by Craig Hill

Artist profiles Popular culture - World Art

The Pop Art of Dave Perillo

August 29th 2008 04:54

The Pop Art Style continues

A Selection of David Perillo Posters - I love that Ramones one

Trawling the many caverns and crevices around the net I stumbled across a site called montygog.blogspot.com. The site features the work of a 34 year old Philadelphia artist named Dave Perillo, a pop culture nut who has drawn inspiration from some of the most recognised cult creations of the moving picture age.

You have just entered the Twilight Zone

From fantasy stop motion guru Ray Harryhausen to grandiose cinematic lord Alfred Hitchcock, from Muppet man Jim Henson to the sci fi anthology of The Twilight Zone David has put his own unique stamp on recognizable characters, posters and other retro merchandise.

The horror icons on parade - just for our resident Horrorphile Bryn

Personally I think David’s art bares some the marks of Genndy Tartakovsky creations like "Dexter’s Lab" and "Samurai Jack", this is a good thing. Simple designs, bold colours and strong lines make all his pictures easy to enjoy.

Star Trek...but at what cost?

In turn, there is also something quite Charles M. Schulz (Charlie Brown) meets Hanna Barbera (Flintstones, Top Cat etc) about the graphics.

Kneel before Zod

The end result is a sentimental nostalgic tone that forces me to share them with all you readers, hope that you like them. Please visit montygog.blogspot.com for loads more pics.

The Wonder of Woman

The whip carrying archeologist

The post wouldn't be complete without one Star Wars reference at least..ootini

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Posted By: Dexter - Category: Miscellany, Artist profiles, Film reviews, Popular culture

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The Art of De Niro

August 23rd 2008 06:56

Robert De Niro salutes his Fathers Art

Robert De Niro stands with his fathers Art

“Don’t call me Junior” - Frowning, scowling and punishing Actor Robert De Niro has his artistic genealogy coming in part from his father, Robert De Niro Snr. A dedicated abstract expressionist painter, the De Niro Senior currently has an exhibition of over 25 works displayed at the BBK in Bilbao, Spain.

Joined by his wife and brood Robert De Niro Jr travelled to the European gallery and appeared on Tuesday night as an in the role of Ambassador for his respected father’s creations.

Encompassing over 30 years of work that started in 1955, artdaily.org describes the paintings of Robert De Niro Snr as:

“Grounded in European antecedents, specifically French, but unmistakably American in style, the paintings of Robert De Niro, Sr., represent one of the foremost achievements in painterly representation. De Niro’s efforts to reconcile the real with the abstract through the use of brilliant draftsmanship, bold, Fauvist-inspired colors, and confident, gestural brushwork stand as one of the great achievements in postwar twentieth-century American painting.”

“Hans Hofmann reportedly considered De Niro one of his two best students ever, (the other being Virginia Admiral, De Niro’s wife).1 Thus it was no surprise when De Niro emerged from the New York abstract expressionist school in the 1940s and became a leading member of the second-generation of postwar American painters who turned to representational subject matter as a means of reinvigorating the tradition of painterly expression. These painters, a group that included Larry Rivers, Jane Freilicher, and Paul Resika reopened the discussion of what is possible in painting by returning to figuration and confronting the legacy of their art historical predecessors head on.”

Another example of Robert De Niro Sr's Work

Though he died in 1993 De Niro Snr’s accomplishments in life are displayed in several museums and galleries around the world and this particular event is open to the public until September 27th 2008.

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Posted By: Dexter - Category: Artist profiles, Popular culture, Exhibitions & Performances

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Batman Art

August 2nd 2008 01:20

The Art of the Bat

Batman in watercolours

As the world goes bat crazy again with the release of the Dark Knight I feel compelled to share some of the art that has been inspired by Bob Kane’s seminal superhero.

Meet Bob Kane

Since first appearing in Detective Comics #27 way back in 1939 the character of the bat has weaved its way to become a dominant fabric of the pop culture universe. Reincarnated numerous times, in various guises throughout his comic book history the Bat has gone from a traditional caped crusader all the way to a psychotic, vengeance obsessed vigilante.

The Early Bat

From Wikipedia, Batman’s co creator Bill Fingers recalls that Bob Kane “...had an idea for a character called 'Batman', and he'd like me to see the drawings. I went over to Kane's, and he had drawn a character who looked very much like Superman with kind of ... reddish tights, I believe, with boots ... no gloves, no gauntlets ... with a small domino mask, swinging on a rope. He had two stiff wings that were sticking out, looking like bat wings. And under it was a big sign ... BATMAN.”

The Weathered Bat

From this rudimentary beginning the bat evolved into the dark figure in the night that we now associate him with. Of course a hero is only as good as the villains he is pitted against and in this case we have some of the most memorable and diverse ever to decorate a the pages of a graphic novel.

