art is life... life is art

That rare remake that neither improves nor dishonors - but certainly rivals - the original.

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 02:25:26 +0000

**** out of ****

You know a classic film is close to somebody's heart when, to the Americans, it is foreign; but to the person describing the film, it is native - and yet the person goes on to describe it as the best motion picture ever to come out of their home country. In the case of Werner Herzog - that daring ground-breaker of a filmmaker - F.W. Murnau's "Nosferatu" is the best German production ever to grace the silver screen. Nobody just says something like this for the hell of it; Herzog especially must have his good reason for loving the classic, spectacularly spooky (and loose) adaptation of Bram Stoker's "Dracula"; just as we all do. Given his admiration for the original film, you know where he's going with "Nosferatu the Vampyre", which serves as a very close, faithful, and highly successful remake of the Murnau film rather than another old adaptation of the age-old story.

Since the original, 1922 "Nosferatu" was celluloid terror written in Gothic black-and-white visuals and architecture, make-up effects that were decidedly way ahead of its time, and a unique take on a classic tale of vampirism; there were indeed things that were in need of updating, as well as things that probably should have been left alone. Luckily, Herzog sees everything; from the world to the movies that he watches, and he knew what had to be done. What he offers up is a visual update of the story, filled with his own stylistic touches. He also provides a more emotionally resonant vampire than that of the original "Nosferatu". I cannot say whether it improves on the Murnau film or not; all I know is that it certainly doesn't dishonor it, and that's all that matters.

Sure enough, not much has changed plot-wise; although this time, Herzog is able to avoid the copyright issues that Murnau faced when making the original; thus, he's able to use the character names brought up in Bram Stoker's classic novel. Most of the time, the story is familiar (given that some stuff differentiates; but not too much), but Herzog laces it with enough spectacle and atmosphere to make up for any form of déjà vu.

A real-estate agent, Jonathan Harker (Bruno Ganz), is sent from his native land of Wismar, Germany to the obscure and mountainous regions of Transylvania. It is there that he shall meet a client interested in purchasing a new home in Wismar; Count Dracula is his name. The journey is long and complicated; but Jonathan is able to make it to the Count's large-but-creepy castle in one piece. He arrives at night; which is, as we learn, a good time for the Count (Klaus Kinski), as he seems to resent the daytime hours. He allows Jonathan to stay in his home for a few days and a few nights so that the proper paperwork can get dealt with; and also so that the two can get more properly acquainted.

As we've been brought up to expect from this legendary story; the Count is a vampire. But Jonathan does not believe in such creatures; regardless of the various warnings given to him by a few gypsy-types on his way to the estate. His beliefs will be put to the test when the classic clichés and tropes of vampirism will come alive when he observes the Count's behavior and actions from a distance. Think of it: nobody knows where he sleeps; he never shows during the day; his skin is pale, his head bald; his teeth resemble that of a rat, and his ears a bat; and his fingernails are long and slender. If that isn't enough to convince Jonathan that his newest customer is a bloodsucking devil, then I haven't a single idea what is.

Here is what happens from then on: the Count samples the blood of Jonathan, becomes entranced by a photograph of his beautiful wife (who is at home) whose name is Lucy (Isabelle Adjani), locks him in the house the next morning, and stows away onto a ship headed for Wismar via coffin, his favorite method of transportation next to the boat the delivers him. And when the boat enters the harbor of Wismar; Herzog is at his prime. The image of the ship containing Count Dracula yet again coming into contact with land and bringing death-by-plague - not to mention an entire rat infestation - to wherever it may anchor. Above all, I think that Herzog displays his affection for storytelling through the imagery of his films; which often takes the place of narrative conventions and plot. If anything, I think the film is visual storytelling at its finest.

Aside from the suitably intoxicating scenes taking place inside the remarkably Gothic castle of Count Dracula; what gives the film its beauty is the humanity in the Dracula character himself. I think it's rather surprising how, when looking at horror movie history, the most humanity comes not from actual human beings; but rather the creatures - however humanoid they may be - which are labeled by society as monsters. Kinski portrays the Count as lonely, loveless, and unable to die; a horrible combination of the three. He cannot ease his pain as the mortals of the world can; he sees his vampirism as a curse, and one that he cannot uplift. I didn't see such depth in the original film; although perhaps I saw something more all-together and therein lays the magic of Herzog's "Nosferatu" remake. It isn't Murnau's "Nosferatu"; it is purely Herzog's movie, and he makes that known through scenes that depict a sort of spiritual connection with nature, architecture, and location. Then again, maybe that's just Herzog's own relationship with his style of filmmaking. I recognize that this is an impossible bond to break; the sign of a true artist, more or less.

