Feeds:
Posts
Comments

Posts Tagged ‘art’

photo by D. Ledesma

photo by D. Ledesma

I am grateful to have family and friends who as they walk in the world will sometimes pause and think, “Hmmm.  This is a picture that Cynthia might like.” Some people will share photos of that sight in the moment by text.  Other times, as most often happens with my brothers, they will give me a ring and describe in great detail the Virginia sky above them. It is all wonderful, as are these images shared by a friend who recently traveled around London.  She is an archaeologist who has been involved in Egyptian digs and one day I will convince her to sit down for an interview about why she chose that field. Until then here are photos she shared of a walk through Highgate Cemetery.

photo by D. Ledesma

As the website notes, this cemetery opened in 1839 and is considered one of England’s great treasures with its fine funerary architecture.  There is an east side and a west side. The west side which includes an Egyptian Avenue is considered fragile and accessible only by special tour.  People of many backgrounds are buried here with some of the most famous figures buried including Karl Marx and George Eliot.

photo by D. Ledesma

photo by D. Ledesma

From these photos alone one can see the interplay of light and shadow upon the beautiful sculpture.  Scary movies (e.g. one involving Dracula) have been shot here but from these photos one can also imagine the serenity of this sacred space. It is still an operating cemetery.

photo by D. Ledesma

photo by D. Ledesma

For history buffs, the history page on the website is an amazing compilation of old and new video as well as text.  I don’t know if I will ever have the chance to view this place in person but I thank Ms. Ledesma for sharing these images with me.

Learn more at …

http://highgatecemetery.org/

http://highgatecemetery.org/about/history

Read Full Post »

Three seasons viewed through one rippled window. These were the three images selected for the upcoming Riverside Gallery annual exhibit, African American Artists – Passion for a Lifetime.  The exhibit opens with a reception on Sunday, November 8th, 3:00-5:00 PM, and will close January 24th.  FYI, each print (11 x 14) is separately framed (16 x 20).

The Riverside Gallery is located in the Cambridge Community Center at 5 Callender St., Cambridge, MA.  Hope you’re able to attend and spread the word to friends and family in the area. Take care!

Read Full Post »

Yes, through the rippled glass.  The landlord recently told me that he had specifically selected that rippled glass. A carpenter, he had found the glass in a building being demolished.  And when he assembled the windows for his home, he used the rippled glass.

Read Full Post »

… there was a school and on the campus there was a chapel and inside the chapel there was a stained glass window known as The Singing Window.

photo by Carol M. Highsmith

photo by Carol M. Highsmith

 

Sources and Additional Readings

Learn more about the photographer Carol M. Highsmith on the Library of Congress website: Carol M. Highsmith Archive.

Learn more about Tuskegee University including its tours and the history of the chapel.

Read Full Post »

Remember the hand of the budding artist? Well, mom is artist Zoe Langosy.  Recently, she mentioned how important this period of fashion weeks around the world had been in her artistic growth and I asked her to share more through her words and images …

When I was 14, the fashion world became a magic kingdom to me. Fashion took me on a journey through music, pop culture, the arts… I couldn’t get enough. Already developing into a figurative artist, my drawings became filled with long-legged, often tragic looking, beauties. All my characters were adorned in lavish attire made from a patchwork of fabrics and colors.  As this was before the internet, the way I kept up with my new found passion and muse was either on TV or through magazines.  My teenage bedroom began to overflow with Vogue’s from all over the world, Harpaar’s Bazaar, The Face, Sky… Nothing ever compared, though, to the September issue of American Vogue.

Each year seemed to compete with the year before… More pages, more looks, more exclusive inserts from designers. Each year, as summer drew to a close, my sister and I would check newsstands every day anticipating its arrival.  The first issue I purchased was in 1991. Linda Evangelista donned the cover, smoldering with red hair and tartan. I must have turned the pages of that issue a thousand times, and yet somehow kept it pristine like only a true collector could. Never letting any hands on it but my own.

photo by Zoe Langosy

24 years have passed, and I still feel a buzz when the September Vogue appears on the newsstand. It remains a guilty pleasure of mine, still inspiring my art … Of course, I have other inspirations these days as well.

These days, I’m okay if the cover gets scratched or my one-year old tears out a page. Now, it’s become so ingrained in my world it’s like buying a new set of pencils. Something I’m prepared to destroy and use purely as a visual playground that will set my imagination running.

Follow Zoe’s creative journey …

http://www.zoe.langosy.net/

Langosy Arts on Etsy

Read Full Post »

On October 22, 2015, Congressional leaders will present a Congressional Gold Medal in recognition of the Monuments Men.  The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest honor the U.S. Congress can bestow upon civilians.  One of the civilians being recognized in this case will be Joseph A. Horne (1911-1987).

