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Sunday, October 22, 2023

Album Cover: Sarah McLachlan - Fumbling Towards Ecstasy

Album Cover 

Album: Sarah McLachlan - Fumbling Towards Ecstasy

Released: October 22, 1993

Photography: Kharen Hill

Artwork: Sarah McLachlan

Models: Sarah McLachlan

Sources:

Wikipedia

https://www.discogs.com/master/141705-Sarah-McLachlan-Fumbling-Towards-Ecstasy

Thursday, October 19, 2023

Umberto Boccioni

Art Appreciation

Umberto Boccioni, born on October 19, 1882, in Reggio di Calabria, Italy, played a pioneering role in the Italian Futurist movement, leaving an indelible mark on modern art and sculpture in the early 20th century. He received his art education at the Scuola Libera del Nudo of the Accademia di Belle Arti di Roma, studying under Giovanni Mataloni and Giacomo Balla. It was under Balla's guidance that he delved into Neo-Impressionist techniques, particularly Divisionism.

In 1907, Boccioni moved to Milan, where he continued his artistic education and was profoundly influenced by the burgeoning Futurist movement. His artistic journey within Futurism reached a significant milestone on February 11, 1910, when he and fellow Futurist painters signed the Manifesto of Futurist painters, rejecting traditional norms and championing change, originality, and innovation in both culture and society. The manifesto also called for the dismantling of cultural institutions like museums and libraries.

Boccioni emerged as a central figure within the Futurist movement, adapting his artistic style to align with Futurist ideology. He emphasized portraying movement, speed, and the dynamic nature of a rapidly changing world. In 1912, after visiting studios in Paris, he decided to explore sculpture. One of his most iconic sculptural works, "Unique Forms of Continuity in Space," exemplifies Futurist ideals by depicting a figure in motion, symbolizing the fusion of human and machine, representing the progressive momentum of the modern age.

In May 1916, Boccioni was drafted into the Italian Army and was assigned to an artillery regiment at Sorte of Chievo, near Verona. On August 16, 1916, during a cavalry training exercise, he was thrown from his horse and fatally trampled, passing away the following day at the young age of 33.

Despite his untimely death, Boccioni's artistic vision and contributions endure, showcased in major art institutions globally. His works persist in perpetuating the essence and ideas of Futurism well into the 21st century.


Self-portrait (1905)

Three Women (1909-1910)

Unique Forms of Continuity in Space (1913)

Sources:

Wikipedia

https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artists/umberto-boccioni-771

Wednesday, October 18, 2023

Freida Pinto

Acting Appreciation

Freida Selena Pinto, an Indian actress born on October 18, 1984, in Bombay (now Mumbai), has primarily made her mark in American and British cinema.

Her passion for acting ignited at the age of five, when she would frequently dress up and imitate actors. It was Sushmita Sen's triumph in the 1994 Miss Universe competition that fueled her desire to pursue a career in entertainment.

Freida's educational journey took her to Carmel of St. Joseph School in Malad, North Mumbai, and later to St. Xavier's College, Mumbai, in Fort, South Mumbai. At St. Xavier's, she majored in English literature with minors in psychology and economics, also engaging in amateur plays during her time there.

Post-graduation, she briefly explored modeling and television presentation. In 2005, she initiated her modeling journey by joining Elite Model Management India, featuring in numerous television and print advertisements for renowned brands.
 
Freida began auditioning for films and television shows, and was eventually chosen to host Full Circle, an international travel show aired on Zee International Asia Pacific. In 2007, she got her big break when director Danny Boyle picked her out in the audition process to play the female lead, Latika, in Slumdog Millionaire (2008). She was nominated for the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role.  

Following the success of "Slumdog Millionaire," Freida ventured into art house productions, notably Woody Allen's "You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger" (2010) and Julian Schnabel's "Miral" (2010). However, her major commercial success came with "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" (2011) and Michael Winterbottom's "Trishna" (2011), propelling her to widespread acclaim.

In 2018, Freida's performance in the Indian drama "Love Sonia" garnered a Best Supporting Actress nomination at the Indian Film Festival in Melbourne. Despite being credited with breaking stereotypes for Indian women in foreign films, she has remained a relatively lesser-known figure in Indian cinema, predominantly focusing on humanitarian causes and women's empowerment.

Freida actively advocates for women's rights, engaging in various initiatives. From participating in Gucci's "Chime for Change" campaign to joining the "Girls' rights summit" in London, she consistently champions progress and change for women, underscoring her commitment to empowering females. In 2016, she announced her involvement with the nonprofit organization "We Do It Together," aiming to finance feature films, documentaries, and television shows dedicated to women's empowerment.


by Albert L Ortega 2011

in Armani Exchange by Michael Buckner

By Dusan Reljin, Styled by Samira Nasr (ELLE, November 2011)



Sources:

Wikipedia

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2951768/bio/?ref_=nm_ql_1

https://wwd.com/eye/people/gallery/eye-freida-pinto-10377651/88th-academy-awards-backstage-28-feb-2016/

https://www.elle.com/culture/news/a34550/freida-pinto-interview/


Monday, October 16, 2023