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Tuesday, March 14, 2023

2Pac - Me Against the World

Music Appreciation

Tupac Shakur's third studio album Me Against the World, was released on March 14, 1995, while the rapper was facing numerous legal troubles and embroiled in a feud with other rappers. The album is both considered introspective and socially conscious and showcases his remarkable storytelling ability. It dealt with issues such as poverty, violence, and racism.

His powerful lyrics in So Many Tears is an autobiography of the senseless violence experienced as a kid and his internal struggles in the "Thug Life."

"Now that I'm strugglin' in this business, by any means, Label me greedy gettin' green, but seldom seen, And fuck the world cause I'm cursed, I'm havin' visions, Of leavin'' here in a hearse, God can you feel me?"

The lead single, Dear Mama, was a tribute song to his mother, Afeni Shakur. 

"For a woman it ain't easy trying to raise a man, You always was committed, A poor single mother on welfare, tell me how ya did it, There's no way I can pay you back, But the plan is to show you that I understand, You are appreciated."

At the age of 17, Afeni kicked out Tupac and they had little contact for many years; although, the eventually, they reconciled.

In the world of hip hop, Tupac is considered one of the most influential artists of all time. The album's innovative production and fearless lyricism helped redefine the hip hop genre. 


Source:

Wikipedia

Monday, March 13, 2023

Album Cover: Elvis Presley - Elvis Presley (1956)

Album Cover

Album: Elvis Presley - Elvis Presley (1956)
Released: March 13, 1956
Photographer: William V. "Red" Robertson of Robertson & Fresch
Model: Elvis Presley
Taken: July 31, 1955 at the Fort Homer Hesterly Armory in Tampa, Florida

Source: Wikipedia

Sunday, March 12, 2023

Album Cover: The Velvet Underground - The Velvet Underground & Nico

Album Cover

Album: The Velvet Underground - The Velvet Underground & Nico

Released: March 12, 1967

Cover Art Design: Andy Warhol


Source:

Wikipedia

Saturday, March 11, 2023

David LaChapelle

Photography Appreciation

Back in 2016, I posted a short blog on American photographer and filmmaker David LaChapelle, which you can read HERE. This entry will expand a little more into the artist.

Born on March 11, 1963, LaChapelle is best known for his distinctive style that combines elements of Pop Art, fashion photography, and surrealism that often references art history and sometimes conveys political and social messages.  

LaChapelle was raised in Hartford, Connecticut until he moved with his family to Raleigh, North Carolina at he age of nine. At a very young age, he had an interest in photography. His first photo is of his mother, Helga, while on a family vacation to Puerto Rico. He credits Helga for influencing his art direction. 

In his teens, he was bullied in school because of his sexuality. At the age of 15, while he and his family were back in Connecticut, he ran away from home. He became a busboy at Studio 54 in New York City.

He would return to North Carolina and enroll in the North Carolina School of the Arts, and graduate from the high school visual arts program in 1981. 

LaChapelle's photography career began shortly after high school when he moved to New York City and enrolled in both the Art Students League and The School of Visual Arts. He began showing his artwork in various galleries, which caught Andy Warhol's attention. Warhol offered him his first professional photography job for Interview Magazine. LaChapelle's images subsequently appeared on the covers of magazines such as GQ, The New York Times Magazine, Rolling Stone, Vanity Fair, and Vogue Paris.

LaChapelle has cited a number of artists who have influenced his photography, such as Salvador Dalí, Jeff Koons, Michelangelo, Cindy Sherman, Helmut Newton, and Andy Warhol.

Throughout his career, he has produced work for ad campaigns such as Diesel, Prada, and Louis Vuitton. He has directed music videos for Rihanna, Britney Spears, and many others. 

 

Pamela Anderson (1998)


Archangel Michael (Jackson) (1990)




Britney Spears with Hot Dog (2000)



Eminem: About to Blow (1999)

Sources: 

Wikipedia

https://www.davidlachapelle.com

https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2017/nov/21/david-lachapelle-photographer-hawaii-warhol

https://www.forbes.com/sites/yjeanmundelsalle/2014/09/19/david-lachapelle-from-fashion-photography-to-fine-art/?sh=77599be32023

https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/the-photographers-mothers/8/

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Friday, March 10, 2023

Jens Brüggemann

Photography Appreciation

Jens Brüggemann is a German photographer known for his striking and thought-provoking imagery. He is known for his "Faces" series, which captures individuals of all walks of life.

Born in Northeim on March 10, 1968, Brüggemann has been working in professional photography in landscapes, street photography, fashion and abstract imagery. Despite the diversity, a consistent thread in composition noted is the deep understanding of the human experience.

After receiving a Diploma in Economics from the Ruhr University in Bochum, Brüggemann became a freelance advertising photographer. His work has been widely exhibited and published, and he has won numerous awards. He has also published several books of his works.  





Sources:

Wikipedia

http://www.jensbrueggemann.de/

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Thursday, March 9, 2023

Granville Redmond

Art Appreciation

American landscape painter Granville Redmond is best known for his impressionist-inspired landscapes of California. 

Born on March 9, 1871 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Redmond contracted scarlet fever, which caused him to be deaf. As a result, his family decided to move to San Jose, California so that he could get an education at the California School for the Deaf. 

Redmond's artistic career began at a very young age. After graduating from CSD, he enrolled in the California School of Design in San Francisco. 

He associated with other artists such as Gottardo Piazzoni, who became lifelong friends, Giuseppe Cadenasso, and Charlie Chaplin. 

After completing his studies, Redmond settled in California where he was deeply influenced by the natural beauty of the state. His paintings are known for their vibrant color palette and impressionist-inspired brushwork. He was particularly skilled at capturing the light and atmosphere of a scene, and his paintings are often bathed in a warm, golden light.

Malibu Coast, Spring (c 1929)


Catalina Island Coast under a Moonlit Sky (1920)


Talk at the Beach (1931)


Sources:

Wikipedia
https://eclecticlight.co/2021/01/08/the-californian-coast-of-granville-redmond/
https://www.artinsociety.com/the-extraordinary-career-of-granville-redmond-deaf-artist-and-silent-movie-actor1.html

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Wednesday, March 8, 2023

Lothar Schmid

Photography Appreciation 

Swiss photographer Lothar Schmid is an accomplished international fashion photographer who is known his stunning images of models and celebrities.

After studying at Zurich University of Arts, he received his first assignment at French Elle, which set off his international career. He arrived in New York City in early 80s, where he was mentored by Alexander Liberman, Condé Nast editorial director. 

His clients would later include Elle, British Vogue, Marie Claire, The New York Times, Yves Saint Laurent, Dior, and many others. 


Laetitia Casta for French ELLE

Petrine Houlberg for Marie Claire

Diane Kruger 

Eva Green


Sources:

http://www.lotharschmid.com

https://mymodernmet.com/passionate-beauty-lothar/

https://mymodernmet.com/classic-beauty-diane-kruger-by/

https://www.bellazon.com/main/topic/68217-lothar-schmid/