I recently posted the opening clip for the cult movie Paris, Texas, directed by Wim Wenders and written by Sam Shepard, on the RECURSIVE blog in response to something I read from Difference and Repetition by Gilles Deleuse,
“For it is perhaps habit which manages to “draw” something new from a repetition contemplated from without. With habit, we act only on the condition that there is a little Self within us which contemplates: it is this which extracts the new – in other words, the general – from the pseudo-repetition of particular cases. Memory, then, perhaps recovers the particulars dissolved in generality…It is in repetition and by repetition that Forgetting becomes a positive power while the unconscious becomes a positive and superior unconscious (for example, forgetting as a force is an integral part of the lived experience of eternal return).” (p.8-9).
I find this compelling and very true in the sense that normal forgetting moves information into the subconscious where it ruminates and comes back out in a creative interpretation. At least, that has often been my experience with a forgetful mind. As an artist I don’t want to copy the work of others, but I can’t help absorbing the visual stimulation of other’s influence. I rely on my ‘forgetting mechanism’ to make something new – at least I always hope it does.
But in a film like Paris, Texas, the forgetting is a looping trap that neither removes pain nor finds relief. It is not a positive force, but a negative destruction. That’s why repetition is a double-edged knife, both positive and negative, and why Nietzsche’s ‘Eternal Return’ contains the unending and unbroken circle of experience, passing through pain to find salvation.
I’m disturbed by reading of huge increases in prescription pain killer use and a rise in heroine deaths in the US. What would Nietzsche and Deleuse say about that I wonder?
[Image: Bledne kolo (Vicious Circle) by Jacek Malczewski]
The last few years have seen the rise of digital art. Devices such as Ipads have been at the forefront of this and some artists already master the new medium.
Adobe could be taking this a bit further with their new projects Mighty stylus and Napoleon ruler. These two pieces of hardware are designed to work with Adobe’s touch and tablet apps. Project Mighty is a pressure sensitive stylus, and Project Napoleon is a small ruler that projects straight lines onto the tablet for more precise drawings.
Watch the video below to get a better understanding
The much hyped Leonardo Da Vinci exhibition opens at the National Gallery from today with a seven room exhibition. The display is ideal for those who adore the technicality of the line and the workings of an artist , with many drawings and paintings by Leonardo and his pupils on display.
Its build up has been felt for many months, ever since its advance booking opened in May 2011 – a long seven months before its actual opening day.
With its future opening date released then came the capped visitor numbers announcement, with the gallery saying it would restrict visitors due to an, ‘unprecedented demand’. Today (9 November) The Evening Standard has reported how the tickets have sold out until mid-December. The pressure for this display to deliver to its global audience is immense.
The exhibition brings together an impressive collection of international loans never before seen in the UK, from the Queen, America, Poland, France, Scotland and from Art Fund acquisitions.
One difference with this exhibition from others is it the first to be dedicated to Leonardo’s aims and techniques as a painter. Don’t expect reams of glorious huge paintings, though there are a few pretty ladies, curly haired men and angels.
The whole display focuses on Leonardo as an artist, his technical skills and his teaching skills, showing how his works were often finished or copied by his pupils, and in some cases edited. In particular it concentrates on the work he produced as court painter to Duke Lodovico Sforza, in Milan in the late 1480s and 1490s.
As well as finished pieces, each room is peppered with Leonardo’s preparatory and experimental sketches.
The final part of the exhibition, a few mintues walk away in the Sunley Room features a near-contemporary, full-scale copy of Leonardo’s famous ‘Last Supper’, on loan from the Royal Academy. Seen alongside all the surviving preparatory drawings made by Leonardo for the ‘Last Supper’ it makes for an interesting viewing, but seems rather ‘tagged’ on to the exhibition.
Pieces to stop by:
The Musician (1486-7) Room 1 – An unfinished portrait demonstrating Leonardo’s skill in positioning of the face creating a life like portrait with depth.
Portrait of Bianca Maria Sforza (1493) Room 2 – Get your fill of opulence with this lavish picture showing a traditional Milanese style dress, with Leonardo’s profile technique on full view.
The Lady with an Ermine (1498-90) Room 2 – This piece is centre stage of the room and shows off Leonardo’s portraiture and colour skills. The lady almost leaps out of the canvas due to her 3/4 turned pose and the black back background, giving her a 3D quality that soon become sort after by Leonardo’s pupils.
Studies of the Nervous System (1485-8) and Studies of the Human Skull (1489) Room 3 – This is one of many anatomical studies in this room, and they took my breath away. He’s used hints of shadow and light to depict tiny features of the human body. The skull looks perfect in minature form and these observations were no doubt the ground work for his future paintings, making figures seem as real as possible. It astounds me how these delicate sketches are over 500 years old.
