World Art - by Craig Hill

Miscellany Popular culture - World Art

The World as Art

February 5th 2009 20:06

The World as Art

Aurora Borealis, northern lights, natural wonder, Alaska, landsccape photography, art

The Alluring Aurora

Photographers have been attempting and occasionally succeeding at capturing the essence of our planet. The artist supplied with a vast selection of natural and manufactured wonders is employed as vessels for creative expression.

Machu Pichu

From desert to snow, towering waterfalls to mystifying temples and pyramids. All can evoke a response, an atmosphere created by light, angle and form.

desert, natural wonders, art photography, landscapes, earth

Striking a desert pose

The images selected here conjure a subjective emotional reaction that at once can be beautiful, daunting, majestic, haunting or all the other shades of reactionary responses.

monument valley, john wayne, western movies, art photography, landscapes, desert

The recognizable western

yosemite national park, ansell adams, art photography, landscapes

Ansell Adams exquisite eye in Yosemite

Angel Falls

Pyramids, eygpt, gaza, landscapes, natural wonders, art photography

The shape of things to come

A magical selection Ansell Adams Landscape

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Horror Art for Halloween.

October 31st 2008 03:22

Demons of Gothic Horror for a Hallowed Eve.

Deteriation of Mind Over Matter by Otto Rapp

The pagan party is upon us again. Celebrating ghouls, ghosts, goblins, witches, warlocks and embracing the evil spirits that for the other 364 days of the year terrify us. halloween may be a uniqely American/Western celebration but most cultures have their own form of the ceremony. Today's festivities that include Trick or treating, jack o lanterns and donning menacing costumes were in part bought the the shores of the U.S by Irish immigrants in the 1800's.

Classic Demonic Visions

All Hallows Eve evolved from the Ancient Celtic tradition of Samhain, which revolved around teh harvest cycle and was practised under the belief that each October 31st the unearthly walls of the deceased were shattered causing the dead to bring harm to the living and their stocks. In the modern crime riddled, morally questionable era we live in Halloween has become a novelty, not a ritual to protect the innocent from evil spirits.

J Ross Bach Surreal terror

Images of grotesque horror have always been a staple of the art world, challenging religious faith, death writes and perceived fear of the supernatural and mysterious. There is no better day to share these sometimes shocking, always atmospheric creative expressions of a dark, gothic world flowing with dangerous imagery. Happy halloween, I hope you enjoy the pictures.

The Red Dragon of Nightmares

The Examination

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Coffee as Art

October 5th 2008 00:01

Beyond the Brew

Fleeting perfection

Embedding itself in the bedrock of cultural ceremonies as well as social settings since the 9th century, the meagre coffee bean has integrated into most global societies routines and rituals.

A Masterpiece in Coffee

An essential stimulant in the A.M hours for many, including this writer over the years the unassuming bean has proven to be versatile beyond mere ingestion.

The bean itself when ground down can be used as an alternate to charcoal, lead or acrylics in the artist’s arsenal. The coffee is painted on surfaces to render images of a unique textural quality.

The Bean Beams

At justcoffeeart.com artists Andy and Angel use 100% pure beans to create beautiful and emotive works that are well worth checking out.

It makes sense that this internationally embraced beverage of choice would inspire artists to try and reproduce its aromatic, tasty allure. Naturally the presentation of a freshly brewed and poured cup has also be given a touch of artistic flair.

Adding an extra layer of temptation to the already addictive substance, your cup of Joe is transformed into a temporary piece of creativity to be admired. Etching into the milky surface…

I need a closer look

Ok enoughs, enough. I’m off to make a cuppa right now. Why don’t you grab one yourself, relax and watch the video below that adds a new dimension to your already worshipped indulgence.

