Oil on canvas. 12 x 16 in.
Monday, February 25, 2013
Zero Dark Thirty
This is a highly charged, high octane film making at its best. It certainly blew 'Argo' away, in my opinion, for its intensity, scale and tension it generates.
It's amazing how the film makers succeed in keeping audience on the edge of their seats for more than two and half hours, watching the film that everybody knows its ending.
For me, it's because by watching this film, people feel participated in the hunt for the mastermind of the successive terrorist attacks on the democracy by the Islamic Jihadists.
Therefore, the death of bin Laden symbolises the end of one chapter of our struggle against these fanatics.
And, I'm afraid we need to continue this battle, that's because, as Christopher Hitchens used to say, "their ideology is incompatible with our civilisation, and there will be a fight."
It's a scary thought, but, I believe he is right.
My only hope is it won't be in my lifetime.
There're lots of controversies about torture scenes in the film.
And what about US policies after September 11, suppression of civil liberties, 'rendition', unlawful indefinite detention of suspects, countless drone attacks in foreign countries, 'collateral damages.....
These are very important issues, and I must admit, I don't know answers of my own.
I've been following these on the net, but, they're too complicated to form my own opinions at the moment.
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Oil Painting Portrait Workshop at NGV
Oil on canvas board. 12 x 16 in.
As part of 'Radiance: The Neo-Impressionists' exhibition, National Gallery of Victoria conducts some workshops.
I decided to take part in this one, because it's oil painting.
It was tutored by Lewis Miller, Archibald Prize winner, and I've seen his paintings many times at Australian Galleries in Fitzroy.
I like his style a lot.
It was really great to see his demonstration, the shape gradually emerges with many different combinations of colours.
It was like a magic.
I'm glad that I did this class, and I definitely learned a lot.
More than anything else, I need to use colours more confidently, much bolder colours, and focus on tonal balance more carefully.
It was a great day.
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Letters to a Young Contrarian
I can't remember how many times I read this small book by Christopher Hitchens. It was published in 2001 as part of a 'Art of Mentoring' series.
As the title suggested, each chapter offers some advice as a form of letter, addressed to mainly young readers.
There are topics on philosophy, ideology, religion, social justice....
It's very easy to read, but, as is always the case, Hitchens' writing style is very sharp and lucid.
Another great legacy he left behind for us all.
I will always treasure his writings.
He finishes the book by quoting George Konrad, a Hungarian dissident.
“Have a lived life instead of a career. Put yourself in the safekeeping of good taste. Lived freedom will compensate you for a few losses…If you don’t like the style of others, cultivate your own. Get to know the tricks of reproduction, be a self-publisher even in conversation, and then the joy of working can fill your days.”
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Melbourne Free University
I just happened to discover this organisation this morning in the art blog I subscribe to. The Melbourne Free University offers a series of lectures on a diverse range of issues.
Today is the first day of a new series 'Politics, Pruning and Paint: Case studies in Art History'.
And the topic today was 'Magnificent Matrimony: Marriage in Renaissance Art'.
Although the venue was very small, a small room behind a cafe in Clifton Hill, I thoroughly enjoyed the talk and a discussion that followed.
For example, I didn't know that Catholic Church wasn't involved in weddings until the 16th century. Weddings were entirely secular before then.
It's really a fantastic experience and I learned a lot.
Their website is here.
And this is a good article about them in The Age.
Monday, February 18, 2013
Lincoln
I first saw Daniel Day-Lewis in the film 'In The Name of My Father'. At that time, I was sharing a house with a bunch of Irish guys in London.
It was a very moving film, and I was awe-struck by his performance.
Since then, he's been constantly producing stellar characters in innumerable films, establishing himself as one of the greatest actors alive, and definitely my favourite.
Here, he plays the President Lincoln. I didn't know much about the history of America, and I must admit, I can't say I understood the details of the plot.
However, it's obvious to recognise his brilliance portraying Lincoln. Such a fine actor he is.
Westgarth cinema on High Street Northcote is my favourite, and Monday afternoon is always very quiet.
Sunday, February 17, 2013
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Monday, February 11, 2013
Sunday, February 10, 2013
The truth about Sassoon's $5000 haircut of Mia Farrow
It's a well-known story as the most expensive haircut. It goes like this, Polanski flew Sassoon in the studio for the promotion of his film 'Rosemary's Baby', and he cut her long hair to pixie short. The cut was $5000.
New York Times runs a fascinating story about this famous myth. The link is here.
Obviously, she had already had a short hair and Sassoon cut her hair about half an inch in front of a crowd of the press.
More importantly, Sassoon always maintained that he himself had cut her hair about a month previous to the photo shoot in Hollywood.
What I didn't know is that it wasn't the case.
Mia Farrow first cut her long hair short by herself with nail scissors! Contrary to the myth, Frank Sinatra liked her short hair style.
It was Christopher Brooker who cut her hair two weeks previous to the shoot, not Sassoon.
It's very touching that Christopher never revealed the true story until now, out of respect for him.
Here is the link to the story.
Friday, February 08, 2013
Sunday, February 03, 2013
Friday, February 01, 2013
Kindle Paperwhite
Amazon finally started to ship this device to Australia. I've been waiting for this since they introduced it last year.
I ordered it on Tuesday night, and it arrived today. Pretty impressive!
The reason I didn't choose iPad Mini was battery life and its display.
So far, I'm liking this very much. It doesn't have Apple's elegance, but, for reading books, I think this one is great.
