Willem de Kooning

Art Appreciation

As a 22 year old, Willem de Kooning emigrated to the United States as a stowaway on a coal ship. De Kooning is best known for his paintings of women. Like other abstract expressionists, De Kooning uses color and the application brushstrokes to express feelings.

He was awarded the National Medal of Arts in 1986 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1964.

Woman I (1952) via madmarwalker

Excavation (1950) via modernart2011



Interchange (1955) via poulwebb

Pink Lady (1944) via thebootedexquisite

Sources: http://madmarwalker.blogspot.com/2009/11/de-kooning-i-perception-or-projection.html#!/2009/11/de-kooning-i-perception-or-projection.html; http://www.willem-de-kooning.com/; Wikipedia

Erasure - Chains of Love

Music Appreciation

As I've indicated in previous posts HERE and HERE, I am a big fan of Erasure. I remember purchasing Pop! 20 Hits in 1993 as a senior in high school. It was around the same time I was dating two girls at the same time. Both girls liked Erasure, so I made it a point to always have that cassette tape playing.

Released in May 1988, Chains of Love is considered Erasure's mainstream breakthrough. The song is perhaps more recognized for its lyrics that seeks acceptance of homosexuality.   

Watching the music video, one might wonder whether Vince Clarke and Andy Bell were part of the Cirque du Soleil. What's funny is watching Bell in a rumba costume hoisted by metal chains.




Sources: Wikipedia

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

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