The Batman in his cave

The demented Joker, the twisted Riddler, the schizophrenic Two Face, the seductive reciprocating Cat Woman and the deformed, homicidal Penguin are just a few of the unforgettable quarries that batman has had to face repeatedly.

The Joker arrives

Arguably in the year 2008 the Batman is now at the peak of his popularity. Another film is on the way, countless comic books are being churned out and several animated series airing. The fan boys and professionals both will continue to be inspired by this emotionally scarred, ferociously intelligent terror on the cityscape at night.

The Bat and the trickster at it again

The Bat evolves

The Bat gets real

The Bat Kiss Off

Tutorial - How to Draw the Batman

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Beth Josey – Ask Again Later Exhibit

July 18th 2008 04:24

Aussie talent on Display

Ask Again Later Collection Poster

Beth Josey is a surreal Australian artist whose exhibition “Ask Again Later” launched July 16th at the Somedays gallery in Surry Hills Sydney.

Creating an intriguing visual tone of textured renderings inspired by artists like Francis bacon and film Directors Tim Burton (Edward Scissorhands, Sleepy Hollow) and Guilermmo Del Toro, (Pan’s Labyrinth, Cronos) Beth’s emotive works make her an up and coming artist to watch on the local and international scene.

From the press release for the show:
“Ask Again Later is the debut solo show of artist Beth Josey. Her ruminations on beauty, insanity and mortality lead the viewer into a strangely familiar, twisted world of staring porcelain-like characters, heartbroken skeletons and masked lords of business.

The body of work takes advantage of the different styles and emotive force of oil, acrylic and print mediums. With a blend of portraiture and surrealism, Beth has created a Gothic aesthetic that envelopes the viewer, exploring the fragmented nature of the individual and the contradictions inherent in all people.”

For more information please visit bethjosey.com.au or somedays.net.au

Beth Josey - Jaded

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Posted By: Dexter - Category: Artist profiles, Popular culture, Exhibitions & Performances

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Peter Saul - A Pop Art Statement

July 4th 2008 03:36

Peter Saul - Ignored Genius

Bush at Abu Gharab

Born in San Francisco in 1934, Peter Saul is a pop culture artist whose surrealist and expressionistic, vibrantly coloured paintings often make a statement about society, politics and religion.

Art Critics Suicide

Brought to my attention through a recent LA Times article, Saul has an exhibition running at the Orange County Museum of Art. Selected works spanning his 40 year career are on display in the gallery until September 21st.

Please Don't Hurt My Money

Achieving notoriety and positive reviews in the 1960’s ever since then the 74 year old artist has continued to demand the eye of the viewer, provoke reaction and force complex examination.

I Forgot Everything Important

There is a satirical element to many of his images that deceives some into dismissing the simplicities as heavy handed devices. There is a diabolical ugliness to his depictions that is compounded by his attention seeking use of pastels.

Business Woman

Enthusiastically dissecting timely topics there is historical significance to much of what he does. Essentially Peter Saul offers everything that I see as important to successful art. Visual style, deeper meaning and unique observations on the world in which we inhabit, the fact that he has not achieved more international acclaim is a shame, though I’m sure petty fame is not high on his priorities.

Rough Landing

Images Courtesy of Artnet.com

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Posted By: Dexter - Category: Artist profiles, Popular culture, Exhibitions & Performances

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Cheech Art – No Chong, No Bong

June 27th 2008 04:13

Cheech Marin’s Chicino Art Collection.

The mary jane duo in their hey day

Cheech Marin is no longer bogarting the joint with stoner pot head partner Chong. Predominately known for his work in movies and television, since the 1980’s Cheech has been an avid art connoisseur collector of Chicano art.

Joan Miro's The Village of Prades

After a decade of trying to get a public exhibit the Los Angeles County Museum of Art is displaying his eclectic selection of personal favourites. Featuring works by revolutionary artists like John Valadez, David Botello and Diane Gamboa this event represents a massive triumph of the spirit for the passionate Cheech.

Cheech Chicino Art on display

In an interview with iht.com Marin says:
"That's been my struggle, to have these Chicanos be recognized as fine artists.” "The museum world kind of wanted to write them off as agi-prop folk artists…I'd go, 'No, no.' These are fine artists. These are really great painters who have developed past that stage."

"When Chicano art first began emerging, it was very much part of a civil rights struggle during the late 1960s and early 1970s," says Howard Fox, LACMA's curator of contemporary art. "All of these first-generation Chicano artists were about establishing in the mind of the audience and their colleagues, as well as the art world at large and American mainstream society, that they even existed."

Another slice of Cheech's eye

A large part of the show is impressionistic works that use vibrant colours, pastels and acrylics. Titled "Los Angelenos, Chicano Painters of L.A.: Selections From the Cheech Marin Collection" the exhibit runs till November 2nd.

