Willem Vos’s Bird Series presents a deeply symbolic exploration of transformation, freedom, and renewal. Each bird featured in the series invites the viewer to reflect on the timeless symbolism that birds have held across cultures and literary traditions. Birds have long been associated with the ability to transcend the earthly realm, offering metaphors for the soul, freedom, and even divine
Now officially in its forty-fifth year, the Medieval and Renaissance Forum saw its beginnings at Plymouth State University in New Hampshire. From the very first, the Medieval and Renaissance Forum united all lovers of the Middle Ages and the early modern. The Forum is very much an interdisciplinary event, and historians and scholars of literature mingle with art historians, linguists,
Mona Moleo emerges as a captivating figure in the art world, seamlessly blending existential introspection with the raw emotion of abstract expressionism. A serendipitous moment during homeschooling with her son led to her intense artistic exploration, dedicating long hours to her craft and experimenting with unconventional techniques and materials. Moleo’s artistry intertwines existential musings with emotional landscapes, combining precision and
Art serves as the conduit between the tangible and the abstract, the familiar and the enigmatic. Among the artists adept at navigating this delicate balance is Swiss painter Annina Laely. Her canvases, infused with the essence of nature’s fluctuations, stand as testament to the profound impact of the outdoors on her artistic expression. Drawing from extensive immersions in natural landscapes,
The exploration of Petra Schott’s artistic realm reveals a journey defined by intuitive innovation and a profound engagement with the abstract. Schott, a luminary in the German abstract painting scene, has cultivated an illustrious career that spans three decades, marked by a relentless pursuit of expressive freedom and a deep connection with the ephemeral aspects of existence. Her work stands
In the continuum of art’s evolution, where creativity intertwines with technology, the German artist Ralph Hübschmann has masterfully sculpted a visual dialogue that bridges past and future. Titled “Evolution – The Highest Level,” this sculptural creation is not merely a work of art; it’s a conduit for philosophical contemplation, guided by the tenets of Utilitarianism and Posthumanism. As the sculpture
In the realm of contemporary art, certain visionaries distinguish themselves through their unique artistic approach. BLONDEMONKEY is one such luminary, renowned for his “pop optic art,” a classification previously presented by the writer of this essay in various Chinese and Austrian art magazines. This art encompasses three distinct genres: pop art, op art, and a harmonious blend of both. Pop
Kalchie, the enigmatic artist, possesses a unique ability to transport viewers into a world where color and mysticism converge. Her oeuvre is a profound exploration of the emotional depths that colors can plumb while simultaneously crafting visually arresting artwork. At first glance, her work may seem to elude the untrained eye, but upon closer examination, one can discern the mastery
Posthumanism, a discourse that explores the evolving nature of humanity in the face of rapid technological advancement, offers a provocative lens through which we can examine Gerd Rehme’s artistic journey. Central to posthumanism is the idea that human beings and technology are not distinct, but rather co-evolving entities. Within this paradigm, Rehme’s work becomes a vibrant interrogation of the intersections
as part of the grand exhibition ALL RIVERS FLOW TO THE SEA at Hainan Tanka Museum in China Opening Ceremony: 22 September 2023, 10 AMDuration: 22 September 2023 – 22 November 2023 In the vast tableau of Impressionist art, while some names gleam brightly, others, equally deserving, have often been relegated to the periphery. Among these unsung talents stands the
From an artistic and social point of view, this painting is undoubtedly a masterpiece by Julius Voegtli. Only very few European artists of his epoch succeeded in creating such a convincing, poignant, and politically impactful portrait of an African soldier. It is a “document of humanity,” an eloquent testimony against racism, colonialism, and war. The face of the Spahi expresses
The picture shows a bust-length portrait, done in watercolor, of a younger woman wearing what is the traditional regional folk costume of Bern – the Bernertracht or the Berner Sonntagstracht. Like many human characters drawn by Voegtli, she is looking directly at the viewer while her hair is partially covered with a black veil. In this portrait, all colors are
This watercolor painting depicts the nude figure of the artist’s wife, Anna. She is seated in profile on a bed draped in white cloth. She is leaning on her left arm and her face is turned away from the viewer; only her ear, neck, and pulledback dark hair are visible. The artist uses blue, yellow, and red elements to adddepth