The Virgin of the Rocks (1493) Louvre and Virgin of the Rocks (1491/2-9 and 1506-9) National Gallery Room 4 – These pieces are obviously the focal point for this room and essentially a key point for the exhibition. They are on show together for the first time and are intended to show Leonardo’s difference in style and views of painting and art. The earlier piece is very rich in colour and could easily fit into a church altar piece. The second is restrictive in its colour palette and the figures are more sculptural with a porcelain quality.
The Burlington Cartoon ( 1499-1500) Room 6 – This lively large piece in charcoal seems to move as you move around it. The unfinished aspect of the piece almost makes it work more, it stands out in this room. The figures are fluid and contemporary, it’s a break away and step up from Leonardo’s meticulous anatomical studies.
Room 7 in the Sunley room has a handy time line of Leonardo’s artistic career, with significant events and works. This would of been suited to have at the beginning of the exhibition, putting this display into context even more, especially for those less familiar with his pieces. The room feels tagged on, an afterthought. It’s interesting to see the workings that may have gone into this work, and then the copy of the Last Supper is astonishing to see in its grand scale.
Head along to this exhibition for a peek into Leonardo Da Vinci’s undoubted skill as a technical drawer and creater of astonishing life like works, which capture humanity and idealised beauty in all its forms. He perhaps saw himself as a creator and observer of humanity, what’s key from the exhibition is that he was always striving for improving his skills and thankfully we get to see these still today in this exhibition.
‘If the painter wishes to see beauties that enamour him, he is the master of their production, and if he wishes to see monsterous things.. he is their lord and god.’
The exhibition is open now: 09 Nov 2011 – 05 Feb 2012 Mon – Thu, Sat, Sun 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Fri 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM Closed Christmas Eve, Boxing Day, Christmas Day.
Cargo used to host these nights where graffiti artists were throwing their best pieces while you could calmly sipping your fine cocktails before exploding in a ‘whoaaaa’ that piece over there is nice. Great times. Continue reading Cargo bar : cocktails and street art→
Some people like art for its meaning or the messages that it conveys but others will appreciate the art for its beauty, its aesthetic. I will not dive into what is beauty or aesthetic in art but I would rather illustrate one form of beauty – tattoos, the art of tattoos. And what about tattoos on girls wearing glasses? I know.
Hoping these trigger emotions in relation to the sense of beauty you have got in mind.
When I got into Stolen Space, I was immediately caught by the sense of freshness in Arth Daniel’s execution of the medium of oil paint – the large canvases stood right there on the walls, the colors were anything but attractive, the illustrations, some of you do not see very often. Continue reading Arth Daniels at Stolen Space: jigsawed faces→
Without mentioning (but I will anyway) that the hype around Damien Hirst these days is far too much, member of the YBA (Young British Artists) is, was, want to be, should not be; the point here is that he can now get away with mediocre work but some people, a large number of them sometimes, they will confabulate about it for days.
Slagging off over.
Below is his latest work and is not for anyone, it is for the Red Hot Chili Peppers upcoming album entitled “I’m with you” and I am happy to say: “Damien, you nailed it, well done.
I do not know where you guys will be on Saturday but I will be at the ‘Feast In the Fields”
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Colours of Brazil & the sexy sounds of Bossa Nova.
The creators of Feast in the Fields bring to you the flavours & samba beats of our current favourite South American hotspot in the form of FIESTA IN THE FIELDS!
Fiesta In The Fields, which kicks off at 12pm on Saturday 28th June, promises to be a carnival for all the senses. Be transported to the Copacabana with live world cup matches screened throughout the day, street food, A Cachaça shack, a line-up of live music & dancing that will make even two left feet move to the rhythm of the beat!
Hosts The Brewhouse, at London Fields Brewery, will be serving up South American Dishes to make your mouth dance, whilst Hell’s Grill gets naughty on the BBQ & El Panzon provide Tacos & Burritos from Brazil’s footballing neighbour Mexico. Keep as cool as a Caipirinha with Craft Beer from London Fields Brewery, Brazilian-inspired cocktails, The Pimms Bar & The Rum Stop.
What: London Fields Brewery Presents – Fiesta In The Fields
When: Saturday 28thJune
Where: The Brewhouse at London Fields Brewery; Railway Arches 369-370, Helmsley Place, E8 3SB
Tickets: Entry £4
The much hyped Leonardo Da Vinci exhibition opens at the 
I do not know where you guys will be on Saturday but I will be at the ‘Feast In the Fields”