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Position Art with Stavaros

June 22nd 2008 00:06

Stavros says

Position Art by Stavros

Stavros - “Position art has a unique position in art”

The website theworldismycanvas.com is the brainchild of Stavros, a living parody of the Artist as innovator. Showman, promoter and comedian, as a self fulfilling entity Stavros has coined his own discipline called position art.

Stavros - "I remember when I was younger I was much smaller”

Stavros leaves his footprints on art

Using a portable GPS unit as his brush and “The world as his canvas”, Stavros maps his trips and then walks along a calculated route in order to render an image on the globe.

Stavros masters the art of sitting

Referring to himself in the third person, the royal we is in play as the footage below is hosted by the one and only visionary Stavros. Explaining the concept of position art the website itself too has much to offer and is worth a visit.

Meet Stavros – A tutorial

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Naturalistic Animation that leaves you Breathless

May 18th 2008 00:02

MUTO Wall Animation by Blu

Standing still isn't as effective as movement

Based and created in Buenos Aires and Baden the art site BluBlu.org has released another staggering work. Using Stop motion techniques, combined with 2D and 3D animation this astonishing and original concept art depicts an ambiguous wall painting.

Constantly influx, painted on public domain artists Blu, and Sibe have taken elements of traditional graffiti and elevated the form into one fluid visual feast that bleeds patience and imagination at a time lapsing 24 frames per second.

Morphing static images into motion, the first time I saw this video it left me in awe, speechless. The second time I was just trying to comprehend the hours of discipline and focus on display. The third viewing was when I could finally begin to appreciate the whole package’s inventive nature as one of the most impressive image manipulations in contemporary art.

I hope you enjoy it too.

Please visit blublu.org for more information on the artist.

MUTO – Ambiguous Wall Painting by Blu

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Link to World Art Quizzes

April 6th 2008 00:10

World Art Quizzes for You

Suffering from an acute, self inflicted hangover today my brain has decided to make like Elvis and “leave the building”

Having difficulty even forming a sentence, I have decided to instead just take the easy way out and provide you all with a link to some beneficial Art Quizzes.

The site is called funtrivia.com and if like me you find the easiest way to learn is through rote then let the education and entertainment begin. Answering the questions as many times as necessary until they become a part of your personal knowledge.

As with any information that appears online, it is also essential to cross check purported “facts” with other sources before committing them into permanent memory.

That’s about all the time and energy I have for now, so without further ado I say indulge yourself, follow the link and enjoy exercising your own mind, because mine can’t even remember its own name.

Click Here to begin the World Art Quizzes

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Warhol is more collectable that Picasso?

April 2nd 2008 01:27

Andy Warhol: Highest Priced Art

Warhol's Green Car Crash

Art auctions are a privilege reserved only for the financially elite. Collectors of fine art are a rare breed, a small percentage of us could only ever dream to own an original piece by any number of masters. The question is does wealth or education breed taste?

The reason I ask is that according to the latest report from Bloomberg.com the artist that now earns the highest bids is pop pioneer Andy Warhol. Surpassing the previous market leader Pablo Picasso and a host of other notable names.

Picasso exercises in form and lines

From the Bloomberg article:
“Warhol led the 2007 table of the world's 500 most auctioned artists with $422.3 million in sales, more than doubling the year- earlier $199.6 million, Artprice said. Seventy-four Warhol works sold for more than $1 million, led by the hammer price of $64 million paid for ``Green Car Crash'' at Christie's International, New York, in May. Christie's is based in London.

Sales of works by Picasso totalled $319.7 million at auction last year, down $20 million from 2006. Francis Bacon leaped to third place from 19th with $244.5 million, lifted by seven results over $10 million. The bestselling living artist was Gerhard Richter, whose works sold for $85.9 million, ranking him 12th.

Thirty-six Chinese names featured among the top 100 contemporary artists in 2007 ranked by total auction sales. ``Bloodlines'' series painter Zhang Xiaogang was the world's second-most actively traded living artist at $56.9 million, pushing Jeff Koons, with $52.6 million, into third place.”

Regular readers will know that I have an appreciation for most all variations of form and style and am certainly open to Andy Warhol’s place in the art world. But, I would never believe that renderings of silver screen legends and commercial products is as important as some of the great impressionists, renaissance and other historical painters.

Age alone is not a dictum for quality, however when talking about the “Collectable” nature of pivotal works it certainly adds to my personal sense of value. Also the ability for paintings to emote and provoke an emotional response is a component not prominent in the Warhol’s work.

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Tintin Art work set to make history

March 29th 2008 00:10

Comic Book Art Earns Big Bucks

Tintin - This is not the piece on auction

For decades comic book art has been viewed as nothing more than a novelty item by many in the art community. Relegated to the sidelines, meeting with little respect despite the obvious influence it has had on modern art.

In the last few years that has begun to change and now the Euro-market is leading a revolution that places graphic illustrations into the arena of “fine art”.