An unlikely, but wonderful spot that showcases the breadth of Dali's works

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 09:07:24 +0000

Florida and Dali? I never would've thought to put the two together. When I think of the Tampa Bay Area, it doesn't exactly conjure up thoughts of Spanish surrealism.

I've been to the Tampa Bay Area many times over the past few years, counting it as my second home, but had never felt particularly compelled to visit The Dali Museum, mostly because I didn't think it would be much. My Tampa-resident friend had been talking about visiting it with me for years, but having visited many other yawn-worthy "attractions" of the area over the years, I had my reservations about "wasting" my time in art museum in Florida and always opted to go to the beach instead. So we never went.

This time around, though, I had a random chance encounter with a fellow art lover in a frozen custard shop in Tampa. Upon hearing that I wasn't from the area, he told me that I had to visit The Dali Museum. He cited some of my favorite museums in the U.S. as some of his favorites as well, and said that if I loved those, I would love The Dali Museum as well. He went into really great detail about it, really talking it up, adding that when I do visit, I should really go on the audio tour to get the most out of it. And with that, my friend and I were off to The Dali Museum that afternoon.

All I can say is... Wow. My mind was completely blown. I had no idea that there was such a gem of a museum in St. Petersburg, nor did I know that it was actually the largest collection of Dali pieces in the world along with Dali's own museum in Spain. There are 96 oil paintings there, over 100 watercolors and drawings, plus many other pieces, including sculptures and videos. It was amazing.

The actual building of the museum is a work of art in and of itself.

The spiral staircase was really neat. A lady who worked there said that we should walk through them at least once

The works are divided up into two main rooms. One room is filled with over a hundred of Dali's oil and watercolor paintings while another room is filled with Dali's works of other mediums. I did the audio tour and started in the room full of the paintings first. Whenever I think of Dali, I just think of paintings like The Persistence of Memory, so I was completely blown away when I saw how huge his collection was and not to mention how skilled he was and how diverse his paintings were. This man was a true artist and seeing all of this just made me appreciate his works all the more.

Also, as a painter, I couldn't help but admire and be in awe of his skills and all of those delicate brushstrokes. I literally spent minutes staring at, inspecting and soaking each piece, getting as close as I could. Aside from the skill, I was also blown away by the subject matter and concepts of the paintings. When I paint, ...I just paint. But Dali's pieces contain so much symbolism and illusions, creating mind tricks that really make you think. It's mind-boggling to think to know that this was the way that he saw the world and to see how his history and his life inspired him. It was also really sweet to see how much his beloved wife, Gala, inspired him. She's in so many of his paintings and was definitely his muse.

Here's a small handful of my favorites. See if you can catch the illusions...

The Three Ages

Portrait of My Dead Brother

The Hallucinogenic Toreador

Gala Contemplating the Mediterranean Sea which at Twenty Meters Becomes the Portrait of Abraham Lincoln (I suggest standing further away to look at this one)

In the second room were Dali's works in other mediums as well as photographs of Dali taken by his friend Philippe Halsman. Here are some of my favorites:

In Voluptus Mors

Dali Atomicus

This is a hologram of Alice Cooper and his brain. Apparently, the two artists were friends. I had no idea!

There were also sculptures and a couple of short films that Dali made.

I ended up staying a bit past closing till they asked me to leave, not even realizing that my friend had actually left to go read in the car during the last hour of my time there. Oops. It was that good. And here's the kicker: towards the end, I didn't even get the chance to thoroughly look at and absorb every single piece in the second room, feeling rushed because I wanted to see everything there, if even just for a moment, before they closed. I was there for three and a half hours and it was definitely not enough.

Suffice to say, I highly recommend visiting The Dali Museum. My two tips for visiting would be:

Give yourself at least 4-5+ hours if you really want to get the chance to appreciate every single piece, and especially if you want to watch the two short films in the second room, which are about 15-20 minutes long a piece.
Do the audio tour. You'll get so much more out of the experience because you'll be able to see so much more in the pieces. I learned so much about the history of the museum as well as of Dali's life.

