decisions and repurcussions

The accompanying image shows artist Ivan Albright at work, painting the title portrait for the 1945 film "The Picture of Dorian Gray" based on Oscar Wilde's novel of the same name. 

The novel, very controversial for its time, told the story of Dorian Gray who sells his soul in exchange for everlasting youth. The moral degradation that he brings upon himself is reflected in his portrait, while he retains his youth and beauty. 

Ivan Albright was an American magic realist painter and artist, most renowned for his portraits and character studies. His realistic, but exaggerated depictions of decay and corruption made him very well suited to undertake such a project.

reference: tsutpen.blogspot.com,  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivan_Albright

decisions

The door of Ernsting Warehouse featured above, is the creation of Santiago Calatrava, celebrated architect-structural designer. Based on the concept of opening of an eye, the various components of a door are put together in an unconventional, but efficient arrangement that gives an entirely new meaning to the simple act of opening a door.

Santiago Calatrava is a Spanish Architect who has, through his work, shown that engineering, art and architecture could be blended to create dramatic visual statements, whether it is buildings, bridges or elements like movable roof planes and doors.

reference: http://www.calatrava.com, http://designtheorykje.wordpress.com/

new canvas

Andres Amador is an earthscape artist who creates beautiful art on beaches at low tide. He uses simple tools (like rakes) to create complex, large scale sand drawings that last as long as the waves allow them to. The temporal nature of his work adds yet another dimension to the beauty of his creations.

for more, visit http://www.andresamadorarts.com

i wish

The "I wish this was" street art project was conceived by Candy Chang (artist- architect -planner) in New Orleans, as an interactive project that invites residents to voice their opinions and ideas about improving their neighbourhood. 

A grid of stickers posted on walls/ vacant storefronts in the city becomes a  tool for people to write out their thoughts and for the city to display its collective wish in a 'fun' way.

She calls the project " an experiment in public space", meant to pose the question " what if residents had more of a say?" and hopes that the exercise remains "loose, funny, interesting and entertaining".

source: www.candychang.com,  http://www.spontaneousinterventions.org/project/i-wish-this-was

reptiles and avians

Lord Vishnu,  one of the three supreme Gods in the trinity of Bramha - Vishnu - Mahesh and the orchestrator of all lives on earth , rides on his vehicle, the "Garuda" in this black marble statue. 

Hindu temples are adorned with sculptures statues and reliefs that depict tales from mythology and beings that inhabit this mythological world.

Garuda, believed to be the King of birds as per Hindu mythology is an all powerful being who subjugates the serpents or 'nagas' of the earth.

Is it a coincidence, or a carefully created iconography, that assigns the dark side of nature to the reptiles (whom Vishnu has firmly under control, whether it is Shesha or Kaliya) and the alleviating side of nature to the bird that carries him through the universe?

the swing

"21 Balancoires" is a public art installation in Montreal, based on a set of swings operated by people in a public space. Part game, part street furniture, it is a collective musical instrument designed by artists Mouna Andraos and Melissa Mongiat, with the help of Luc-Alain Girardeau, a professor of animal behaviour.

Made up of seven sets of colourful swings, each swing generating its own notes depending on how you swing, the installation offers the passer by a chance to take part in a co operative musical experience, playful and poetic, and derive great pleasure out of it.

A blend of art and urban Design, it brings people together to create music, even people who may not think of themselves as musicians otherwise.

source: http://www.tourisme-montreal.org/blog/21-swings-brings-music-to-the-quartier-des-spectacles/

http://www.quartierdesspectacles.com/en/blog/163/21-balancoires-a-musical-collaboration-from-andraos-mongiat-at-the-promenade-des-artistes

leap

Nachi falls, a hanging scroll from the Kamakura period (13th /14th Century), Japan is a colour painting on silk displayed currently at the Nezu Art Museum Tokyo.It is one of the 159 items designated as 'National Treasure' by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (Japan) based on its "especially high historical or artistic value". 

A hanging scroll "kakemono" is one of the many traditional ways of displaying or exhibiting a painting or calligraphy.

The traditional craft involved in creating a hanging scroll is considered an art in itself. The actual painting is mounted on a larger mount of fabric or paper, sewn at the top and bottom ends round small wooden poles or rods. At the top it allows hanging by a cord, at the bottom, it provides a little weight to hold the scroll flat and steady.

source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_National_

Treasures_of_Japan_(paintings)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanging_scroll