France24.com is reporting that some classic renderings are beginning to fetch higher and higher prices at auction houses. From the site:

"It's a booming market, we've got buyers from all over Europe. People are no longer ashamed to say they collect BD," said Eric Leroy, expert at the Artcurial gallery and auction house.

The latest of these is “a 1932 oil painted by the Belgian author Herge for the cover of "Tintin in America" is the star item at a one-off sale of 650 comic originals Saturday in Paris, with a starting price of 280,000 euros (440,000 dollars)”.

Tintin creator Herge at work in his studio

Along with Herge’s Tintin works “an original ink drawing of Lucky Luke, by the Belgian cartoonist Maurice de Bevere, or Morris, has a starting price of 10,000 euros.”

Like many being a child of the 70’s I have always appreciated the care and aesthetic pleasures of visual storytellers. As they say “it’s a collectors market” and in the new millennium comic book drawings are destined to only continue increasing in price.

After all these are treasured memories from childhood that are now able to be physically represented by those who can afford to purchase a slice of pop culture history.

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The secret Art of Dr Seuss

March 28th 2008 00:06

The secret Art of Dr Seuss

The Secret Art of Dr Seuss book companion

Dr Seuss was a master at the art of storytelling in rhyme (he would have been one hell of a rapper) and his work has inspired generations. There is a charm and intelligence to his children’s books that transcends age to inspire the young and the young at heart with equal passion.

Creating a plethora of iconic pop culture characters like the Cat in the Hat, The Grinch and Fox in Sox, the memorable illustrations from his tales are as recognisable as Mickey Mouse and Bugs Bunny.

A selection of the word surgeons creations

A new exhibition at Sydney’s Trevor Victor Harvey Gallery is showcasing some of the legendary figures original visual character interpretations. The Doctors skill with a pen is universally acknowledged but his talent for sculpture, drawing and painting is often overlooked. This display aims to rectify that.

Boasting a collection of rare and forgotten art, this astonishing selection includes a range of unique characters and an assortment of intriguing designs that were only released after his death.

Not to missed by fans for more information and samples from the exhibition please visit tvhgallery.com.au

Fiction becomes reality

103

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Comic Artist Dave Stevens Passes

March 14th 2008 04:54

Dave Stevens RIP

The Rocketeer Comic

"Well, I do expect a lot of myself. I'm a harsh critic because I know what I'm capable of. I have hit those occasional peaks amongst the valleys, but the peaks are so few-things like genuine flashes of virtuoso brush inking, like I've never executed before or since-I can count on one hand the number of jobs where I've been able to hit that mark. The same with penciling. Sometimes it just flows, but more often than not, it's pure physical and spiritual torment just to get something decent on paper. I often get very discouraged with the whole creative process." - Dave Stevens

Best known as the creator of “The Rocketeer”, Dave Stevens has died of Lukemia at 52 years old. The Hollywood resident who was obsessed with art deco architecture and vintage aircraft design was a commercial illustrator before launching his cult comic in the 1980’s.

A salute to the serialised adventures of the Thirties “The Rocketeer” tells of a hot shot stunt pilot who discovers a jet pack and ends up combating a Nazi plot on home soil.

Famously made into a film in 1991, starring Jennifer Connelly, Timothy Dalton and Bill Campbell, Stevens legacy is similar to that of Spielberg and Lucas’ Raiders of the Lost Ark. A movie that he storyboarded after the pair enjoyed his comic.

Dave Stevens was also responsible for sketching panels for Michael Jackson werewolf Thriller video in 1983.

Born in 1955 his first paid gig was drawing a Tarzan comic strip in 1975 which led to work on a similar Star Wars panel story. Captivated by the Betty Page 1950’s bombshells, his later pieces often homage the curvaceous sex symbol.

Dave Stevens picture of Jewell Stephens B Movie Queen

From an Latimes.com article on Stevens passing:
"The comic's square-jawed hero, Cliff Secord, bore more than a passing resemblance to the soft-spoken Stevens. The female love interest, a lingerie model, was drawn as a tribute to pin-up Page.

"Bettie was a look, a standard of beauty that I spotted as an adolescent," Stevens told the Post-Intelligencer.

The attention the retired Page received because of the comic helped revive interest in her. Stevens paid Page to use her likeness and helped her get paid by publishers who used her image, friends said.

Artist and subject became friends, which led Stevens to marvel: "After years of fantasizing about this woman, I'm now driving her to cash her Social Security checks."

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World Art Quiz

February 22nd 2008 01:38

Name the Artist.

Frivolous Friday’s are a great day to succumb to temptation. In the spirit of “fun”, I thought it would be educational and rewarding to post the first ever worldart.com quiz.

I’m not looking to bust any noggins here just provide a couple of minutes entertainment to those who answer the siren call of trivia. Keeping it simple, this is a “Name the artist” game where you submit the answers in the comments section below.