Joseph A. Horne

It has been my pleasure over the past few years to research just a bit into the life of Mr. Horne. Through his life journey, I’ve gained a deeper understanding of U.S. and world history.  I’ve been cataloging and sharing my findings on this blog in a series of Interludes.   Mr. Horne served his country throughout his life and part of that service included a very active role as a Monuments Man.  While I hope you have a chance to review the whole Interludes series, following are links to the two specific chapters chronicling efforts made by dedicated men and women during and after World War II to preserve, protect and return stolen works of art and books … efforts that actually continue to this day.

interlude: to protect, preserve and return … if possible

interlude: offenbach archival depot

 

P. S. I hope to complete the Interludes series by year’s end.  After service as a Monuments man, Mr. Horne continued his career with the U.S. Information Service, interacting with people around the world, rich and poor, literary giants, musicians, and with kings and queens.  “Walking” with him offered me a glimpse of worlds that are no more. I look forward to sharing the stories.

West End Hotel, Bangalore

Press Release Gold Medal Ceremony for Monuments Men

Monuments Men Foundation

 

Read Full Post »

When I received Owls by Matt Sewell, I quickly flipped through the small hardback book, chuckling unexpectedly at some of the wide-eyed illustrations.  But I was in a rush, you see, and so I tossed the book on the coffee table intending to do a thorough inspection and review later in the day. Having been introduced to Blogging for Books by a friend, I wanted to do a good job.  Well, I can honestly say that it is a wonderful book to share with an inquisitive young reader.  My young friend whom I have mentioned often in this blog, now eight-years old, was visiting and she found the book.  I came upon her sitting quietly reading it on the couch. I watched as she sounded out Latin text and she also chuckled at the illustrations of owls each with a distinctive character.  When she saw me watching her, she waved me over to sit beside her and so we read the book together.  Each reading a page out loud about a different owl.

The author and illustrator is ornithologist Matt Sewell and I keep reading that he is described as the Banksy of the bird world.  Now, I just barely know who Banksy is (you can read more about him here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banksy ) but you don’t need to know Banksy to enjoy this book with or without a little reader by your side.

Yes, I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.  A good deal but the best part was watching the joy the book brought to a young reader who is still learning about the world.  As my friend likes to say when she is happy with something, two thumbs up!

Learn more about the author here http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/152488/matt-sewell/.

Read Full Post »

Detail from The Baptism

Detail from The Baptism

When Trinity Church was consecrated in 1877, there was only one stained glass window in place, The Baptism, in the chancel, designed by Clayton & Bell of London.  The rest was all clear glass.  By the end of 1878, there would be seven windows in the chancel marking a life: The Nativity, Jesus in the Temple with the Doctors, The Baptism, The Preacher, The Last Supper, The Resurrection, and The Commission to the Apostles.

Detail from The Last Supper

Detail from The Last Supper

I’ve not photographed the chancel very much.  But with the seasons changing and the light falling just a little differently, I’ve been focusing my camera on those windows again. Not focusing so much on trying to capture the whole window, but especially zooming in on the face.

Detail from The Commission to the Apostles

Detail from The Commission to the Apostles

New details are always being revealed.

Detail from The Resurrection

Detail from The Resurrection

I’m curious what else the autumn light will reveal.  You know I will be sure to share.  😉  Meanwhile, if you’re in the area you can check it out for yourself.  Learn more via the church website –http://trinitychurchboston.org/  – and here’s specific information about art & architecture tours http://trinitychurchboston.org/art-history

Have a good day, folks!

 

Read Full Post »

… at rest on a bright day in the Boston Public Library in Copley Square, Boston.

Read Full Post »

Detail from Baptism Window

There are thirteen stained glass windows inside St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Central Square, Cambridge, MA. And I had the wonderful opportunity to stand before them all thanks to the kind gentleman, Rector Brocato, who let me through the door.

Detail from St. John the Baptist Window

Detail from St. John the Baptist Window

He took me on a brief and informative tour of his church and provided me with detailed literature.  The parish was founded in 1842. The current building was constructed in 1867.  The first stained glass window was added in 1917, designed by Wilbur Herbert Burnham.

AAA_wilbhbur_27920

Wilbur Herbert Burnham designing a stained glass window, ca. 1940 / Paul Davis, photographer. Wilbur H. Burnham Studios records, circa 1904-1991. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.

Burnham is one of two stained glass designers highlighted in the church’s guidebook.  He designed several windows for the church.

Detail from St. Anne Window designed by Burnham

Detail from St. Anne Window designed by Burnham

Detail from St. Anne

Detail from St. Anne Window

In the 1930s, two windows were added from the Charles J. Connick Stained Glass Studios, most noted of which may the High Altar Window.

Detail from High Altar Window, by Connick Studios

Detail from High Altar Window, by Connick Studios

High Altar Window by Connick Studios

High Altar Window

Detail from High Altar Window

Detail from High Altar Window

Detail from High Altar

Detail from High Altar

The current guide book is being revised to include the names of all the designers.

Detail from St. John Window

Detail from St. John Window

Even so, the current guide book provides a wonderful historical summary of the of the parish and detailed description of the biblical and secular symbolism in each window.

Detail from St. George Window

You can find out more about this welcoming place, from services and tours to community outreach, via the church website: http://www.saintpeterscambridge.org/

Detail from Nativity Window

Detail from Nativity Window

Sources/Additional Reading

Learn more about Wilbur Herbert Burnham in the Archives of American Art via this link.

Learn more about Charles J. Connick in the Archives of American Art via this link.

The Charles J. Connick Stained Glass Foundation is also a wonderful resource.

Read Full Post »

« Newer Posts - Older Posts »