Though I have always appreciated visual art and had learned much about the man and his works in art classes, I didn't truly appreciate Salvador Dali's art and skill until I visited St. Pete's Dali Museum. Highly, highly recommended to visit, even if you're just a passive fan of Dali's at the moment.

I'm so glad that I had that serendipitous moment at the frozen custard shop.

My Favorite Artists and Their Art: Odilon Redon

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 17:09:47 +0000

Odilon Redon's artwork is extraordinarily unique and hard to describe. Whether working in colorful pastels or stark charcoal drawings, the images he created are remarkably vivid and dreamlike. Shifting in styles and genres from Post-Impressionism to Symbolism, his art is saturated with an emotional intensity that seems almost prophetic of future art movements such as Expressionism and Surrealism, yet he doesn't seem to belong to any single movement. Rather, Redon's skill was transcending the boundaries of what had come before and exploring what was yet to come, all the while journeying inward to a place of psychological conflict and spiritual awakening.

My Favorite Artists and Their Art: William-Adolphe Bouguereau

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 19:21:07 +0000

William-Adolphe Bouguereau is perhaps one of the great heroes of the Academic art movement. His works are vividly brought to life in a manner that is at once realistic and yet also idealized. While Bouguereau confined himself to the traditional Victorian values of Academicism and Realism, the images that he managed to create during his lifetime are iconic and timeless, though he has not been treated as kindly as his contemporaries by many art historians. Often drawing on themes of gentle eroticism, the juxtaposition of beautiful women with nature, and the bittersweet reminisces of childhood, Bougeureau painted in a way that could be emotionally evocative in its realistic depiction of everyday life, but also dreamily intoxicating in the way that he romanticized human sexuality and sexual innocence.

Nitrate + Kinogeists 2. Teil - Art of Silent Cinema Quick Tip by Count_Orlok_22

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 15:09:08 +0000

An absolutely beautiful catalog displaying the March 2011 exhibition of vintage silent film posters and modern art inspired by silent cinema. Among the diverse contemporary artists to contribute to the exhibition were modern symbolist painter Gail Potocki, illustrator Douglas Klauba, and illustrator, graphic artist, and filmmaker Dave McKean.The show which was held in Chicago by Century Guild also featured the work of artists from the early half of the 20th Century renowned for their Expressionist posters for films and advertisements.

In terms of the catalog itself, the works shown are beautiful though there aren't quite as many as I had originally thought there would be since not all of McKean's silent film-inspired paintings were on display. However, this is in no way a disappointment since the works collected are of such high quality and having them gathered at all is a great luxury for silent film buffs and modern art enthusiasts like myself.

On a side note, there will be a new book coming out in the not-too-distant future collecting Dave McKean's artwork inspired by early cinema. That book will be entitled Nitrate and will be published by Allen Spiegel Fine Arts (ASFA) and Hourglass.

Similarly, Century Guild will be releasing a book entitled Kinogeists written by Thomas Negovan which will showcase all of the silent film posters at the exhibition and more.

The Union of Hope and Sadness: The Art of Gail Potocki Quick Tip by Count_Orlok_22

Fri, 24 Jun 2011 17:49:01 +0000

The Union of Hope and Sadness written by Thomas Negovan is a beautifully haunting exploration of the artwork of modern symbolist painter Gail Potocki. The book features a great collection of her art spanning over six years from 1999 to 2006 and reveals some of her inspirations and influences while detailing the symbolic meanings represented in her paintings. In addition to showcasing her paintings, the book also features fascinating insight (by Thomas Negovan and Gail Potocki in the form of commentary on select paintings, but also by Richard Metzger, Jime Rose, and Marina Korsakova-Kreyn in the form of essays) into her creative process.

Stylistically, her work is unusual since it takes the artistry and technique of classical paintings of the 18th and 19th Centuries and infuses them with more contemporary symbolic attributes. In some cases, the works display Gail's own emotional state at the time of creating the fantastic imagery, while at other times its apparent that Gail is showing the world her perspective on various matters such as the detrimental effect of the human population on the environment and ecosystem or the way in which we are all constantly fretting our own mortality, and yet other works are celebratory manifestos exploring the brilliant eccentrics of the past century.

