Hundertwasser

Our reader and follower Flavia Martins suggested a really nice topic: the Dutch artist, Hundertwasser. Wich is the subject of this same post.
                           

Hundertwasser's original and unruly artistic vision expressed itself in pictorial art, environmentalism, philosophy, architecture and design of facades, postage stamps, flags, and clothing (among other areas). For Hundertwasser, art is not to be limited by any framework. An artist’s work should have an effect on all areas of life, be it on clothing or, through articles for everyday use, on daily life. In accordance with his philosophy “Beauty is a Panacea – Schönheit ist ein Allheilmittel”, Hundertwasser wanted to restore beauty and romanticism to their place in everyday life.

He endeavoured to help the hidden human longing for variety and beauty in harmony with nature come into its own. In some way, he understood art as a religion. A particular and personal religion.

Hundertwasser Achitecture

Hot springs, Bad Blumau (Austria)

Grüne Zitadelle in Magdeburg, Germany

Quixote Winery in Napa Valley

Kunsthaus in Vienna

Thermal power plant in Vienna

Thank you for the tip, Flavia!

Brandi Carlile

Here is a great music by Brandi Carlile "Downpour"

                       

Downpour

I'm like the rain in a downpour

I wash away what you long for

And I wave goodbye with the sun in my eyes

I wish I could be there tonight

I'm like the wind in the canyon

I'm there when I'm gone in a second

You're growing older in peace where you're at

I wish I could be there for that

But I've moved on

Like a rolling stone

In a crowded room

I'm alone

Rio Fashion Business by Fashion Columnist Daniela Lanna

Next Wednesday begins an important fashion fair in Rio de Janeiro. The Rio Fashion Business puts together fashion and business. It will take place in Marina da Glória from May 18th to 21st when the stylist buyers will take the opportunity to improve their business and close some deals.

Coming soon is the Fahion Rio event . See below the line-up with Brazilian brands. I suggest you to visit the websites and get to know more about the finnest Brazilian fashion brands. Here is the list:

May 27

Walter Rodrigues

Nica Kessler

Mara Mac

Salinas

R. Groove

Acquastudio

May 28

Redley

Claudia Simões

Totem

Graça Ottoni

Lenny

May 29
Cantão

Tessuti

Printing

Maria Bonita Extra

Ausländer

Alessa

May 30

Blue Man

Filhas de Gaia

Cavendish

Melk Z-Da

OESTUDIO

TNG

May 31

Giuliana Borges

Patachou

British Colony

Juliana Jabour

Espaço Fashion

Carlos Tufvesson

June 1st

Triya

Lucas Nascimento

Andrea Marques

Têca

New Order

Isabela Capeto

* This post was written by the Fashion Columnist Daniela Lanna

Intoxicated by possibility

This is a cartoon by Hugh McLeod. His work was featured in one of the firsts posts of this blog. I always get amazed by his witted thoughts and simple drawings. I beleive the one above is a true reality for every artist. There are so many paths, possibilities and connections that lots of time we can´t even start of finish a project, because of the delighfulness of the other choices.

The paradigma of the other choice is self-provoking. We choose a path wether it is to teach painting, draw cartoons, record an independent album, and the other choice we had in the way seems easier and more enriching that you caught yourself wondering " what if ".

Know that the path you´ve chosen is the best one, because it is a dream becoming true through your action and passion. Stick to it and be happy. "What ifs" are just a red apple tempting you.

How Brazilian Cultural Incentive Law works

Let me explain how things work here in Brasil if you want a cultural incentive for your project from the government, its really interesting, but really hard.

You have a project in your mind. You write this project down with all idefault parts for a project (mission, vision, description, justification, innovative and differential values and aspects, reach, target, credits (staff) and credentials and, most importantly, budget, for example). You enter the governmental site MINC, Cultural Ministry, log in and submit your project. If you are lucky, the government will get back to you saying you are approved to get financed with a incentive law by sponsors for the specific project you submitted and for the specific budget you requested. Know that getting approved to the Rouanet's Law is to get the permition to your sponsor have discounts in the value they sponsor through governmental taxes. ok?Uff! So, that's the easy part.

