ART, Jewelry and Vita: February 2013

Feb 23, 2013

Is it “Wow” or “Yuck”

(About Kitsch in Art)

post no.2

What about Contemporary Art?

The Post-Modernism of which heyday was in the 1980s, reinforced
the tendency of mixing “high” and “low” art and of challenging the
elitist attitude of the artistic establishment.

Jeff Koons, Puppy,(1992).

A floral statue of a dog at the entrance of the

Guggenheim Bilbao museum.

The subversive and ironic approach of the Post-Modernists, against modern images, caused the artists to use kitschy images as bad and negative examples of the culture of the past. Again, Kitsch was taken out of its context, but was given a different meaning from that of the Pop-Art.

Jeff koons, Baloon Dog, 1994.

At the Chateau de Versailles.

Still – in one way or another – Kitsch was present in museums…

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Talking of Kitsch -

I cannot ignore my kitschy and cute butterflies!

Butterfly is a beautiful animal .

So beautiful that any photo of it seems “gaudy as a butterfly”,and is suspected as a manipulated Kitsch.

Here are butterfly photos, taken in the Alps during the Tour de-Mont Blanc.
(I am an experienced trekker for the last 26 years…)

The cliché meaning of the butterfly is – Freedom.

But for me it is the symbol of the uniqueness of life.

Life is beautiful and colorful as a butterfly

But is short as its’ life...

We must enjoy it!

Make the best of this wonderful gift!

Here are my butterfy jewels:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/89091327

https://www.etsy.com/listing/89091349

https://www.etsy.com/listing/89091265/

Here is my SPECIAL OFFER, for the last 3 pieces:

Was 55 USD, Now - only 41 USD.

Valid untill - 3.3.2012

https://www.etsy.com/listing/123965664

Buy now.

Thank you

Vita

Feb 14, 2013

Is it “Wow” or “Yuck”?

(About Kitsch in Art)

Post no. 1

Valentine’s Day is an appropriate excuse to talk about
Kitsch, since its images are well-known clichés.

The term Kitsch (German in origin), refers to a mass-produced art
or design,and is used to describe gaudy objects, which are considered to have popular appeal.

Its historical origins go back to the recently unified Germany,

i.e. to the 1870s. Kitsch described objects and a way of life ,
which were the result of the vast urbanization and the mass-
production due to the industrial revolution.
From its very beginning, it was more popular and more consumed than
classical Art.
From the very beginning, and in spite of its popularity, Kitsch had
negative connotations, and was considered “low” and “bad” art.

We can identify three main characteristics in a Kitschy object:

1. The subject-matter is highly emotionally charged and appealing.

How can one be indifferent in front of a baby, a child
(especially if he cries…) a sad clown, or a cute pet?

http://blueberriemuffins.wordpress.com/2011/12/02/lets-vote-in-a-new-sad-clown/

2. Kitsch is based on deeply rooted and widely recognized conventions and icons

of its time:Kiss, heart = love. Eifel tower=Paris and so on.

It is immediately understood by the viewer or the consumer.

3. Its target is – amusement! It is made for the hard-working and poorly-educated masses, seeking a relief from boredom and avoiding intellectual effort.

Kitsch is based on reality, but it optimizes and beautifies it.

In the beginning of the 20^th century, the elitist Avant Garde

movements , developed a repulsive and patronizing attitude towards

Kitsch. “Low” and “bad” Art was driven out of the museums.

But not for long.

Gradually, artists assimilated the esthetics of mass production, first

in Europe, and towards the mid-century, mainly in the United States.

The American Pop-Art embraced popular and Kitschy images, and used

Mass-production techniques.

Roy Lichtenstein, A kiss, 1962

Claes Oldenburg, Floor Burger ( Giant Hamburger), 1962.

The artists described urban and suburban popular culture, but by taking

this “low art” out of its original context,they turned it into symbols,

with wider meaning.

Low Art re-entered the museums in the guise of symbols…

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Hamilton_(artist)

R. Hamilton ,

Just what is it that makes today's homes so different, so appealing?

collage, 1956.

Andy Warhol (1928-1987), Marilyn Monroe (1926-1962), 1962, Screen PrintPlease ioin Pin Up (A Documentary) on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter

Andy Warhol, Marilyn Monroe 1962.

This is all for today.

The Kitsch story will continue in my next post.

What is your favorite photo in this post?

Leave your comment below.

Vita

Feb 10, 2013

Rendezvous in my studio

Come meet me at my “studio”.

I put quotation marks on that word, since in my mind

studio is a big working shop, an atelier…

But as you will see, I am working in much smaller and modest place.

In fact – the real studio is in my mind ,in my imagination,

of which I cannot take photos…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBBLlLoBAW8

Meet me again in my shop:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/jewelrybyvita

Thank you

Vita

Feb 3, 2013

WHY PINK? WHY RED?

Valentines

(no.3)

We all know that both colors of red and pink, are symbols of love,
and that they are connected to Valentine’s Day.

Then – what is the difference? What color to choose?

Well – the two colors differ in meaning: Red color is associated with the physical aspects of love, it refers to passionate love. Pink color is associated with the spiritual aspects of love,
an un-conditional and enduring love, what we call
“TLC” – tender, love, care. And also a self-love,which is essential
for giving love to others…

In 1983, the artists Christo and Jean-Claude, launched a huge and ambitious one-of-a-kind installation (of which only the preparatory drawings and the photos remain): They wrapped the coastlines of 11 uninhabited islands in Biscayne Bay, in Miami with pink woven synthetic fabric. The artists did not explain their choice of pink color,but from the point of view of pink symbolism, it seems they wrapped Nature with tender and caring love…

So,

when we choose our presents to our loved ones, we have to consider the color…

Here are some items in red I love, taken from Etsy shops :

1. 2.
On Sale. HAND MADE. Valentine SCarf. Christmas crochet scarf. RED scarf . Long lariat scarf.