diplomacy

Michael Cheval is the world's leading contemporary artist, specializing in Absurdist paintings, drawings and portraits. 

In his definition, "absurdity" is an inverted side of reality, a reverse side of logic. It does not emerge from the dreams of surrealists, or the work of subconsciousness. 

It is a game of imagination, where all ties are carefully chosen to construct a literary plot. 

Anyone of Cheval's paintings is a map of his journey into illusion. 

His work is often metaphorical and requires a sharp eye to decipher the often hidden allusions.

for more, visit : http://chevalfineart.com

reality

The immensely popular Harry potter books and movies have situations galore where reality and imagination merge seamlessly into each other. The vivid imagination of J.K.Rowling has created an unreal world which seems imminently real and believable. The above scene from the movie Harry Potter and the deathly hallows questions the very definition of 'real' and 'imaginary'

i am

The I am Nikon campaign was developed at Jung von Matt/Spree, Berlin, by creative director/art director Christian Kroll, creative director/copywriter Peter Gocht, art director Javier Suarez Argueta, copywriter Bjorn Ingenleuf, creative director digital Fabien Sax, managing director/creative Wolfgang Schneider, managing director Andreas Freitag, planning director Julia Peuckert management supervisor Ilan Schafer, senior account manager Sirkka Koster, junior account manager Jutta Caballero, social media manager Barbara Scholtysik, senior account manager Nikolina Micic, head of design Mareike Geisker, producer Matthias van de Sand.

Julia Peuckert, planning director at Jung von Matt, says, “We feel that this campaign really gets to the core of how photography is used today: in a playful, social and self-expressing way. By using real people in real situations we hope our audience will recognise itself and will feel inspired by Nikon.”

Filming was shot by director Ralf Schmerberg via Trigger Happy Productions, Berlin, with director of photography Daniel Gottschalk.

The print advertising campaign was shot by Sven Jacobsen on location in South Africa using Nikon D3X camera, with NIKKOR 35mm, 85mm and 28-70mm zoom lenses.

Music is “Welcome Home, Son”, by Radical Face. Sound was designed and mixed at Audioforce, Berlin.

source: http://theinspirationroom.com/daily/2010/i-am-nikon/

reading between the lines

Reading Between the Lines installation project in Looz (Belgium) from the drawing board of Gijs Van Vaerenbergh.

From the Architects:

On September 24th, 2011 Gijs Van Vaerenbergh revealed a construction in the rural landscape of Borgloon (Limburg, Belgium) that’s based on the design of the local church. This construction consists of 30 tons of steel and 2000 columns, and is built on a fundament of armed concrete. Through the use of horizontal plates, the concept of the traditional church is transformed into a transparent object of art.

Reading between the Lines can be read as a reflection on architectural themes such as scale, the ground plan etc., but the project also emphatically transcends the strictly architectural. After all, the church does not have a well-defined function and focuses on visual experience in itself (one could even consider it to be a line drawing in space). At the same time, the construction demonstrates that this experience is in effect a consequence of the design, since it explicitly refers to the various stages in its conception: the design drawing, the model… Apart from that, because the church does not fulfil its classical function, it can be read as a heritage related reflection on the present vacancy of churches in the area (and their potential artistic reuse).

for more, visit : gijsvanvaerenbergh.com

nature and art

Frits Ahlefeldt is an artist, eco-freak and hiker who makes art projects about the environment, sustainable living, technology and the challenges and trails ahead of us. He works as an artist, blogger, story teller and graphic facilitator.

He says  "I work from a green vision to empower our cities, to find ways to make us thrive better and to, at the same time, get closer to finding more sustainable ways of living.

In my drawings and storytelling I often use metaphors as I try both to illustrate the challenges, the paradoxes and when possible even to sketch directions, that can get us moving along better trails."

for more: http://hikingartist.com/environment/

bridle

The making of a Bridle, the headgear used to control a horse, became an art form at the hands of the horse riding communities in all parts of the world. Consisting of buckled straps to which a bit and reigns are attached, bridles were made using twisted or woven horsehair or buffalo hair, raw hide and tanned leather. Seed and glass beads, porcupine quills, cotton cloth and  threads were also added on for decoration.

http://www.hawkhillpress.com/

http://www.horsecollaborative.com/Horse-Nation-The-Bond-Between-the-Horse-and-Native-Americans/

http://www.nmai.si.edu/static/exhibitions/horsenation/native-arts.html

quote

Pearls have been mentioned in Rig Veda and Atharva Veda. Their charm is over 3000 years old. Associated with the moon the pearl has attained spiritual and celestial value for many. From cheap artificial ones to the rarest expensive ones pearls have always been a popular choice of ladies to adorn themselves. Traditional pearl jewellery making flourished in Hyderabad, some 200 years ago under the patronage of the Nizams. Thus they have acquired the royal approval of quality. Basra pearl is considered purest of all pearls.  An organic gem made painstakingly by the living shelled mollusc over many years is found in the depths of water bodies to only trained  eyes. Kokichi Mikimoto known as the father of the modern pearl farming gave the world what is called “cultured pearls” which are reasonably priced. The natural pearls have thus become rare and of immense value.

Credits:

http://www.ben-amun.com/shop/necklaces/multi-strand-pearl-necklace-with-crystal-pendant/

http://www.royalindianjewellery.com/mugal-collection-jadau-jewellery.html?dir=asc&mode=list&order=price&price=-1000000&type=7

http://dandeandsons.com/blog/2014/04/basra-pearls/

four stages of life

The famous 'Bandhani' or 'Bandhej' of Kutch is a tie and dye technique used to create beautiful fabric designs in vibrant colours. The technique involves the removal (by tying) of certain parts of the fabric from the colouring process , followed by dyeing in the next stage. Depending upon the complexity of pattern, fabric is tied up in knots of various sizes and boiled in colour, to form unique patterns that are a result of unique subtractions and additions of knots and colours.