Showing posts with label art. Show all posts
Showing posts with label art. Show all posts

Thursday, 10 September 2015

Me, Earl and the Dying Girl

I neglecled this blog for 2 years thinking that it has no viewers only to find out that over that time it has been visited by 67 000 people. Not bad. Thank you for that. It is like finding out that in high-school you turned heads of the biggest sweethearts even though you were the most unpopular kid.

Over this time I have started some new projects which took most of my attention. But writing and sharing thoughts with others is an enjoyable way to pass time.



Me, Earl and the Dying Girl is an endearing film I watched yesterday in the Stratford-upon-Avon Picturehouse. It tells a story of a teenage boy called Greg whose friend from school Rachel has been diagnosed with blood cancer. Greg and his best mate Earl have been making low budget films ever since childhood and now have a collection of 42 home productions - each one with a seperate poster that really tells the story. The films are a few minutes impressions on some contemporary movie classics like The Clockwork Orange or Eyes Wide Shut


Rachael finds out about them and watches them all. It is all very secret as she is the only person in the world apart from Greg's quirky dad who has ever been allowed to do that. And she loves them. This way or another the boys decide to make a film specially for her using their cheap cameras and a phone. 

Greg spends time with Rachel everyday after school as her condition deteriorates. She loses her hair, but wears a funky pink wig and a Boy George hat. He makes comments about fluffy pillows and a tree wallpaper in her girly room. She enjoys his sense of humour.

It is a rather raw love story full of art, where a young man walks into a girl's intimate world at the time most difficult for her and doesn't quite know how to go about it. But he decides to stand by. No kisses. Beautiful.

Wednesday, 19 February 2014

POINTLESS ART: CACTUS, BALLOONS & NEONS





MARTIN CREED / EXHIBITION
LONDON / SOUTHBANK CENTRE / 29 January 2014 - 27 April 2014





Until April London's Southbank Centre is hosting a retrospective exhibition of Martin Creed's work.
Winner of the 2001 Turner Prize, Creed is recognized for his playful installations and minimalistic, but witty approach. Crossing all artistic media and including music, he transforms everyday materials into surprising art forms. After 20 years of his presence on the British art scene, it is about time to sum it all up in one major exhibition.
Martin Creed was born in Wakefield in 1968 and currently lives and works in London. Apart from being an artist, he is also an independent musician. On February 3rd he released his second album Mind Trap via Telephone Records.

Monday, 17 February 2014

SHORTCOMINGS: EMOTIONAL DILEMAS OF A NORMAL GUY

"Shortcomings" by Adrian Tomine / Photo by Agnes Prygiel

"Shortcomings" is a poignant graphic novel by Adrian Tomine, published in Britain in 2012 by Faber and Faber.

"Shortcomings" by Adrian Tomine / Photo by Agnes Prygiel
Ben is a 30-year-old university cinema manager and more or less a normal guy whose relationship with Miko falls apart after she organizes an independent film festival at the campus and gets a small modelling job. Ben feels insecure and slightly jealous of her career as he himself is a bit stuck with his job and life in general. With Miko distancing herself he turns for support to his lesbian friend Alice and starts some small sex experiments with other girls.

With art, campus life, a fascinating trip to New York and of course love - "Shortcomings" is a really interesting graphic novel to read.



Tuesday, 5 February 2013

Caution! Lichtenstein!

On Feb 21st 2013 Tate Modern is launching Roy Lichtenstein's retrospective art exhibition. With over 100 pictures, sculptures and drawings, it will be a great opportunity to see the work of one of the most influential artists of the 20th century.

Whaam! by Roy Lichtenstein in Tate Modern's storage warehouse.
Photograph: David Levene for the Guardian



There is something final and metaphorical about all Lichtenstein's works. As if he was trying to compare life to a comics story and show us that we should either be more easy going about everything or - on the contrary - extremely dramatic. If we live only once, why not do it with the passion and energy of an exploding plane from his 'Whaam!' painting?

Lichtenstein was one of the most significant figures on the American pop-art scene. His comics-inspired style earned him a place in the pantheon of acclaimed art gods. Lichtenstein did his own interpretations of Vincent van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Paul Cezanne or Jackson Pollock's pictures showing his sense of humor and extensive knowledge of art. 