Etching in Coffee Part 1

Etching in Coffee part 2

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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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Olympic Games Art

August 8th 2008 03:31

The Art of the Games

Conflicting Personal Expressions of Beijing

The opening ceremonies for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games start today. The Ancient Games began in 776BC in Olympia, Greece. Ever since they have inspired artists from all disciplines to create works depicting the athletes, events and their champions.

the recognizable Olympic Games statue discus

Uniting the nations of the world in friendly sporting competition, the modern Games as we know them began in Athens in 1896 and continue to be an ultimate event on the sporting calendar.

Olympic Oil Paintings

Art itself merged with the Olympic Games on several occasions. In 1912, 1920, 1924, 1928, 1932, 1936 and 1948 Art competitions were held in conjunction with the event. The Gold, Silver and Bronze medals were given for excellence in architecture, literature, music, painting, and sculpture.

Olympic Games Statues

On the topic of why the 1948 games were the last to hold the art competition, from Wikipedia:
“These would be the final Games in which art competitions were held, after being in the official program for all Games since 1912. At a meeting of the International Olympic Committee in 1949, it was decided to hold art exhibitions instead, as it was judged illogical to permit professionals to compete in the art competitions but only amateurs were permitted to compete in sporting events. Since 1952, a non-competitive art and cultural festival has been associated with each Games.”

An Olympic Vase

Seems it might be time for a revival now that in recent years professional athlete’s compete in events like Basketball. These images show that some striking paintings and sculptures have been inspired by the games and will continue too for years to come.

The colours of the games

Reimagining the Rings

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Mona Lisa in the Grass

July 26th 2008 01:25

Lawn Art Grows

Chris Naylor gets to work

A South Croydon woman named Tania Ledger woke one morning with a unique yearning that only Chris Naylor could fill.

Taking some basic garden tools and a lawnmower, 3D Art Expert Chris was hired to fashion a rendering of the Mona Lisa in her South London lawn.

Working with nature’s canvas he carefully prepared the surface, trimmed the blades of grass and over the course of two days the woman with the enigmatic smirk came to life.

The girl comes out

From telegraph.co.uk, “It’s like a hair cut - if you don't like it you can grow it out and you can try out as many new looks as you like,” Tania said. "Having experimented with topiary already, my lawn seemed like the perfect blank canvas to host my next creation."

Naylor earned his reputation reconstructing the famous art work of Leonardo for the film The Da Vinci Code.

The “Mowna Lisa” as it has been dubbed, will grow out in a couple of weeks returning to its usual state. Until then Tania Ledger has a backyard that carries the prestige of one of the most recognized paintings in history.

Images courtesy of telegraph.co.uk

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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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Top Ten Art Museum’s on the Globe

May 11th 2008 00:04

The Premiere Art Gallery Tour

Readers might be interested in the results of recent research care of Reuters. According to Canada.com they have compiled a list of the Top Ten Art Museum’s in the world.

The list was compiled based on traffic to the attractions on tripadvisor.com and is not endorsed by Reuters.

All destinations are very well known and offer something in their architecture that sets them apart from other structures. After all, these buildings reflect the resting place for priceless and monumental art works of supreme historical importance.

Musee du Louvre

1. 1. Musee du Louvre, Paris, France

Once a fortified palace that was the home to kings of France, the Louvre is now the world's most famous museum, renowned for some of the finest pieces of art in the world, including the Venus de Milo and the Mona Lisa.

The Vatican City Museum

2. Vatican Museums, Vatican City, Rome, Italy

Spanning nearly nine miles, the Roman Catholic Church's Vatican collection is one of the largest and most stunning in the world. Estimated to have more than four million visitors annually, the Vatican museums feature the art of Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael and, of course, Michelangelo's ceiling in the Sistine Chapel.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

3. Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, New York

From Picasso to Pollock, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, on New York City's Museum Mile, is one of the world's largest museums with over two million pieces of artwork and enough variety for any enthusiast. Peruse the Greek sculptures, admire the armory or browse the 2,000 European paintings, all contained in a magnificent Beaux-Art facade building.

