Coxsoft Art News

Glamour Photography

noreply@blogger.com (Coxsoft Art) — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 17:17:00 +0000

Do you recognize the latest sex goddess? Clue: she is 19 years old. Clue: she is the highest-grossing female actress of the decade. Clue: she lists fly fishing amongst her hobbies. Red herring: she is a natural blonde. Clue: she was only 9 years old when cast for her first leading movie role. Clue: she starred in Ballet Shoes, premiered on BBC One on 26 December 2007. Final clue: she plays Hermione Granger in the hugely successful Harry Potter films. Still can't name her? Where have you been for the last decade? Pass your mouse pointer over the graphic.

Hannah Frank Competition

noreply@blogger.com (Coxsoft Art) — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 15:00:00 +0000

A year ago I remarked the passing of Scottish artist Hannah Frank (CLICK). Note: the bugs I commented on in that post have been fixed. The website devoted to her memory has now launched the Hannah Frank Art Poetry Competition, closing date 31 March 2010. The poem must be no more than 40 lines in Scots or English and must be based on one of Hannah's black and white drawings, such as the one shown: Flight. The competition is organised by poet William Bonar, on behalf of Hannah Frank's family, and will be judged by David Kinloch. Prizes - £200 for the winning adult and £100 for the winning 18 or under - will be presented on Hannah's birthday 23 August 2010. Entry costs £3.00 per poem for adults and is free for 18 and unders. Schools are also invited to take part. Click the title link for a gallery of Hannah's art.

Invasion of Santas

noreply@blogger.com (Coxsoft Art) — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 00:20:00 +0000

Ahhh! Gross! An invasion of garden gnomes! (Looks again.) No, they're Santa Clauses, almost as bad, 100 of them. Indian sand artist Sudarshan Patnaik inflicted these ghastly sculptures on a beach in the tourist town of Puri, assisted by 20 students from the Golden Institute of Sand Art, which he set up. His message is green. He wants to save the planet from global warming. Really? Then stop attracting tourists to your beaches, old fruit. Tell 'em to get on their bikes and peddle off to their local park for their holiday fun.

Triffids!

noreply@blogger.com (Coxsoft Art) — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 01:06:00 +0000

More artistry in the special effects department: a two-part remake of John Wyndham's 1951 classic science-fiction novel The Day of the Triffids hits BBC One this evening at 9pm (CLICK). The concluding episode is at the same time tomorrow. What, you might well ask, is Eddie Izzard doing with a gun? I thought he was a stand-up comic. Oh well, this new BBC version can't be worse than the pig's ear director Steve Sekely made of the 1962 movie, with imported US star Howard Keel for a dash of box office appeal. I could never fathom why all those triffids wanted to invade a lighthouse! I suspect the film's low budget required it. The BBC trailer for today's fleshy feast of monstrous carnivorous plants promises higher production values. We'll see. For all you ever wanted to know about triffids, but were afraid to ask, click the title link.

Avatar: Correction

noreply@blogger.com (Coxsoft Art) — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 10:46:00 +0000

A voice from the ether tells me that make-up artists aren't responsible for the transformation of Sigourney Weaver in James Cameron's fantasy movie Avatar (next post down). The actors wore skull caps bearing miniature cameras which captured 95% of their facial expressions and eye movements, digitized to create their avatars as computer images (title link). The example here shows Sam Worthington as Jake Sully's avatar. He plays a crippled US marine who inhabits an avatar to allow him to mix with the indigenous population of Pandora, a moon with lush forests and deposits of a mineral lusted after by greedy humans. Of course he falls in love with the most gorgeous blue alien you've ever seen, played by the equally gorgeous Zoe Saldana. She's a female warrior; we must keep US feminists happy. Yes, folks, the plot is Yankee codswallop: Universal Soldier meets Bambi. However, the theme - avaricious humans destroying ecosystems - is a commendable and timely warning. The visuals are literally out of this world. Avatar is the movie of the decade. CLICK to view the official (short) trailer on YouTube. It isn't too hard to imagine how breathtaking these images will be when viewed in 3-D.

