Awkward Conversations with an Artist...

You know that awkward moment when you meet someone who knows nothing about art? Yeah. Here's a funny list of some of those comments. Any others you'd add?

Next week we'll offer some witty come backs to these statements, as well as some ways to actually engage that person to think deeper on art.

Art in Music -- Realistically Speaking

This is the last in my series about "Art in Music" and it's the most real (pun intended!) Today's theme is "Realism," where the songs in question explore realistic life scenarios and dually reference art, art history, or art-making.

Bob Dylan -- When I Paint My Masterpiece

Here, in one of Dylan's songs with multiple meanings, he talks of a tired past and a hopeful future, saying, "Someday, everything's gonna be smooth like a rhapsody, When I paint my masterpiece." Though also a visual artist with several notable gallery exhibitions, Dylan is not known for his visual artworks; however, his knowledge of art history comes into his music as he mentions in this song that he has a date with Botticelli's niece -- something which is of course impossible, because the great master Botticelli had been dead for several hundred years before Dylan was even born.

M. Ward -- Story of an Artist (originally written by Daniel Johnston)

The realism expressed in this song is all-too-often the true experience of the struggle of many visual artists. "Listen up, I'll tell you a story about an artist growing old. Some will try for fame and glory, others aren't so bold," opens the song about an artist whose family and friends have no faith in his/her artistic career or merit.

"Friends and family saying, 'Hey, go get a job'" "We don't really like what you do, we don't think anyone ever will." Depressing? Very. However, check out the beautiful cinematography and interpretation of the song in this YouTube video>>

Citizen Cope -- Pablo Picasso

Mixing a little hip-hop, a little dj remix, and a little street grunge -- this song is about a deranged man who has fallen in love with a woman painted in a public mural. Clarence Greenwood, the musician behind the Citizen Cope name, is a genius when it comes to putting himself in others shoes and then writing about it. 

Cowboy Junkies -- My Little Basquiat

How many times have you watched a child happily drawing or painting, lost in his/her own world and imagined the works of Jean-Michel Basquiat? Most of us have, and this song speaks to the comparison as the singer watches her son in the same situation. Later we hear of tales not so sweet, but certainyl true to human experience.

Counting Crows -- When I dream of Michelangelo

A personal song about life, questions, dreams, heartbreak, and more. This melodramatic ballad mentions often of looking at the masterpiece of an artwork on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel and using it as a metaphor in understanding life. Very beautiful composition and poetic lyrics.

Patty Larkin -- Inside Your Painting

While Patty goes about naming specific paint colors such as cadmium yellow, vermilion, and sienna, she also sings of an odd surrealistic dream of someone in a painting taking away the pain of the artist. A hopeful fantasy of what dreams come true in an artwork, this song reaches out to anyone who's ever gotten lost in art.

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Read past posts for more "Art in Music"...

In researching the musings of various musicians about the topic of visual art, I found songs including mentions of art are somewhat limited in quantity, yet profoundly inspiring and memorable. I chose to sort my findings according to a few common themes and then present a review of each group on the following schedule:

• ODES (Part 1) to specific artworks, artists, or art movements -- June 8 (4 songs)
• LOVE songs, some hopeful and others confused, referencing art -- July 6 (6 songs)
• HUMOROUS songs about art or specific artists -- August 3 (5 songs)
• BIOGRAPHIES of specific artists' lives -- September 7 (3 songs)
• ODES (Part 2) to specific artworks, artists, or art movements -- October 5 (4 songs)
• BALLADS of heartbreak, using art as a metaphor -- November 2 (3 songs)
• REALISTIC narrations of pain, hope, struggle, and life, presented with references to art -- December 7 (5 songs)

Art in Music -- The Ballads of Love Lost, Art as Metaphor

Ballads, slow songs which lean towards the emotion of love, yet are often depressing in nature, are the theme of today's "Art in Music" showcase. These songs glide beautifully off the lips and provide a thoughtful approach to art as metaphor.