The J Paul Getty Centre

4. J. Paul Getty Center, Los Angeles, California

The Getty features a remarkable collection, including the works of Van Gogh, Monet and Cezanne. The museum's structure is a piece of art in itself, and the grounds also feature beautiful gardens, and views of Los Angeles.

Musee d'Orsay

5. Musee d'Orsay, Paris, France

Enjoy Van Gogh's "Starry Night," inside the Musee D'Orsay, a former train station built for the Universal Exhibition of 1900, with a dramatic glass roof. Specializing in 19th and 20th century artwork, the museum displays a striking collection of Impressionism, including famous works by Monet, Manet, Renoir, Van Gogh and Degas.

the Uffizi gallery

6. Uffizi Gallery, Florence, Italy

Experience (or at least admire) Botticelli's "Birth of Venus," in the Uffizi Gallery, one of the oldest museums in the world featuring works from Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci in the heart of Florence.

7. Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois

Located on Chicago's Loop, The Art Institute of Chicago boasts extensive Impressionist and Post-Impressionist collections, including more than 30 pieces by Monet. Visit France from afar through Monet's "Haystacks" and spending time "At the Moulin Rouge," one of Henri Toulouse-Lautrec's famous paintings.

8. Tate Modern, London, England
Enjoy the electric art at the Tate Modern, displayed in a former Bankside Power Station, with views of the Thames River and Millennium Bridge. Remember the "Forgotten Horizon," one of Dali's many masterpieces and part of one of the largest collections of Surrealism in the World.

9. Prado Museum, Madrid, Spain

One of the largest and most impressive collections in the world, not surprisingly, the Prado Museum is most famous for its assortment of works from Spanish artists such as Goya, Velasquez, Murillo, and El Greco.

10. National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.

Located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., the National Gallery of Art is comprised of an east and west building, and features a sculpture garden surrounding a large fountain. Modern art fans should head to the east building, where works by Jackson Pollock, Roy Lichtenstein and Andy Warhol are displayed.

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How to Draw Stewie Griffin

April 15th 2008 00:05

Peter Shin coaches us on Drawing Stewie.

Faces of Stewie Griffin

This writer is a huge fan of The Family Guy animated series and the megalomaniacal, world domination obsessed baby with serious mother issues Stewie Griffin is a favourite.

Its not just his dialogue that kills me, his appearance is hilarious with an out of proportion head shaped like an AFL football and shortened arms and legs. I admire animation as an art form and the visual rendering of a character can often inspire laughter even when standing still, Stewie is certainly a great example of this.

What the duece?

Trawling through youtube.com over the weekend I found a short tutorial that demanded sharing. Hosted by Peter Shin, supervising Director of Family Guy, the footage features him walking you through each step to creating the now classic cartoon figure.

The instructions are simple to follow and if you listen and look it won’t be long before you have your very own accurate sketch of the youngest member of the Griffins. I know I’m not the only one who enjoys grabbing a lead pencil and trying to copy my favourites, so I hope others will dig this as much as I have.

How to Draw Stewie Griffin – An Online tutorial

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Easter Paintings

March 20th 2008 00:13

Easter – A World Art view

Easter is the artists Muse

This weekend Christian countries around the globe celebrate Easter. Corporate empires cash in with increased chocolate and gifts sales.

Originally a time of respect for the miracle of all miracles, Jesus coming back from the dead, the real trick is that he managed to not return zombified or as a vampire, god I watch to much B grade fiction.

Anyway as with all good holidays Easter, also known as Pascha was commandeered by the pagans and somehow bunny rabbits that lay chocolate coated eggs came to be. Abundant feasts and merging of faiths over the years has seen a unified 4 days of relaxation and family bloom.

So with that completely bias summation of the event I thought it would appropriate to share some images from around the world and throughout history that have tried to capture the essence of the event.

