Adam Christian - Art World Issue: Foolishness

The full issue is few clicks away, but the introduction is brief, intelligent, and interesting.

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But is it Beautiful Art? - Abi Francis

But is it Beautiful Art?

Joan Miro, Man with a Pipe. 1925. Oil on canvas, 57 3/8 x 45". Private Collection, New York.

                To the uneducated eye, Joan Miro’s Man with a Pipe may be less than appealing. The drab coloring with only one streak of red, which doesn’t seem to make sense in the visual organization of the image, may seem to work against the general aesthetic of the piece. This, however, is not the case. Man with a Pipe is truly a remarkable work with many characteristics that work together to create an overall success as a piece of art.

                To begin with, the simplified elements in this composition allow the viewer to appreciate the foundation that they provide to not just this painting, but all art. One can see the value of the basic function of color and shape in particular. The shape of the main figure leads the eye of the viewer through the painting. The subtle difference in shading between the lighter grey of the figure and the darker grey of the background is the perfect amount of variance for the eye to sweep around the composition. The gentle overlapping of neutral colors throughout the composition also offers variety to the painting, which is more noticed due to the limited color palette. The color palette also provides extra emphasis to the single red streak in the corner which effectively competes with the smaller circles in the painting to create interest. The basic shapes of the work imply, as the title suggests, a man with a pipe, but also leave much to the viewer’s imagination. This artistic balance between reality and creativity successfully hook the viewer and maintain interest.

Miro’s work cannot be judged by the traditional standards of beauty. The beauty in this painting lies not in the direct representation of the world, as much of society judges beauty, but in the unique application of paint in a style belonging only to Miro. To be honest, it doesn’t always take a complex thought process to create a Realist work. You simply draw or paint what you see. The kind of beauty found in this work is in the expression behind the brush stroke, the extensive thought process behind every purposefully placed color and shape. The bar must be set to a whole new level in order to encompass the matchless originality of these fundamental elements of art. Man with a Pipe may just be the Mona Lisa of the 20^th Century.

Color Field/Non-Representational, Abi Francis

As a self-portrait, I created a Rothko-inspired painting done in Gouache. Although this is no where close to the captivating portrayal of color that Mark Rothko and the other Color Field painters accomplished, the connection is still recognizable. The colors I picked were colors that I feel describes my personality.

Of Beauty and the Beast- Randi Bachman

Nolan Hendrickson.  Post 2007. Title unknown, Work as shown at the Ramiken Crucible in the Lower East Side NYC.

Nolan Hendrickson’s work is often described as carnival-like, cheeky, and overtly sexualized.  It is all of that and just a smoosh more. His work is highly charged in subject matter, social commentary, and vibrancy in color palette. A flamboyant mix that counteracts a subject that is, as some might consider, an in-your-face nod to a queer lifestyle with a lightness and flash.  Its overt nature his work begs you to sit and stay awhile, promising a goodtime.

The Painting has movement and body shapes that evoke frolic and dancing as one might expect from Matisse or Warhol in the days of Studio 54. All of which is like breathing a breath of fresh air, but hearkening back to this familiarity of good times gone by. The work seems playful and simultaneously the work seems unapologetic as it points to this juxtaposition  of reality and fantasy. This piece especially I think speaks to a type of celebrity in the triad of faces shown. Wearing a jacket that would look not out of place on James Spader in a Brat Pack film, the figure seems to be approaching his audience with a fresh face forward, complicated and on display. Walking a catwalk behind the velvet rope, owning it even in gesture it as if the figure itself is riding an imaginary horse, a horse called Fame.  I think that in this sideshow approach there is a beauty in is shamelessness and honesty.

Realism: Blaine Crocker

I created this image to relfect my goofy personality. Realism started because artist were tired of fabricating life and some of the injustices. Creating this piece I wasen't trying to make myself beautiful, I was just reflecting me.

Feminist Art Self Portrait By: Abi Irwin

This photo right here was created in Adobe Photoshop. Originally taken by a camera back in 2006. I really thought it would be a great idea to upload this and show everyone what feminist art is about. Now this isn't finished. I do plan updating this photo and publishing a new one. Hope you all like this one.

Ryan Boydston - Impressionism Self Portrait