Photography: Do Not Forget Me by Eva Carraro

Rating: 4/5

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I am pleased to say that we finally have a photograph to discuss on.

As soon as I saw this piece, I was intrigued. The artist or photographer (Whatever term you may like to use) was Eva Carraro, who's Google Page can be seen here. Make sure you follow her and you show your appreciation for this fantastic piece of art.

Before I saw this photo, I planned to do another piece on a different piece of art I saw on-line, but I decided to go about and trawl and see if I could see any artist that may have been inspired by something and decided to make a piece. This took me to the Google pages where artists gather and share pieces of art and compliment each other. I got here and eventually saw Ms Carraro's masterful piece, as shown below:

Do Not Forget Me by Eva Carraro

This piece kinda brought chills to me. At first, I believed that it was an ACTUAL piece of painting/drawing (And if it was it would have been even more amazing), but it brought me back not just to recent personal experiences but also other recent events that have happened around the world or just events that we have recently celebrated. These are such as the Nepal earthquake (Pray for them and if you can donate here - there are different ways you can donate) or the remembrance of the 40 years after the Vietnamese War.

The title of the piece was VERY appropriate and Ms Carraro, did a beautiful job, using everything at her disposal. If you are wondering the image is of Ms Carraro herself. Her face is illuminated, it stands out. This is ironically to us a reminder that we remember each other (As humans) mainly through face recognition. Her face is enhanced by the dark-shadowy parts around her face and her hair. But the sad part that we also have to recognise is her facial expression. Her facial expression is almost disappointed with a tint of expressionlessness (Through the way her eyes are looking at whoever is admiring this piece). I think the story that this piece is telling me is that, the character here has given someone advice and they've decided not to take it and ignore the character. As things get worse for the other involved individual, the character in this piece is simply disappointed. She is asking for nothing but simply that they: "Do not forget her [me]". The blue curtain (On the left hand side of her face) tell us that there is hope for her remembrance, as it it the main characteristic in the piece, that removes the dark "shadowy" attribute that was engrossing her main facial features.
I also need to touch on the (Her left) [Your] Right side of her face. As you can see clearly, (If you can) her face is distorted. It is like her face is being taken away. Taken away. Think about it. The title is "Do Not Forget Me". Once something is taken away from someone, if it was of any importance they'd find it hard to forget it, meanwhile if it lacked importance they'd instantly forget it. The piece is challenging us. Is it of any importance? We will forget it? We will forget what's important? Again, the facial expression is telling us to show some persistence and MAKE it important.

It's quite funny, because as you go along the comments section, I saw all the lovely, great and exceptional comments that were given to the artist, such as: "Awesome" or "Beautiful work" which are all encouraging. But one comment (Or should I say part of a comment) caught my eye and it was: "A ghost", the artist just instantly goes to remind the other individual that "I can assure you that I am made of flesh and bones ....." . I'm pretty and most definitely sure that I will not forget her any time soon - And you readers should make sure that you shouldn't too.

I rated this piece of art simply because, first of all - I loved it. The message is simple and clear and should instantly get across to you, without any lingering questions. I just wanna stare at it and try to fit" this piece into my own life. How does it match to my life? That's the first question I asked myself when I saw it and art pieces that can do that are quite incredible in my view.

Thank you to the artist herself: Ms Carraro, who should take a bow for this beautiful piece of work, any inquiries please contact her and I would suggest you to follow her and check out any future pieces of art that she'll put out.

Hopefully, she remembers to allow me to critique it/comment on it :D

Guys follow me, on Google+ and on Twitter: @Kigen_Art, if you wish me to review any piece of art email me.

Eastern European Art Serenity....wait...?

You guys read the blog post title right.... Eastern European serenity.

Ever since I ghosted/disappeared (Whatever you wanna call it) I got into a book named: Young Stalin. This book was written by Simon Sebag-Montefiore. The book is a masterpiece - really - one of the most interesting history/biographies (Yes, I'm also gonna call it a biopic - simply cos its epic (Still in the process of reading it) that I have ever read. The book simply to put it, is a biography which tells the story of one of the biggest figures in the history of our current world. I mean, this guy was revolutionary - people I've come across haven't heard of him before - but trust me when I say he is FULLY on par with Adolf Hitler.His name has put obvious by the title is Josep Stalin. The book goes through what he did before he came into control of a European powerhouse, the USSR.

History has never been MY thing with the exception being to do with Art and their artists such as Van Gogh. I really suggest you check it out and BUY IT - cos its worth it!