All the works are by famous Artists though in some cases it may not be there most recognized paintings selected. Instead the criteria for the images I chose comes under the heading “Subjective favourites”, some of which have already featured on the site.

Hope you enjoy the pictures and play along, good luck.(No cheating by putting the cursor on the image till you have answered)

1.

The OId Guitar Player

Baccas and Ariadne

Four Continents

Virgin and Child with St Anne

The Blinding

Metamorphosis of Narcisuss

Dance Class

Music

Mother with Child

10.

Nightmares

11.

cornfield and cypruss tree

So how did you go?

101

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Henry Fuseli

February 20th 2008 03:29

Henry Fuseli

Fuseli's famous Nightmares

Born in Switzerland in 1741 and dying 1825 Henry Fuseli is a classic gothic painter of the macabre with few equals.

From wikipedia:
“As a painter, Fuseli was daringly inventive, and always aspired to the highest forms of excellence. He favoured the supernatural, and pitched everything on an ideal scale, believing a certain amount of exaggeration necessary in the higher branches of historical painting….The violent and intemperate action which he often displays, in the conventional wisdom, destroys the grand effect of many of his pieces.”

Adam and Eve

Fluent in several languages he also gained respect for his writing on art. Forced to leave his native land after clashing with the bureaucratic injustices of the time he spent a lot of time in Germany and Britain.

I remember seeing Fuseli’s work as a child and being unnerved by it, now it is inspirational. There is a strong atmosphere of darkness that permeates even his more picturesque works, his surrealism of motion and attention to detail command an emotional response from the observer.

Henry's world

Existing largely in the grotesque later in life, his early years were spent gaining a classical education and with a painter for a father seemed destined to create more traditional pieces.

Thriving on the horror of imagination and seldom drawing from real life Fuseli’s “adult fairytale” quality was underestimated in his lifetime. Though he did receive a measure of success few of his painting were exhibited and those that were only impressed those willing to embrace their unique nature.

Silence

Looking at the stunning renderings now it is hard to imagine not being affected by their strength of will and metaphysical comments on the world in which we live. It is the innate beauty and sensuality of these disturbing subjects that forces me and may others to declare Fuseli a master.

Henry Fuseli

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Movie Art.

February 16th 2008 00:03

Moving Pictures become stationary objects

Gene Tierney

An artists muse comes from anything that inspires their creative passions of expression. In the classic era it was often the real world that ignited the imagination but now the media saturation of the last century has emerged with its’ own set of emotive imagery.

Imaginary Friends by Justin Read

Treated with the same disdain as fantasy and comic art in some circles, paintings of cinema idols often fails to trigger an emotional response in anyone other than fans of the subject matter.

Warhols Elvis from the movie Flaming Star

Defined as part of the pop art universe pioneered by Andy Warhol with his famous prints of Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley etc, the popularity of capturing screen gods on canvas in sketch and painting has grown ever since.

A Warhol style image of Steve McQueen in Bullitt

A self confessed film lover myself, I admit that sometimes this medium can be lazy and merely an echo of what has already been processed in its original form on celluloid.

Marla Singer in Fight Club

Along with professionals, the advent of online technology has allowed geeks globally to share their artistic interpretations of their favourite big screen characters.

Cult Characters

There generally seems to be two separate disciplines at work here, the fan inspired art which tends to be sci-fi/fantasy or cult orientated and classic silver screen legends of the past.

Frank The Bunny from Donnie Darko

There are exceptions to every rule though, shown aptly in this beautiful rendering of Val Kilmer as Doc Holliday in the Gunfight at the Ok Corral western Tombstone.

Val Kilmer in Tombstone

Sadly I didn’t have much time to source images today so there is still an avalanche of fine examples available to be found for those interested. I do hope that this brief selection at least illustrates the aesthetic quality that elevates movie art beyond a hobby into the realm of artistic merit.

The popular Boulevard of Broken Dreams

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Pecha Kucha

January 31st 2008 03:57

Pecha Kuchu - Slide into the emotive

Pecha Kucha night an interactive experience

As with most new technologies that become a permanent fixture in the cultural lexicon, once all practical applications are exploited often more creative uses are revealed.

A great example of this is the newly emerging art form known as Pecha Kucha which utilises “Power Point” slide shows for artistic expression instead of dull business related presentations.

Developed in Tokyo in 2003 by Astrid Klein and Mark Dytham of Klein-Dytham Architecture, the name Pecha Kucha translates to English as “Chatter”.

Created for industry expos to attract more attention to their burgeoning Superdeluxe experimental online multimedia event space. The concept was quickly adopted for its more free form qualities.

Visions of pecha Kucha

From Wikipedia:
“The idea behind Pecha Kucha is to keep presentations concise, the interest level up and to have many presenters sharing their ideas within the course of one night. Therefore the 20x20 Pecha Kucha format was created: each presenter is allowed a slideshow of 20 images, each shown for 20 seconds each. This results in a total presentation time of 6 minutes 40 seconds on a stage before the next presenter is up. Each event usually has 14 presenters. Presenters (and much of the audience) are usually from the design, architecture, photography, art and creative fields, but recently it has also stretched over to the business world.”

