D I O N Y S U S
G R E E K T E R R A C O T T A V A S E 4 1 0 B C
The ancient Greeks had a somewhat religious holiday
celebrating the maturation of wine. It was called
Anthesteria, which pretty much meant get stupid
with drink. Prometheus brought the humans fire,
and it was good. Dionysus, God of Wine, gave people
a pleasure only the Gods on Mount Olympus knew.
Afterwards, Zeus felt he ruled over a land of
worthless drunks.
T I M E A R R E S T E D B Y D E A T H
L O R E N Z O B E R N I N I 1670
This terracotta work is known as a sketch model -
something expendable for working out ideas before
taking on carving a monument from marble.
In this depiction Bernini has Time carrying a casket
beyond the reach of Death. Time cheats Death of
his prize because Time always reveals the truth.
Does that make sense?
Maybe you had to be there.
H E A D
A M E D E O M O D I G L I A N I 1 9 1 2
Modigliani carved 27 stone sculptures from
broken limestone blocks he scavenged at
construction sites. This elongated head with
almond eyes reflects Modigliani's fascination
with the art of ancient civilizations such as
Egypt, Greece and Africa. These works come
with a hefty price tag. Tete, a work similar to
the Head above, brought seventy million dollars
at an auction in 2014.
C O N T I N U I T Y I N S P A C E
U M B E R T O B O C C O O N I 1 9 1 3
Art should reflect the Machine Age.
It was the twentieth century. It was time
to celebrate cars, planes and industrial power.
The running figure above displays flourishes
of wind that resemble wings that propelled
the god Mercury to incredible speeds.
W A L K I N G M A N
A L B E R T O G I A C O M E T T I 1 9 6 0
What to make of this wiry, emaciated man, walking.
He is iconic. A fragile nature with enduring spirit.
Isolated. Experienced in madness.
T O U R I S T S
D U A N E H A N S O N 1 9 8 8
When did you start feeling you were on vacation?
Was it when you first walked into Palm Springs heat
in your new summer clothes? Your picture of Larry
spilling secret sauce on his shirt at Circus Burger
was hilarious. Maybe you could get me a copy.
* * * * *
OVER EASY
No comments:
Post a Comment