The hard part is to get a sponsor. With the government's approval secured, you have to find out which company works with this specific cultural incentive law you applied. Found that, you knock many many doors until you find a company that says YES to your project. They give you the money and you put it on your project the way it was approved by the cultural incentive law. The company will get a discount in the amount they sponsored in their next year's income tax. And everyone is happy!

Of course, there are good and bad points. For example:

1. The companies are the ones that judge the projects and select which  are worth sponsoring or not by their on rules;

2. The company disburse the full amount now and will get the money back in their tax income months later. That can affect their cash low in 4 months at least;

3. You have lilttle flexibity to change your project if something changes in between and this process can take a while;

4. The salaries are limited by the government. If the government things 15k is too much to pay the director, he will limit your paying to 9k and you will have to deal with it. Your project will only have 9k of incentive law for the director salary. All lines of the budget are discussed.

Thats how works here in Brazil. What about your country?

Book: Art Management

I have had a hard time trying to find and get good art management books to read. Brazil lacks of this kind of book, therefore, the formal information acquired are mainly from Europe and USA. Anyway, I decided to buy some theorical books in order to know more about the managing and marketing art. Here is a basic one I bought:

Skova’s Python Ring - by Fashion Columnist Daniela Lanna

♥ Look at those amazing and fun accessories! ♥

SKOVA Jewelry and Handbags is available in Over 80 specialty stores in the United States, Canada, Japan, and Europe.

* This post was written by Fashion Columnist Daniela Lanna

Wierd but Cool - Earth as Art

I always like to get inspired from different kinds of materials and medias. I believe that when the inspiration origin and its concept is innovational, the end art result would be more interesting as well.

There is a nice website that shows the earth through the lens of the Landsat 7, Nasa´s Satellite. It shows nice images that can definitly inspire, principally, for an abstract art work. Check it out!

Delta Region, Netherlands

                     

Northern Norway

 Karman Vortices, Selkirk Island

West Fjords, Iceland

Icefall, Lambert Glacier, Antarctica

One painter I loved when I visited Kansas City´s (Missouri) Belger Center of Art was Creighton Michael. He has a series of paintings that take the earth and maps as an inspiration element.

I will write more about him and his mold painting in another post!

NPR's Project Song: Moby & Kelli Scarr - by Guest Columnist Lacey McDaniel

               

NPR's Project Song is the topic of today's post. The project challenges its competetors to complete a song in just two days. Normally this is a task that leaves artist working until the last moment, until Moby & Kelli Scarr. With in a day, they had already fully completed the challenge: "Gone to Sleep" was created. On the second day they composed two more versions of the same song entirely superpassing all expectations.

        

To see all three versions of the song "Gone to Sleep" by Moby & Kelli Scarr, you can access the full story at NPR's official site along with previous Project Songs.

Cartoons

I drew these cartoons in my note paper during a meeting.

Guess it was productive! ;)

Urban Art

ViSuAl KeI in JaPaNeSe RoCk! - by Guest Columnist Lacey McDaniel

When one thinks of Japan, Rock normally doesn’t spring to mind; however there is a very lively rock scene in most of the major cities. From Fukuoka in the South, to the streets of Tokyo and up to Akita, one can see its cultural manifestations in the younger generation’s fashion sense and attitude. Some of its fashion influences, among many, are: gothic & punk lolita, gangaro, glam rocker, yanki, Osharei Kei, and (my personal favorite) Visual Kei.

Since the 1980s Japanese rock has been developing and evolving into its own hybrid sound. The three showcased bands (Plastic Tree, Penicillin, and X Japan) are only the tip of the iceberg among the Japanese rock repertoire and are perfect examples of the androgenic Visual Kei.

Plastic Tree or PuraTori (プラトリ)

                      

The group is known for its radical lyrics and the Visual Kei outfits put together in their videos and live performances. Since 1993, Ryūtarō Arimura has been the band’s lead vocalist. His soft and melodic voice contrasts the group’s heavier instrumental sound.

Penicillin

The group formed in 1992 and has been going strong ever since. They are most well known for their lead vocalist, Hakuei, one of Japan’s most famous male models. Hakuei is currently modeling with Black Peace Now, but considers music to be his number one priority, according to one of his recent interviews while posing in France. He beautiful face is the personification of the Visual Kei that has spawned from Japanese rock over the years. He uses make up to draw attention to his delicate androgenic facial features, while his fashion is constantly transforming.