Since its inception Pecha Kucha has spread on a global level to every major continent. More and more cities are hosting special nights once a month that showcase the unrestricted, infinitely adaptable medium.

As its popularity booms so to does the forte of users, now comedians, media personalities and an eclectic range of industry are all participants. This could well be the first truly original art discipline of the new millennium; it should be interesting to see where the tools are taken in the next decade.

For information about Pecha Kuchu in your city (including Sydney) visit pecha-kucha.org/

Watch a sample of Pecha Kuchu

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Tim Fort’s Kinetic Art

January 18th 2008 03:18

Tim Fort’s Kinetic Art

Tim Fort's Kinetic Art

It seems that many readers are garnering the same sort of wonder I am out of spotlighting out-of-the-box contemporary art. Your responses to obtuse mediums like Sand Art, Nail Art, the Groovin Artist and Ice Sculpture have been very encouraging. Thank You.

In the same vein I have just discovered an artisan by the name of Tim Fort who specialises in what he calls “Kinetic Art”. Now at a glance this may just look like the age old dominos routine, but look closer. Sure there is all the precision, coordination and limitless patience that goes into tumbling rectangular dice but also something more.

Try this at home, I dare you

Quoting Tim’s own site, lunatim.com he describes his medium as:
“To the uninitiated, my kinetic gadgets are gnarly chain-reaction devices that collapse and explode in, like, really cool ways; to the discerning aesthete, they're entropy-generating entities designed to confront the observer and challenge their paradigms for processing reductivistic-mechanistic Weltanschauungen from a post-modernistic perspective.”

There is a beauty watching this cleverly edited and highly inventive collapse of objects that employs a myriad of chain reaction techniques.

harder than it looks

The clip below is a great example of Tim Fort’s work and though it may not delve deep into the psyche to express something about the universal experiences of humanity it is aesthetically rivetting.

If you are interested I highly recommend checking out Lunatim.com for more information. Amongst other attractions his goal of building a digital computer out of popsicle sticks is downright inspirational.

Marvel at Tim Fort's Kinetic Art

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Nail Art

January 11th 2008 02:09

Hammer Splendour

The Process begins

No I’m not talking about painting fingernails in exquisite fashions, decorating digits with bright colours. Instead this is a brand new application for the essential carpentry
tool. Usually employed to join timber in construction, this group of inventive and patient artisans have found an alternate application, all together more pleasing to the eye.

Slow and steady

There is something compelling about looking at the process and care taken to achieve a conversion of raw materials into an emotive art work. Constructed on a large canvas of wood, the nails are driven in strategic positions, manipulated to achieve illustration. Demanding several workers, their muse, the famous Da Vinci self portrait, comes to life with an alternate essence to the original.

Hammering away

It is easy to see that this relatively new medium demands precision and a degree of ingenuity to achieve tone and depth. Looking at the finished product, all the hours of intensive labour are confirm the sacrifice.

Surveying the progress

Sadly a search of the internet revealed no more information about these images that a friend sent me. Impressive enough that it didn’t stop me sharing it with all you eager fans of artistic expression. Even without specifics, I hope you marvel.

That looks right

Time for a set square and ruler

Revealing itself

A worthy conclusion

100

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Posted By: Dexter - Category: Miscellany, Artist profiles, Art reviews, Popular culture

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Parkour – Is it Art?

January 9th 2008 00:06

The art of Movement

The physical flow

Dance is an art, right? Martial is an art, right? So does anyone else see the discipline of Parkour as Human Art?

Pushing the human body to extreme coordination and focused on efficient energy use in conquest of obstacles against a concrete jungle. Parkour is as beautiful to watch as a passionate Tango with all the attitude of street art.
"The physical aspect of parkour is getting over all the obstacles in your path as you would in an emergency. You want to move in such a way, with any movement, as to help you gain the most ground on someone or something, whether escaping from it or chasing toward it." – Founder David Belle

No nets, no wires and still keen

Referred to as “L'art du déplacement” or “the art of displacement”, The Parkour philosophy was born out of the slums of Paris by David Belle Hubert Koundé. Designed as a freestyle means of escape and pursuit the fundamental attraction was motivated achievement and direction in the ghetto.

Running and jumping, the athletic and nimble movements, spectacular leaps and precise landings set against an urban backdrop astonish. An aesthetic environment where your surroundings are an empty canvas, ready to be painted with flexible figures whose fluid physical manoeuvres dazzle spontaneously while death defying.

It's not what you do. Its how you do it.

Mainstream audiences were introduced to the skillful wonders of traceurs in the footchase of the latest James Bond adventure Casino Royale. Before that it’s early practitioners were a massive hit on youtube.