Tracy Lawrence -- Paint Me a Birmingham

Keeping in-line with traditional country music narratives, this harmonic story of lost love truly paints a picture in the mind of a listener. In this story, the singer meets an artist and asks him to "paint me a Birmingham" -- an image of what life would have been like with the songwriters lover had she not died some years ago. He reminisces of time past, using the painting as a way to look at his inner-most desires.

Norah Jones -- Painter Song

Using French accordians, slow jazz rythms, and her solid charming voice, Ms. Jones wishes she could "...paint a memory..." and "...climb inside the swirling skies to be with you..." Another ballad for lost love, this song longs for more happy days with a hopeful yet knowingly unrealistic attitude.

Kenny Rogers -- If I Were a Painting

This sad song of a broken heart chimes with a lines such as, "If I were a painting, My price would be pain, And the artist would have to be you." Obviously written during a low point in a relationship or after a major breakup, the metaphors used are increasingly poetic and continue in the theme of the singer as a painting, "It's only the frame that holds me together, or else I'd be falling apart."

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Stay tuned for more "Art in Music" posts...

In researching the musings of various musicians about the topic of visual art, I found songs including mentions of art are somewhat limited in quantity, yet profoundly inspiring and memorable. I chose to sort my findings according to a few common themes and then present a review of each group on the following schedule:

• ODES (Part 1) to specific artworks, artists, or art movements -- June 8 (4 songs)
• LOVE songs, some hopeful and others confused, referencing art -- July 6 (6 songs)
• HUMOROUS songs about art or specific artists -- August 3 (5 songs)
• BIOGRAPHIES of specific artists' lives -- September 7 (3 songs)
• ODES (Part 2) to specific artworks, artists, or art movements -- October 5 (4 songs)
• BALLADS of heartbreak, using art as a metaphor -- November 2 (3 songs)
• REALISTIC narrations of pain, hope, struggle, and life, presented with references to art -- December 7 (5 songs)

Art in Music -- Odes to Artworks, Artists, and Art Movements

Part 2 of the "Odes" category of art in music. Here are five more songs in which musicians share their loving, serious, and/or confused homages to a variety of artists, artworks, or art movements. First, let's start with an eye-catching and fun music video:

 

Hold Your Horses -- 70 Million

This video brings to life several famous paintings from various time periods and genres as the band members take on the characters of each painting's subjects. While it is humorous that a man portrays Botticelli's Venus, the likeness to the painting created by the musicians is really stunning. Obviously this band, or at the least their video director, has a strong taste for historical art.

Rachel's -- Frida Kahlo

Though this song is instrumental, the title suggests it as an ode to the Mexican artist known for her self-portraits and surrealistic fantasies. The classically influenced musical group Rachel's has actually created quit a few compositions around the theme of visual art, this one being my favorite.

Sufjan Stevens -- The Vivian Girls Are Visited In The Night By Saint Dargarius

The title clearly identifies the theme of this song -- the work of little-known artist, illustrator, and writer Henry Darger. Sufjan's energetic and eclectic style is an art in itself, but this dreamy instrumental interpretation of Darger's artwork is even more thought-provoking than words can describe.

Rheostatics -- Music Inspired by the Group of Seven (album)

Another instrumental, but this is an entire album rather than one song dedicated to the beautiful "Group of Seven." These Canadian landscape artists from the 1920s were showcased in a large exhibition sponsored by the National Gallery of Canada in 1995. The museum commissioned the Rheostatics to create this album inspired by the retrospective exhibition.


Jonathan Richman -- No One Was Like Vermeer
This, today's only lyrical song, ode to Vermeer's unusual painting style accurately reflects the art-making style of the Dutch artist, as well as his societal influence. The folk-rocker's thumping music provides a unique backdrop for the description of Vermeer's peculiar color choices and relatively unknown way of life.

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Stay tuned for more "Art in Music" posts...