Gail's art is somewhat difficult to describe since many of the words which spring immediately to mind seem contradictory: beautiful, grotesque, sensual, melancholy, innocent, cynical.

The figures in her paintings have a life of their own, a complexity, which extends beyond the four corners of the canvas; a complexity which reaches out to the viewer pleading for something unobtainable yet almost within reach, and whether they exude desire, loneliness, hope, despair, or creativity, they always intrigue and provoke. Creating a work of art, in any medium, which possesses the ability to evoke such strong emotions and provoke thought long after viewing it is a sign of a master at work and, in this case, is evidence that Gail's work will be around for many, many years to come.

Dustcovers: The Collected Sandman Covers Quick Tip by Shandorian

Thu, 16 Jun 2011 01:43:04 +0000

Dave Mckean created some great artwork for these covers. The uniqueness of these covers comes from the original idea (at the time, as editor Karen Berger comments) of not featuring Sandman at every cover; which allowed McKean to experiment and create these gorgeous covers. While its not a necessary part of your Sandman collection, seeing the covers without any text around them with additional commentary makes it worth my money. I also recommend who enjoys Mckean's art to check Batman: Arkham Asylum, by Grant Morrison & Dave Mckean, where a beautifully painted, psychologically complex Batman tale about origins of insanity awaits you.

Dustcovers: The Collected Sandman Covers Quick Tip by Count_Orlok_22

Wed, 15 Jun 2011 23:39:15 +0000

Dustcovers is an extraordinary (albeit incomplete) collection of Dave McKean's covers for Neil Gaiman's Sandman adult comic book series.

The works presented in this collection are diverse and cover a range of mediums from paintings to drawings, from collage to computer manipulated photographs. The style is hard to describe, but there are strong elements of expressionism, dadaism, surrealism, fantasy, and some that could be considered symbolist and abstract.

All in all, the artwork is gorgeously original and at times haunting.
The commentary included by McKean and Gaiman is informative, but never dull, and it provides a unique insight into the minds of an eclectic artist and literary minstrel.
If you're a fan of modern art, comics, or Sandman in particular, this book is a must-have!

Dave McKean Quick Tip by Count_Orlok_22

Thu, 9 Jun 2011 19:20:53 +0000

Dave McKean is a true renaissance man.

He has illustrated novels for adults and children, illustrated comic books (most notably in collaboration with Neil Gaiman), painted covers for comics, novels, and albums, directed a fantasy feature film and two strange short films, plays in a jazz band, creates remarkable works of modern art, and he seems virtually inexhaustible as he moves from one medium to another, and working in all manner of genres and movements, McKean is a remarkably talented man who continues to astonish me with his beautiful, macabre, expressionistic interpretation of both reality and dreams. No other artist in any medium is doing what he is right now and as far as I'm concerned that is the true mark of a genius. Try as they might, nobody can emulate McKean or produce images that are so seductively surreal.

Jeffrey Catherine Jones Quick Tip by Count_Orlok_22

Fri, 20 May 2011 12:56:52 +0000

Jeffrey Catherine Jones passed away yesterday on May 19. Jones will likely be remembered for her incredible talents as a comic book artist and illustrator who worked skillfully in the science fiction and fantasy genres. Much of Jones' work owes its artistic inspiration to Frank Frazetta (who later called Jones the greatest living artist) who also recently passed away just over a year ago, and she would later developed her own distinctive style. Jones' life was quite interesting and at times tumultuous.
Born as a male on January 10, 1944, Jones grew up feeling out of place in his body and with his gender, suffering from depression which later lead to drug and alcohol abuse. It wasn't until after recovering from these self-destructive habits that he finally came to terms with himself and in the late 1990s he began hormone replacement therapy and adopting a female persona. She was very likely the first well-known transgender artist in her field.
But with all of this drama aside, one must look back on Jones' life and accept her for who she was and for her impressive artistic talents. She created works that were at once immediately familiar in their style and execution and yet possessed a subtle, melancholy, uniqueness that was original and unparalleled in her field.
She will be missed.

http://www.jeffreyjones-art.com/

My Favorite Artists and Their Art: M.C. Escher

Sun, 24 Apr 2011 21:09:01 +0000

M.C. Escher is one of those artists who is impossible to categorize. His works don't possess the typically inherent emotions of most art movements. His art is far more procedural, intellectual, and precise in its purpose. Many of his works are woodcuts done entirely in black and white, yet his works are as complex and unforgettable as those of artists who pour the full spectrum of colors onto their canvases with paint. What Escher does is present viewers with works of art that are at once restrained in their expression of emotions, but at the same time are provocative and mentally stimulating. One could half-jokingly say that looking at an M.C. Escher print is like doing mathematical gymnastics with your eyes and brain.

