ART AFICIONADO

Sunday, October 8, 2023

Dance: Miley Cyrus - Angels Like You

Choreography: Choni Young

via PERFORMING ARTS STUDIO PH

Saturday, October 7, 2023

Cosplay is an Art: Dragoncon 2023

via Justin Cosplay

Friday, October 6, 2023

Fashion is DEFINITELY Art: Elie Saab Haute Couture Autumn Winter 2023-24

Designer: Elie Saab

via ELIE SAAB

Wednesday, October 4, 2023

Rachael Leigh Cook

Acting Appreciation

During my college years, I vividly recall stumbling upon a television public service announcement featuring a relatively unknown actress named Rachael Leigh Cook. This PSA tackled the profound impact of drug abuse on individuals and their surroundings, and Cook delivered a powerful message by symbolically smashing an egg with a frying pan.

Born on October 4, 1979, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Rachael Leigh Cook embarked on her journey in the entertainment industry at an incredibly young age. Her initial foray into the spotlight occurred at the age of seven when she appeared in a foster care PSA. By the time she reached ten, she had already entered the world of modeling, even gracing the packaging of Milk-Bone dog biscuits.

At fourteen, Cook began auditioning for acting roles and made her screen debut in 1995 with a role in "The Baby-Sitters Club." That same year, she ventured into the world of adventure in the film "Tom and Huck."

However, it was in 1995 that Cook achieved her breakthrough moment. She starred in the iconic "This Is Your Brain on Drugs" public service announcement, a pivotal moment that marked the inception of her acting career.

In 1996, her modeling agency sent her to take the lead in the short film "26 Summer Street." Shortly thereafter, she portrayed a 15-year-old rape victim in the film "Country Justice."

Rachael Leigh Cook's acting career soared in the late 1990s, with her standout role as Laney Boggs in the 1999 film "She's All That." This teen classic catapulted her to overnight stardom. The following year, she starred alongside Elijah Wood in "The Bumblebee Flies Away." In 2001, she assumed the lead role in "Josie and the Pussycats," a film based on the Saturday-morning cartoon of the same name.

Beyond the silver screen, Cook has graced television screens with her talent. Her recurring role on the series "Psych" from 2008 to 2014, as well as her starring role in the short-lived series "Perception" in 2012, showcased her versatility.

In recent years, Cook has continued to make her mark in the entertainment world, appearing in shows like "A Million Little Things" and "Love, Guaranteed." She even made a memorable appearance in the semi-remake of "She's All That," titled "He's All That," where she portrayed the mom.

Rachael Leigh Cook's journey from a young performer in PSAs to a celebrated actress in film and television is a testament to her enduring talent and versatility. Her contributions to both the big and small screens have solidified her status as a respected figure in the entertainment industry.

FHM 2000

Bikini Magazine 2001

via Robot433i

Sources:

Wikipedia

https://www.flavourmag.co.uk/rachael-leigh-cook-where-have-you-seen-her-before/

https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/rachael-leigh-cook-interview-shes-all-that-b1908406.html

https://www.fanpop.com/clubs/rachael-leigh-cook/images/38625918/title/rachael-leigh-cook-bikini-magazine-photoshoot-2001-photo

https://www.tvinsider.com/people/rachael-leigh-cook/

Tuesday, October 3, 2023

Pierre Bonnard

Art Appreciation

Pierre Bonnard, a notable figure in the art world, is celebrated for his significant contributions to the evolution of modern painting, particularly for his distinctive approach to color and light.

Born on October 3, 1867, in Fontenay-aux-Roses, France, Bonnard displayed early artistic talent in drawing and watercolors. Despite his inclination towards art, he pursued a law license to satisfy his father. However, he didn't pass the examination to become an officially registered lawyer.

His true passion was art. While studying law, he attended art classes at the Académie Julian in Paris, forging enduring friendships with fellow artists like Paul Sérusier, Maurice Denis, Gabriel Ibels, and Paul Ranson. Together, they formed Les Nabis, a group of avant-garde painters inspired by Post-Impressionism and Symbolism.

Afterwards, Bonnard enrolled in the influential École des Beaux-Arts and achieved his first commercial art sale to France-Champagne. In 1891, he met the French painter Toulouse-Lautrec, exhibited his work at the annual Société des Artistes Indépendants exhibition, and showcased alongside fellow Les Nabis artists at Le Barc de Boutteville.

A significant muse for Bonnard's art was Marthe de Méligny, whom he married in 1925. His renowned works often featured Marthe in various stages of undress or bathing, revealing a sensual and voyeuristic quality while exploring the interplay of color and light. The inclusion of mirrors and reflections added depth to the compositions, underscoring the fleeting nature of beauty and the passage of time.

Bonnard's artistic style was greatly influenced by a major exposition of works by Utamaro and Hiroshige, Japanese ukiyo-e woodblock print artists, at the Durand-Ruel Gallery. This experience shaped his evolving style, transitioning from bold, flat colors and simplified forms to a focus on color as a primary mode of expression during the early 20th century.

Despite his talent and significant contributions, Bonnard remained somewhat overshadowed by contemporaries like Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso. Nevertheless, his work began to receive well-deserved recognition in his later years. In 1938, he was honored with the prestigious Carnegie Prize, and in 1948, a major retrospective of his work was featured at the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

The legacy of Pierre Bonnard endures and holds profound significance. His pioneering use of color and light has made a lasting impression on the art world, inspiring countless painters and influencing movements such as Fauvism and aspects of American Abstract Expressionism.