The Crucifiction a perspective from Malta

The obvious place to start is with the resurrection itself which occurred three days after the whole nailed to a crucifix torture.

Various perspective son the Religious Ressurrection

Easter can certainly be seen as a mood filled with overwhelming emotion. Here an impressionist visualises that essence.

clifford maddox easter eve

I can’t resist an excuse to share the sculptures of Easter Island.

Easter Island

Happy Easter break to all I hope the balance of friends, family and relaxation is joyous!

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Tattoo Art

March 10th 2008 04:37

The Art of the Body

The Miami Ink sensation

Since the dawn of man it seems that we have a primal urge to paint the skin. Spawning from tribal rituals originally as a rite of passage, dermal pigmentation was also used as battle paint to strike fear into enemies and protect the wearer from evil.

The face Tattoo of fear

In the modern age the social taboos associated with flesh decoration have long since been removed. Still some may judge a person based on skin art but with each new generation it has become more popular in the west.

The Force is with Them

Underestimated and often ignored by “artistic elitists” the skill involved in placing these images is as creative as any canvas. Now I’m not talking about a “skull and Cross bones/ Mother type etching but instead intricate brandings that reflect a personal experience or inclination in life.

Pop Culture of the flesh

Tattoos can be like postcards to an age, there permanency cementing an interest ranging from pop culture to world history. Embracing global influences span all regions from Mesopotamia, Asia and the indigenous inhabitants of civilised lands, there really is no limit to what picture or symbol can be placed on the body.

That all over appeal

Position to has no boundaries, any part of the anatomy is ripe for decoration some opt for discreet others flamboyant. Hope you enjoy the selection of pictures.

The face of an Angel

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Drawing Blindfolded

February 28th 2008 04:46

Drawing Blindfolded

Dick Tracy Blindfolded

Ever wonder what would happen if the creators of some of the most famous comic strips tried to draw their iconic character’s blind-folded? Me neither, but that’s exactly what Life Magazine did back in 1947.

Over on aholeinthehead.com last July the owner was nice enough to scan in the images from the original publication. In this new millennium some of the artists and their creations may have fallen into obscurity, but all were part of the cultural lexicon of the time.

Dagwood blindfolded

Pioneering an under appreciated medium that would go on to dominate popular entertainment within the space of a few decades. Back in the day they were seen largely as a distraction for children and the illiterate, some of these often serialised stories are still going today. (eg: Dagwood)

Drawn purely by hand the basic forms were duplicated with endless repetition. From the pictures you can see that the countless duplication resulted in some being able to indeed recreate the basic look with eyes closed.

To see all the images please visit aholeinthehead.com

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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?

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Cezannne, Monet, Degas and Van Gogh – The Ultimate Art Heist

February 13th 2008 03:42

Cezannne, Monet, Degas and Van Gogh – The Ultimate Art heist

Cezanne's The Boy In The Red Vest

Sounding more like the ultimate prize for a group of A-Team style thieves in a Hollywood film, time.com is reporting on a daring art caper that took place last Sunday in Switzerland.

At about 4.30pm while visitors to the Zurich's E.G. Bührle Museum were quietly absorbing the majesty around them a trio of armed gunman held guards at gunpoint then proceeded to take the galleries four most prized works.

The staggering selection had police spokesman Marco Cortesi saying "Obviously, they knew exactly what they wanted to take because they went directly to that room and to those paintings."

Vincent Van Gogh's Blossoming Chestnut Branches

The most precious on the list, Cezanne The Boy In The Red Vest is valued at over $100,000 The other stolen masterworks are Van Gogh's Blossoming Chestnut Branches, Monet's Poppies near Vétheuil, and Degas' Count Lepic and His Daughters.

