Art and Architecture Archives

Most renowned for The Rake’s Progress, William Hogarth was a prolific artist whose paintings and etchings depict the early eighteenth century in all its glory. With a fiercely satirical eye he portrayed London as the newly cosmopolitan, money-rich city that it was becoming, but he also held a mirror up to the inequalities that existed. Showing the grindingly poor living cheek-by-jowl with the prosperous City folk, Hogarth’s works provided an unflinching commentary on the times, but also have an unsettling resonance with today’s capital (the recent Eastern European immigration, and the large bonuses earned by city brokers spring to mind). His portraits of his servants are particularly sensitive and respectful, earning him a reputation for having the common touch. There is an excellent catalogue of his work on this genealogy site.

Much as Dickens and Shakespeare give their names to eras, so the mention of Hogarthian England gives rise to images of profligacy and stupidity associated with the rich whose money came easily to them. Along with The Rake’s Progress – a tale of woeful frittering of a young man’s fortune that ultimately sees him end his days in the infamous Bedlam – the series Marriage à-la-mode shows the unfortunate results of an ill-advised marriage, made purely for money (such as any of today’s ‘celebrity’ couplings).

The Sky Arts exploration of the artist’s life (showing at various times this week), illustrates how the art of Hogarth provides us with a window into life in London at that time. The programme draws comparisons with the parts of today’s city that survives from Hogarth’s time, and ponders whether things may have come full circle.

Strip off and lie down while you take a photo you say? No problem. Hang on, there’s a thousand other people here. They’re all going to be in the buff? This is art?

The naked form has had a place in the art sphere for as long as art has been made, from Greek urns to Renaissance nudes, but today it has taken on a different form. Spencer Tunick has persuaded thousands of people all over the world to disrobe and pose for photographs which feature hundreds of naked forms prostrate on the cold ground next to each other or forming mountains of bare flesh (see also this ArtsWom article on the subject). It all sounds very bizarre, but the results are absolutely stunning (for a collection of his photographs, try the Naked World site). The individual becomes part of a single skin-like whole in certain pieces, an effect Tunick is proud of. He says that in his art ‘the body is used repetitively as a medium to create a living sculpture to deal with the humanity and the vulnerability of the body, juxtaposed to the public space and the concrete world. It’s not so much sex or sexuality that is involved.’ Read the full interview with Cool Cleveland here.

Tunick has taken his art all over the world, creating over seventy pieces in every continent. He has been arrested five times whilst arranging his subjects in New York, each time his right to freedom of expression has been upheld – it is not an offence to produce naked art in a public place. This Sky Arts documentary (showing Monday 5^th at 12.20am) takes a light-hearted look at Tunick’s five-month trek across the US, where he set out to take a photograph of a nude in every state. Convincing thousands of people to pose for him from the most unlikely of gatherings (a biker rally for one) the artist faces numerous dilemmas, the biggest of these being will any volunteers actually turn up?

Ever been tempted to go au naturel for the sake of art? Share your thoughts with others here.

This image courtesy of xboronat at DeviantART

As one of a very small group of people who have the ability to ‘see’ sound and ‘hear’ colour, David Hockney’s talents also enable him to produce paintings that have strong perspective and an unparalleled use of colour. A virtual recluse in his Californian home, Hockney only leaves its confines when strictly necessary (usually to oversee major exhibitions of his work), preferring to experiment with form and colour in the grounds of the house. The Bradford-born artist has a distinct and universally recognised style, stemming from his philosophy that he must use his gift to give pleasure to the eye.

With a brief sojourn in New York (during which time he managed to befriend Andy Warhol and Dennis Hopper) the twenty-something Hockney eventually made his way to California. There he spent his time hanging out on Santa Monica pier admiring the well-sculpted men and the architecture, much of which appeared in his work from this period. In the Eighties, he turned to photo collage, fuelling his fascination for viewing life through a window frame. Around this time he also began a series of self-portraits, allowing the public an insight into his previously intensely private life. The decade also brought new technology, and Hockney faxed drawings to friends, as a result, while these transmitted images had no commercial value, they represented a true sharing of his art, fulfilling his ideal of pleasing the eye. There are some strong similarities between this method and modern web sites such as Flickr.

