David Ligare - Still Life with Burgers, Fries and Apple

David Ligare - Still Life with burgers, fries and apple

Click image for more calories.

I just love this painting. It’s such a perfect homage to many old masters and their "boring" still life’s - and it’s such a perfect commentary about our modern times.

Maestro Ligare has painted several images in the same setup, but I like this one best.

More? www.davidligare.com and Wikipedia entry

orangeguru (05-24 15:14) | No Comments | Permalink
1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (1 votes, average: 4 out of 5)
Stumble it!
Andy Warhol - Naomi and Rufus kiss

I am not sure from which Kiss project this clip is. If it’s from “Naomi and Rufs kiss” than these are just a eight minutes from the full feature which is 54 minutes of kissing. Otherwise it’s just one clip from a series of Kiss short movies.

Here is some background taken from this great Warhol site:

ca. AUGUST 1963: ANDY WARHOL SHOOTS KISS.

Some Warhol scholars date the Kiss films from November/December 1963. However, Warhol probably started shooting them much earlier - around August 1963 and continued to shoot them through the end of 1964, if not beyond. (SG144/CA) According to Warhol in Popism, they were still doing KISS movies in the summer of 1964 when Gerard Malanga and Mark Lancaster did one - in August 1964. (POP71/M)

According to Bob Colacello, the idea for KISS - close-ups of couples kissing each other for three minutes each - came from the old Hayes Office regulation forbidding actors in movies from touching lips for more than three seconds. (BC29)

Warhol also produced a silkscreen called The Kiss, based on a film still from the Hollywood horror classic Dracula (1931) of Bela Lugosi biting the neck of his co-star, Helen Chandler.The silkscreen was done on November 22, 1963. (GMW81)

Amy Taubin, who would later become the film critic for the Village Voice, first saw some of the KISS films in 1963 at the Grammercy Arts Theater on West 27th Street. At this time the KISS series of films was called The Andy Warhol Serial “because it was shown in weekly four minute installments.” (WI24)

*Send in by OliviaB - thanks darling*

 

orangeguru (04-07 23:02) | No Comments | Permalink
1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (1 votes, average: 3 out of 5)
Stumble it!
Vincent van Gogh - Red Vineyards 1888

art_vincent van gogh - red vineyards 1888

1. Click player below to start the music.

2. Click the image above to dive into the art.

3. Study for six minutes (sorry, a bit longer than usual) this great piece of art.

One of the many things I admire about van Gogh is that he had such a passion for people - normal working class people. Before he became a painter he wanted to save souls and lived with the poorest of the poor.

That is why he is one of the first (modern) artists to paint everyday scenes and poverty. But not in a dreadful way - but in the way he saw life: there is almost always beauty of nature around us - no matter if you are rich or poor.

orangeguru (03-19 1:20) | No Comments | Permalink
1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (1 votes, average: 4 out of 5)
Stumble it!
Henri Matisse - Self-Portrait in a Striped T-Shirt 1906

art_henri_matisse_self-portrait

photo_Portrait_of_Henri_Matisse

I always like to compare an artists self-portrait with the real thing - too bad we can’t do that with many old masters. But in the case of Matisse we can … great beard Henri!

orangeguru (01-15 9:09) | 3 Comments | Permalink
1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (2 votes, average: 3.5 out of 5)
Stumble it!
Paul Gauguin - Self-portrait with Portrait of Bernard (Les Misérables) 1888

art_Paul_Gauguin-self-portrait-miserables

Click image for a larger Paul.

A strange moment. It’s hard to say if he is happy or sad, in balance or in misery.

orangeguru (12-27 10:46) | No Comments | Permalink
1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (No Ratings Yet)
Stumble it!
Marc Chagall - Rain 1911

art_Marc_Chagall_1911_Rain

Click image for a bit larger version.

In Maestro Chagall’s little village there is always a story to tell about what happened recently … especially about floating goats and herders in the sky … or that funny neighbor who was almost blown away by the last rain storm …

orangeguru (12-20 2:41) | No Comments | Permalink
1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (No Ratings Yet)
Stumble it!
Tamara de Lempicka - Beautiful Rafaela

art_Tamara de Lempicka - Beautiful Rafaela

Click image for a bigger sensual moment.