From start to finish the operation took under three minutes with no injuries, indicating the crew were professionals. The Zurich's E.G. Bührle Museum may be geographically remote but boasts state of the art security measures that have left the David Vuillaume, secretary general of the Swiss Museums Association musing "The question is, how do we protect museums against armed thieves, while remaining open and welcoming”

Devastating the art world at large, there is speculation of a ransom being forthcoming because the stolen merchandise is so high profile even the black market may shun it. Either way it is disturbing to think of such precious and frankly priceless treasures disappearing from the public eye forever.

Read the full story at time.com

Monet's Poppies near Vétheuil

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What is Art? An Animated Answer.

February 6th 2008 00:03

What is Art, the Animal Kingdom talks.

Creature Comforts

“I’ve thought about this for years. My definition of art is anything that anyone creates that invokes a reaction from someone else, even an animal. That’s art. Art’s also a friend of mine, a Mexican guy, nice guy.” – Creature Comforts

What is Art? It is an age old question, one all those who embark on a creative endeavour ask themselves at some time. It is a complex riddle with no definitive answer.

The uber talented Aardman animation team (Wallace and Gromit, Flushed Away) obviously obsessed over the eternal quandary. The clip below is from the acclaimed Creature Comforts series which was itself inspired by the original Oscar winning short. In it various talking wildlife discuss the deeper nature of art.

Nick Park with the studios most famous creation

Witty, philosophical and hilarious this mock interview touches on most all reasonable responses. Injecting a pop culture spin to proceedings there is also some absurdist humour that removes any pompous gravitas.

Childishly mature, the charm of stop-motion, claymation characters has become an art in itself. The patience and dexterity of bring the figures to life impresses with the Zen like dedication of the animators.

The Caged Bird Sings

There is a magical quality to the anamorphosis of these beasts that doesn’t insult like some Disney films. I have always been a fan of Nick Park and his gang and this really highlights the appeal of their work.

The only question left to ask, “Is the clip itself art?”

Settle back and laugh with the Creature Comforts animal’s artistic perspective.

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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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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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Photographic Art

January 6th 2008 00:02

The art of a photo

Earth colours of barren loneliness

“Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever... it remembers little things, long after you have forgotten everything.” – Aaron Siskind

Ever since the shutter and lens utilized light to freeze time capturing moments forever there has been those who strive to achieve more than a simple portrait or studio shot. Artists whose visual eye is as astute as in any medium, there is a power in the cameras ease of manipulation through illumination of subject.

taken away with work

Vintage tools of the trade

Definite moods and tones ripple depending on angle, and shadow. The choice of colour of Black and white film stock greatly varies response. Depth of field and perspective play as crucial a role as any surrealist masterpiece.

Light is important

A trees atmosphere

The obscurity of a close up and third person observation through a long lens all add a contrast to the over all effect of the work.
“Photography is truth.” – Jean Luc Goddard

The power to change

Sometimes the simplest subject reaps great rewards bring freshness to the familiar. Photography can provide alternate presence to nature, humanity and life experiences.

teardrop memory

Conceived by a unique imagination they express mental pictures from the minds eye with limitless possibilities.

limbs of all shades

It may be taken for granted that we now have the technology to record entire lives but the power of the thoughtful snap shot still can stagger those to whom it speaks.

Crossing the line

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Ice Art Sculpture

January 4th 2008 00:01

Winter Splendor

Scotch on the rocks?

Here in the sunny land of Koala’s, Kangaroos, and god’s little genetic joke the platypus, a white Christmas is about as unlikely as picking up the Mona Lisa for 10 bucks.

The Yule Tide season in A-stray-lialalala usually consists of heat waves, beach parties and a BBQ’s. Fighting the summer sun by diving in a pool, the ocean or just about any body of water larger than a metre squared.

Enough with the Geographic climate differences, this is an art blog. The point I’m trying to make is just how dazzling and alien outdoor ice sculpture seemed to me as a child.

The fantasy of solid water

The water glistens, desire for the coolness of winter refreshes. Visually stunning it is a delicate and finite art, destined to melt away.