Awesome Work of Art

Wed, 13 Apr 2011 03:05:34 +0000

I saw this statue years ago when it toured the United States. Then last year I got to see it in Rome within St Peter's Basilica amongst the other great sculptures and was even more in awe of the artist's work.

The Vatican Museums Quick Tip by Penelope11

Wed, 13 Apr 2011 03:00:48 +0000

Loved seeing the Sistine Chapel but was disappointed by the lack of respect it's given by the world wide tourists. Our tour guide told us to whisper if we had to talk at all, but when we got inside it was as noisy as a sports bar during a game.

My Favorite Artists and Their Art: Arthur Rackham

Sat, 9 Apr 2011 16:20:08 +0000

From my own perspective Arthur Rackham remains the greatest artist from The Golden Age of Illustration which lasted from the 1880s up until around WWII. Rackham first rose to prominence with his strangely compelling illustrated works that featured all of the various elements of the greatest myths, fables, and fairy tales. The artwork that he produced contained all of the whimsy, romance, adventure, and grotesquerie that was found in their accompanying narratives. Rackham's images became so ingrained in the minds of many children that his illustrations almost defined the essence of fantasy and legend for generations. Personally, I've always found his unique combination of innocent beauty with eeriness and often tragedy to be emotionally moving. I can't think of any other artist in the world of illustration who managed to so evocatively retell the stories of the past with such imagination and believability.

Adam and Eve Quick Tip by Count_Orlok_22

Tue, 15 Mar 2011 20:43:43 +0000

I've only very recently become aware of Gail Potocki's artwork mainly through her new works for the Nitrate + Kinogeists exhibition inspired by silent films. Her works are so full of personality and emotion and haunting. I really love this particular painting(s) depicting Adam & Eve. Lovely work.

Book of Dreams Quick Tip by Count_Orlok_22

Tue, 15 Mar 2011 20:00:08 +0000

Without a doubt, this is my favorite work of art by Dave McKean and probably the quintessential painted comic book cover. Featured originally on The Sandman: Book of Dreams short story collection in 1996 and then later on The Absolute Sandman: Volume 1, the painting is a masterpiece that is highly sought after as a poster by modern art fans and comic book geeks alike. It's simply gorgeous.

My Favorite Artists and Their Art: Frida Kahlo

Tue, 8 Mar 2011 22:12:48 +0000

Frida Kahlo was an extraordinary woman, whose life was full of tragedy, love, politics, but most importantly art. Kahlo remains a unique figure in art history since she, unlike so many other female artists, developed her own style that became uniquely associated with her. Whether creating symbolist portraits of herself or surreal montages of everyday life, her works have a primitive emotional quality and an insight that is unrivaled by many of her peers, including her artist husband and mentor Diego Rivera. Kahlo's paintings are lush, sensuous masterpieces that expose the hopes and heartbreaks she experienced.

John Bauer Quick Tip by Count_Orlok_22

Fri, 4 Mar 2011 16:22:28 +0000

Up until just recently I was unfamiliar with artwork of John Bauer, with the exception of Princess Tuvstarr and the Fishpond, but he's already become one of my favorite illustrators. His works provided inspiration for classic illustrators like Arthur Rackham and fantasy artists like Brian Froud. I will definitely be looking into his artwork over the next few weeks and likely will add him to my list of favorite artists.