Avatar: Make-up

noreply@blogger.com (Coxsoft Art) — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 00:08:00 +0000

I've already mentioned the groundbreaking computer aided graphics for James Cameron's Avater as a modern form of art (CLICK). Now consider a group of artists who usually get neglected by the media when the Oscars are handed out: make-up artists. Their work may not "sell" movies the way star names and directors do, but it is vital if the actors are to look as they should for their roles. I think it's a safe bet that the principal make-up artist for Avatar will be in the running for an Oscar next year. Recognize this actress with the huge golden eyes? Sigourney Weaver. What a transformation!

Brittany Murphy Poster

noreply@blogger.com (Coxsoft Art) — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 20:30:00 +0000

Following the sudden and untimely death of actress Brittany Murphy at the age of 32, US rental chain Redbox began withdrawing promotional artwork for her latest video release: Deadline (title link). In case you're wondering why Redbox saw fit to withdraw this material, here's one of the posters for Deadline. It shows the actress playing dead in a bath. Apparently in real life she died in her own bath (title link). It's a very creepy coincidence and Redbox did well to have the artwork withdrawn. Brittany was laid to rest on Christmas eve at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in the Hollywood Hills (CLICK).

Happy Birthday

noreply@blogger.com (Coxsoft Art) — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 00:52:00 +0000

Coxsoft Art News is four years old today. In that time I've published 3,350 posts, had more than a quarter of a million hits, slanged off a lot of pretentious twits and, judging by your comments, have pleased more people than I've annoyed. I'm still waiting to be head-hunted by The Times. (Get yer finger out, Ed.) The new year may bring some changes. I'm thinking of renaming my blog, but that requires a modicum of work. Its XML code needs tidying and a few bits and bobs may be added or removed here or there. Of this you can be sure, I.C. will remain as discerning, as irreverent and as erudite as ever.

Face-painted Santa

noreply@blogger.com (Coxsoft Art) — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 17:17:00 +0000

BBC News likes to post a gallery of photos showing Christmas celebrations around the world, as though humanity is just one big happy Christian family despite embracing hundreds of equally whacky religions and sects. The graphic above is a cropped version from this year's gallery. You might well ask: What does a scowling Bangladeshi fairy having her cheek painted with Santa Claus have to do with that birthday the BBC thinks we're all celebrating? Don't ask me. I'm merely an interested observer of the human fruitcake. Ask Auntie.

Cheers

noreply@blogger.com (Coxsoft Art) — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 00:59:00 +0000

A seasonal thought: "sewer abuse". More fat is poured down our drains at Christmas than at any other time of the year. The fat congeals, blocks the drains, and intrepid sewer men need to dig the filthy stuff out. So, the message for our effluent society is Cool it and bin it. Previous generations cooled it and ate it. I can remember as a boy eating "dripping" sandwiches with a lick of Marmite to give the fat flavour. As "dripping" is full of unhealthy saturated fat, you're better off binning it; but in the days of post-war rationing you conserved and ate everything you could. Our local butcher had a rack of dead wild rabbits hanging behind his counter. Rabbit pie was one of my favourite meals.

Michael Jackson Art

noreply@blogger.com (Coxsoft Art) — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 00:40:00 +0000

Recognize the person on the right, amid Bouguereau's cherubs? The pose is Michelangelo's David, the skin Caucasian, the title of the Bouguereau inspiration on the left The Return of Spring (1886). Slight change of sex and it's Michael Jackson, the most overrated pop singer ever. The painting Michael (1999) is by talented US artist David Nordahl, who recently broke his silence in an attempt to repair Whacko Jacko's tarnished reputation. This painting does more to damage Whacko's reputation than any slanderous whisper. You have got to question the sanity of a man who commissions a self-portrait like this. And do note that the only black cherub is fast asleep. Click the title link to see an online gallery of artworks starring Whacko.

The Shearers Ban

noreply@blogger.com (Coxsoft Art) — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 23:09:00 +0000

Culture Minister Margaret Hodge has slapped a temporary export ban on this painting by English artist Samuel Palmer: The Shearers (1833-34). It is considered one of his finest works and would be a cultural loss to the UK if it were exported. The ban allows time for the purchase price of £3.8m to be raised.

