Art History Guide

One of the better internet television stations for artists out there is LionEye TV out of Houston, TX. There are plenty of unique shows, information and forums located on the site. The most popular areas are: fashion, poetry, art, urban nightlife, indie films and action. From my understanding, it is actually the first internet based television network of it’s kind. Definitely check the place out. It’s definitely a great place for the art scene.

art, tv, LionEye, Houston, Texas

For several years, I have been following the photography of Pascal Renoux. He has quickly become my favorite modern day photographer. Words cannot describe how unique and inspiring his photographs are, so I will simply indulge you with a sampling of my favorites. Renoux works primarily with nudes, portraits, landscapes and still-life. He also has a particular fascination with hands. I hope to one day capture people and objects as well as Pascal Renoux does time and time again.

WARNING: A couple images after the break include artistic nudity and may not be suitable for all viewers.

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This is a debate that will probably go on forever. Sure, it’s a crime on the books and basically could be considered defacing public or private property. However you want to look at it, I find graffiti to be an interesting cultural event that will never go away. In a way, it’s a form of personal expression that forces people to take a look. Graffiti is nothing new either. It has been around since ancient civilizations. The area I currently live in doesn’t have too much in the way of graffiti art, but it’s starting to pop up a little more often. I dropped in a graffiti definition from Wikipedia at the bottom of this article. Feel free to comment and let me know what you think about the subject.

Here are some photos I took the other day near the New River in Radford, Virginia which is roughly 15 minutes away from where I live:

Graffiti (strictly, as singular, “graffito,” from the Italian — “graffiti” being the plural) are images or letters applied without permission to publicly viewable surfaces such as walls or bridges. Graffiti has existed at least since the days of ancient civilizations such as Ancient Greece and the Roman Empire.[1] Graffiti has changed over time into what are known as “modern graffiti”: the public defacing of a surface using spray paint, markers, or other materials. When graffiti painting is done without the property owner’s consent, it can be considered vandalism, which is punishable by law in most countries.

Graffiti can be used to communicate social and political messages, and as a form of advertising. It is also considered a modern art form, and can be seen in galleries around the world.

I would like to thank Lyndsey over at ‘Lez Keep It Real‘ for suggesting I mention the art of graffiti more on the site.

There’s no reason to beat around the bush, so to speak. Let’s get it all out in the open, basically - Lez keep it real. Real opinions, real discussion, real stories. Writer and professional people watcher, Lyndsey D’Arcangelo, will keep you up to speed with information and educated opinions on current news, politics, sports, entertainment, gossip, lifestyle, coming out and everything else concerning the gay and lesbian population five, fun-filled days a week!

Fans of the Clash may be interested in checking out this film. Film is often an avoided aspect of art history. Check out myspace.com/joestrummerthemovie for more information.

Short Synopsis

As the front man of the Clash from 1977 onwards, Joe Strummer changed people’s lives forever. Four years after his death, his influence reaches out around the world, more strongly now than ever before. In “The Future Is Unwritten�, from British film director Julien Temple, Joe Strummer is revealed not just as a legend or musician, but as a true communicator of our times.

Drawing on both a shared punk history and the close personal friendship which developed over the last years of Joe’s life, Julien Temple’s film is a celebration of Joe Strummer – before, during and after the Clash.

[Via Joe Strummer the Movie]

The Clash, Joe Strummer, 1970s, Julien Temple, music, Britisht

John Sims’ “The Proper Way to Hang a Confederate Flag,â€? created a frenzy of discussion back in March. At the time, I didn’t have a strong opinion one way or the other on the piece. I do believe that art should offend people from time to time. If a work of art sparks a discussion, then it was a success. Simply offending someone does not necessarily make something good art. At the same time, art that offends is not necessarily bad.

I do not think this particular piece will invoke the kind of rage we saw in 1989 with Dread Scott Tyler’s “What Is the Proper Way to Display a U.S. Flag?” Often, I feel as if people take quick offense to a piece they do not quite understand.

John Sims has to live with his decision to display work of this nature. He already lives with continual death threats from the Ku Klux Klan. If you offend those guys, you obviously did something right. I’d have to say that the primary purpose of art is to arouse emotions and social debate, which this piece had obviously accomplished.

John Sims, condederate flag, kkk, ku klux clan, art, offends

Online Videos by Veoh.com

Artist Salwa Arnous was born in “Jaffa Palestine” according to her bio and began painting during the Oslo Peace Accords. She has lived in the United States for 27 years. Her Palestinian art exhibit has ignited controversy with the local newspaper the San Antonio Express News, running a front page story claiming the exhibit was anti-semitic. This video is to show her work directly to the public, so they may interpret her art for themselves. The video includes an introduction by journalist Barbara Renaud Gonzalez.

Palestinian, art, artist, Salwa Arnous, Jaffa, painting, Oslo Peace Accords, anti-semetic, public, Barbara Gonzalez

Written, Shot, Directed and Chopped by Ridwan Adhami
My first student film starring the very talented Louis DeMonte

www.ridzdesign.com
www.myspace.com/ridzdesign

Ridwan is a very talented director and photographer from Queens, N.Y. If you are on myspace, definitely add him and check out his work. You will find his portraits to be very unique with a special personal touch. You need to remember his name, because he might be the next big director to come out of NYC. He’s a great artist and a good friend.

[Via YouTube RidzDesign Channel]

Ridwan Adhami, short film, searching, photography, queens, new york, NYC, YouTube

One of my favorite modern artists is Patricia Chica. The best place to catch her is on myspace. Her page is www.myspace.com/patriciachica. Patricia is a creative video director, digital photographer, all around visual artist and a great person to match. She describes her style as “glam, retro, vintage, pinup, burlesque, artistic, punk, rock, goth, erotica, hardcore, underground and definitely provocative!!!” Be sure to keep an eye out for her latest project “Rockabilly 514″

Since my directorial debut in 1990, my motivation has been to blur the line between fine art and commercial work. In the past decade I have been involved with Montreal’s underground music scene as well as working professionally on various artistic projects that combine technology, alternative fashion and design and that always with a touch of sensual provocation. Driven by originality; I always try to push forward the creative boundaries of storytelling by focusing on innovative techniques for narration and daring post-production effects. However, my visual style is more than just poetic, as it is often described as gritty within a humanistic setting.

More images follow the break!

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