Dead Beauties

From the AGO photography exhibit (shhhh, don't tell on me), inspiring images of faces long dead:
The first one is a painting of a newspaper clipping of a murdered girl, doesn't she have a ghost like quality?
The blur is in the painting, not my doing:

And this one, as classic as a Botticelli muse, 20'th century style:

From the Great Upheaval show, the one that stayed with me is this masterpiece by Picasso, called Moulin de la Galette.
It is difficult to say what attracts me in this image the most. Perhaps the delicate line of the chin of the woman who is whispering in her friend's ear, or is she leaning in for a kiss? to see the subtlety of that one brushstroke you need to get close, almost kiss the painting. It is a marvel.

Can We Do This In Life? The Picasso Bull

Pablo Picasso created 'Bull' during 1945-6. 'Bull' is a suite of lithographs that have become a master class in ways to develop an artwork from the academic to the abstract. In this series, Picasso strips the image of a bull to the essential lines of its form. Each plate brings him closer to finding the essential 'spirit' of the beast.

It starts with a lively drawing of the bull in lithographic ink. It lays the foundations for the developments to come. Picasso used the bull as a metaphor throughout his artwork but he refused to be pinned down as to its meaning. It has been interpreted in various ways: a representation of the Spanish people; a comment on fascism and brutality; a symbol of virility; and finally a reflection of Picasso's self image.

(I obsess: Why don't they admire Picasso in India, why choose Hitler? Can someone please explain it to me so I can understand?)

And now back to my question: Can life ever go back to the basics without a disaster forcing it upon the human race? Probably not.
I guess that is the reason we have art.

What's in a face?

Yup, that's me. A quick rendering by a friend last summer during a lunch at the charming Roycroft inn at East Aurora.
I've been tidying all day, and found it hiding in a purse. Now it found a good home.

New Quote - for no good reason

Writing is easy. Just put a sheet of paper in the typewriter and start bleeding. –Thomas Wolfe

If you like the image above, take a little peek here. Talk about recycling, puts us all to shame.

Consuming Culture

I was at the AGO last night - oh, the crowds! a line up after line up, to see the American Expressionist show. It is a good show.
It was, shamefully, my first time at the AGO after it's famous face lift. I bulk at the admission price, having been spoiled living in NYC for a while and being able to see the best of the best on a PWYC basis (pay what you can). I've heard so much about the new face of the museum, and I found that the exhibit rooms are still quite small, compared to the size of the halls leading to them. However, this exhibition is well put together, informative without being heavy and most of the selected artwork is worth seeing (all but the very last room). Here is a picture I took:

The Rothko room was particularly lovely, his large colourful images calming and beautiful.

And here is a glimpse into the studio of another true artist - our friend Alex Moyle, an exceptional sculptor:

3 In 1

Ok, last week was tough, still - here are 3 positives for the week that was:
1. Interesting conversation at a Gallery opening.
2. A couple of days with warm temperatures, and some with sunny skies - not together but still, the Lilac is responding with green buds and that is encouraging.
3. My son got into a summer program which makes us all very excited.

Happy Passover!

I Have Been Crowned

That woman I mentioned, the poet/illustrator/artist - she gave me the name, and the art, as an exchange for some good hats from my past as a milliner - she wears them well. I humbly accept the trade.