In researching the musings of various musicians about the topic of visual art, I found songs including mentions of art are somewhat limited in quantity, yet profoundly inspiring and memorable. I chose to sort my findings according to a few common themes and then present a review of each group on the following schedule:

• ODES (Part 1) to specific artworks, artists, or art movements -- June 8 (4 songs)
• LOVE songs, some hopeful and others confused, referencing art -- July 6 (6 songs)
• HUMOROUS songs about art or specific artists -- August 3 (5 songs)
• BIOGRAPHIES of specific artists' lives -- September 7 (3 songs)
• ODES (Part 2) to specific artworks, artists, or art movements -- October 5 (4 songs)
• BALLADS of heartbreak, using art as a metaphor -- November 2 (3 songs)
• REALISTIC narrations of pain, hope, struggle, and life, presented with references to art -- December 7 (5 songs)

PULSE Art LA -- Exuberant

After visiting several art fairs over the past year, I was a little uncertain as to what PULSE LA could hold that would top any of the others. Yet, I was also very welcoming of the idea of a large art fair weekend in the city of angels. Though other fairs are happening simultaneously this weekend (referred to collectively as ArtWeekLA), I choose to spend my time with PULSE -- a venue that is well organized based on my previous experiences.

The press & VIP preview began at 12pm Friday, September 30, 2011 with what appeared to be a somewhat significant crowd. While the VIP and will-call ticket holders waited in a long line to gain access, I was surprised to see the press area vacant (but for the worker.) I easily obtained my pass and scooted past the line of those waiting to get tickets.

With only a two hour window for the preview viewing, I had pre-made my list of "must-sees" -- mostly comprised of LA-area galleries, as I wanted to focus on what's happening locally, rather than the often more established galleries from New York, Miami, and other international art cities.

Christopher Russell, The Challenge Wind Makes VIII -- Luis de Jesus Gallery

Greeting me as the first booth near the entrance was the Luis de Jesus Gallery -- one that happened to be on my list. Showcasing a variety of their represented artists, I was immediately drawn to Christopher Russell's large painting full of texture and symbolism. Luis de Jesus, principle director of the gallery, shared with me several of the intended meanings of the two ships, the wallpaper patterns, and the background texture -- all stemming from a literary work also done by the artist.

As I perused the remaining booths, there were some that particularly caught my attention. I will go into more depth in the written article, to be published in the Winter 2011 issue of Visual Overture Magazine, but for now will tease you with some images below.

Overall, I found the PULSE Art LA event to be full of energy, even exuberant. Perhaps this is due to the fact that people are excited to have an international fair in Los Angeles, or perhaps just due to the high quality of art displayed. Whatever the case, I'm happy to have attended and hope this takes LA on a deeper path towards embracing contemporary visual art.

Photos from PULSE Art LA 2011:

Gregory Euclide, what clouded my receiving hand is the way i own sensation -- David Smith Gallery

Meeson Pae Yang, Entity & Coalesce  -- Blythe Projects

Mineo Mizuno, Teardrops -- Samuel Freeman Gallery

Mark Schoening, mad dash -- Blythe Projects

Art in Music -- Biographical Narratives of Van Gogh, Pollock, Gauguin in Song

Biographical writings tell the truth like it is factually, while narrative songs tell the truth like it is emotionally. The songs for today's theme of art in music share the biographies of three famous painters with tragic early deaths.

Don McLean  -- Starry Starry Night

This beautiful, but sad, ballad about the artist's fate explores the too-frequent phenomena of post-humous fame. "They would not listen, they did not know how. Perhaps they'll listen now." This song is one of my all-time favorites, regardless of it's inclusion of art, the composition is gorgeously melodic and the lyrics are dramatically moving.

Red Crayola -- A Portrait Of VI Lenin In The Style Of Jackson Pollock, Part 1
The re-telling of Pollock's life as told by this avant-garde rock band focuses a little more on his artistic style than his biography, but still this seemed the best category for this song. The group changed their name to "Red Krayola" soon after this song, but neither name brought them much fame. This rare and hard to find song from the band's early days is an obvious ode to the group's art school influence.

Jimmy Webb -- Paul Gauguin on the South Seas

A piano and voice narrative about the artist's life, this musician mellowly describes the painful struggles that caused the artist to escape to the French Polynesian islands where he lived the remainder of his days. The bitter disenchantment Gauguin experienced with his close friends and relatives is sharply contrasted by his free-spirited tropical life in "paradise."

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Stay tuned for more "Art in Music" posts...