The Sky Arts documentary profiling Hockney is a journey through the artist’s life, accompanied by his own commentary, which allows the viewer to see the world through his eyes. Mostly filmed in his Californian retreat, Hockney’s surroundings give sense to his paintings, particularly the iconic swimming pool around which a great deal of his art centred. The profile airs today at 12pm and 9 November at 10.30 pm, and you can share your opinions of Hockney or the show by jumping over to the Sky Arts site.

Australian architects Denton Corker Marshall have scooped the most prestigious prize in their country’s architectural field for their design of Manchester’s Civil Justice Centre (that’s Manchester, England, not New Hampshire, Missouri or Connecticut). The 15-storey court complex’s bold design ‘replaces the traditional solid courthouse structure’ but with a feeling of ‘transparency and connection’. A stunning public building, anyone who has come within sight of it is transfixed by the innovation of the design. The latest addition to Manchester’s burgeoning skyline (the 47-storey glass and chrome Beetham Tower and the Urbis building are leading the way towards making the city more closely resemble a US metropolis) is breath-taking in a ‘How does that work?’ way. The building has to be seen to be believed, but this photo should give you an idea.

We try to imagine what would happen if ArtsWom were caught red-handed attempting to sell mock artwork of some of the greatest painters of all time. Well, firstly we’ll probably be simply laughed at (the last time I tried painting in the style of Van Gogh was 10th year art GCSE - I got a C by the way), but afterwards we’ll undoubtedly be locked away in a place where we’ll have to swap the honey-nut loaf and Kona Nigari we’re accustomed to for a far less appealing variety of bread and water. Upon our release we’ll likely get part-time jobs as manicurists for free-range Elephants - earning minimum wages and remaining social pariahs.

The story of John Myatt puts us in mind of the saying, “if you’re gonna be bad, be good at it” (which may or may not be well-known). John Myatt is a notorious art forger who fraudulently sold over 200 paintings, in the style of anything from Monet and Renoir to Hockney and Chagall, before being caught. Despite serving time in Brixton prison, Myatt’s subsequent fame allowed him to open a legitimate ‘Genuine Fake’ business where he sells his replica paintings for thousands of pounds. In short, Myatt beat the system by being freakishly talented.

Sky Arts shares some of John Myatt’s talents with you in their forthcoming Mastering the Art series, that stars Myatt teaching people some of the tricks that enable them to paint in the styles of the various classic artists he so “flattered”. The series starts on November 7, you can find more information about it by first mastering the link.

The graduation show at the Design Academy Eindhoven includes these innovative pieces from Julien Carretero, works motivated by a desire to encourage curiosity in the manufacturing process. By casting an inch-thick hollow form in polyurethane foam, then using this mould to create another shape, Carretero exploits the inevitable faults that occur in the second process within the flexible material to form interesting structures. These are then joined together to create strange, morphing art-forms. By applying pressure during the second casting, the artist can influence the shape of the final piece.

Carretero is trying to drive home the difference between unique and serial productions. By using a process normally employed in mass-manufacture, he produces pieces that are distinctive and individual. His designs are ‘aimed at creating surprises’, and instead of marketing beauty and perfection he concentrates on deficiencies and defects as the attractive elements. For more information, and other entries in the graduation show, this site has all the details.

Clark Sorenson’s flower-shaped urinals look too artistic for your bathrooms but they are fully working units that can be hooked up to your home’s plumbing. They are perfect if you are looking to replace your run-of-the-mill toilet. These artistic urinals have been on display in many galleries and exhibitions, such as the Kyung Hyang Housing Fair. These flower urinals are not meant for everyone as they are not molded or mass produced. Prices start at $6,500 and go as high as $9,500 varying according to the complexity and detail of the flower.

A far cry from Duchamp’s Fountain, these urinals may have a place in some high class hotels or restaurants, but in the home? We think not. Someone is taking the…

How does art ‘over the pond’ compare to that produced on this continent? There are comparable spaces to put on exhibitions, the Tate Modern and the Louvre against the Guggenheim and the MoMA. They have a well of talent to draw on that is comparable in population size. Maybe what they don’t have is the sheer volume of art history that existed in Europe over the last how ever many centuries (Native American art notwithstanding). This disparity in deep-rooted cultural heritage is no better exemplified than the following exchange overheard during a tour of King’s College in Cambridge:

Female tourist (in heavy Texan drawl): Wow, this college is beautiful. Are the buildings pre-war?

