Van Gogh’s paintings and, as much so, his drawings, are compelling (according to the Vincent van Gogh Gallery “..As a post impressionist painter and one of the most famous artists of all time, Vincent van Gogh has become an icon“). 

Meanwhile, a WikiPedia post on Van Gogh points out that “…Vincent and his friend Emile Bernard, who lived with parents in Asnières, adopted elements of the “pointillé” (pointillism) style, where many small dots are applied to the canvas, resulting in an optical blend of hues, when seen from a distance. The theory behind this also stresses the value of complementary colours^[53] (for example, blue and orange), which form vibrant contrasts and enhance each other, when juxtaposed.^[54]“.

 

I meant to go over to see Van Gogh letters to Émile Bernard at the Morgan Library & Museum tonight but didn’t make it (and I bet it would have been closed after 6 PM on a Friday night anyway); the New York Times has a pretty good article and slide show on the Van Gogh show.

“…You will encounter Bernard, too, though far less directly. A minor French painter, prolific writer, tireless networker and van Gogh advocate, he’s present in a few early paintings and prints and a book, but primarily in van Gogh’s salutation, which opens nearly all the letters: “My dear old Bernard.”

The two men met in studio classes in Paris. Van Gogh, a 30-something Dutch ex-art dealer and ex-preacher, was trying to figure out a place for himself in contemporary art. Bernard, a precocious Paris teenager, was trying to do the same. Despite their age difference, they became friends.”

Should be interesting to see Van Gogh’s writings along with his drawings; I’ve read his letters, translated into English several  years ago and they’re inspiring. 

Will make it a point to visit this show before it closes next January.

Reminds me of something I was thinking about today (several hours after starting this post) – the value of an artist is in how meaningful their work is to people who did not know them.  

When I behold this sketch/painting of Van Gogh, done with love and given in a letter to his friend, Émile Bernard, I’m reminded of how good, how true and powerful Van Gogh’s painting is.  Yet this is the same Van Gogh that my favorite painter, Paul Cezanne, didn’t like – for that matter, most artists that Van Gogh hung out with felt he was too radical, too crazy for them….as I recall by reading and seeing material about his life.

Does it matter?  No.   Whatever your contemporaries think of you, even the great artists it matters not – because the relationship of the artist is with the viewer, across time and space ..and that is the covenant one wants to keep – not other people’s opinions, even if, they, in themselves, are great artists.

The validity of work… is the work itself outside the reality of it was created in.

I went to the CRATER NEW YORK: a lunar drawing contest last night and took some footage.  Had a good time; I guess my own artwork, which I did about 10 days ago, didn’t make the final batch that was voted on for a plot on the Moon’s Lunar Surface.

That’s OK, it was all done in fun, but those plots on the Moon are supposedly real … meaning if you get to the Moon, you might be able to claim your land and build on it…but then again, you might make it to the Moon, but your probably not coming back if you get that far….

I was at an opening of Devorah Sperber’s work at the New York Foundation for the Arts located at 1 Penn Plaza in NYC tonight.  I met Devorah Sperber and spoke to her for a few minutes, as well as some of her friends and I found it an enjoyable experience.

Funny, but I saw Devorah Sperber’s work at a show in Chelsea last year and again early this year but totally missed her Brooklyn Museum show.  However, tonight’s meeting with Devorah Sperber through the New York Foundation for the Arts event showed that when I want to meet someone, when I’m meant to meet them … the event happens and I’m there.  In fact, I work only a few blocks from One Penn Plaza, so it was easy enough for me to walk over and attend.

Here’s a YouTube Video showing the highlights of my time spent at Devorah Sperber’s opening.   I also found out about the 7,000 Dollar Foundation Grant I could apply for (by October 3rd). 

I’ll apply for the grant but I don’t expect much to happen; my art is really more about bringing together Art, Social Media, Web Analytics and the Web Analytics Association, SEO, etc – via the people I meet and events that I attend (and the relationships I form).  It’s not about selling anything or even displaying it outside my blogs. 

In fact, my paintings are hieroglyphs for all my activities and the reason they’re good, if they are good, is because I do all those activities and my path is my own.

Spent the last hours in San Francisco last night with my friend and WAA Social Media Committee Co-Chair Elena Haliczer, listening to some music; we had a couple of hours to kill before our flights out to Chicago and New York, respectively ….and not really knowing SF well, I searched Google using my mobile device and quickly found this concert, which we went to.

The idea of “pulling” the answers we need out of “space”, almost effortlessly,  appeals to me….it’s also the way I manifest my paintings ….. by “pulling the inspiration, the image, out of space”.  Enjoy (notes follow movie clip).

9/23: Tango Revolution celebrates UN Peace Day w/ CD Release Party
(downtown / civic / van ness)

 Special Tango/Jazz CD release party of “HISTORIA” by Thomas Yee and Jose Rodriguez violin/guitar duo.
 SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 23 from 5:30-9:30pm
 Caffé Trieste Downtown 1667 Market Street @ Gough, (one block from Van Ness)in SF
 $5 at door
 Event Schedule:
 5:30pm Doors open w/Live Tango music
 6-7pm Beginners Tango dance class
 7:30-8pm Performance by Yee/Rodriguez violin/guitar duo
 8-9:30pm Live Tango Music Jam with Open Floor Tango dancing
 and CD signing (CD available for $15)

Thomas and Jose’s friendship and musical partnership is a great example of how the power of the arts can bridge the differences between two very distinct cultures, one Korean and one Mexican.

They met during their studies at the SF Conservatory of Music and between them have won several awards, scholarships and competitions. Their talent and musical tastes brought together a dynamic and close
collaboration during many recitals and concerts after their Master Degree graduation. Their debut CD reflects a culmination of their work together: a program of Tangos. Spanish dances, folk dances and jazz
standards as a mark of “Historia” in their careers. As professional musicians they play with many symphonies and orchestras throughout California and have collaborated several times with Tango Revolution events. Their performance is infectious and undoubtedly will stir you to dance.

Come out to support the debut CD of these talented musicians and be prepared to have a VERY good time at Tango Revolution! Tango Revolution is a weekly neighborhood educational project to offer
anyone the opportunity to learn and experience the social aspect of Argentine Tango dance, music and history. By holding the event in an accessible café on a Sunday afternoon we encourage the spontaneous
inclusion of music and dance in our everyday life as a communal experience. We offer the beautiful connection between human beings in the Tango Embrace as a common ground and antidote against the isolation, separation and fearful existence we are led to believe is necessary. What better way to connect with each other across our differences than the non-verbal power of a musical and dance embrace, listening and moving together as one? Tango Revolution is a program of Intimate Embrace Tango, which
envisions Argentine Tango as a relational matrix of connection to ourselves, each other and the world. We organize classes, workshops, cultural, social awareness- and fundraising events around critical
issues of our time.

Come watch, listen or join in the dance! All ages are welcome. No dance experience or partner necessary.