The Ice queens wheels

The skillful artist’s imagination expressed through manipulation of natural wonders. There is a beauty to the results that few other mediums match.

Native balance

The vast range of materials employed to create these often majestic works are staggering, spanning the extremely destructive power saws to precise etching tools.

Picasso lives

More demanding and unstable that it may first appear the ice selected for the job needs to meet specific specifications. The clarity and thickness of the frozen muse must also factor in the essential absence of air bubbles.

Around the world on ice

Practised around the world, each culture brings its own unique flavour to design. Extensively used for fine dining occasions and culinary feasts, the size may vary but seldom diminishes the attractive transparency.

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Posted By: Dexter - Category: Miscellany, Popular culture

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A Mesmerizing Art Gallery

December 29th 2007 00:03

A Mesmerizing Gallery

salvador dali Galatea Of The Spheres

Again over the holiday period I’m taking the easy way out and grabbing youtube footage to base my post around. Truth is this snippet as with the others that preceded it do inspire my artistic juices and I just hope others enjoy them too.

This particular goodie is an assembled selection of elite artworks that would feature in a dream gallery. Accompanied by a surreal operatic, “Willow” aria that lifts the experience, it is still the works themselves that will leave you spellbound.

Spanning the ages there are featured paintings from each significant era in the evolution of creative expression. Some of the choices I found striking in the discovery of new instant favourites.

I’m still questing the names of some of these divine hand painted delights, some on pottery others on canvas.

Give yourself some quiet time to truly let the pictures form in the minds eye on this artistic journey.

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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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What are your favourite works of art?

December 14th 2007 04:31

5 Favourite Art Works

I have been writing for this site for a few months now and realised today that I have never put down a list of some favourite works. This is not a compilation of absolutes just a few pictures that have inspired me over the years.

Art is a subjective form of expression hence opinions vary greatly, though like any medium there are pioneers of form that are timeless in their relevance.

So what makes a piece of art great anyway? Is it the subject? The use of colour, the visual metaphor, the realism, the comment it makes? Is it as simple as what we consider personally beautiful that makes certain pictures imprint themselves onto the observer and touch on an emotional or intellectual level.

For me it’s a combination of these elements mixed with my own experiences and perspectives on life. If you have been regularly reading my posts then most of these nominees will come as little surprise

Here is a snippet of a few that I love

Leonardo Da Vinci's Man

Henri Rosseaus Dream

Salvador Dali Metamorphosis of Narcissus

Goya Execution of Rebels

Titian John Paul

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Ancient Mayan Art

December 13th 2007 00:03

Ancient Mayan Art

An ancient Mayan Sculpture

The Mayans were a culturally advanced race whose unexplained astronomical mysteries rival even the Ancient Egyptians. Blossoming a millennia before Christ, spiking the acme of enlightenment with a prophetic comprehension of mathematics, maps and the universe.

Mayan Calander

Before the Spanish arrived, around, 500 AD the Mayan civilization was one of the richest and most populated nations on the globe. Aside from practical wonders the Mayans also created some of the most beautiful art work from any age.

The hieroglyphic printed language that features on many ornaments is also a testament to the skill of whoever was the designer.

Mayan Pottery

Renowned for their Architecture, Mayan artwork was expansive and utilised most disciplines. Heavily influenced by surrounding Mesoamerican styles, jade, obsidian and stucco are the prominent materials employed.

Mayan art

Sculptures were also dominant forms of personal or social expression and worship, decorative pottery was sometimes adorned with renderings of wildlife. Distinctly leaning towards religious imagery or mythical heroes most surviving pieces were ritualistic in origin.

Mayan painting

These astounding Aztec people even worked with metal, molding and shaping smaller objects because of a scarcity of resources for larger projects.

What few paintings remain from the time is further testament to the unique brilliance of this intriguing people. Some pictures capturing rites of passage on either paper or plaster. The use of colour, striking earth tones bring a tribal feel, the carefully crafted images convey an intelligent design.