X Japan- エックス ジャパン

Last, but not least, X Japan is one of the most famous and quintessential Japanese Visual Kei influencers in the history of Japanese rock music. However, don’t be fooled by their tough exterior. X Japan’s lyrics are mainly about love and getting one’s heartbroken. With a song list of: “Forever Love,” “Dry Your Tears with Love,” and “Crucify My Love,” I would hardly consider them menacing--but their music is beautifully endearing and classic.

Please enjoy the bands and their flamboyant outfits.

* This post was written by Guest Columnist Lacey McDaniel

Ouno Design

A great finding for colloring your home is the UONO Design with their fun pillows, covers, throws and bags. In the tradition of West Coast Modernism, Ouno Design incorporates Scandinavian, Japanese and ancient design influences to bring warmth and natural texture to both modern and traditional decor.

I love a colorful house. I think that the perfect mixture of colors makes people happy for the day! My room is green and my  

Just loved this cover! I wanna it!

I would not put this mail pillow on my sofa, but it is really funny.

ALICE MANIACS by Fashion Columnist Daniela Lanna

Last weekend, on April 21st, the movie Alice’s in wonderland was launched in Brazil. So yesterday, I went to the movies to check on it and I definitely give credit for its special effects, esthetics and costume design - and I could not expect less of a Tim Burton film! -.

Tim Burton is one of those directors recognized for its unique style and his colorful and folkloric way of telling stories. Burton once again imprinted an original eye for an already known universe. And despite not being a triumph in movie market, Tim Burton’s Alice is a magical and imaginative performance, delightful to be seen, especially with a fashion eye!

If you have plans of watching Alice in Wonderland you sure will be touched by its visual effects. Burton’s Alice arouses the imagination of spectators and fashion designer all over the world and soon we could observe its influence in fashion. T-shirts, nail polish, make up, jewelry, shoes inspired by the fanciful universe of young Alice, a classical children’s literature.

Urban Decay dedicated a limited edition of eye shadow called Book of Shadows which comes with 16 ultra pigmented colors. The book is illustrated with a pop up image of Alice in the mushrooms forest.

Following the new trend, the famous nail polish brand O.P.I. launched the “Alice in Wonderland Collection” with 4 super modern colors named: mad as a hatter, off with her red, absolutely Alice, thanks so muchness.

"Alice in Wonderland Collection"

Another brand that invested in the fantastic universe of Alice was Swarovski, with a line of super cute

accessories, as you can see below.

In Brazil, some brands also invested in “Alice” trend. The colorful flowers garden inspired the Brazilian jewelry brand H.Stern to design finger rings with elements of the movie as giant flowers and the famous cat of Cheshire. The rings will be part of an exhibition in São Paulo and available for sale only by order.

The Brazilian cloth brand Ellus also created a line of t-shirts with icons of the movie, which will be available for sale only at Ellus and Guest. Tel.: (11)3552-6699.

* This post was written by Fashion Columnist Daniela Lanna

Quotation

Projects require a particular quality among its managers, producers or any envolved professional: pacience. In this case, pacience should always be the art of positively and actively wait for an answer, a confirmation, an approval that will decisively decide the course of a project. As you know, pacience is an inevitable fase of every project, plan or dream. Therefore, for down fases when you just want a "yes" answer, I just love Friedrich Nietzsche's phrase:

"You can bare any HOW if you have a strong WHY."

Hang in there. Be positive.

Painter Alyssa Monks

If you like the charade: is this real or not? is this a painting or is this a photo? you will love the New Yorker Alyssa Monks. She masters paintings with wet and naked people taking baths, showers or just hanging out (still wet and naked). As eper her own site: "Monks’s work explores narrative figuration. Currently she is playing with the tension between abstraction and realism in the same work, using different filters to visually distort and disintegrate the body." Alyssa has been awarded a Grant for Painting from the Elizabeth Greensheilds Foundation three times.

I love how she plays with an artful realism with the water and its forms. Wet flesh texture, glass, vapor, transparency and fog. 

I don't know, but I feel like taking a hot shower!