The Kiss
Deviant artist Rabbittooth's version of Klimt's The KissEarlier this week I was looking for reference on Gustav Klimt’s paintings in preparation for a fashionable nod to his decorative and luscious work. One thumbnail caught my eye and when I jumped to the page I beheld a version of The Kiss … featuring Han Solo and Princess Leia literally wrapped in a clinch. I blinked, and collapsed into hilarity. One of the funniest things I’ve seen in a long time.
Self-professed geekologist and Deviant artist Rabbittooth specialises in visual puns based on cultural icons, such as this pair, the stars of Kubrick’s The Shining combined with the famous painting American Gothic, and the Mona Lisa with an alien on her face.
But wait! There’s more! Pin-up Photographer Burke Heffner, also inspired by The Kiss, created a picture with a combination of photography and painting. In an interesting take on the original, he used models covered in body paint to emulate Klimt's iconic patterns.
I wonder what Klimt himself would think of all this homage?
Burke Heffner's version of The Kiss, complete with body paint
The one and only original: The Kiss, Gustav Klimt, 1908
The Alchemist
Untitled void sculpture, 2012; fibreglass, paintIt’s been about three weeks since I visited Sydney so that I could attend the Anish Kapoor exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art. And still the first word that springs to mind at the thought of the experience is, “Wow!”
I cannot help but respond in a visceral way, for his work is so profoundly and immediately moving in its bold simplicity, in its enormity, its silence that resounds so loudly in one’s being, that speaks to one’s spirit. It is mesmerising, transcends its surroundings so that one is oblivious to the crowds around. And yet some pieces are also delightfully engaging, so invitingly tactile and tempting to touch, to explore and discover the truth.
his work is so profoundly and immediately moving in its bold simplicity …
One envies the child that instinctively reached out to brush the blue pigment of My Body Your Body – the hand smudge is clearly visible in the bottom. Another deep-blue wall sculpture, Void, floats like an abyss before one’s eyes, mystifying, fascinating.
My Body Your Body, 1993; fibreglass, pigment
The exhibition catalogue states:
Anish Kapoor has created bodies of work that push the boundaries of sculpture through his explorations of the nature of perception in relation to space, form and mass. His ability to transform material into astonishing and often perplexing works of art which raise philosophical questions about the world and our position within it, has led to comparisons with alchemy, the ancient magical power to transform an ordinary substance into something of great value.
Last year when I visited Sydney the MCA was closed for renovations, and it was interesting to learn that the museum’s architects and curators had extensively consulted with Kapoor and his studio team regarding the spaces that would house his work – some of the rooms were specifically designed for this exhibition.
If you can get to Sydney before 1 April, I would strongly urge you to see this exhibition for an unforgettable experience. You can also read a previous post about Kapoor’s work here. I’ll shut up now and let some of my pictures speak a thousand more.
Untitled void sculpture, 2012; fibreglass, paint
Untitled void sculpture, 2012; fibreglass, paint
(Left) When I am Pregnant, 1992; fibreglass, wood, paint. (Right) Oracle, 1990-2002; sandstone, pigment.
Oracle, 1990–2002; sandstone, pigment
A man contemplates Void, 1989; fibreglass, pigment 
It is irresistible: he must lean in. Void, 1989; fibreglass, pigment
Side view, Void, 1989; fibreglass, pigment
Memory, 2008; Cor-Ten steel
Memory, 2008; Cor-Ten steel
S-Curve, 2006; stainless steel
That’s me on the left, reflected in C-Curve, 2007; stainless steel
This Colourful White Night
Theatre of Dreams :: Watts // Big Up // No flashLast night Melbourne held its inaugural White Night, during which art and culture took over the city from 7pm until 7am. The city was divided into precincts celebrating music, light shows, art, film and installations of all sorts. The streets were jammed, the laneways packed like sardines, but Melburnians behaved themselves on the whole.
Wonderland :: Lucifer VI // Rock BW-11 // No flashAlthough we heard some music (it was difficult to fully appreciate some of the acts because of the enormous crowding), my out-of-town friend and I most enjoyed the sound and light shows around town. The precincts had such evocative names as Wonderland, Theatre of Dreams, Elizabeth What Were You Thinking, The World Above, Light Fantastic, and Loved & Treasured. We only missed out on seeing the acts from Pictures & Posers and the Outer Limits, but it was impossible to see everything without a minute scrutiny of the program and careful mapping of the streets. I’m looking forward to next year already!
Read more at The Age website.
The Beasts From Behind :: TInto 1848 // D-Type Plate // No flash
Hot Lips
A l'heure de l'observatoire: Les amoureux (Observatory Time – The Lovers), Man Ray, 1970
It’s funny what strange tricks one’s mind plays, and the weird associations it makes. This morning I saw a fingerprint smudge on a bathroom door that looked like a pair of lips, and instantly I thought of this wonderful painting by Man Ray: A L'Heure de L'Observatoire – Les Amoureux. Giant lips floating in a sunset sky – of course, why wouldn’t they?
I’m Melting, Melting!
Little Tin Man :: Loftus // C-Type Plate // No flashIsn’t this tin toy ice cream man just the cutest? He is a little find from a quaint little doll shop in Blackheath, in the Blue Mountains. I felt greedy buying two, and was torn between the blue and white sailor-themed carousel (you can just make it out in the right of the photo below) and this little man. The imminent arrival of my train forced me to hurriedly choose and the primary colours and the blooming cheeks of the ice cream man won out.
Tin Toys :: Tinto 1848 // C-Type Plate // No flashThere was also a sweet clown on a tricycle tempting me, but the front wheel seemed to be missing, so that discounted him. There was a large selection altogether, including the classic tin robots and monkeys on bikes, all remarkably inexpensive. I remember I had some as a child – possibly a ladybug, or something else that skittered constantly across the kitchen floor.
Meanwhile, Melbourne shows no sign of cooling down by much yet – I feel like I’m melting in my extremely hot apartment, a bit like this melting ice cream truck. This brilliant and witty piece of sculpture, called Hot With the Chance of Late Storm, is by The Glue Society, and was unveiled at the 2006 Sculpture by the Sea exhibition in Sydney. No chance of a storm here and now though, apparently.
Hot With the Chance of Late Storm, by The Glue Society, 2006