My Favorite Artists and Their Art: Salvador Dalí

Mon, 3 Jan 2011 01:19:18 +0000

It's hard to describe the works of Salvador Dalí. At once, he is an iconoclastic and controversial figure in the art world. Yet he's much more than that. Dalí's work holds a number of influences and inspirations that set him apart from other artists and make his works almost impossible to categorize. At once he appears to be a surrealist, a modernist, a cubist, and a dadaist. But his paintings, collages, and bizarre three-dimensional works of art also owe much to classical and Renaissance masterpieces. Many critics and art lovers have dismissed Dalí because he was either too eccentric, too commercial, or because they simply failed to understand the pure talent and genius of his creations. On a personal level, I've always been attracted to these images, because they seem to have been born in dreams and were then expressed in a way that we could all experience them as vividly as Dalí himself.

Madonna Quick Tip by Count_Orlok_22

Mon, 15 Nov 2010 22:36:04 +0000

Of all of Munch's paintings, this one is easily the most sensual and though the colors aren't as bright as in some of his other paintings, the work is as vibrant as ever!

The Sick Child (lithograph) Quick Tip by Count_Orlok_22

Mon, 15 Nov 2010 22:33:48 +0000

One of Munch's most haunting images. Munch created two works with this same title, one of which was a painting, though I prefer this version. There's a melancholy delicacy to this lithograph that is unmatched.

Titania lying asleep. Quick Tip by Count_Orlok_22

Wed, 3 Nov 2010 16:04:26 +0000

A gorgeous illustration of the Queen of the Faeries, Titania. Despite this particular piece being based on Shakespeare, I'm reminded of Sleeping Beauty as well.

It seemed as if a sudden swarm of winged creatures brushed past her. Quick Tip by Count_Orlok_22

Wed, 3 Nov 2010 16:02:44 +0000

One of my favorite Rackham images, this illustration depicts the unfortunate Pandora of Greek mythology as she opens the fabled box and lets loose all the world's evils upon humanity.

Thor Quick Tip by Count_Orlok_22

Wed, 3 Nov 2010 16:00:58 +0000

Again, Rackham creates an indelible image based on Wagner's Ring Cycle. Thor, also called Donner, is presented here in all of his glory; his cape bellowing in the wind, his hammer held high, a look of nobility upon his face.

Freya Quick Tip by Count_Orlok_22

Wed, 3 Nov 2010 15:59:07 +0000

An essential work by Rackham, the illustrations for Wagner's epic Ring Cycle are stunning and this is easily my favorite piece from that series.

Fantasia Quick Tip by Kort_Kramer

Tue, 2 Nov 2010 15:57:54 +0000

A little Fantasia trivia: The three Germanic composers featured in the film are Bach, Beethoven, and Schubert, in order of appearance.

Uplifting! A classic not to be missed!

Tue, 2 Nov 2010 15:34:40 +0000

First off, the Fantasia I had in mind was from those days I visited Disneyland and Disneyworld. I remembered the awesome music and when I accidentally chanced upon it on one of China’s biggest online bookstores, a DVD for less than a US$1, I grabbed it without much of a thought. The beauty of ordering online in China is that no matter where you’re within China, shipping is free of charge as long as your order amounts to a total of some US$4 or so. That wasn’t too difficult, not everything is a mere $1 afterall.

As I began to play the film, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. I know it had to be good, otherwise, who’d call it Fantasia?! I didn’t know it’s that good though. In fact, it’s awesome! Great music by the Philadelphia Orchestra coupled with brilliant animation. For parents, especially those with toddlers, I urge you to see it with your child (or children). The characters are so cute that I find it amazing that it’s from the 40s! It’s a Disney production and yet it has a touch of newness and innocence. The movement, the flow and the look is so enjoyable to watch! The music and the animation are so perfectly intertwined. Not a word uttered and yet every expression tells the story and emotion of the characters. There’s a lot of flying in the air in this film, very carefree and so much freedom in expression which probably signaled a time of hope back then in the U.S. This is certainly the type of film we should all be looking for, especially for the children.

It is refreshing to watch it at this time of my life. I do get tired of seeing the kind of movie that’s been produced lately, especially in the last 2 decades. It’s like movies have to be warped just to sell. Disaster movies, horror movies and abnormal movies are what caught movie-goers’ attention. It’s no wonder I don’t frequent the theater anymore! If only more of movies like those of Fantasia & Up are produced, the world will probably be a much better place than it is today!

In any case, this is one great film with excellent animation and the most profound music. A movie where talents can be detected, where hope lives and where creativity reigns. Highly recommended for those who have not watched it! Excellent music, animation & artistic impression!

