Most often I skip video art rather then stay and watch, but in the case of Pipilotti Rist exhibit at the New Museum her offer to settle in on a bed was irresistible. Her captivating images hypnotize the audiences with zoomed in textures of leaves and skin. One blends into another until you suddenly feel uncomfortably close to another human, not only on the screen, but next to you in bed as well.

Interactive political performance

Interactive political performance

Last night I have experienced what it means to be stripped of rights and voice, to have a virtual park experience and how to buy Himalayan air when the pollution on our planet will force us to look for other sources of oxygen.

With the elections on their way this piece is very timely. Pedro Reyes work Doomocracy invites you to experience humiliation and lack of freedom and raises many questions about our future.

This little sculpture is part of the Creatures series.

They are fragile and light an assemblage of bones, paper and, 

in this case, plastic for the eyes and the joints. 

Shy, 5 x 5 x 5 

Architectural wonders

We, humans, love to categorize everything. There are grammar rules that do not help to learn a language because there are just as many exceptions. Food categories that do not always make sense, such as avocado is a fruit and eating with chocolate is a standard in cuisines around the world.

Art and architecture have been categorized to the minutia details as well. To what purpose? Mostly to label, learn, and find and undefinable creations like this one.

L’église Saint-Eustache is in the center of Paris and is easily passed by in preference for the Notre Dame and Sainte-Chapelle. Each one is magnificent and i will not attempt to make any comparisons.

What I find fascinating about Saint- Eustache is its chimeric looks.

The Renaissance portico and the colonnade on the left transitions into the Gothic flying buttresses and a rosette.  Follow inside and we have Corinthian columns and Baroque elements among the light seeking Gothic supports. 

Not just a joy for the eye, but a constant surprise and curiosity in itself.

Back in April I have created a sound walk in Central Park. It was a first take on an audio art piece that combined installations, sounds, narrative and audience participation.

the visuals from the walk:

A spider web that was mentioned in the story, paper, found sticks, thread

Color flashes, paper and found sticks, glue

Arrows to indicate directions of installation

A week ago I was reintroduced to the art of Janet Cardiff that right away has captured my attention as she has also created Central Park auditory adventure among other sound walks. Listening to them reminded me how audio, similarly to smell brings us into the outer world, somewhere here and in between, where the memories tend to hide from consciousness.

You can listen to part of Cardiff walk on her website:

Janet Cardiff, HER LONG BLACK HAIR | 2004

Visiting Philadelphia Museum of Art recently I was stopped by Egon Schiele's work

Danaë, 1909, by Egon Schiele

He and Gustav Klimt play with the flatness and decorative motives in their compositions. The rich and vibrant backgrounds overwhelm us while the sensual, but flat body is subtly camouflaged.

Compare Gustav Klimt version of the same name, that possibly inspired Schiele.

Danaë, 1907, Gustav Klimt

My other favorite by Schiele:

Self-Portrait 1910, by Egon Schiele

Girl with Black Hair 1911, by Egon Schiele

The directness of image, the strength of line and the fragmentary quality of his images draws me in as well as pushes me away.