Escaping Winter

noreply@blogger.com (Coxsoft Art) — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 16:11:00 +0000

It must be a tough time of year for the paparazzi, sweltering on tropical beaches while they seek out celebrity refugees from the big freeze disporting themselves in skimpy bikinis. Better still if the celeb goes topless or an octopus snatches her bikini bottom. You can imagine the Daily Mail caption: Ooooh, I've an octopussy in my knickers! The cynical editors of UK newspapers pay handsomely to bemuse their female readers with this sort of thing. The paparazzo who snapped this shot caught a charming image of Tamara Mellon frolicking in the sea with her daughter Minty (short for Araminta) on the Caribbean island of St Barts. But who is this Mellon? A film star? The wife of a European president? No. She's a British shoe mogul cum socialite, one of that army of elite parasites on society who have nothing better to do than increase their wealth and throw lavish parties (CLICK). What does a Mellon care if her jet-setting lifestyle hastens global warming? The name of the game is Make Money, Burn Up The Planet's Resources And Have Fun, Fun, Fun. You didn't seriously expect anything worthwhile to come out of Copenhagen, did you?

Travel Photo Awards

noreply@blogger.com (Coxsoft Art) — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 10:24:00 +0000

The winners of the international Travel Photographer of the Year 2009 awards have been announced. The exhibition of winning photos and best-of-the-rest opens on 29 January at Adventure Travel Live in the Royal Horticultural Halls, London, and continues until 31 January 2010. Only three days! In the meantime, click the title link for a slide show of some of the outstanding photos that will be on display, including great shots of polar bears and cute penguins. The overall winner was G.M.B. Akash with a shot taken on top of a moving train in Bangladesh, but his photo makes my eyes go funny; so here's Jonathan Allen's atmospheric photo of Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, a worthy winner of the First Shot category.

Caravaggio Update

noreply@blogger.com (Coxsoft Art) — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 23:13:00 +0000

Caravaggio's remains, which I mentioned on Sunday, have been located in an ossuary in the Italian town of Porto Ercole and have been removed to the University of Bologna for scientific examination. The remains will be compared with those of his descendants. In a macabre twist, what's left of Caravaggio will then go on show in Rome's Borghese gallery until 24 January 2010 before being reburied. Who on earth wants to see Caravaggio's bones? It's an insult to a great artist. Graphic: Caravaggio's Amor Victorious (1602-03).

Lady Gaga Headlines

noreply@blogger.com (Coxsoft Art) — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 21:44:00 +0000

Some people will do anything to get into the news! Stripping naked and having headlines stuck to one's person is a ploy I haven't come across before. The person calls herself Lady Gaga. (I reckon it's safe to assume her parents didn't give her such a daft name, although parents have been known to drop some real clangers in the offspring-naming department.) This cropped graphic shows one of her shy poses for photographer David LaChapelle (title link). The question is: Does her headlining tomfoolery make her a work of art or a piece of work? I'll leave you to decide.

Banksy's Latest

noreply@blogger.com (Coxsoft Art) — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 22:42:00 +0000

Here's the latest Banksy - Boy Fishing (2009) - one of four murals he's painted along the Regent's Canal in Camden, north London, to mark the idiotic ending of the UN climate conference in Copenhagen. The most telling mural states "I don't believe in global warming", which is shown reflected in water! What is going to make our fat-cat world leaders recognize the need to curb those greenhouse emissions which are destroying our planet? At least the Chinese are limiting the growth of their population, the boldest step any country has taken so far. Dare you try that, President Obama?

Caravaggio Gallery

noreply@blogger.com (Coxsoft Art) — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 17:18:00 +0000

The Telegraph has posted an online gallery of paintings by one of my favourite artists: Caravaggio (title link). The reason for its sudden interest? A team of anthropologists is hoping to solve the mystery of his burial place. They believe it's in an underground crypt in the small town of Porto Ercole in the Italian region of Tuscany. It will be nice timing if they succeed, because next year is the 400th anniversary of his death. Above is a graphic of Caravaggio's superb painting The Conversion of Mary Magdalen (ca 1599).

Hard Act To Follow

noreply@blogger.com (Coxsoft Art) — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 23:56:00 +0000

No, this isn't one of those spams advising you to beef up your meat to amaze the girl in your life. It's a billboard outside St Matthew-in-the-City Anglican Church in Auckland, New Zealand. At least it was until a miffed parishioner defaced it with yellow paint. Naive Archdeacon Glynn Cardy thought the poster would promote religious debate, but it has caused outrage among the faithful. Its message "Poor Joseph. God was a hard act to follow." reminds me of the Ancient Greek myth of Danaë's being impregnated by Zeus in the form of golden rain; another hard act to follow. Joseph's mournful countenance suggests he's having second thoughts about his wife's fantastic explanation for her pregnancy.