(A Lunch Featured Review)

Musée Rodin Quick Tip by Robin_Uncapher

Mon, 1 Nov 2010 02:26:45 +0000

This museum is enchanting. The first time I went I was shocked, maybe because Paris is so full of good museums that its easy to miss this one. The garden is especially beautiful with lots of famous scuptures.

Salvador Dali Quick Tip by JenKnox

Sat, 16 Oct 2010 00:12:43 +0000

A man who lived his art, right down to the persona he created.

Gothic Art

Thu, 14 Oct 2010 22:22:20 +0000

Rather than give explicit descriptions detailing why I love these works of art, I've instead posted a slew of lame one-liners.
Happy Halloween!

Arthur Rackham Quick Tip by Entwife

Mon, 11 Oct 2010 14:47:49 +0000

Beautiful, whimsical, potent, evocative... Rackham's work grabs the imagination at a very early age and is a wonderful place to start teaching our children the appreciation of art.

The Starry Night Quick Tip by Entwife

Mon, 11 Oct 2010 14:43:55 +0000

An enduring favorite, the beauty and energy of this piece thrills the heart

Lust for the Undead Quick Tip by Count_Orlok_22

Sat, 9 Oct 2010 16:25:57 +0000

There have been numerous depictions of everyone's favorite vampire Count in artwork over the years, but this is perhaps one of my favorite of the more recent works. It's also a great example of how Greg Hildebrandt can move from doing whimsical fantasy paintings to something darker.

The Plague Quick Tip by Count_Orlok_22

Sat, 9 Oct 2010 16:14:17 +0000

This is a truly superb example of Gothic Symbolist artwork. One of Böcklin's most iconic and grim paintings.

The Visage of War Quick Tip by Count_Orlok_22

Sat, 9 Oct 2010 16:10:44 +0000

Dali creates a haunting and visually striking image in protest of the horrors of war.

The Smiling Spider Quick Tip by Count_Orlok_22

Sat, 9 Oct 2010 16:09:22 +0000

What wonderfully eerie and sinister image. I do find it intriguing that Redon's spiders have ten legs...

My Favorite Artists and Their Art: John William Waterhouse

Mon, 27 Sep 2010 18:36:09 +0000

I've been a great admirer of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood and their artistic style for a very long time now. Of all the artists associated with the movement, I think that John William Waterhouse is probably my favorite. This is partly because Waterhouse was consistently brilliant in his creation of evocative scenes inspired by mythology, historical legend, and classic literature. However, while this aspect of his art appeals to me on an intellectual level, I find myself also drawn in by the delicate sense of bittersweet romance and unrequited love on an emotional level. Waterhouse was one of the last Pre-Raphaelite artists and yet his work overshadows many of the lesser known artists of the movement who came before him.

Conan the Adventurer Quick Tip by Count_Orlok_22

Fri, 24 Sep 2010 17:54:12 +0000

The quintessential image of Robert E. Howard's pulp adventure hero Conan! Frazetta's work here is just exquisite. This is, undoubtedly, my favorite painting of his as well as one of my favorite works in the fantasy art genre.

My Favorite Artists and Their Art: Frank Frazetta

Fri, 24 Sep 2010 17:46:27 +0000

This list is dedicated to legendary fantasy artist and comic book illustrator Frank Frazetta, who passed away May 10, 2010. May his afterlife be filled with all of the adventure and passion of his paintings...

As a genre that spans multiple mediums, fantasy has been able to introduce people to new worlds, new concepts, and encounters that only the imagination could provide. Within the art world, very few fantasy artists have ever been given the credit that they deserve for their artistic work. Aesthetically, fantasy in art is usually comprised of scenes of scantily clad barbarian men and women battling with supernatural forces, though there are other kinds of fantasy art. However, when it comes to "pulp fantasy", as I often refer to it, no artist has ever had the kind of cultural impact and influence that Frank Frazetta has. His works have pushed the envelope in ways that are almost indescribable. The men he draws are muscle-bound and rippling with testosterone; the women are voluptuous sensual creatures who can barely stand due to their endowments; the monsters are as grotesque and as savage could be.

Communities on Lunch Quick Tip by TheJohn

Wed, 22 Sep 2010 05:54:17 +0000

Makes it easy to find that niche that you belong to.