Thursday, 3 January 2013

Pirelli Calendar 2013 - Change Of Approach

2013 Pirelli Calendar's models get to keep their clothes on! 

Steve McCurry/EPA
Steve McCurry/EPA
Pirelli is a tire producer known for releasing annual calendars presenting female nudes. This year brings in a change of approach and a perspective so different I would almost call it a revolution. Ladies get to keep their clothes on! Steve McCurry is the man behind the lenses and a photographer responsible for a refreshingly different series of images. They are all shot in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Every model appearing in this year's calendar runs her own charity. 
Steve McCurry/EPA

"You can photograph nudes anywhere," says McCurry. "But these models are purposeful and idealistic people. I wanted to photograph them in a special place."

McCurry made his name documenting Afghanistan in the early 1980s, having smuggled himself into the country by growing a beard and wearing traditional clothes.

via Guardian Culture
also Pirelli.com

Wednesday, 14 November 2012

The Art Of Recycling - Dogs

Robert Bradford's amazing postmodern pieces are definitely inspired with Jeff Koons, plastic toys, childhood and well... a bit of everything to be honest.

Robert Bradford
Robert Bradford

















The art of recycling is a developing form of creative expression. Robert Bradford brings his amazing, colourful and funky artworks to the table crossing the line between popculture, ecology and fun.


Robert Bradford    http://www.robertbradford.co.uk/


Friday, 9 November 2012

Recycled Paper Art

To be honest with you it irritates me that there are so many talented people in the world who design cool things made out of nothing and sell them for a lot of money while I don't. 

12 book page flowers by Katie Lloyd - £22.92
Carboard christmas tree by Kristi Tamming



Recycled paper is not exactly nothing, but it doesn't cost anything. So one has got to admit that the showcased artists use this affordable and eco-friendly material in a very stylish and practical way. When I look at their precisely crafted works I think of the old piles of the 'Stylist' magazine on my shelf. I could use them in a more creative way - transform them into flowers and trees. But as I'm rather short of time and not very patient with this kind of things let me just keep my jaw down for a while and admire what others came up with in this matter.

   Carboard christmas tree by Kristi Tamming available for  £81 from Etsy.com.

   If my boyfriend doesn't buy a christmas tree this season I will make one myself out of cardboard based on the project of an Estonian designer - Kristi Tamming. It might not look that good, but well. If he decides to marry me, but doesn't buy me flowers, I'll make some for myself as well. In the current world a woman has got to be practical!

  A bunch of 12 book page flowers by Katie Llyod for £22.92 from Etsy.com.
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Maya Persson  

Monday, 17 September 2012

Damien Hirst at Tate Modern


Damien Hirst's exhibition at London's Tate Modern is one of the most powerful things in art I have ever seen. Hirst built his career up on controversy. However there is also beauty and strong conceptual thinking behind his work. The exposition is open till September 9th 2012. It is a combination of absolutely fascinating images and repulsive objects. Life and death. Fragility vs violence. Delicacy contra blood.

 
I can not say I loved everything, but it was definitely an experience. I found the living butterflies display the most captivating part of the exhibition. You actually walk into a room and these amazing little creatures fly around you! You do not want to upset the guards by touching the living part of the exhibition. But if the butterfly chooses you and lands on your jacket, enjoy the feeling! You are special!

Go to Marina Sacley's blog to see more of Hirst's butterflies: http://iced-vovos.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/damien-hirst-butterfly-inspiration.html

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Text: Maya Persson 
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Links:
Damien Hirst at Tate Modern: http://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-modern/exhibition/damien-hirst
Hirst's Official Website:
http://www.damienhirst.com/

Sunday, 16 September 2012

London: Brick Lane Graffiti

If you are an artistically- orientated person - Brick Lane is one of those places you come to London for.

photo: Maya Persson
An absolute 'Must See' and 'Must Be' for those who are to free to be told what they 'Must Do'. It is an oasis of originality, vintage shops, not-on-the-high-street avaunt-grade fashion and of course... graffiti. Street-art projects literally pop out from Brick Lane's every corner!
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Text: Maya Persson

Wednesday, 12 September 2012

Yoko Ono's London Exhibition


Yoko Ono's exhibition at Hyde Park's Serpentine Gallery was a lovely collection of the artist's video-art, installations and interactive projects.
Before you entered the gallery you found a beautiful Wish Tree. Everybody was given a chance to write their wish down and hang it among other people's notes. It was a beautiful meditation, Lodon's message to God.

Inside there was a glass labyrinth, some of Yoko Ono's early video-art projects, poems and a wall with meditative and somewhat quirky texts written in pencil.

Yoko collects images of people's smiles. There were 2 electronic photo-booths where you could take a picture of yourself and submit it to the artist's collection. After a few minutes the images were projected on a large screen so that you could see yourself in a gallery and somehow become a piece of art. The photos are kept in Yoko Ono's archive and will be used in the future as a part of a larger installation.