Saadi’s Bostan, translated from Persian to German by Friedrich Rückert, has been published in a new edition by Wallstein Verlag. This translation, which is also known as “Duftgarten,” is one of the most beloved Persian works of literature and has been popular in Iran for centuries. The Bostan (Būstān) is a moralistic and anecdotal poem consisting of over 4,100 masnavi
“Liberty Leading the People” (French: “La Liberté guidant le people”) is a masterpiece painting that captured the essence of the French Revolution, which was a defining moment in European history. The painting is an allegory that depicts the symbolic figure of Liberty leading a group of people, with a French flag in her hand, in a march towards freedom. The
Woodall’s (1997) view in her introduction to Portraiture: Facing the Subject can be applied to Julius Voegtli as well: Physiognomic interpretation was predicated upon a “symptomatic” relationship between external appearance and an invisible, internal self which was the ultimate subject of interest. The work of Courbet, Manet and the Impressionists interrogates this presumed identification between individualized physiognomy and a distinctive,
“The Girl from Ticino” is a small-format masterpiece painted with a striking empathy. On her back, the young woman is carrying an empty wicker basket, with which she carries the harvested hay from the alpine pastures to the farm in the valley. Undoubtedly, this is hard work, especially for a slender woman, but she does not show evidence of her
Manichaeism was founded by Mani (216–274 AD) at the beginning of the Sasanian Empire (224–651 AD) and quickly spread from the Roman Empire to China. Mani believed that he was the Paraclete whose manifestation was heralded by Jesus Christ. Accordingly, he revealed the truth and instructed his disciples to write it down so that people could be guided, benefit from
Kaspar Hauser – “The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser” is a powerful film, exploring a variety of social, political, and philosophical issues. At its core, the story of a young man, Kaspar Hauser, who is found wandering the streets of Nuremberg in 1828, speaks to the struggles of those who are marginalized by society and often overlooked by the mainstream. The
Ralph Hübschmann’s beauteous wood sculpture “Evolution – the Next Level” is a captivating exploration of posthumanism, blurring the boundaries between humanity and technology with phosphorescent cords attached to a gender-less face that appears to be transitioning from nature to robot. This unique piece of art encourages viewers to consider the implications of posthumanism, and to contemplate the possibilities of a
Once again, Voegtli has painted an aquarelle, titled “Ticino Girl in the Back Courtyard.” Most likely, it’s the same young woman that he had already immortalized in “Ticino Girl” (Picture 46). This time it’s almost impossible to recognize her face; however, she again is wearing a red headscarf, a blue dress – this time with white sleeves and loose sandals.
In a pure blue sky stands strong a white mountain named Matterhorn, one of the most famous peaks of the Alps. It is, at first glance, an honorable depiction of the strength and power of the mountain which, on the one hand, goes up to the highest place in the sky and, on the other hand, is rooted deeply in
Ecophobia is defined by Estok (2011) in Ecocriticism and Shakespeare as “It denotes fear and loathing of the environment” – in much the same way that the term “homophobia” denotes fear and loathing of gays, lesbians, and bisexuals (p. 24). It is a recent term in ecology studies and defines a part of Western culture. It has its roots back
The monumental format of this painting “Golgotha” reflects the importance of the theme in the Judeo-Christian tradition. Chagall paints it in 1912, in his workshop in La Ruche, with as much energy as wisdom. Titled originally dedicated to Christ, it is exhibited that same year in Berlin’s Walden Gallery. The large dimensions of the canvas reflect the magnitude that this
The violinist invades the central space of this large painting, a format over which reigns supreme: dancing in support of the foot on the roof of a house, and around it you can see a hamlet reminiscent of Vitebsk, where Chagall spent his childhood and youth. Uprooted in Paris, the artist goes into the memories of his native Russia, to
“Umwelt” is a German word for “kingdom” or “world.” It is a biological term coined by Uexküll (1934, p. 5) to denote the world as seen by an animal. The term brought about a revolution in human culture and affected Heidegger’s criticism on Western civilization and human-centeredness. Throughout history, Western philosophy has looked at man as the center and the
There were two versions of the subject (the one not illustrated here, a wooden panel is also in Brussels, in the collection of David and Alice van Buuren; it also shows Daedalus in flight), although scholars are of the opinion that it is are two copies of a lost Bruegel original. The works have a special place in Bruegel’s oeuvre
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