Message to Terrorist #2 (the one in the white cap)
Posted April 20, 2013
Your terror spree was so short. Did you really believe you could affect America; Americans, for any extended amount of time. You and the others like you who think your brief moments of terror can stop us from being a free nation, a free people who will not bow to your acts of senseless and a most brutal, depraved violence. Your crimes, your self-serving acts were truly acts of cowardice. You chose to attack innocents when they were at their most vulnerable. You disgraces and dishonor whatever si...
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Kathryn Bigelow's Zero Dark Thirty
Posted January 27, 2013
Sunday afternoon January 20th I find myself sitting, stunned in a dark movie theatre. The credits roll as the score plays for one of the most powerful films I have seen in many years. There’s a lot to digest here and I haven’t been this shaken and awed by a film since Francis Ford Coppola’s “Apocalypse Now.” I remain motionless. “Directed by Kathryn Bigelow” flows from the darkness and reveals itself onto the screen then fades away. After a time I have to leave the theatre; this b...
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Annie Leibovitz: The Wizard of Oz Portfolio
Posted January 19, 2013
John Currin dressed in a silver suit, raised axe in hand stands over a startled Keira Knightly. White evening gown and tiara adorned Kara Walker backed by the Penn State Marching Band face a humbled Keira Knightly. A horrified, fearful Keira Knightly is whisked away by a winged, furry Jeff Koons as another winged furry Jeff Koons follows. “The Lion in Winter” Jasper Johns perches, stately above an awed Keira Knightly. The Annie Leibovitz treatment of the L. Frank Baum novel turned film has ...
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I Always Wanted To Meet Elizabeth Murray
Posted January 09, 2013
I always wanted to meet Elizabeth Murray. My introduction to her was in the form of a cover photo of “Art News” magazine in the nineteen eighties. Most of the artists of the time poised very seriously in “I Am an Artist” poses. Elizabeth Murray poised smiling while holding her young daughter in her arms. She appeared to be very happy for having the attention and being noticed for her work, her art and her life. Beyond the obvious she seemed a genuinely happy person. Yes; I dreamed for ye...
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Life of Pi
Posted December 01, 2012
Did you ever own a “View-Master” as a child and did you love it? Essentially everyone I asked this question answered… “Yes and yes.” With that reference established I proceeded to tell them about the glorious screen adaptation of Yann Martel’s novel “Life of Pi.” The opening credits sequence of this film will return you unexpectedly to that time of total engagement and wonder, to the visually enhanced world the “View-Master” gave us. Within the same emotionally rich feeling t...
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Mirror Mirror
Posted November 25, 2012
Among the most fascinating of objects in our lives and world is the mirror. We begin our day looking into one and we end looking usually into the same one. Throughout the day we see reflections in store windows, passing cars, silver and any suitable material. We use mirrors for reasons of vanity, necessity and for safety in and on our vehicles. Any polished object described as being as shiny as a mirror is the highest compliment. Mirrors are important in the arts from painting to literature...
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Of Miles and Penn
Posted November 18, 2012
The Series of paintings began with “The Rose Miles” and ended with a mini-series; “Lament”, which could well be alternately-titled “The Birth and Death of Miles”. It began or was born when I went into a record shop looking to see what was being released one week in 1986. At that time albums were recorded on vinyl and displayed like works of art. Record shops were mini-galleries that I went into often just to look at covers. On that certain day I found myself walking directly into wh...
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President Obama Reelected
Posted November 09, 2012
The presidential campaign of twenty twelve is over; Romney has conceded, Obama has accepted, the counting of ballots has ended and the results have been concluded…except in Florida. It was another historic event as essentially every election is in our continually great nation. The re-election of President Obama is the result of an unparalled effort equaled only by another miraculous achievement; his own first election and first term. At this time no one knows with certainty what his next four...
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A Lonesome Ghost
Posted October 28, 2012
I came upon a lonesome ghost along a lonesome road He had a hundred things to say In life a heavy load He carried with him into death Oh yes; beyond the grave to carry for eternity in life he’d been a knave We walked together for a time A path of pain and sorrow We shared our tales of tears and woe today became tomorrow He was the saddest ghost of all The saddest that I’ve seen Not so unusual to see a ghost upon a Halloween
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What the...Hellboy???
Posted October 18, 2012
I’m sure this won’t be a huge surprise but; he’s the son of a demon and a witch. Fire red, shaved horns, cloven hooves, and tail are his signature look. His right hand (of doom) is a sort of sledge hammer and a key to opening the Hadean Gates. Hellboy carries a very large gun “The Samaritan” that shoots his own patented fifty caliber “Demon Destroyer” bullets. His attitude; Bad...Capitol “B” Bad. There’s a small bit of a chip on his shoulder; he loves a good fight. Given this...
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HALLOWEEN
Posted October 14, 2012
A sacred night Something of fright A creaky floor A slamming door The blowing leaves I do believe Black Widows weave All Hallows Eve Bats in Bristol, bones in bags Muses, minstrels, monster mags A dance of death A witch’s face The children run Keep up the pace No time to loose No time to waste The zombie’s hair All stuck with paste The row men row Against the wind Don’t look; don’t worry It's here again No fear of death It’s sting rebuked The Song of So...
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A Time of Heroes and Villians
Posted September 18, 2012
The character was born into a time of heroes and villains; of adventure and deeds. Virtue, nobility and honor were central to this man/character who would attempt to give meaning to the senseless death of his parents to somehow make a world better by the protection of the innocent and bringing a form of justice to the predators. His plan; to strike fear into the hearts and psyche of those who would commit crimes as he stopped their individual acts of violence. His methods could be questioned as ...
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So little To Say...So Much Time
Posted September 07, 2012
He should be arrested for his crimes. He should be commended for his social commentary. He has defaced property. He has enhanced his urban environment. He is a criminal. He is an artist. Banksy is in a league of his own. He is one of the coolest guys that no one knows…at least his true identity. No one knows him besides his art dealer and a select few. Literally making his mark first all over Bristol and London; now the world is target. Ranging from Tel Aviv to New York he is a sensation. His ...
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Basquiat
Posted August 17, 2012
There have been more books written, more magazine articles and even movies made about him than any other. He works have garnished the highest prices at auction and continue to climb yearly. He is in the private collections of famous and noted collectors like Vegas luminary Steve Wynn and designer Valentino. He is a pivotal figure in the history of art and culture. His importance continues to be debated, his worth reviewed. Artist Jean- Michel Basquiat was known and peer to the greats of his tim...
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