Avatar: Modern Art

noreply@blogger.com (Coxsoft Art) — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 14:12:00 +0000

BBC News' Click has posted a short video of some of the special effects needed for James Cameron's epic fantasy movie Avatar, which is more than 50% computer aided graphics. Ignore the hype and watch truly modern art. Anyone who thinks Saatchi is leading the field in modern art needs to view this video and think again. He promotes old-fashioned tripe that requires no artistic talent. The graphics for Avatar are groundbreaking. The 3D effect isn't viewable on the video, but you get a glimpse of how it was achieved. This graphic shows Zoe Saldana as Neytiri.

Yarnwinder On Display

noreply@blogger.com (Coxsoft Art) — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 00:03:00 +0000

Leonardo da Vinci's Madonna with the Yarnwinder (ca 1505) is back on public display in the National Gallery of Scotland in Edinburgh. It was stolen from the Duke of Buccleuch's home at Drumlanrig Castle in Dumfriesshire in August 2003 and was on the FBI's Most Wanted list until it was recovered by Scottish police in 2007. It is on loan to the National Gallery of Scotland.

Prince Miffed

noreply@blogger.com (Coxsoft Art) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 23:32:00 +0000

His Serene Highness Prince Hans-Adam II of Liechtenstein isn't feeling very serene at the moment. In fact he's miffed. He bought this painting - Sanchez Coello's The Infante Don Diego - through a London dealer in 2006, but the UK refused him an export licence. HM Revenue and Customs has been dragging its heels over the issue ever since. So the prince has refused to release the stars of his collection of paintings for a major exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts. Who cares about a few paintings from a piddling principality? you might ask. Oh, the ignorance of some people! His Miffed Highness is the world's sixth wealthiest leader with an estimated pot of USD $5 billion! So the stars of his art collection are not to be sniffed at. HM Revenue and Customs, get your finger out and keep the fat cat happy.

Trunk Wins Saatchi

noreply@blogger.com (Coxsoft Art) — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 06:59:00 +0000

I have been avoiding BBC Two's School of Saatchi show, because it was easy to predict that something ghastly and inartistic would win it. How right I was. Here's the winning entry: Eugenie Scrase's Trunkated Trunk (2009). And yes, it is merely a log impaled on a fence. Believe it or not, Eugenie is studying sculpture at the Slade School of Fine Art. What for, if rubbish like this wins her fame and fortune? Stop wasting tax-payers' money - and licence-payers' money - on so-called "artists" who churn out tripe like this. Pretty girl, 20 years old, with no discernible artistic talent, wins art show; somebody convince me this isn't a casting-couch job.

ArtDaily in Top 100

noreply@blogger.com (Coxsoft Art) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 16:18:00 +0000

Congratulations to ArtDaily for being included in The Guardian's top 100 websites for 2009 (title link). A link to it has been in my sidebar for years. There are only 3 websites in the visual arts category. The other two are the Saatchi Gallery (my sidebar too) and Culture 24, which covers everything about UK galleries and museums (CLICK). The list isn't brilliant, because it missed out on Coxsoft Art News! Grumble, grumble, mutter, mutter, moan, groan.

Keira Knightley Nude

noreply@blogger.com (Coxsoft Art) — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 17:01:00 +0000

Keira Knightley in the nude. So what else is new? you ask (CLICK). As far as I know, this is the first time Keira has sat for an artist. Between performances in the updated stage play The Misanthrope in London's West End, she's popping into the Halcyon Gallery to pose in the buff for artist Mitch Griffiths, who is painting a number of subjects for an exhibition in 2010. As his work is a cut above that of Peter Howson and Lucien Freud, his painting of Keira should be worth looking out for. Keira is obviously proud of her svelte chest with its polished sternum, as displayed above, because she vetoed any breast enhancement in publicity photos for The Duchess. After the pig's ear somebody made of her boob job for King Arthur, I don't blame her (CLICK).