Madame Lempicka has not only a unique style - but it is also very sensual. Not many artists know how to show natural nudeness and erotic moments without getting too slippery. Her work never crosses the line. Instead she portrays woman as strong, sensual and the beauty of the female shape in a very neutral naturalistic way.

orangeguru (12-05 18:41) | No Comments | Permalink
1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (5 votes, average: 4.4 out of 5)
Stumble it!
Salvador Dali - The great Artist as the subject himself

photo_dali_halsman_1

photo_dali_halsman_2

photo_dali_halsman_3

I love this look behind the scenes.  

orangeguru (12-03 11:55) | No Comments | Permalink
1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (3 votes, average: 5 out of 5)
Stumble it!
Brassai - Prostitute

photo_brassai_prostitute

Another classic moment snapped by Maestro Brassai. Prostitution, Sex and naked Ladies have always inspired and attracted many artists. I think the idea of the Muses reflects that as well. Sex is creation, creativity is creation. Both can be highly uplifting acts with long lasting consequences. So every artist is also a parent - of ideas, concepts and eternal beauty …

orangeguru (11-29 7:50) | No Comments | Permalink
1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (2 votes, average: 5 out of 5)
Stumble it!
Paul Gauguin - Les Alyscamps - Arles

art_Paul Gauguin - Les Alyscamps - Arles

I would love the world to be always that colorful!

orangeguru (11-29 7:48) | 1 Comment | Permalink
1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (2 votes, average: 4.5 out of 5)
Stumble it!
Franz Marc - Tiger

Franz_Marc_Tiger

Perfect! Maestro Marc’s animal paintings are a dream. I love the strong colors and graphic style. But he still keeps the ‘nature’ of his subjects intact. Not many modern painters succeed in that.

orangeguru (11-29 7:44) | No Comments | Permalink
1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (2 votes, average: 4 out of 5)
Stumble it!
Henri Matisse - Music

art_Henri Matisse - Music

Click image for more vibrant colors.

Ah, I love these contrasts. Matisse was never afraid to REALLY use color. That’s what I love about him!

orangeguru (11-25 23:50) | No Comments | Permalink
1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (1 votes, average: 5 out of 5)
Stumble it!
Pablo Picasso - Avignon

art_Pablo_Picasso_Avignon

Click image for more geometry.

In many Picasso paintings I often wonder if he wanted to insult or make fun of his models? The three ladies on the left are portrait almost realistically and in classic poses. While the two on the right look rather ghastly.

What do you think?

orangeguru (11-20 22:39) | 3 Comments | Permalink
1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (1 votes, average: 5 out of 5)
Stumble it!
Norman Rockwell - Connoisseur

art_Norman_Rockwell_Connoisseur

Click image for a larger Connoisseur.

Watching the watcher. I can’t help myself thinking that Maestro Rockwell is taking the piss out of modern art lovers and painters as well?!

Right?

orangeguru (11-20 2:42) | No Comments | Permalink
1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (1 votes, average: 5 out of 5)
Stumble it!
Marc Chagall - I and the Village

art_Marc_Chagall_The_I_and_the_Village

Click image for a larger village.

This must be a weird village - all the people and animals constantly dress up or take drugs. Those colors are just stunning!

orangeguru (11-20 0:51) | No Comments | Permalink
1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (1 votes, average: 5 out of 5)
Stumble it!
Lalaland - and amazing Animation by Eb Hu

modern_

A fascinating animation and tribute to a beloved person. Watch. Feel. Weep.

More? Lalaland 

Thanks to Edosan for another great gem of art.

orangeguru (11-13 21:43) | 3 Comments | Permalink
1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (No Ratings Yet)
Stumble it!
The amazing Art of Herb Ritts

art_herb_ritts_beauty_queens

If there is one photographer that has shaped the 80’s visual landscape it’s Herb Ritts (together with Robert Mapplethorpe and . His strong black and white portraits and composition lead to a new cool and extremely pleasing aesthetic style.

When I flip thru some of his books or online galleries it’s amazing how many pictures you will recognize, either from magazine covers, pop albums or videos: Herb Ritts at Stanly Wise or a small biography.

art_herb_ritts_Madonna_True_Blue

Too bad he already died in 2002. Another sad loss.

Images: by the groundbreaking Herb Ritts

orangeguru (11-13 21:25) | No Comments | Permalink
1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (No Ratings Yet)
Stumble it!
Exactitudes - an amazing project by Ari Versluis and Ellie Uyttenbroek

art_photo_Exactitudes_home 

art_photo_Exactitudes_woman

We are all individuals, but we still belong to uniformed groups.

This is an exciting and insightful study of our western lifestyles and the desire of humans to be individuals while STILL belonging to a group. Bring some time to click yourself through this amazing tapestry of modern moments, groups, looks and styles.

Brilliant!

More? www.exactitudes.com

orangeguru (11-13 21:12) | No Comments | Permalink
1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (No Ratings Yet)
Stumble it!
Odd Nerdrum - Man with Womans Head

art_odd Nerdrum_man_with_womans

Maestro Nerdrum’s art always gives me goose bumps. His work has a magical and eerie quality rarely seen in modern paintings. Most of his modern and dark minded colleagues use too much blood or childish symbolism to create their moods. Nerdrum work so very different. His use of color is enough to create dense moment - add his intense motives and you get a deep piece of art.