Porter (in a voice laced with sarcasm, but as polite as his bowler hat): Madam, this college is pre-America.

In a country where little stands that is more than two hundred years old, how can American art compare to that of Europe, where artists are surrounded by beautiful buildings, such as those in Paris, Florence or Rome? Maybe this explains why it was American artists that drove the art movement in this century. Warhol and Lichtenstein were the innovators, others followed (this interesting comparison actually contends that Pop Art started in the UK). They had no heritage to draw on, so invented their own movement, and in doing so possibly shifted the balance to the New World.

Compare the two interpretations of the same subject - A Man Alone in a Hotel Room by American artist Hopper (left) and German Beckmann (right)

Artland takes a detailed look at the state of American art, trawling the country for the contemporary proponents, visiting those at the cutting edge, and assessing the landscape that has shaped the artistic movements of the United States.

Jake Biddington draws a compelling comparison, contending that early American artists were simply observational, producing simple portraits or still lifes. Those that wanted to paint historical paintings like Benjamin West had to go to Europe. Biddington sums it up nicely, ‘With American art, what-you-see-is-what-you-get. With European art, a cigar is much more than a cigar.’

Look closely at these amazing drawings, and you might find yourself falling into them. The perspective is so well observed that they seem to have depth when viewed from certain angles. Commissioned by Sky to promote their HD service, the genius behind the powerful street paintings is Kurt Wenner.

Joe at the Forbidden Planet International blog provides the photos below, which explains the perspective trick, and the Daily Mail brings us more examples of Wenner’s work. Tending to concentrate on traditional myths and legends, Wenner’s anamorphic style has graced the pavements of cities all over the world. The technique was used by classical artists to give an illusion of height in their frescoes, from where this modern day proponent draws his inspiration. The Sky commission on the concourse of Waterloo station is the latest in a line that includes a similar illustration from the pavements of Madua that honoured the visit of Pope John Paul II.

There are many blogs and forums discussing anamorphic art, such as David Thompson’s blog and the Groundspeak forum.

This image comes from the portfolio of *adixion at DeviantART

When does art depicting sex become pornography? Do the ancient Chinese wood block prints of gentle love-making in beautiful gardens count? What about a video of a woman’s face as she receives oral sex? Both of these are included in a new exhibition at London’s Barbican, called Seduced – Art and Sex from Antiquity to Now, which seeks to explore the changing attitudes to the depiction of sex and sexuality throughout the ages. One of the first things on show is the bronze fig leaf cast for Michaelangelo’s David to avoid offending Queen Victoria. How things have changed.

The Barbican’s Head of Art, Kate Bush, says ‘It’s not about porn. It’s a thoughtful exhibition, a celebration of what connects all human beings across time and cultures.’ This despite showing video installations of consensual sex between adults and banning under-18s. Ancient pottery from Greek and Roman times, through voluptuous Renaissance nudes to modern day photographs, the exhibition is a journey through art, portraying the fact that human desire will remain constant whilst the form of representation is ever-changing.

If you have anything to say, there is a lively debate to contribute to here.

Last week ArtsWom brought you a house made from shipping containers. Continuing this theme (and upping the ante somewhat), check out this house made from plastic bottles. Whilst not as design-tastic as the previous domicile, this is far more practical. Built in Santa Cruz, Bolivia from 25,000 sand-filled bottles, this has proved to be an extremely cheap yet effective method of building housing in a deprived area.

There are, of course, steel beams that make the structure sound, and the walls are fortified with cement, but essentially the house is made from discarded drink bottles. Initially constructed as an artistic installation by students commenting on the vast wastage in such a deprived country, so successful has the house been, that there are plans to erect ten more in the same village.

If you want to comment on this ingenious piece of art/architecture, join in here.

In a radical departure from the usual museum protocol, Rudolf Stingel’s latest work started off as a blank canvas. Literally. The foil walls of his work were available for visitors to make their own contribution, in any way they wanted. By using keys, coins or even fingers the foil can be punctured, ripped or torn in any way the visitor wants. Pens, pencils and crayons can be used to draw or write images or messages. Lit by a large cut glass chandelier (representing two extremes of craftsmanship, fragility and ugly beauty), the untouched areas of foil glint invitingly.