BUT however amazing the book was/is we aren't here to discuss it - we are here to discuss art linked to Stalin.

Recently I came across an image of this ominous figure. The image as detailed on the website was on Inkjet printed collage on Artist paper, for which an online auction was held (Wish I had been part of it back in '11) and I found it a rather fascinating piece of art, especially, as it caught my eye.

Below you'll be able to see the piece of art named:

"Tehran Conference - Let's Play Boys" By Afsoon.

(***If you do know the artist, please contact me right away I wish to get the details as closely as possible**)

Man... doesn't it stand out to you? Funniest thing is that the artist is not very very well known especially in our society nowadays. But. Isn't it breathtaking?

Take a moment to see the details in and around the image...

Firstly, before I make my comments, let's quickly delve into the inspiration that was the title of this piece of art. "Tehran Conference - Let's Play Boys".....
Now instantly "Tehran Conference" MUST mean something, and typing that into Google (I haven't gotten far into the book yet for me to just say what it means). And I found this out:

Weirdly, the Tehran Conference was a meeting that was held during the period of November 28 and December 1, 1943. Present were, the US President Franklin D Roosevelt, UK Prime Minister Winston Churchill and USSR leader Josep Stalin, taking place in TEHRAN, IRAN. During this conference, the stratagem to fight the oncoming Germans and Japans was decided upon by the three leaders present. Also different decisions about Post World War 2 were made.

The title explains a lot, if not the bulk of the image. Whether it was coincidental or planned it was brilliant. The title, just tells about the conference, a meeting, in the image, we can see a meeting of colours and of ages. The colour grey, black and white (Especially when included with the other two), do not normally go with the bright colours (Pink, blue orange etc). The meeting of such colours kinda tell me that Stalin may have either felt disconnected by his current surroundings or powerful, simply by the fact that he stood out above it all and his "comrades". Stalin as I've read in the book so far, as a youth, was first a choirboy and student priest and then ironically became the embodiment of everything that goes against it - a criminal that partook in different crimes including adultery and murder and thieving. And... yet somehow he got to the totem pole of one of the most wanted positions in the whole of European politics.... Europe. Period. I think that he felt special aswell, to put in within such a background just tells us that his chest was always out like a lion's and this put off any competition that attempted to deal with him. Stalin here is emerging from the flowers, that percentage of the population that struggled, (His family was quite poor considering the fact that he was training to be a priest) but instead of being of positive colours he came out somewhat a "blemished flower" one who did the "dirty work" as a chimney boy, up the chimney to rise to the top like smoke. The part in the title saying: "Let's Play Boys" is kind-of simply a play on words telling us that Stalin and the others were ready, with Stalin considering himself as the head of operations leading the crusade against Germany. The look he gives to (his right) our left, is one of confidence and clear mind with a knowledge that he KNEW everything was going to work in his favour, shown by the surrounding flowers crowding him, sort of almost in a support like position. He also shows almost no fear - like he's looking into the future knowing that there'd only be safety for him.
The clash of ages also shows me that Stalin was almost in a sense fading from the bright future which was going to engulf him (the flowers guys!), due to his outdated look, which was quickly engulfing Adolf Hitler too. Stalin didn't see it this way though. His confidence was HIGH. He was MIGHTY and powerful and barely anyone else could reach him and what he possessed and achieved. Therefore he saw a secure future, nothing else.

The artist, Afsoon - who originates from Iran (Ironically where the piece of art set in), being a fashionista (Can be easily seen by the pattern of the surrounding flowers near Stalin), gave this painting a great deal of imagination mixed with knowledge. I think she DEFINITELY knew what she was doing and that this unique type of art that she displayed, just forces it to be conveyed in a much better than light than it already supposedly is. Afsoon is helping the viewer to see that the fact that there is a pattern isn't just there for someone to awe at, but also to see the pattern in the actions of such a historical figure. Such historical figures landed themselves because of their extreme backgrounds, which required extreme reactions. The background of the flowers sympathizes with Stalin's poor background and shows where he has gotten to with it through the bliss colours chosen, which make it stand out and make him the man that he had become in that time.


Look! He's still making the news ;D
Check this video out too - coming from the BBC
Find out a bit more on Afsoon here.

If you wish for me to make any such comments on art pieces just say and I'll post up. Just send the inquiry to kigen111@gmail.com or tweet @kigen_art!

Hope you enjoyed the post.

Shisa Art

Shisa

This type of art originates from the lands of Asia. Specifically it originated from China. This type of art is intriguing and I am bringing it to you guys, because I want to tell you guys a bit about its history and background.