I still find myself in awe of the sheer heights they can plummet from without injury and the poetic style and grace of execution. Taking the everyday and giving it a fresh spin, isn’t that what art is all about?

For more information on Parkour in Australia, please visit parkour.asn.au

For those who have not witnessed these marvels check out the clips below.

A more up artistic production - Parkour: City Gents

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Posted By: Dexter - Category: Miscellany, Artist profiles, Popular culture

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Andy Warhol

December 27th 2007 01:22

Andy Warhol

Andy Warhol

"An artist is someone who produces things that people don't need to have but that he - for some reason - thinks it would be a good idea to give them." - Andy Warhol

Credited as the major force behind the pop art movement, the debate still rages about the artistic merit of Andy Warhol’s work and its legacy. Born in 1928 in Pittsburgh young Andy was a sickly child who contracted St Vitus Dance which affected his nervous system.

The king of kings

Bed ridden and paranoid of illness he spent long periods in his room drawing and writing while surrounded by images of Hollywood icons. This is where his desire to create was born and he would later study commercial art at the Carnegie Institute of Technology.

Moving to New York in 1949 he developed a reputation as a talented advertising artist and magazine illustrator. Garnering praise and respect over the next decade for his ink blot style.

It was in the early 1960’s that Warhol first started working with paints and rendering his now famous silk screen print style of recognizable products. Recolouring in collage the Campbell soups can and Coca Cola logo.
"I love Los Angeles. I love Hollywood. They're beautiful. Everybody's plastic, but I love plastic. I want to be plastic." - Andy Warhol

the flavour of favour

By this time Warhol had achieved his sought after celebrity and surrounded himself with industry elite and underground talent alike. Fascinated with those in the public eye all his life his prints of cinema icons like Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor were instant hits.

Marilyn and Liz the Andy way

Setting up his studio named “The Factory” Andy was obsessed with commercial success, mass producing his work for consumption and in effect minimizing his own integrity in the industry.
"Being good in business is the most fascinating kind of art. Making money is art and working is art and good business is the best art." - Andy Warhol

Recognizable Che

Branching out as a producer of avant-garde films and subversive music he came to his now notorious realization “Everyone will be famous for 15 minutes”. Courting controversy and awarded with financial success his output lessened but his support of young up and comers meant his stock continued to grow into the 1980’s.
"If you want to know all about Andy Warhol, just look at the surface of my paintings and films and me, and there I am. There's nothing behind it." - Andy Warhol

Andy Warhol died in 1986 due to complications with his gall bladder. His impact on pop culture has made his work instantly recognizable and his influence on the art world one of the greatest of the last century.

Watch a video of Warhol works

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Quotes by Famous Artists

December 22nd 2007 00:00

Words to get you positive for the New Year

Leonardo Da Vinci Self Portrait

“Where the spirit does not work with the hand there is no art.” – Leonardo Da Vinci

It is only logical that exceptional people often have incisive observations about their chosen fields of endeavour. Often motivating the aspiring and arising apprentice, offering the wisdom to succeed, artists are no different.

Some Christmas cheer for us clawing to make it. Here are a selection of quotes by famous artists that I draw on for motivation in my own struggles to achieve a semblance of creative expression.

“I start a picture and I finish it. I don't think about art while I work. I try to think about life.” – Jean Michel Basquait

“You have to systematically create confusion, it sets creativity free. Everything that is contradictory creates life.” – Salvador Dali

“The modern artist is working with space and time and expressing his feelings rather than illustrating.” – Jackson Pollock

Edvard Munch's Scream

“For as long as I can remember I have suffered from a deep feeling of anxiety which I have tried to express in my art. Without anxiety and illness I should have been like a ship without a rudder.” – Edvard Munch

“We never really know what stupidity is until we have experimented on ourselves.” – Paul Gauguin

“Truth and reality in art do not arise until you no longer understand what you are doing and are capable of but nevertheless sense a power that grows in proportion to your resistance.” - Henri Matisse

“I never paint dreams or nightmares. I paint my own reality.” – Frida

A sample of Renoir's handiwork

“When I've painted a woman's bottom so that I want to touch it, then the painting is finished.” – Renoir

“I mean if somebody likes a painting it is because he sees something personal in it, something he relates to. There are different reasons for it. There could be archetypes of what he likes in it, or some hidden feeling, or something that frightens him.” – HR Giger

Walt Disney's recognized rodent

“All your dreams can come true if you have the courage to pursue them.” – Walt Disney

“The whole essence of good drawing - and of good thinking, perhaps - is to work a subject down to the simplest form possible and still have it believable for what it is meant to be.” – Chuck Jones

Watch a nifty animated slide show of further notable artists quotes accompanied by a sample work of distinction.

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Sand Animation Art

November 29th 2007 00:11

Like sand through the hour glass...