More? Official Website (bring some time) and Wikipedia entry

orangeguru (11-10 18:45) | 4 Comments | Permalink
1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (1 votes, average: 5 out of 5)
Stumble it!
György Ligeti - Lux Aeterna

music_Gyeorgy_Ligeti_Portrait

One of the great modern Masters of classical music. His music was unique, ethereal and maybe eternal. After Stanley Kubrick used some of his work in 2001 - A Space Odyssey he became famous.

If you are looking for music that sends you tripping or on a meditation about the universe than get some of Ligeti’s tracks. It is hardly easy listening, it requires some dedication from the listener - but it’s worth the extra effort-

Click the player below and listen to some of his mystic music.

More? Wikipedia entry

orangeguru (11-08 19:54) | No Comments | Permalink
1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (No Ratings Yet)
Stumble it!
The amazing Udder fixation Art of Ron English

art_ron_English_SmallCowgirlBikiniPink

art_Ron_English_Cowgirl_McDonalds

I love Ron English - nah, not just for his Cowgirls. He has pulled of some great stunts and created MANY impressive pieces of art. Take some time to visit his great site and discover the many sides of this great Master of wild ideas.

Especially his wacky Billboards are brilliant! Make sure to click through all sections to find some of the better ones deeper into his site.

Overall I am udderly thrilled about this stuff!

More? Official Site or a quick glance at some of his work (with many Udders)

Thanks to Edosan and Lisa for sending these in.

orangeguru (11-08 19:45) | 1 Comment | Permalink
1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (1 votes, average: 5 out of 5)
Stumble it!
Wassily Kandinsky - The Great Gate of Kiev

Wassily Kandinsky -  The Great Gate of Kiev

Click image for even bigger gates.

I am a huge fan of Kandinsky: his shapes, compositions and most of all color excite me every time. Good thing he lived here in Munich and I can visit some of his great work in local museums.

orangeguru (11-03 20:19) | 1 Comment | Permalink
1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (No Ratings Yet)
Stumble it!
Entartete Kunst

historica_entartete_kunst

After the Nazis took power they not only burned books, but also introduced the concept of ‘entartete Kunst’ (degenerate Art - great website covering this topic). This kind of art was of course ungerman, unpatriotic, sick and almost an act of treason.

So I always shake my head in disbelief, when I hear American pundits screaming about unpatriotic and unamerican art. But the same applies to other cultures as well. Anyone remember the fatwa against Salman Rushdie?

Art and self expression still have great power - that is why clerics and politicians still fear them and suppress artists (and ideas), which can endanger their ‘pure’ path of domination.

Diversity of opinions, races and ideas is still facing an uphill battle - but it’s unstoppable and that is why the control freaks are so desperate.

orangeguru (11-03 19:45) | No Comments | Permalink
1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (No Ratings Yet)
Stumble it!
The amazing Art of Jimmy Maidens

blogosphere_boring_3d_1

blogosphere_boring_3d_2

blogosphere_boring_3d_3

Boring 3D has LOADS of charming, funny and very cool 3D moments. Just have a look at this archive and you get my point. It’s just brilliant! I like the mind behind it - Jimmy Maidens - who has a wicked humor and great sense for drama and composition.

Looking forward to more of this. Enjoy!

orangeguru (11-01 19:47) | 1 Comment | Permalink
1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (No Ratings Yet)
Stumble it!
The amazing Art of Neil Shakespeare

modern_Neil_Shakespeare_The_complete_History

What a wonderful site! If you like collages and great art this is the place to visit: nshakespeare.blogspot.com. He has a wicked sense of humor as well as a keen eye for great art. His artwork connects with our daily madness in every aspect. He shows scenes from politics, media, sports, spirituality and sexuality.

modern_Neil_Shakespeare_Astronauts

I especially love this series of collages with two guys playing cards and drinking wine - not matter what happens around them. This is fabulous!

Enjoy!

orangeguru (10-30 17:38) | 1 Comment | Permalink
1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (1 votes, average: 4 out of 5)
Stumble it!
Yannick Puig - I lived on the Moon

modern_ILOTMfond

I lived on the Moon is amazing piece of art. Beautifully animated with charming characters and a great song to surf along with the great imagination of Yannick Puig.

Can we give him an Oscar for this one?

orangeguru (10-22 2:41) | No Comments | Permalink
1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (1 votes, average: 5 out of 5)
Stumble it!
Jeff Koons

art_Jeff-Koons-Self-Portrait

If there is a King of Pop (aka Michael Jackson) then Jeff Koons is the King of Kitsch. The official label for people like Mr Koons is conceptional artists which I find pretty strange. So far I haven’t figured out if he is just trying to provoke people with his kitsch art or he is playing the (art) system against itself or if he truly is a kitsch person.