Luc-Marie Bayle

Art Appreciation

Luc-Marie Bayle, born on January 30, 1914, in Malo-les-Bains, France, was destined for a life intertwined with the sea. Coming from a lineage of mariners, he followed family tradition by entering the École Navale in 1932, embarking on a naval career that took him to distant shores in China and Africa. 

Bayle's talents, however, extended beyond his naval duties; he was also a gifted artist. During his voyages, he began to capture the maritime world through his art, particularly excelling in watercolor paintings that depicted the serene and tumultuous aspects of naval life. 

Throughout his career, Bayle created numerous artworks that vividly portrayed maritime scenes. His watercolors often depicted ships, seascapes, and naval activities, capturing the essence of life at sea. One of his notable works is "La Brière, Trignac" (1986), a watercolor and black felt-tip pen piece that showcases his skill in capturing the tranquil beauty of the French landscape. 

In addition to his paintings, Bayle was also known for his contributions to maritime heritage preservation. He served as the director of the Musée national de la Marine in Paris from 1972 to 1980, where he played a significant role in promoting maritime history and art.

La Brière, Trignac, 1986

La Marina, Papeete, 1956

Venezia, Italia, c. 1950

Tai/Intercontinental air transport, c. 1948

Discover France by Train, 1954

Sources:

Wikipedia

https://isitaholidaytoday.com/birthday/LucMarieBayle

https://www.artnet.fr/artistes/luc-marie-bayle/

https://sequana.auction/lot/108016/13103743-luc-marie-bayle-peintre-officiel-de-la-marine-1914-2000-la

https://www.invaluable.com/artist/bayle-luc-marie-8mqb4ej02a/

https://www.mutualart.com/Artwork/BAYLE-LUC-MARIE/543F6E89F1F2B6527E09D5459076187E

https://www.mutualart.com/Artist/Luc-Marie-Bayle/784466743B28AE70/Artworks

Year of the Wood Snake

Happy Lunar New Year! 

Alex Gaudino Ft Shena - Watch Out

Music Appreciation 

Italian DJ Alex Gaudino has some memorable songs and music videos, such as "Watch Out," his single featuring Shèna, released on January 28, 2008. The music video offers a playful and provocative take on a football (soccer) match featuring female players in spandex shorts/tops. 

Set within a virtual gaming environment, the music video opens with Gaudino and a friend selecting female players (Amy Perfect and Sophie Burles) for their teams -- Team Gaudino and Team Diablo. 

Throughout the match, the video maintains a light-hearted and comedic tone. Moments such as the use of a "magic sponge" by a nurse to heal a player and the exaggerated antics on the field emphasize the fun, nature of the concept. 

via Alex Gaudino

Dance: BRUNO MARS & LADY GAGA - Die With a Smile

Choreography: Kyle Hanagami

via Kyle Hanagami

Cosplay is an Art: Anime Weekend Atlanta 2024

via Justin Cosplay

Justice Undermined

Pardon the Interruption

A few years ago, I wrote a blog post reflecting on the events of January 6, 2021, highlighting the distinction between lawful protest and violent insurrection. While protesting election outcomes is a constitutional right, the attack on the Capitol was a riot instigated by President Trump’s rhetoric following the 2020 election.

Now, on his first day back in office, President Trump has pardoned over 1,500 individuals convicted for their roles in the January 6 riots, including key figures like Enrique Tarrio of the Proud Boys and Stewart Rhodes of the Oath Keepers, both found guilty of seditious conspiracy under 18 U.S.C. § 2384. This sweeping clemency raises profound concerns about accountability and justice. Pardoning those who sought to disrupt democracy undermines the rule of law and emboldens future political violence, sending a dangerous message that such actions can be repeated without consequence.

History offers troubling parallels, where leaders have pardoned criminals and integrated them into state-backed militias to serve their interests. While the U.S. has not followed this trajectory, assuming it cannot happen would be naive. The release of extremist leaders like Tarrio and Rhodes poses a real risk of renewed violence and radicalization.