The canvas and easle

The name “Sand Animation Art” succinctly explains the medium but fails to articulate the inspirational wonder that it manages to inspire. You may think that when I say sand art I mean sand castles and sculptures. Maybe an engraved pattern on a beach, but this latest reincarnation is animated into much more.

Still impressive, no?

Always in constant motion, evolving every second, sand art involves participation as the observer watches live performance art created before them. Accomplished using a projector and screen the artist first sprinkles a layer of sand on the glowing canvas and then proceeds to forge intricate, seemingly 3 dimensional landscapes and figures.

The texture adds mood

As soon as the first project is completed it is swept away or expanded on to become something entirely original. Temporary renderings are completed at a swift and steady pace and when the additional music is added there is a hypnotic effect, even when watching it on a youtube video.

Molded in his image

Coloured sand art

Pioneered by Caroline Leaf she made her first sand animation film in 1968. Ever since, a small but dedicated group of people from around the world have continued to practise this captivating form.

Caroline Leaf and pictures in sand

Hugarian Born Farenc Cako is considered one of the masters. His deft hands and focused finger tips are staggering to see in action.

Below I have embedded two mesmerising samples of the discipline to illustrate it’s appeal. One with a tranquil tone and the other from Japan has a striking atmosphere. I hope you marvel as I did.

Caroline Leaf clip

Farenc Cako Clip

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Vincent Van Gogh - Part 1

October 29th 2007 00:42

Vincent Van Gogh - Obscurity

Van Gogh Sunflowers - a famous work

Dutch post impressionist Vincent Willem van Gogh was born in 1853 and committed suicide 37 years later, such is the tormented artist. Today he is one of the most recognized painters ever to live but his personal issues began when he was named after a stillborn older brother who died a year before his birth.

Spending some of his adult life in and out of mental institutions, living on meagre wages and ignored, a young Van Gogh learnt to draw in 1866. At the age of fifteen he became an art dealer where he proved an astute at seeing a pieces worth, but did not agree with the commercialising of art and lost his job because of his vocalising of opinions.

Raised in a religious household, his father was a minister and he believed he had found his calling in spreading the word of God. He traveled to England before returning home but he failed at his religious studies.

In this building Van Gogh took art to heart

After throwing himself into missionary work he was finally urged by his brother Theo to attend the Royal Academy of Art, this is where he studied anatomy too. Making the decision to dedicate himself to art, Van Gogh decided to spread the message of the lord through his creative gift.

The female form takes over Van Gogh

Drawing constantly he enjoyed capturing the commonplace occurrences and people he observed. Now 28 years old he moved back to the countryside where he had unrequited obsessive love for his cousin.

van Gogh sketches workers

Struggling financially and seen as an unfit suitor, Vincent fled to The Hague. Attempting to focus on his art he was distracted by his new love for a prostitute named Sien, whom he fathered a son with.

He ended up abandoning her and the son she bore and returning to live with his family. (Sien would later drown herself) Lonely and isolated he had managed to start working with oils while spending a time in hospital for syphilous. This was an important step in his development, though no one realised it at the time.

A Still Life from the period

Next: Part 2 of Vincent Van Gogh

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H.R Giger

October 22nd 2007 00:12

H.R Giger - Art of a night terrorist

H.R Giger's Birth machine

“If people want to interpret my work as warnings about too much overpopulation, disease and mechanization in the future, then that is up to them.” – H.R Giger

Gaining international acclaim for his striking and daring designs Swiss visionary Hans Ruedi Giger has become part of the pop culture art world.

Giger Burst through the guts of anonymity to gain fame and an Academy Award for his work on Ridley Scott’s 1979 film Alien. Ever since the eccentric artist has had a dedicated following.

Giger and his most famous creation

Inspired by his own work titled Necronom IV his work on the Alien concept houses a twisted eroticism. His intricately crafted imagination blends horror and science fiction into dark and foreboding shapes that contain hidden power and deceptive depth.

“Some people say my work is often depressing and pessimistic, with the emphasis on death, blood, overcrowding, strange beings and so on, but I don't really think it is.” – H.R Giger

Blatant sexuality or Bold statement?

A massive fan of Director David Lynch, Giger’s influence was all over Eraserhead, which the artists considers the closest anyone has come to bringing his work to life.

Starting with small ink sketches Giger progressed to oils but his images are largely formed with an airbrush. Controversial and frightening his use of monochrome colours render pictures best described as dark surrealism.

Hounded by night terrors in real life he keeps a pad by his bed where most of his ideas begin. Disturbing sexual fetishes can terrify and also captivate simultaneously and this is where extra dimensions dominate.

“There is hope and a kind of beauty in there somewhere, if you look for it.” – H.R Giger

Not limited to one arena H.R has also designed furniture, interior design and done several album covers including one for the Dead Kennedy’s that resulted in an obscenity lawsuit.