A window into a race of humans long dead but never forgotten, their collapse has been pondered over the centuries and still remains as much of a mystery as their influential existence.

mayan face Mask

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Japanese Performance Art

December 7th 2007 00:10

Kung Fu theatre goes contemporary

Traditional Kabuki

The heritage of Japanese art is a rich and diverse one. Dating back thousands of years the discipline and meticulous nature of the work often reflects the cultural ingenuity.

Now comes the latest in a long line of inventive performance Art. A natural progression of kabuki theatre, this first human art piece inspires with its clever staging and nostalgic appeal.

A Still from the video below

Set to Roy Orbison’s classic hit “Pretty Woman” this slapstick theatre fuses a Looney Tunes style with Buster Keaton/Charlie Chaplin type of silent pantomime. The body language is expressive and the results are hilarious.

Wonderfully choreographed, there is a dexterous energy to the food fight in this parody of domestic violence.

The second clip I have included again amuses but is also effectively handled to emote a sense of wonder at the human mind and body. Modernising Kabuki athleticism this scene embraces the contemporary martial arts movement simulating the wire fu cult style of cinema maestro Woo-ping Yuen (The Matrix, Fist of Legend, Kill Bill).

Ping Pong kabuki

Essentially depicting the wildest game of ping-pong you will ever see, the universal comedy communicates in an international language. The experience is further elevated by brilliant physical feats that exceed what can actually be achieved in real life.

An Eastern alternative to Cirque De Soliel that is surprisingly charming. Both these pieces of youtube footage have a timeless appeal that is prevalent as soon as they begin. I hope you enjoy them.

Clip #1 - Food Fight

Clip #2 - Ping Pong

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Classic Female Portraits

December 6th 2007 00:15

Women in Classic Western Art

Mona Lisa, no matter where I go your staring at me?

I found this breathtaking piece of youtube footage that captures the essence of the female beauty and know you will all be as impressed as I was.

The constantly morphing famous portraits by legendary artists come together before your eyes. The result is a compilation of some of the most sensual artistic renderings the world has ever seen.

The facial structure, expressions and mood illustrate the vast expanse of human emotion and here we get to see epochal visions of loveliness.

Worth one in the bush?

Highlighting the varied styles of the ages, the personal interpretation of the artists muse strikingly engineered on canvas.

Rather than reveal all the artists work and list each individual piece I think it is more powerful to watch the evolution of form unfold through the centuries.

So without further ado, here it is for your viewing pleasure, prepare to be mesmerised!

105

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

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Million Dollar Art work found in the Trash

October 25th 2007 00:00

Walking keeps you healthy and wealthy

Tres Personjes by Rufino Tamayo

It is being reported on abc.go.com that Elizabeth Gibson a Manhattan resident has found a 1970 painting that was stolen 20 years ago and has been missing ever since.

Oblivious to it’s worth she found the impressionistic work lying in the trash when she was out for her morning walk four years ago and admitted to Sotheby’s auction house, "I know nothing of modern art but it didn't seem right for any piece of art to be discarded like that".

The piece titled “Tres Personjes”, translated to “Three People” was painted by the famed Mexican artist Rufino Tamayo during his more mature period.

The artist Rufino Tamayo at work

Elizabeth Gibson only found out its value when her investigation led her to “Antiques Roadshow FYI” after taking it home because the colourful work “held a strange power”.

Obviously not a greedy woman Gibson returned the elusive art to its original owners who the New York Times say paid an estimated $55,000 for it before the robbery.

Now that it has been rediscovered it is due to be auctioned next month and according to Sotheby’s could fetch an estimated 1 million dollars when it goes under the hammer.

So there it is, another case of fate bringing a prized work back into the public eye and an unsuspecting punter being drawn to it because of a subconscious beauty that cant be defined. That’s the power of art.

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