"The best way to predict the future is to invent it." - Alan Kay
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We’ve made a few LOL Cats for the art world in the past, so we thought we’d try it again. This one shows the danger of studying the paintings of Hieronymus Bosch too closely.
As I downloaded the iPad app of Angry Birds Star Wars last night, I thought “wouldn’t it be cool if I could use Star Wars characters to help get kids interested in art history?” It seems that I’m not the first to think of using Star Wars characters in art historical modes, as evidenced by John Mattos‘ awesome reinterpretation of Marcel Duchamp’s masterpiece Nude Descending a Staircase, using C-3PO.
Then I thought, maybe I can make up my own Star Wars character in a famous painting, and thought of Princess Leia as Mona Lisa … but then found that someone had already done that (below left, artist unknown). I’ve also been scooped on using Darth Vader, as I found him in a version of Leonardo’s Last Supper and as a replacement for George Washington in a take-off on George Washington Crossing the Delaware by Emmanuel Leutze (1851). Oh well, even though I didn’t come up with them myself, they’re still fun to see.
This rough sketch may not look like much, but it was a study for a painting that became not only a masterpiece but one of the most important works of modern art. Can you name the artist and the title of the eventual masterpiece? If so, send your guesses here.
I got a Burton Fall/Winter catalog in the mail today, and while I don’t do much snowboarding myself (I prefer downhill skiing), I was curious to browse through the catalog. I noticed they had a section for women’s snowboards – to be honest, I didn’t think snowboards would have a need to be gender-specific, as far as construction, but perhaps this was just the thought of snowboard designs for women. If so, look at what some of the options are … art history, or housewives from the 1950’s, with their faces painted out John Baldessari-style.
I don’t want to give the impression that they didn’t have cool and funky designs for women, as you can see here, they do. But I wonder why they restrict the art historical boards, with the Mona Lisa at left and the 2nd one – is it Fragonard? – next to it, to be included only in the women’s group? What if I wanted to ride a little art history down the slopes? How about a Picasso minotaur board, or a Salvador Dali melting clock board? Burton, take some notes …
I know it’s unseasonably warm for mid-March, but parents, tell your kids to keep their clothes on! Painting of cupid is a detail from a painting titled “Venus and Cupid” by Lucas Cranach the Elder (1472-1553).
It came to our attention today that someone started creating art historical images of the “Pepper Spray Cop,” who in real life is Lt. John Pike, the U.C. Davis campus police officer who pepper-sprayed passive student protesters recently. One such example is the image at right, where Pike is pepper-spraying Christina from “Christina’s World,” a famous painting by Andrew Wyeth. You can see a collection of them here and also a Tumblr blog collecting them here.
We’re wondering if we can take any credit for the idea of putting an internet meme in art history, since we put the “Creepin’ A-Rod” internet meme into art historical paintings back on October 22nd …?
Pepper Spray Cop in Christina's World, made by Brady Hall.
How many famous paintings can you identify in this music video, as recreated by the band “Hold Your Horses” …? What a brilliant and well-done concept!
A while back we happened upon a set of Barbie Dolls for the Art History Set, which are Barbie Dolls based on paintings by Leonardo da Vinci, Gustav Klimt and Vincent Van Gogh. Now we’ve got the Barbie who taught those kids about da Vinci, Klimt and Van Gogh … it’s Barbie the Art Teacher!
Now, don’t get us wrong, this is all good if it gets kids excited about art and/or wanting to become an art teacher. But what about Ken? Can’t he get in on the action? How about “Ken Pollock,” who comes with dripping brushes? (see bottom left). How about Cubist Ken? If you look at him from one angle, he looks like Ken, but if you look at him from another angle, he looks like a flower pot.
There’s room for Barbie to expand her roles too – how about Barbie the Art Dealer? (below center). How about Barbie Kahlo, who is much happier than Frida, and comes with a hair ribbon and jewelry, but none of the angst (below right). The possibilities are endless …
We were reading a story in the NY Times about Kickstarter.com, and one of the subjects of the story grabbed our attention right away: Smarthistory.org, which is a free, not-for-profit, multi-media web-book designed as a dynamic enhancement (or even substitute) for the traditional art history textbook. It was created by Dr. Beth Harris and Dr. Steven Zucker in 2005. The site features over 400 art works and over 300 videos, and one can investigate art based on time, style, artist or themes. It’s a fantastic resource – we highly advise you check it out!
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