Short but Sweet: East Village Art

The East Village of New York City in the 1970's and 80's was a time of change in the artistic world. This was the time when graffiti artists were first recognized as artists and their work moved from subway walls to gallery walls. Artists like Jean Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring were among the very few that survived the move from the streets to be considered legitimate artists. 

The Ramones, Sheena Is A Punk Rocker

Jean Michel Basquiat

Basquiat, Leeches, 1983

Basquiat, Obnoxious Liberals, 1982

Keith Haring

Haring, Arbre de vie, 1984

Haring, Opera, 1980's

Next week will be our last summer episode before full length episodes start up again on August 7th! We hope you're all having a fantastic summer!

Short but Sweet: The Golden Ratio

The Golden Ratio isn't hard to find, it is natures favorite pattern, found in the human face, a flower, a hurricane, insects, the branches of a tree, DNA molecules, galaxies far, far away... just about any painting or sculpture by Renaissance artists. 

Come back next week for a Short but Sweet on the East Village Art scene of the 70's and 80's.

Short but Sweet: Graphite Pencils

Who would have thought a simple pencil would have such a fascinating history? Carrie tells us all about the first pencils and where they came from.

Graphite in its natural form

The softer the graphite the darker the stroke. 

Graphite pencils used to be flat not round like we use today.

Tune in next week for another Short but Sweet!

Short But Sweet: Fresco

Johanna explains wet and dry fresco and the differences between them.

Giotto, Lamentation, 1305-06
Example of Dry or Fresco Secco

 Note that fresco secco is much brighter than buon fresco. Also you will notice the patchy aspect of the blue sky in Giotto's, Lamentation. This patchiness happens because the paint dries faster than it can be applied. Also, the color is fading and/or chipping off. This is a negative aspect of fresco secco. Neither of these problems happen in buon fresco because of the wet lime plaster.

Michelangelo, Portion of the Sistine Chapel Ceiling, 1508-12
Example of wet or Buon Fresco

Tune in next week for another Arts and Facts Short but Sweet! Have a great week everyone!