Artist Appreciation- Henry Hargreaves

     Henry Hargreaves' collection No Seconds has been turning heads since it's release. The photographer features the last meals of some of the most horrific men ever to walk down Death Row- including Timothy McVeigh (Oklahoma City bombing 1999), and John Wayne Gracy (serial murderer). Hargreaves' pieces are aesthetically pleasing as any other culinary photography, but also chilling, giving the viewer an intimate view into a criminal's last few moments of life. In Vice.com's interview with the artist, Hargreaves explains his fascination with the final meals.
"I’m really interested in people’s choices with food. It’s one of those things that everyone does several times a day, but you never really see it out of context or think about what it says about someone. I was reading about a campaign to abolish the last meal in Texas, so I went online and researched it. And as I was reading through these records, I felt that I could identify with these people for a brief moment just from what they ordered.'     The hidden meaning behind Hargreaves' choice of subject was a political one. Being a native New Zealander, Hargreaves saw the American justice system (specifically, the death penalty, still legal in many states) as inhumane and contradictory with American values."It’s seen by most of the world as this outdated, barbaric act. And it’s strange that it still exists in a country that spends so much time advertising their democracy and morals to the rest of the world."
Hargreaves, through creative and (and appetizing) means, has stabbed at one of the most pressing and controversial issues in America today- should the Death Penalty be abolished completely? Or is it a reasonable means of justice, an eye for an eye? Let me know what you think in the comments below. 

Quotes were taken from here, a formal interview with the artist.

Nam June Paik

Nam June Paik was a visionary artist out of Korea. He was one of the first artists to transform video into an accessible medium for artists around the world. His influence was global- with hundreds of exhibits from South Korea to Germany to NYC, Nam June Paik was world renowned for his genius.
Paik pushed the limits of art through his creative use of mediums. He included televisions, magnets, demolished pianos, and miles of neon tube lights. Paik also created video loops, long and short, in crazy colors subliminally sending you his messages. Some of his most famous recognizable works were on display in the National Gallery in Washington DC of spring 2013, which I was fortunate enough to see before the pieces were moved to a permanent home (unknown, but most likely in Los Angeles).

If you're a lover of modern art, wall to wall neon, deconstructed televisions or otherworldly exhibits, Nam June Paik is definitely worth the trek to one of his many exhibits. Unfortunately, the artist passed away in 2006, but the art he created years ago is still groundbreaking and modern in today's society.
These are a select few of my favorites from the national Gallery in DC when I went. Enjoy!

More of his art can be found here, on his website.
Links to other reviews of his work are here and here.
Let me know what you think! Comments are always appreciated.

For the love of knowledge

A cool little site that compiles all the articles, editorials and blogs you read. Allows you to follow other readers and learn something new daily. Check it out!

Daily Reads

There's nothing quite as twisted as 1950's food advertisements.

The equally lofty (and fucking awesome) plan to print 3D food.

3D printers, as new as they are to the market, have caused quite an upset in their short lives. The latest plan; not 3D printed guns, nor IPhones, but food. Just a good, home-printed meal for all you foodies out there. Mangia!

see for yourself

The art of self reflection- both literally and figuratively.

For those of you less enticed by the ambiguity in most art, the constant mental strain of asking- "what does this mean?" " WHY is she wearing blue?" "how is that blotch of paint symbolic?"; I've found the blog for you.
Of course, a fellow Tumblrite, art-mirrors-art is just that, a seamless collection of beautiful pieces of hot impressionist, cubist, and Renaissance babes... in mirrors. You're welcome.

art-mirrors-art.tumblr.com

Pierre Bonnard

"But I loved him!" get over it, bitch.

Artist appreciation: Gustav Klimt

Gustav Klimt has remained a favorite of mine for a very long time- I remember the feeling of falling in love with his well know piece "the kiss" my freshman year of high school when it caught my eye in a grammar textbook.These are some of his best works (in my opinion) enjoy.

For the I-artist in you

 As a proud member of the Apple clan, I can finally say that I understand the obsession with constantly switching out old phone cases for new ones. I mean c'mon, who doesn't love a cool case for your handheld buddy? Homemade ones are even better. check 'em out.

Probably the coolest shit on the web

Malformalady.tumblr.com

Outsider Art- Because things are better on the other side, anyways.

Living in Philadelphia, I am lucky enough to live near one of the world's finest art collections. Currently, the Outsider Art exhibit is being held, and harbors some of the most unique (and controversial) pieces I've yet to see in Philly's main gallery. (power point of some cool pieces found here) The artists are a mis-matched bandwagon of convicts, ex-criminals and the mentally ill, each with their own distinct stories and style. These are some of my favorites.

Purvis Young- "Horses"

George Widener- "Blue Monday Reversal"

Lee Godie

James Castle

Movie Stills

Learning to appreciate cinema through a separate screen- a stationary one.

Novice to Blogging

I will be posting everything and anything over the next few months. Think; art, music, prose, pop culture, DIY's, my never ending college search, genetics, and novels. Enjoy.

Sarah