Sandro Botticelli

UPDATED - 6/6/2022

Art Appreciation

Sandro Botticelli was an early Renaissance painter from Florence, Italy. He is best known for his masterpiece, Birth of Venus, which many believe depicts a love interest considered during her time to be the most beautiful woman in Italy, Simonetta Vespucci. Interestingly, the same model appears in Botticelli's representation of spring called Primavera.

Primavera is further explored by art historian Amanda Matta in her Art of History podcast, which you can hear HERE. 

In 1480, he was commissioned alongwith other Florentine painters to paint frescos in the Sistine Chapel in Rome. One of his frescos was The Temptation of Christ.

You can see more of his paintings HERE.

The Birth of Venus (1486) via Pavellas

Primavera (1482) via fallingoutofmyemptynest

The Temptation of Christ (1480-1482) via public-domain-photos.org

Sources: http://www.sandrobotticelli.net/; http://pavellas.com/tag/piero-the-unfortunate/; http://www.public-domain-photos.org/sandro-botticelli-the-temptations-of-christ.html

Fernando Botero

Art Appreciation

The Colombian-born abstract artist, Fernando Botero, is known for his trademark figurative style--inflated humans and animals. He has gained international recognition for his paintings, drawings, and sculptures.

Although many of his art can be fun and lighthearted, there are some that are controversial, such as the series titled Abu Ghraib. The series, which was first exhibited in Europe, depicted the abuse of prisoners at Abu Ghraib by American forces.

You can see more of his art HERE.

Mona Lisa (1959) via museedart.tumblr.com

Presidential Family (1967) via pic2fly

The Left Hand (1992) via friko-fridgesoup.blogspot.com

Abu Ghraib 52 (2005) via dreamdogsart.typepad.com

The Bath (1989) via artezandt.blogspot.com

Sources:
http://www.fernando-botero.com/; http://www.artnet.com/artists/fernando-botero/; http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/75073/Fernando-Botero; http://www.fernandobotero.com; http://youtu.be/VoleMx-sxqQ



Boterismo

The Awakening by Emma Barton

Photography Appreciation

This photo was taken by English-born portrait photographer, Emma Barton. It received recognition from the Royal Photographic Society in 1903.

You can see more of her work HERE.

The Awakening (1903) via National Media Museum

Source: 
http://www.nationalmediamuseum.org.uk/Collection/Photography/RoyalPhotographicSociety/CollectionItem.aspx?id=2003-5001/2/20914

Watching the shuttle riding over the Texas Capitol

Endeavour riding piggyback on a jumbo jet

This photo was taken on August 17, 2012 using an HTC PH44100.

Depeche Mode - Enjoy The Silence

Music Appreciation

Depeche Mode has had a major influence in electronic music since the early 1980s.

Formed in 1980 in Basildon, east of London, the original members included Dave Gahan, Martin Gore, Andy Fletcher, and Vince Clarke. Vince Clarke was replaced with Alan Wilder, who then left the band in 1995.

The band has had many top albums and awards since their inception. Perhaps the album that introduced Depeche Mode to international fame was their seventh album, Violator, which was released on March 19, 1990 with hit songs that included Policy of Truth, World in My Eyes, Personal Jesus, and Enjoy the Silence.

Violator has been considered by magazines such as Rolling Stones, Q, and Spin as one of the best albums of all time. Being someone who appreciates all types of music, I would say this is one that should be in everyone's music collection.

Source: Wikipedia

Augmented reality

At what point does technology go too far? Isreali filmmaker Eren May-raz and Daniel Lazo's short film Sight raises that question.

The eight-minute film takes place in the near future, where contact lens-like implants projects data in the field of vision. The film features an engineer using a sophisticated form of virtual retinal display with an application that allows him to gain full access to private information, which he uses on a blind date.

Source: http://convictushome.blogspot.com/2012/07/sight.html;

http://www.forbes.com/sites/anthonykosner/2012/07/29/sight-an-8-minute-augmented-reality-journey-that-makes-google-glass-look-tame/

Valery Kosorukov

Art Appreciation

An impressionist, Valery Kosorukov is known as "the Russian Degas" focusing his work on ballerinas.

The renowned Russian artist has received worldwide recognition and his work has been featured in various exhibits in Russia, Egypt, Bulgaria and the United States, to name a few.

You can see more of his work HERE.




"Rest" (Green Room in the Bolshoi) via artodyssey1



La Mimesse de Montmartre via almazmuseum

In the Dressing Room via bertc

Sources: http://www.kosorukov.com/; http://artofrussiagallery.com/artists/valery-kosorukov/

Mark Seliger's Photography

Native Texan photographer Mark Seliger is recognized for his celebrity portaits which include Willie Nelson, Kurt Cobain, Christopher Walken, Britney Spears, and Johnny Cash. 


Naomi Watts

Mark Seliger was Rolling Stones magazine's chief photographer for 20 years before joining Conde Nast Publications. 

Kurt Cobain and Nirvana

Britney Spears

Emma Watson

Jeff Bridges

You can read and view more of Mark Seliger's photography on his website, http://www.markseliger.com/.

"An American soldier with a joey"

Photography Appreciation

I came across this photo of an American soldier with his pet kangaroo while surfing the Flickr's commons. The photo was taken at an Australian military base by John Earl McNeil in 1942.

via Australian War Memorial

Source: http://cas.awm.gov.au/item/013225




 

Shakira - Dónde Estás Corazón

Music Appreciation

Growing up along the U.S. Mexico border in the 90s had its benefits. The radio dial was practically filled providing all types of music. While one radio station played Alanis Morissette or the Goo Goo Dolls, another played Maná or Shakira.

¿Dónde Estás Corazón? was originally released in a compilation CD but re-released by Sony in her breakthrough album Pies Descalzos, which was released in 1995.





Source: Wikipedia

Fiona Apple - Shadowboxer

Music Appreciation

The 19 year old from New York City released her debut album, Tidal, which contained several big singles including Criminal, Sleep to Dream, and Shadowboxer, on July 23, 1996.

Here's a story I've never told. I use to receive a music catalog where I would order CDs for one penny. The catch was that you had to order so many more CDs in future purchases for full price. 

I remember ordering her CD, not because I had heard her songs, but because of the CD cover. Her gorgeous blue eyes captured my attention. I would listen to her album from Sleep to Dream to Carrion staring at her blue eyes.




More: Fiona Apple - Criminal

Source: Wikipedia

Dennis Wojtkiewicz

Art Appreciation

Chicago born artist Dennis Wojkiewicz is known for his oil painting of fruits and flowers.

Yes, these are not photographs but paintings. His photorealistic paintings presents the subject in detail through the use of translucence.

via pinterest.com

via butdoesitfloat.com

via whatsalouawants.blogspot.com

Sources: http://www.evanluriegallery.com/artist.aspx?id=51; http://www.cuded.com/2012/01/fruit-and-flowers-paintings-by-dennis-wojtkiewicz/; http://trendland.com/dennis-wojtkiewiczs-fruit-paintings/#; http://www.glassgaragegallery.com/lib/frameset1.php?artist_code=DWZ&id=14