Now, the style of the art of Shisa, combines a dragon and a dog together and can be used in sculptures or simply art pieces such as drawing and/or paintings, although, it is mainly used in sculptures.

Shisa Art

The Shisa dog is believed to normally protect people from evil spirits that are unwanted.

You may recognise this piece of art and may/definitely will have related it to Asian mythology. If you have, you are correct, let me explain to you what it symbolises from the collection of stories that I saw online.

The Story (Or a few):

According to one legend, a small boy was given a shisa as a gift from an Okinawan nobleman. One day, a dragon appeared to destroy the boy's village, and the inanimate shisa came to life and saved the village.

Another legend says that, a chinese emissary came back from a mission and decided to give the King at that time, a gift. The gift came in form of a necklace with, at the end, a Shisa dog, the King found it amazing and kept it underneath his clothing.A nearby town had been terrorized by a sea dragon, who causes trouble and ate people too. A local priestess, saw in a dream that she was to give the King instructions to give to the King, which were to raise the figurine towards the Sea dragon. The King then visited the village as prophesied and she sent a child to warn the King and to tell him.He faced the monster with the figurine held high, and immediately a giant roar sounded all through the village, a roar so deep and powerful that it even shook the dragon. A massive boulder then fell from heaven and crushed the dragon's tail. He couldn't move, and eventually died.



In fact, the "Gana-Mui" woods are said to be what is remaining of the dragon since the conflict, as grass and plants and trees have covered it now. The townspeople even built a massive Shisa dog near it to protect the town!

Welcome

Welcome to the Art Section!

Guys,

I actually love art (I have made this very clear LOL!) But I want to show my appreciation for other types of art in and around the industry and will therefore be dedicating this page to Art and its wonderful contributions around the world.

Please fell free to comment in the comments section and tell me about what you'd want me to include in the upcoming post - enjoy guys!

Art: Irises by Van Gogh

Let's begin!

You have probably noticed this image somewhere in this blog before. I saw this image instantly and wanted it to definitely feature on my blog. This art piece named Irises by the ever eluding Van Gogh, is one it very well known ones, staying along with his most famous Sunflowers, Poppies and Night Cafe.

Irises by Van Gogh

As soon as I saw it, the painting popped out at me, I found it interesting and instantly began to think about what Van Gogh may have been thinking about while painting this.

Irises is special. Through this painting, I can see that Van Gogh is trying to tell me that he wants me to view the world through his eyes, I got this through his clever naiming of the painting.

Irises is also an important artefact that Van Gogh left behind. He painted it while he was at an asylum at Saint Paul-de-Mausole in Saint-Remy-de-Provence (This is in France) in the year before his death in 1980. As we all know asylums are for the crazy. The cra-zay. And people around Van Gogh - including his father - (Not his brother though. His brother in fact warned him that his father would submit him into one) believed that Van Gogh was surely going through that path. And Lo and behold... He ended up in one.

They say if your friends or the people round you are thieves, then you shall be a thief too. The same should've happened to Van Gogh. But I fail to believe this. How can a "crazy person" still be able to paint with such mastery? The answer isn't luck or "refound skill" (Don't give me none of that bs) but simply that he was at peace while painting Irises. Even though EVEN his father shunned him and doomed him to such a life around mentally ill people, he was still able to see serenity and be at peace with himself, shown this through the calming flowers at the front and we should be able to spot that he could see light and still be happy (Not fully - I'll explain why) through the inclusion of the sunflowers (?) or the yellow-coloured flowers. I think he wasn't fully happy, because if you put him in the position of the Sunflowers, they were at the back and slightly ignored while the blue ones which are calm and serene are at the front, which kind of tells us more about his father. We can see that his father and his neighbours didn't like the idea of anything NEW happening, such as the hallucinations and the fact that Van Gogh cut his ear earlier on and delusions that he was being poisoned and therefore they petitioned against him to close his house down.

This leads me to say that while Van Gogh was also painting Irises, we could see his happiness and brightness being pushed aside by the ideas of old and his sadness and confinement inside the asylum being exposed a bit more.

Now, I'm never going to get to know what he intended.
All I know is that Van Gogh is a genius and that he has imprinted his name as so. I guess I'll need to stumble along his art more and more, but to make it fair I'll spread it out to other artists and art forms... After all there is only so many paintings you can review on ONE artist.. ;D

However, this is my interpretation and I hope you enjoyed it and come back for more.

Remember to share this out guys! Hoping to post more for your enjoyment :D

Kigen Art Inc.