It is crucial for conservative leaders and citizens to take a stand against these pardons. Accountability should transcend political affiliation, and defending the rule of law is vital to safeguarding democratic values. Failing to challenge these actions could accelerate the erosion of democratic institutions and lead to further political unrest.

Pardoning the January 6 rioters not only compromises justice but also normalizes political violence. One can only hope that conservatives will recognize the long-term implications and push back against the President’s actions before further harm is done.

 

Matt Davies, Newsday, January 21, 2025

Michael de Adder, January 22, 2025

 Sources:

https://apnews.com/article/trump-pardons-congress-capitol-riot-crimes-4443c672fc3b1492640684652647cde6

https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/jan-6-riot-trump-pardons-lawmakers-split-reactions

https://apnews.com/article/vance-trump-pardons-capitol-riot-31308a54ebac4ef6783662f595262dec

https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/5092481-trumps-jan-6-pardons/

https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2025/01/trump-january-6-pardons-capitol-riot-insurrection/681395/

https://time.com/7208978/trump-pardons-jan-6/

https://people.com/proud-boys-and-oath-keepers-leaders-released-from-prison-following-trump-pardons-8777929

David Douglas Duncan

Photography Appreciation

David Douglas Duncan, born on January 23, 1916, in Kansas City, Missouri, embarked on a journey that would lead him to become one of the most influential photojournalists of the 20th century. He initially pursued archaeology at the University of Arizona, but a serendipitous encounter with a hotel fire in Tucson shifted his trajectory. 

Armed with a simple Bakelite camera, Duncan captured images of a man desperately retrieving a suitcase from the blaze—a man later identified as the notorious bank robber John Dillinger. Although the photographs were unfortunately lost, this experience ignited Duncan's passion for photography, prompting him to change his academic focus.

Duncan's career as a photojournalist was marked by his profound ability to capture the human condition amidst conflict. During World War II, he served as a combat photographer with the U.S. Marine Corps, documenting pivotal moments such as the Battle of Okinawa and the Japanese surrender aboard the USS Missouri. His compelling images from the Korean War, many of which were published in his book This Is War!, provided an unflinching portrayal of the realities faced by soldiers, earning him recognition as one of the most prominent combat photographers of that era.

Beyond the battlefield, Duncan developed a close friendship with artist Pablo Picasso, capturing intimate and candid photographs of the artist and his wife, Jacqueline Roque. These images offered a rare glimpse into Picasso's private life and creative process.

American Marines raced past a dead enemy 

soldier in Korea, September 1950.

Marine Capt. Francis “Ike” Fenton pondered his fate and the fate 

of his men after being told that his company was nearly out of 

ammunition, Korea, 1950

The fight for Seoul, Korea, 1950

The Holy Land Jewish refugees and survivors 

of Holocaust. Haifa, Palestine, July 1946

Pablo Picasso taking a bath at his Riviera villa, 1956

Sources:

Wikipedia

https://www.britannica.com/biography/David-Douglas-Duncan

https://www.bbc.com/news/in-pictures-44412575

https://www.life.com/history/david-douglas-duncan-korean-war-classic-photo/

https://www.moma.org/artists/1651

https://www.wral.com/story/david-douglas-duncan-who-photographed-the-reality-of-war-dies-at-102/17612658/

https://www.gettyimages.com/photos/david-douglas-duncan

https://norman.hrc.utexas.edu/fasearch/findingAid.cfm?eadid=00485

https://vva.org/arts-of-war/david-douglas-duncan-1916-2018/

https://www.life.com/photographer/david-douglas-duncan/

https://sites.utexas.edu/ransomcentermagazine/2018/06/07/ddd1916-2018/

https://www.life.com/history/korean-war-photos-david-douglas-duncan/

https://www.life.com/history/korean-war-photos-david-douglas-duncan/

https://time.com/3735936/david-douglas-duncan/

https://time.com/4189160/photographer-david-douglas-duncan-100/

https://photofocus.com/inspiration/on-photography-david-douglas-duncan-1916-2018/

https://aboutphotography.blog/photographer/david-douglas-duncan#google_vignette