Body Art: Unbelievable Body Art Transformations That Blur Reality

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Dance: Logic - Killing Spree

Choreographer: Sean Lew

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Cosplay is an Art: Colossalcon 2024

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Lesser Ury

Art Appreciation

German-Jewish Impressionist painter and printmaker Leo Lesser Ury was born on November 7, 1861, in Birnbaum, Prussia (now Międzychód, Poland). 

Raised in humble beginnings, he faced hardship early on when his father passed away, prompting the family to relocate to Berlin. His artistic talent emerged while studying at the Düsseldorf school of painting and later in Brussels, where he honed his skills as a painter and printmaker. 

Ury's early career was marked by travel across Europe to cities like Paris and Munich, where he absorbed the techniques of German Impressionism and developed his distinct style. Despite the challenges he faced, he was driven by a deep passion for portraying everyday life with striking realism and moody atmospheres.

When Ury returned to Berlin in 1889 for his first exhibition, he faced a hostile reception. The Berlin art scene, dominated by the likes of Max Liebermann -- whom he had a running feud with -- and the Berlin Secession group, was critical of Ury’s work, which deviated from mainstream Impressionist trends with its somber tones and introspective scenes. His use of light and shadow created a dreamlike quality, evoking mystery and solitude that clashed with the more vibrant and social subjects favored at the time. The critiques were partly rooted in Ury's unconventional style but also stemmed from personal and professional tensions within the art community. His isolation in the art world drove him to focus even more intently on his personal vision, ultimately shaping his unique place in German Impressionism. Interestingly, he was known to paint Biblical scenes; however, many didn't survive. 

Among Ury’s well-known works, Rainy Night in Berlin and Unter den Linden stand out. Rainy Night in Berlin captures the bustling city streets under a rain-drenched night sky, with reflections shimmering across the pavement, a testament to his skill in depicting atmospheric light. Unter den Linden focuses on one of Berlin's most famous boulevards, capturing the energy of urban life while showcasing his delicate brushwork and fascination with light and shadow. 

These works reveal Ury's ability to capture fleeting moments with a poignant sense of place, cementing his legacy as a distinctive voice in German Impressionism.

Self-portrait (1921)

Rainy Night, Berlin (c. 1920)

Unter den Linden, After the Rain (1888)

Unter den Linden, Berlin (c. 1925)

Unter den Linden im Regen (c. 1920)

Berlin Street Scene (1921)

Sources:

Wikipedia

https://artsandculture.google.com/entity/lesser-ury/m0czbml

https://www.sothebys.com/en/artists/lesser-ury

https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-5459402

https://berlin.museum-digital.de/people/41053

https://www.lbi.org/de/collections/lesser-ury/

https://benuri.org/artists/125-lesser-ury/biography/

https://artvee.com/dl/unter-den-linden-berlin/

https://eclecticlight.co/2018/09/22/after-the-rain-the-impressionist-streets-of-lesser-ury-1/

https://thehistorium.blogspot.com/2023/05/two-different-moods-of-unter-den-linden.html#google_vignette

https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/lesser-ury-german-1861-1931-rainy-night-berlin-c--484-c-db62cce849 

Jain - Makeba

Music Appreciation

"Makeba" is a track by French singer-songwriter Jain, initially released on November 6, 2015. However, its popularity surged thanks to TikTok and Instagram reels.

The song pays homage to Miriam Makeba, a renowned South African civil rights activist and singer-songwriter known as "Mama Africa" for her efforts in promoting African music and culture during the 1960s and 1970s.

Directed by Greg & Lio, the music video boasts a captivating blend of visual graphics, vibrant hues, and poignant political imagery captured in South Africa. Notably, a clip in the music video draws inspiration from Norman Rockwell's iconic painting depicting a black girl's journey to school, titled "The Problem We All Live With." Recognizing its artistic merit, the music video earned a nomination for the Grammy Award for Best Music Video.

Sources:

Wikipedia

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-culture/makeba-song-viral-instagram-reels-woman-8751782/

https://www.songfacts.com/facts/jain/makeba

https://www.lesinrocks.com/musique/qui-sont-greg-lio-les-nouvelles-stars-du-clip-francais-136852-16-02-2018/

https://youtu.be/2_esa2vDDiA

Grappling with the Outcome in a Divided Nation

Pardon the Interruption

Election Night 2024 had arrived. The challengers were formidable: the Vice President, a former prosecutor, facing off against a former President, a convicted felon and insurrectionist. Two giants clashing in a deeply divided nation.

As the night approached, my anxiety grew. I had a bottle of pinot noir ready, hoping it might ease the tension of waiting for the results. But as the night unfolded, the mood turned bleak. The AP began calling states for Trump, and he quickly surged past the halfway mark to 270 electoral votes. By 10 PM, Harris had only a few states in her column. I couldn't bear to watch any longer. Disheartened, I went to my room to disconnect.

To relieve the stress, I lay down, searched for my favorite porn, and masturbated until completing twice. Slowly, I drifted to sleep. I woke around 4 AM, a sense of dread settling in as I lay in bed, staring into the darkness and contemplating the outcome.

I wondered how a nation so divided could lean toward someone seemingly driven by self-interest and dishonesty. I questioned whether a Biden pardon, had it happened, might have changed this course. Did Biden, once said to be a one-term president, wait too long to step aside? What had gone wrong? Maybe I was out of touch with the realities others were facing. Did I misunderstand the needs of the majority? Were things truly as dire as many seemed to believe, despite the strong market and low unemployment?

I know these questions will haunt me in the days ahead as I grapple with the election results and the uncertain direction of our country.

Walt Handelsman (2024)

Lenka - Everything at Once

Music Appreciation

There's a certain resonance in both the song and its accompanying music video that evokes memories of my ex-girlfriend. Whether it's the monochrome world inhabited by the song's protagonist or the striking image of Lenka with her bangs in the music video, something about it tugs at familiar emotions.

Lenka, the Australian singer-songwriter, released "Everything at Once" on November 5, 2012, as the third single from her second studio album, Two (2011). The song soared in popularity following its feature in a Windows 8 commercial and a Disney Studio All Access trailer.

Directed by James Gulliver Hancock, the music video showcases Lenka donning a black and white striped dress, gracefully dancing amidst a constantly shifting geometric monochrome backdrop. Throughout the video, an "All-Knowing Eye" emerges on the hand of each dancer, perhaps serving as a symbol of mindfulness and our interconnectedness with the world.

via lenkatv 

Source: Wikipedia