Why We Need Smokers, Drinkers and "Fuckers"

I came across an interesting essay by American novelist Bob Shacochis, published in the August 1994 edition of PLAYBOY, that argued for the need of drinkers, smokers, and adulterers, "If Charles Darwin was correct, smokers, drinkers and libertines are doing the species a favor, accelerating the biological quest for perfection." 

Perhaps satirical, Shacochis implied how easy it was to live on the edge "drinking, smoking, and screwing" before the "priggish, middle-aged nation of naggers and health harpies" of the 80s and 90s. 

Reflecting on this, I would agree with Shacochis that, although drinking and smoking was not unusual and far from vice, sex became serious, and rightly so. AIDS was a new thing and people feared having sex -- protected or unprotected. And if they did have sex, they wouldn't talk about it as openly as perhaps today.

He acknowledged the futility of defending smokers, drinkers, and "fuckers." But added, "... who wants to live in a world without them, without their libidinous hunger, without their exalted obsessions? They take the joy and sometimes the pain of living to the very edge and shot back instructions, dire caveats, titillating weather reports."

 

PLAYBOY, August 1994, Volume 41, Number 8

Fernando Botero

Art Appreciation 

A while back -- like over 10 years ago -- I blogged about world-renowned Colombian artist Fernando Botero, which you can read HERE. At that time, I was getting my feet wet in writing about artists and their work, and I feel I did an injustice of not giving more information about the artist. So, here we go. 

Fernando Botero was born in Medellín, Colombia on April 19, 1932. He is widely recognized for his signature style of creating larger-than-life figures with exaggerated proportions. 

Growing up, Botero was highly influenced by the Baroque style of the colonial churches and the city life of Medellín. At the age of 16, he had his first illustrations published in one of Medellín's important newspapers. The money earned from his illustrations helped pay for his primary education in Antioquia. 

In 1952, Botero moved to Bogotá. A few months later, he held his first exhibition at the Leo Matiz gallery. Around that time, he studied at the Academia de Bellas Artes in Madrid and was influenced by the works of artists such as Francisco Goya and Diego Velázquez, whose paintings showcased an intricate understanding of the human form. 

Botero developed his recognizable style, which he called "Boterismo," which exaggerates the proportions of his subjects to create a unique and highly recognizable visual language. These inflated subjects are recognized throughout the world. His gigantic sculptures can be found worldwide from Champs-Élysées in Paris, New York, London, and Madrid. 

Card Players, 1991

Broadgate Venus, 1989, London

The Hand, 1994, Madrid

Woman in the Kitchen, 1981

Sources:

Wikipedia

https://www.widewalls.ch/magazine/fernando-botero-paintings/card-players-1991

https://web.archive.org/web/20091027103119/http://www.dinero.com/wf_InfoArticulo.aspx?idArt=15098

"The World's Worst Lover"

Fortunately, I have never been told I was the worst lover. 

The worst thing said was by an old girlfriend who commented how bad sex was but acknowledged it was our first time. Which was a true response. Our sex life was amazing; unfortunately, she was mentally unstable. Brings to mind when Trump once speculated about Lindsay Lohan, "deeply troubled" women are "great in bed." There's an ounce of truth in that, I think.

Alden Erikson, PLAYBOY (November 1995)

Body Art: Roustan - Chinese Dragon Body Painting

Artist: Paul Roustan

Model: Wen Li

via Roustan 

Pole Dance: Rachael in the Sky - Atlantic Pole Championships

 

via Rachaelinthesky

Cosplay is an Art: KATSUCON 2023

via mineralblu

Gottardo Piazzoni

Art Appreciation 

Swiss-born American landscape painter, Gottardo Fidele Piazzoni was best known for his California landscape paintings, many of which featured the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay area. 

Born on April 14, 1872 in Intragna, Ticino, Switzerland, Piazzoni immigrated to the United States in 1894 at the age of 15. After training with Tonalist painter Arthur Frank Mathews at the Mark Hopkins Institute of Art, Piazzoni trained at the Académie Julian in Paris. 

After three years, he returned to California and begun his career as an art teacher. He shared a studio with fellow painter Xavier Martínez and was good friends with Impressionist Granville Redmond. 

Piazzoni's paintings are characterized by their attention to detail and accurate representation of the natural landscape. He was known for his ability to capture the mood and atmosphere of the California landscape, particularly the foggy, misty conditions of the Bay Area. His use of light and color was also notable, as he often used a limited palette of blues and grays to convey the moody atmosphere of the coast.

Piazzoni's work was popular during his lifetime and continues to be highly sought after by collectors today. His best-known public works is said to be the 14 murals that was originally displayed at the San Francisco Public Library headquarters -- 10 of the murals are now displayed at the M.H. de Young Memorial Museum. 

His paintings can be found in many museums and private collections, including the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, and the Crocker Art Museum.

The Sea (1931)

The Land (1932)

Sources:

Wikipedia

https://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/THE-NEW-DE-YOUNG-Controversy-over-Piazzoni-2659444.php

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