The soothing surroundings of the Serpentine Gallery became a home for Yoko Ono's beautiful and minimalistic art concepts.
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Text: Maya Persson
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Monday, 3 September 2012

Bernard Barnes - Art in Wales


 Author: Bernad Barnes

During my Bank Holiday's trip to Wales I stopped in Barmouth where I discovered a beautiful art gallery located in former St. John's Church Hall building. Transformed into an open studio, this magical place is based on a level above the city and offers a free access to an impressive private art collection. Bernard Barnes and Reyna Rushton have taken over the building and filled it with their paintings and sculptures. It is an exhibition space open to visitors, but also a private workshop where the artists produce their work and organize events. Barnes is interested in cosmology, synapses and connections between living creatures. His pictures are covered with very precise lines which resemble the paths of the traveling light and the maps of the stars in the sky.

'Art On The Hill' Gallery is a MUST-SEE if you are in the Gwynedd Wales not only because of its atmosphere, but also Bernard's impressive painting installation which fills an entire wall of St. John's Church Hall. This masterpiece is made of 9 panels, exceeding the size of 3 tall men standing on the top of each other and is definitely some kind of a discovery for me.
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Text / images: Maya Persson
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Links:
http://www.bernardbarnes.com/
http://www.culturecolony.com/news?id=6020&start=40

Sunday, 19 August 2012

Sexy Yoko! Sexy Ono!

When you think of Yoko Ono - controversial is the first word that comes to you head. You wouldn't necessarily think of her as of a sex bomb. She has definitely been  a powerful experimenting artist and John Lennon loved it about her. But Yoko Ono also strikes me as a very attractive woman indeed.

 
 

Tuesday, 24 July 2012

Healing Power Of Fantasy

Kirsty Mitchell lost her mother to brain cancer in 2008. The 'Wonderland' photo series has been a way to deal with the sorrow. All costumes, wigs and sets were constructed on a shoestring budget. Kirsty would often wait an entire year to find the perfect natural setting for her shots. Her photographic series began as a small summer project which challenged her grief and turned into passion. Her mother Maureen was an English teacher who spent her life inspiring generations of children with imaginative stories and plays. Kirsty's work has been greatly appreciated by an international audience with the recent articles in the Daily Mail and on BBC websites. Her exhibition has become a part of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee's celebrations in London.
Kirsty Mitchell's website
http://www.kirstymitchellphotography.com/galleries.php






via Daily Mail
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2145760/Wonderland-Kirsty-Mitchell-heart-breakingly-beautiful-photographic-series-memory-extraordinary-life.html
via Enpundit
http://enpundit.com/wonderland-kirsty-mitchell/

Tuesday, 10 July 2012

Pixels' Secret Life

Laura Bifano's pixel watercolours have already appeared at Blog's Art, but I have spotted more of her amazing pictures recently. This young girl's style is truly impressive. The way the natural life interacts with the pixelated figures is just mesmerizing. Thank you, Laura, for inviting us into your beautiful fantasy.
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'The Lady And The Unicorn' - 13x19 print - £25
 'Octopus' - 13x19 print - £25
'Badger' - 13x19 print - £25
'Foxhunt' - 13x19 print - £25

Madonna's Shark Table

Bruce Gray is a Los Angeles furniture designer and sculptor. Desipite clear reference to pop-art icons such as Claes Oldenburg, Gray hasn't yet achieved the superstar's status, but he is definitely heading there. His works are included in over 1200 collections and have appeared in 'Rush Hour' and 'Friends' TV series. The artist's clients are Madonna, Coca Cola, Mercedes Benz, Microsoft and Honda. Wooow! 

Red Angry Dog Coffee Table - £2400

 
The Big Cheese Giant - £5000

Blue Shark Coffee Table by Bruce Gray - £2400

Red Giant High Heel Shoe - £15800

Saturday, 7 July 2012

Giantic Fish Sculptures From Recycled Plastic Bottles


Large fish-shaped sculptures created with the use of discarted plastic bottles have appeared at one of the most visited beaches in Rio de Janeiro as a part of Rio+20 conference on sustainable development. The installation is illuminated at night with colorful lights which make it glow in the dark. The project serves as a reminder for beach-goers to recycle plastic bottles in order to reduce the amount of waste that ends up in our oceans'.
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via http://www.psfk.com/2012/06/sustainable-plastic-fish-sculptures.html
http://www.thisiscolossal.com/