FRONTLINE | The Atomic Artists | PBS

An excellent feature, which ties into a thesis I'm writing on movements toward an art of social conscience. Reminds me of something Rothko wrote: "Choice implies responsibility to one's conscience, and, in the conscience of the artist, the Truth of Art is foremost."

Visit: FRONTLINE | The Atomic Artists | PBS

Film: Guy and Madeline on a Park Bench

'Guy And Madeline': A New Wave Spin On The Musical
by Pat Dowell
November 9, 2010

Shot on the streets of Boston in black and white by a 25-year-old director, Guy and Madeline Sitting on a Park Bench has easily made it onto several 10-best lists — that is, lists of the 10 best films that did not get into theaters in 2009. But after two years in production and more than a year on the festival circuit, the film that critics have hailed as a fresh blend of the 1930s Hollywood musical and the French New Wave cinema of the 1960s has finally opened to audiences in New York.

[...] The unforced, matter-of-fact style of the movie is just one of the things that inspired critic Amy Taubin to write about it in Film Comment and designate it the best undistributed film of 2009 on Indiewire; in Artforum she called it one of the year's best, period. Taubin says the film gives us a glimpse of life around Boston's music schools, just as the films of Jean-Luc Godard and other New Wave directors in the 1960s gave us a glimpse of Paris neighborhoods while breaking all of the rules of conventional moviemaking. [READ FULL ARTICLE]

Kathyrn Hunter & Blackbird Letterpress

I quite enjoy Hunter's bold simplicity. Her cutouts, collages and block prints are strong, sometimes quaint and wistful, but always, to my mind, invigorating and life affirming.



The first work of hers I stumbled upon was "She Smiles" (pictured here). Viewing it, I can't help but feel overcome with a sense of resiliency, the strength of this woman's heart fueled by, not what I've come to read as a smile of joy but, rather, confidence. Of course, that is an entirely personal interpretation; I know virtually nothing of the artist or her work. I only know what I like.

To see more more work by Kathryn Hunter, visit Blackbird Letterpress.

Lullaby on Broadway

I watched Gold Diggers of 1935 with my daughter a few weeks ago. As some of you know, she's a fan of musicals and of any classic black and white film that includes dance numbers. She started ballet and tap classes this year. Now whenever we watch musicals I catch her watching the dancers' feet, and see her making that connection between the rhythm, the steps and the movement of her own body. And usually she'll get up and dance before the song is over, trying it out for herself.

There were two numbers from the film I particularly loved. The first, "Lullaby on Broadway," is classic '30s art deco--very surreal and the set reminds me of a Maxfield Parish painting. Youtube didn't have a clip of the number in its entirety, but I did find it in two parts, which I've posted here. I don't recall what the tune was for the other number I really liked, but it involves this beautifully intricate piano choreography that just, well, blew my mind. I may see if I can find it later today, after I've completed some work.

Nicolas Delfosse - "California Stars"

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take... but by the number of moments that take our breath away... "

I'm pleased to present "California Stars," an Art on Wry special request, created by Belgian media artist and musician Nicolas Delfosse.

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