Futurism Obsession

Iris Van Harpen Fall 10 collection, Synesthesia Collection// Filippo Marinetti, Nike of Samothrace, 1909





I have always been somewhat obsessed with Futurism's failed attempt at portraying movement in a ground-breaking and new manner. They constantly turned to old materials that had been utilized in art for decades. Within Iris Van Harpen's look-book , a new form of movement that combines new technologies and sculpture is achieved. He puts the metal work around the human figure, in fashion form, giving both the fashion of the garb and the substance of the metal a new dimension. Whereas when looking at the futurist sculpture, the movement seems hindered simply because of the material (gilded bronze) used. It's amazing to me that Van Harpen was so easily able to achieve what the futurist were constantly striving for.

Side-note: It would appear that using time exposure photography to enhance and frame designer's works is the new trend for Fall 2010 campaigns and editorials...

My Lover and Karen O.

T Magazine's Women's Fashion Summer 2010 editorial called Disorderly Conduct shot by Daniel Jackson // Photo of Pablo from the 1960's....

Being the avid Picasso lover that I am, I kind of think of him every single time I see a dark striped shirt, however, I decided that I respect Karen O.'s unique style and creativity enough to make the comparison between them.

King Henry

Hyoni Kang for Reborn Process Spring/Summer 2010 collection v. Hans Holbeoin, Portrait of Henry VIII, 1540



I love the literal incorporation of Henry on to a ladies sweater. How do you think the controlling womanizer would have felt about being a part of high-fashion? Some more royal portraiture: http://iheartpablo.blogspot.com/2010/04/sorry-tilda.html

Simply Related

A typical byzantine representation of a holy figure, and I think this is from Calvin Klein S/S 2010 campaign but can't currently find the exact information

Modern Académie

Vanity Fair España May 2010 featuring Andrés Velencoso and Jean Germain Drouais, Académie d'homme assis

The royale academie des beaux arts existed in france both before and during the revolution and encouraged and celebrated it's students that were capable of successfully creating an anatomically convincing male nude. Students like David, Drouais, Girodent, and Giro. Enjoy ladies.

Not incredibly related...

Here are some pieces that just sort of vaguely hinted towards one another




Robert Rauschenberg, Monogram, 1955-59, freestanding combine & an Editorial from French Vogue May 2010 discussing the rise in animal inspirations in fashion




The futurist work by Giacomo Balla, dynamism of a dog & Vogue China May 2010, Shot by: Patrick Demarchelier

Futurist work has always been incredibly interesting to me because of its depiction of movement. The futurist movement was all about progression, new styles, and new techniques. Balla's attempt at portraying movement in a new way has always been laughable to me. It seems the futurist strived so hard to embrace new technologies and styles, yet in their many attempts at portraying light and movement they completely ignored the newly mainstreamed camera. Instead they used classic oil paints, which had been used for centuries. The first photograph was taken in 1825, while Balla's painted was completed in 1912. Cameras weren't really implemented as a tool in art until a bit latter than the futurist were around, and maybe their movement would have lasted longer had they been able to think outside the box.

The Natural Embrace

Gustav Klimt's The Kiss 1907-8 and Dazed & Confused May 2010 Shot by: Ben Toms

I love that the model in the Ben Toms editorial is wearing a blanket covered with a spherical pattern. Klimt used circles as symbols of the female anatomy and cylindrical shapes to represent the male. The Kiss is a painting that is well known and widely considered a very romantic painting. I have always noticed a sort of violent under-tone in the distortion of the females neck and the intense placement of the male's hands. This sort of violent-sexual undertone is somewhat paralled in the photo shoot, as seen in the abrasive stance and gaze of the two lovers.

Ancient Art Comparison

Buddhist goddess Torani mostly depicted in Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand art from the 8th-11th century and Amphithéâtre, Numéro #112 April 2010, Shot by: Sebastian Kim

Torani was a goddess who helped Buddha defeat the evil Mara and demons when they tried to prevent his meditation and his path to enlightenment. Torani wrung her hair onto the demons stopping them from touching Buddha.

soft blue light

A White Story
Vogue Italia April 2010
Shot by: Paolo Rovers

and

Ballerina by Edgar Degas

Blue Mythology

My lover Pablo Picasso, A Young Faun Playing a Serenade to a Young Girl, 1938 and Lily Allen gracing the cover of Australian Harper's Bazaar May 2010 issue, drawing by David Bromley

I love the comparison of Pablo and Lily, especially in the context of being a faun or satyr. Pablo would occasionally depict mythological creatures often associated with immorality, eroticism, and rebellion throughout his career. Lily Allen is sort of known as this immoral, silly, rebellious star, and a woman Pablo would have probably been interested in.

Sorry Tilda

Dazed & Confused May 2010 Cover | Tilda Swinton by Glen Luchford--George Digby, 2nd Earl of Bristol, ca. 1638–9, ; Princess Mary Stuart and Prince William of Orange. 1641, both by Sir Anthony van Dyck (both flipped horizontally)

When I first stumbled across Tilda Swinton gracing the cover of Dazed and Confused I was immediately reminded of royal portraits one would examine if looking at 17th century art. The soft lighting and light color palette paralleled typical royal portrayals. Swinton's photograph reminded me of a few of Anthony van Dyck's works. van Dyck was a comtemporary to Velázquez, and they both became widely known for being preeminent court portraitists. Like Swinton, van Dyck was an under appreciated artist from his time, one who possessed the talents of his many contemporaries, like Rembrant and Holbein, but was never truly valued for his immense skill.

Old Vanity Fair Cover

Jean Auguste Ingres, Female nude, 1807 v. Vanity Fair 2008 cover featuring Miley Cyrus and photographed by Annie Leibovitz

I know this is incredibly out-dated and an old topic but I was looking at Ingres today and this came to mind. I flipped the photo of Miley horizontally to emphasize the similarities. This comparison seemed perfect to me as Ingres himself has said he's used young models for different nude works. His famous Grand Odalisque was said to have the face and influences of 12 year old with the body of a 30 year old. I have always loved Lebovitz and I do think this photo is stunningly beautiful despite its Lolita-like implications (Im going to have to disagree with using a then-15-year-old as the model). The distinct difference between the two works that can't be reconciled is Ingres' habit of portraying female backs in an anatomically incorrect and other-worldly manner. Whereas you can clearly tell that Miley Cyrus is human and proportional.

And Again

The famous Mcqueenadillos and one of my favorite artists from recent time- Yayoi Kusama, Narcissus Garden (1966)





It kind of looks as though a tiny Kusama is clinging to the side of the shoe.

Obsessive patterns

Two dresses from the McQueen 2010 Summer collection and an image from Yayoi Kusama's Giant pumpkin installation in New York

The thing that fascinates me most about this correlation is both artist's mental instability. Alexander McQueen sadly took his own life only months ago and Kusama's battle with her mental health can be mapped through her obsessive use of small and intricate patterns in her art. Her art has slowly become more and more detailed and causes the viewer to truly sympathize with her in her obsession with making patterns symmetrical and perfect.