My Favorite Artists and Their Art: Edvard Munch

Sun, 12 Sep 2010 19:35:52 +0000

Edvard Munch has long been one of my favorite artists in Modern Art. His symbolist and proto-expressionist works have a deeply personal connection with me. Somehow, they reach into my psyche, wrenching my emotions and thoughts from within and allow them to materialize in paint. Munch's art worked on two psychological levels at once, both conjuring up primitive emotions from our personal past while at the same time juxtaposing it with his knowledge of archetypal characters from our collective past. I love the way his artwork, much like Franz Kafka's writings, tap into those deep-rooted feelings of inadequacy, guilt, regret, lust, and utter despair.

Here is a list dedicated to Edvard Munch and his art.

The Lady of Shalott (J.W. Waterhouse painting) Quick Tip by snowleopard88

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 22:16:51 +0000

Agatha Christie took Tennyson's words from the Lady of Shalott "the mirror crack'd from side to side" as the title of one of her novels. When she faced reality and looked out the window instead of at life's reflection, the poor cursed Lady had to die. Great stuff for Agatha Christie!

Delusional Darwin

Mon, 9 Aug 2010 04:41:16 +0000

When I heard about Creation, I was excited to see a movie try to capture Darwin the man for modern film audiences. The acting is fine and Paul Bettany pulls off a decent Darwin. There are some great scenes, particularly the Orangutan, the death of Darwin's daughter, and Huxley's cameo. I really liked the way it portrayed the "survival of the fittest" - not as an academic debate, but as a series of field observations in the outdoors - exactly where Darwin would have devised his theory.

Unfortunately, Creation's approach to Charles Darwin's character is horrible. The Charles Darwin in Creation comes across as more a delusional hypochondriac than one of the most brilliant, important men ever to have lived. It's one thing to avoid lionizing the man, but it's just as inappropriate to wrongly portray him as schizoid. There was plenty in Darwin's life that would have made compelling drama - the death of his daughter was a crucial moment - without going over into hyperbole. Sadly, the only conclusion I can draw is that the producers, directors, and scriptwriters behind Creation thought modern viewers were too unsophisticated and impatient to actually watch a realistic drama about Darwin.

I'd recommend Darwin's Darkest Hour as an alternative to Creation. Creation has its moments, but don't confuse it for a documentary about Charles Darwin.

Tool: Lateralus Quick Tip by Count_Orlok_22

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 05:42:02 +0000

Without a doubt, my favorite album of the '00s. Tool's sound has progressed and evolved into something deeply philosophical, complex, dark, and meditatively brilliant. With terrific musicianship, unusual arrangements, challenging visuals, and intelligent lyrics, they are at their peak with this set.

Lady Lilith Quick Tip by Count_Orlok_22

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 03:56:03 +0000

Rossetti's depiction of Lilith is classic and gorgeous in its own right, but unlike Collier's imagining, this Lilith seems less empowered and more vain. Still, it's a stunning painting.

Lamia (Draper) Quick Tip by Count_Orlok_22

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 03:53:28 +0000

Draper's depiction of Lamia seems somehow colder and more emotionally distant than the two versions done by Waterhouse, but I love the textures and colors here. A very moody and evocative piece.

The Beguiling of Merlin Quick Tip by Count_Orlok_22

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 03:49:21 +0000

Although I don't visualize either Merlin or the Lady of the Lake looking like this, I do love this painting and the use of soft Earth-tone colors. Somehow, it also reminds me of the Elves in Tolkien's Middle-earth.

Beata Beatrix Quick Tip by Count_Orlok_22

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 03:46:41 +0000

I'm not a religious person, not in the least, but there is something inherently spiritual about this Rossetti painting that I find to be at once both rapturous and heartbreaking. It's a shame that he never completed it, though I love it just as it is.

A Mermaid Quick Tip by Count_Orlok_22

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 03:44:54 +0000

For me, this is one of Waterhouse's greatest works and it remains the singular image of a mermaid that comes to mind. Hauntingly beautiful.

Lady Godiva Quick Tip by Count_Orlok_22

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 03:43:16 +0000

I love all of Collier's work, but I regard this and Lilith as his ultimate masterpieces. I love the lighting to this and the composition. At once the painting is both melancholy and sensual.