When the installation arrived in New York, only the top half of the display had been altered from its virgin state. This had been ‘designed’ by the people of Chicago where the piece was first shown. There was a riot of sculpture, graffiti and musings, and the New York audience was invited to respond on the lower half. The results literally speak for themselves. An interesting footnote to this is that when the installation is removed, it will be a Stingel original, without the artist having ever lifted a finger. Is this a very clever way of creating innovative art, or is it sheer bone idleness? Have your say here.

Two visitors to the latest Tate Modern installation came a cropper during a private viewing this week. The 167-metre long ‘crack’ in the floor of the Turbine Hall lured the pair into losing their footing before stepping into the fissure. Created by Doris Salcedo, a Colombian artist who claims to have spent a year constructing the sculpture, Shibboleth 2007 is said to represent ‘racial hatred and division in society’. Salcedo said that the piece took five weeks to install, but will not reveal how it was created. ArtsWom suspects a false floor is involved.

Despite not suffering serious injury, the duo who stumbled into the crack must surely be severely embarrassed. A spokesperson for the Tate said there were no plans to erect barriers around the crack, and over 12,000 visitors had successfully avoided injury on the first day of public viewing. ArtsWom imagines that the pair at the private viewing were possibly on the outside of a couple of glasses of something fizzy.

Join in a lively discussion of this piece here.

I have often believed that many items are under-designed. It is a point that I am revisiting due to the arrival of limited edition Sky HD boxes designed by British greats in the arena. To see all the designs head over to the website and assess their efforts. We were fortunate enough to see these a few months ago and were suitably impressed.

There are not many consumable products on offer that place a paramount on the aesthetic which equals that given to functionality. After looking at my friends generic games console back in the day, I’ve often marvelled at the limited availability of colour and invention tied to desirable gadgetry. The console in question was obliterated by stickers in such a way that it was clearly owned. It said something about him.

Take the example of televisions, desktop and laptop computers, consoles and white goods in general. White goods? The name says it all. All these items are basically monochrome, available in white or black, or if you’re lucky grey! There are naturally exceptions to this, Apple being the most notable and they have been commended over and over for this, others should be following this model in their droves.

That is why Artswom welcomes the arrival of Sky’s designer HD boxes. Trend setting is a brave thing to do, and although limited to only 130 per designer, the desirability of the set top boxes may prompt others to push the boundaries. Each of the five invited designers has created a skin for the Sky HD box. The names are heavyweights of the fashion and design industry - Giles Deacon, Jonathan Saunders, Basso and Brooke, Preen and Gareth Pugh. This initiative means it is now possible to watch Scarlett Johansson wearing Preen in HD on a HD box wearing Preen.

For the tiny sum of just $184,000 (plus shipping), you too can live in a shipping container. Yes, the 2,000 sq. ft. Quik House is for sale from architect Adam Kalkin in New Jersey. Featuring three bedrooms and two-and-a-half bathrooms, this ingenious use for unused containers even features an upstairs and sliding glass doors. Comprising six ‘boxes’, the house is made from 75% recycled material, and can be equipped with optional wind or solar power. Just prepare the ground, and the company will come and install your house in a day.

Alternatively, for the flush amongst us, a 5,000 sq. ft. twelve-container option is available (pictured above). Pure luxury, the design of this house might feel a little like living in a warehouse, but how does this differ from loft apartments that actually used to be warehouses?

Rigid, safe and with no shortage of raw materials, there is a six-month waiting list for delivery of a Quik House. And once on site, storage should be no problem.

If you think instant housing is a good idea, share your thoughts here.

These funky, cute little representations of pop stars past and present are well worth a look. Originally created by Craig Robinson as an advertising gimmick for the Observer Music Monthly’s Abba to Zappa feature, the cheeky diminutive depictions have taken off in popularity, causing the artist to generate a whole rockopoly of stars.

The website where the lollipops live now has inhabitants ranging from The Beatles to The Zutons, and the name of the game is to guess the group or individual, then roll the mouse over to discover their identity. Much fun can be had, and there is usually a clue in the drawing to help you along.

If you like the look of these pop idols reduced to faceless icons, have your say here.