Ariel Sharon art installation

We are currently reading about the  political  impact in the arts; and, also reading about  installation  art, you should look at the attached site.

From the site ImpactLab:

Controversial Leader Coma-tized

Ariel Sharon, once one of the Mideast’s most controversial leaders, is the subject of an unusual art exhibition presently on display in Tel Aviv. Israeli artist Noam Braslavsky has created a life-size sculpture of the comatose Sharon lying eyes-open in his hospital bed

http://www.impactlab.net/2010/10/19/ariel-sharon-in-a-coma-becomes-an-art-installation/

Abstract Expressionism

BIG BANG    New Yorker.COM  slide show Abstract Expressionism.  Take the time to enrich your visual  knowledge.  Thank you.

New Book on Frida Kahlo by Judy Chicago

Since femanisim and gender will be themes discussed in Contemporary Art,  the new book on Frida Kahlo by Judy Chicago should be interesting, to see if the viewpoints of a contemporary feminist artist will enhance our understanding of Kahlo and her work. Kahlo is not covered in your text, but she has gathered much interest in our time, particularly as a role model, etc. for women. She gained further notic among today's generation through the release of the film "Frida" in 2002. If you haven't seen the film, it is well worth seeing.

You can find out more in the information section of the Judy Chicago web site:

http://www.judychicago.com/?p=news_chicago

And more about Frida Kahlo at:
http://www.fridakahlo.com/

A visit to the Addison Gallery

The Addision Gallery (http://www.addisongallery.org/) is a very good small museum in Andover, Massachusetts, on the grounds of the Andover Academy.

I re-visited this week, since they had an exhibit of highlights from the collection, in celebration of a major renovation project just completed. The facility is beautiful - a classical building, in keeping with the setting.

It was interesting to see the approach they took with the installation. The works were grouped by themes such as Construction, Sequence, etc. - not chronoglogically. This allowed them to juxtapose works from all periods, and cause the viewer to think about the content of the work and the interrelationships.

As with most museums, photography was not allowed indoors, but I was able to capture a glimpse of one of the Dale Chihuly spheres they had embedded in the greenery of a rooftop garden.

The current exhibit ends in October; admission is free to the museum.

The Mightier Pen

The New York Times Magazine, September 19,2010 .  Jim Margraff, inventor of the Livescribe pen .

Contemporary Art for the now and future generation of education.  This article is beneficial to the arts education we all want to know.  On-line, library, worth the trip.  "The Pen That Nevers Forgets"

Artists and Celebrities

Here is a link to a slide show on Slate.com about artists using celebrities (or are the celebrities using artists?). Take a look, and think about it. Artistic expression? Marketing? Publicity stunts?

http://www.slate.com/id/2267425/