In researching the musings of various musicians about the topic of visual art, I found songs including mentions of art are somewhat limited in quantity, yet profoundly inspiring and memorable. I chose to sort my findings according to a few common themes and then present a review of each group on the following schedule:

• ODES (Part 1) to specific artworks, artists, or art movements -- June 8 (4 songs)
• LOVE songs, some hopeful and others confused, referencing art -- July 6 (6 songs)
• HUMOROUS songs about art or specific artists -- August 3 (5 songs)
• BIOGRAPHIES of specific artists' lives -- September 7 (3 songs)
• ODES (Part 2) to specific artworks, artists, or art movements -- October 5 (4 songs)
• BALLADS of heartbreak, using art as a metaphor -- November 2 (3 songs)
• REALISTIC narrations of pain, hope, struggle, and life, presented with references to art -- December 7 (5 songs)

Art in Music -- Humorous Songs About Picasso, Cezanne, and More...

Today's theme of songs that mention art -- "Humor." If you can't handle sarcasm when it comes to your favorite topic of art, then these songs may not be very humorous to you. But if you enjoy a good laugh and are willing to see the funniness of certain kinds of art, artists, or art debates, then you'll be able to appreciate the obvious amount of deep knowledge of art history required to compose these lyrics and thereby create these humorous tunes.

Modern Lovers -- Pablo Picasso

This hilarious rendition of Picasso's love-life confirms what many people believe -- the mysterious and thoughtful lives of artists are sexy and desirous. The indie rock band puts it bluntly, "Well some people try to pick up girls, And they get called assholes, This never happened to Pablo Picasso, He could walk down your street, And girls could not resist his stare..." Well, whether it was the girls chasing Picasso, or Picasso chasing the girls, who's to say; but we do know for sure that Picasso was well-known for having many extra-marital lovers.

Talking Heads -- Artists Only
This Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band, including two members who were also visual artists, knew the trials and struggles of the artist's life. This funny song showcases the inner thoughts of creatives as they sing, "You can't see it til it's finished!" and "I don't have to prove...that I am creative!" Haha, every artist can surely relate.

David Bowie -- Andy Warhol

This recording begins before the music starts with a funny intro of Bowie correcting the recorder's pronunciation of Warhol's name. "It's "Warhol", not "Warho," he reiterates. Once the music begins, the song shares stories of Warhol's fame and glory, as well as bits of his high-rolling lifestyle.

Joni Mitchell -- Turbulent Indigo

If you didn't already know that Joni Mitchell was a multi-talented woman critically acclaimed for both her music as well as her paintings, you should. As a serious artist, she often included little pieces of art history knowledge or art-making techniques into her songwriting. Here, she presents the truthful and ironic dilemma of the wealthy high-society status that Van Gogh's paintings have, yet how he himself was lowly and unwelcomed. "The madman hangs in fancy homes, They wouldn't let him near!" Doesn't this make you question our current white-wall gallery approach to art?

5 Chinese Brothers -- Cezanne

Here, the singer proclaims the much-debated tale of Cubism's beginnings. Was it Picasso or Cezanne? This guy clearly states it was definitely Cezanne, sharing the information in a matter-of-fact and charming way. Personally, I got several laughs out of the song -- not for it's historical assertions, but for it's funny presentation.

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Stay tuned for more "Art in Music" posts...

In researching the musings of various musicians about the topic of visual art, I found songs including mentions of art are somewhat limited in quantity, yet profoundly inspiring and memorable. I chose to sort my findings according to a few common themes and then present a review of each group on the following schedule:

• ODES (Part 1) to specific artworks, artists, or art movements -- June 8 (4 songs)
• LOVE songs, some hopeful and others confused, referencing art -- July 6 (6 songs)
• HUMOROUS songs about art or specific artists -- August 3 (5 songs)
• BIOGRAPHIES of specific artists' lives -- September 7 (3 songs)
• ODES (Part 2) to specific artworks, artists, or art movements -- October 5 (4 songs)
• BALLADS of heartbreak, using art as a metaphor -- November 2 (3 songs)
• REALISTIC narrations of pain, hope, struggle, and life, presented with references to art -- December 7 (5 songs)