Body Art: Trina Merry - Ruminations On Memory at ESMoA

via Trina Merry

 

Nataliya Medvedeva

Modeling Appreciation 

Nataliya Georgiyevna Medvedeva is forever enshrined in pop culture as the face on the cover of The Cars' iconic self-titled debut album.

Born on July 14, 1958, in Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg), Medvedeva graduated from a music school and starred in the role of Poplavskaya in the Boris Frumin film "Diary of a School Director" in 1975. Shortly after, she emigrated to the United States to pursue a modeling career.

In 1982, Nataliya married Russian writer and political dissident Eduard Limonov and moved to Paris. There, she became a piano bar singer, wrote poetry and essays for French magazines, and authored novels. Her relationship with Limonov ended in 1995. Now in Moscow, she began a relationship with metal rock musician Serguei Vysokosov, even recording two rock albums.

Medvedeva passed away in her sleep from a heart attack at the age of 44. It is believed that she had overdosed on heroin.

by Elliot Gilbert for The Cars 1978

by Valentin Til Maria Samarin (1983)

Sources:

Wikipedia

https://bdralyuk.wordpress.com/2021/09/16/off-you-roll-you-powder-keg-natalya-medvedeva-in-los-angeles/

https://exiledonline.com/the-medvedeva-woman/

https://ed-limonov.livejournal.com/1298628.html

Sananda Maitreya - Wishing Well

Music Appreciation

Released in 1987, "Wishing Well" was the lead single from Terence Trent D'Arby's debut album, "Introducing the Hardline According to Terence Trent D'Arby." Now known as Sananda Maitreya, he co-wrote the song with Sean Oliver.

"Wishing Well" became an instant hit, reaching number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and staying there for a week. The lyrics capture the excitement and desire of a new relationship.

The music video, directed by Vaughan Arnell, features Maitreya and his band performing on a soundstage draped in brown fabric. Interspersed shots of Maitreya with a girl reflect the song's themes. The video received heavy rotation on MTV.

via Sananda Maitreya

Source:

Wikipedia

Fashion is DEFINITELY Art: Fendi Men's Spring/Summer 2025 Fashion Show

Creative Director: Silvia Venturini Fendi

via Fendi

Getting in Shape

Since being diagnosed with liver fibrosis, I’ve committed to working out more and cutting back on my alcohol intake. If you ask me how it's going, I'll be honest: it's a real struggle. I do sneak a drink or two on occasion, but not as often as before. Baby steps, right?

Setting aside time to work out requires planning. Sometimes it's tough to muster up the energy to get to the gym, especially when dealing with rush hour traffic. It's so easy to take the early exit to home sweet home rather than staying on and taking the following exit to the gym. After all, my couch and I have an unspoken bond that’s hard to break.

Luckily, my best friend and best man keeps encouraging me to make it to the gym, even when I'm tempted to get home, strip off my street clothes, and lounge my way to a catnap before dinner. Everyone needs a gym buddy for encouragement, especially someone as determined (and sometimes lazy) as me to get in shape!

By Nate Fakes @nate_fakes

RANDOM WEDNESDAY: Buck Rogers Lunchbox

 

William Turner Dannat

Art Appreciation

William Turner Dannat, born on July 9, 1853, in Hempstead, New York, was a notable American artist recognized for his vibrant portrayals of Spanish life. His early education took him abroad at the age of twelve, where he initially studied architecture in Hanover and Stuttgart. However, his passion for art soon prevailed, leading him to the Munich Royal Academy of Fine Arts. Furthering his artistic journey, Dannat moved to Paris to study under Mihály Munkácsy, a Hungarian master known for his dramatic realism.

Two of Dannat's most significant works exemplify his skill and unique artistic vision. "The Quartette" is one of his renowned paintings, celebrated for its dynamic and expressive depiction of musicians engrossed in their performance. This piece garnered substantial attention and acclaim at the Paris Salon of 1884, solidifying his reputation in the art world. Another noteworthy painting is "Le Contrebandier Aragonais," which the French government purchased in 1883. This work, housed at the Musée d'Orsay in Paris, showcases Dannat's exceptional ability to capture the essence and character of his subjects with vivid detail and emotional depth.

Throughout his career, Dannat's art was heavily influenced by his European mentors and the cultural milieu he immersed himself in. His work was well-received in Europe, often drawing comparisons to other great American expatriates like John Singer Sargent and James McNeill Whistler. Despite his success, Dannat took a lengthy hiatus from painting, during which he pursued other interests such as fencing and boxing. When he resumed his artistic endeavors around 1913, his style had evolved to incorporate more surrealistic elements.

Contrebandier Aragonais (c. 1883)

Quatuor Espagnol (c. 1884)

Spanish Girl making Cigarettes (1890)

Sources:

Wikipedia

https://artvee.com/artist/william-turner-dannat/

https://www.askart.com/artist/William_Turner_Dannat/21706/William_Turner_Dannat.aspx