Since 1945 there has been at least 2,083 nuclear tests,. Many of them were open air tests that filled the earth's atmosphere with radiation. In a stunning work of art, Japanese artist Isao Hashimato has created in a video every single one. The year is reflected in the top right and the total number at the bottom right. The flags of the nations conducting the test is reflected in the video. Toward the end of the1950's the number of tests on the video is scary. Please take a look.
Growing up in rural America, the sure sign of a person's wealth was if they were driving a Cadillac. The car has been a symbol of status and success since it first was created by Henry Leland in 1902. It didn't join the General Motors list of cars until 1909. Named after the family that founded Detroit the car has had an up and down history.
Recently it has made a major comeback in the luxury field. In 2010 sales jumped an amazing 35% in a time of recession and is now sold around the world. Without question it is the American version of the Mercedes Benz or Rolls Royce.
Sebastian Cosor has created a small masterpiece video by uniting Edvard Munch "The Scream (1893) with the music of Pink Floyd. Literally creating a video where the folks in the "The Scream" come alive in the most bizarre way possible. Munch wrote:
"“I was walking along a path with two friends – the sun was setting – suddenly the sky turned blood red – I paused, feeling exhausted, and leaned on the fence – there was blood and tongues of fire above the blue-black fjord and the city – my friends walked on, and I stood there trembling with anxiety – and I sensed an infinite scream passing through nature.”'
You throw in a little Pink Floyd music into the mix and you got yourself a really sureal video. Sweet dreams!
The Scream from Sebastian Cosor on Vimeo.
-Favorite Fun YouTube Video of the Year: The talking German Shepard who could not believe the cat got the sandwich!
Most Powerful YouTube of the Year: Zach Wahl's speech on behalf of his two mothers for marriage equality in Iowa. A must watch by everyone.
-Favorite Broadway Play: "Other Desert Cities" not only was the best of the year but goes on the list among of really great plays.
-Favorite Broadway Actress: Following on the heels of her nomination for a Tony for "Lombardi", Judith Light once again dazzles in "Other Desert Cities"
-Favorite Broadway Actor: Rory O'Malley (above) not only got a Tony nomination for "Book of Mormon" but his passion for equality off the stage only adds to this nod.
-My Favorite Books: My five favorite books that I have read this year are:
1. War by Sebastian Junger
2. Washington: A Life by Ron Chernow
3. 1861: The Civil War Awakening by Adam Goodheart
4. Double Life: A Love Story from Broadway to Hollywood by Alan Shayne and Norman Sunshine
5. Cleopatra: A Life by Stacy Schiff
-Broadway Event of the Year: The one night star-studded reading of "8" about the Proposition 8 court case.
-Amazing Film Performance: In his eighth decade Christopher Plummer delivers a stunning performance in "The Beginner." Polish up the Oscar for this talented legend.
-Film Actor Having A Really Good Year: Brad Pitt for both "MoneyBall" and "Tree of Life". Actually any actor having the opportunity to work with director Terrence Malick is having a really good year.
-Welcome To Being A Star: Between "Bridesmaids" and her Emmy Award for "Mike and Molly" actress Melissa McCarthy has risen to the top.
-Museum Event of the Year: The late Alexander McQueen's showing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art
-Continuing to Make Waves in the Museum World: The first of its kind "Hide/Seek: Difference and Desire in American Portraiture." Arriving in Brooklyn it reinstated David Wojnarowicz's "A Fire in My Belly" which was forced to be removed at the National Portrait Gallery.
-Ballet Dancer To Steal Your Heart: The Bolshoi Ballet gives us the holiday gift of the amazing Ivan Vasiliev (photograph)!
-Is There Anyone She Can't Play?: The brilliant Meryl Streep playing the tough British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.
-Standing Ovation One More Time: As architect Frank Gehry won our hearts one more time with his New World Center in Miami and the stunning edifice gracing the New York City Skyline.
-Most Fun Music Battle of the Year: Lady Gaga fans vs. Madonna Fans.
-He's Back!: Tony Bennett is suddenly very hot again for both his lovely new album to his sketching Lady Gaga in the nude.
-No Contest In 2011: Adele is the most amazing new artist to hit the scene in years.
-So Sexy But No Cigar: Poor Steve Jones is one of the sexiest men on television but he just couldn't get a grip on his hosting job on the X-Factor.
-Best Television Show: You just can't beat the fun, sexiness and story telling every week you can find on "Castle".
-Best Television Performance: How can you not love the astounding performance given by Alan Cumming on "The Good Wife"?
-Best Talk Show: Hands down "The View." Must have looked at a dozen clips of interesting exchanges from the show over the year. Of course the "Whoopi Farts" episode makes me giggle endlessly.
For over 45 years, American roads saw big, bad Hudsons travel them. The first Hudson was produced in 1909 and the last one came off the line in 1957. The car always tended to be large and a little clunky, but in the 1950's they went for the aerodynamic lines, streamlining the body.
Hudsons had a number of firsts in the automotive industry including dual brakes, dashboard oil pressure and generator lights.
My favorite is above but also love the 1951 Hudson Hornet which is the last convertible below.
This rare stunning 'long drink of water' was created by Jonckheere for Rolls Royce. Measuring just over 19 feet, the fin at the back gives it a touch of the old television serial "Flash Gordon". Currently it has it home in the Peterson Automobile Museum in Los Angeles. Who originally designed this car and who commissioned it was lost in a fire at Jonckheere Headquarters. At one time it was purchased for $1.5 million. If there ever was a car serving as sculpture this would be it!
Second Place to Dr. Donna Stolz for "Blade of Grass"
The winners of the 2011 Nikon Small World Photomicrography Competition have been announced. Once again our eyes are allowed to witness sights not available to the naked eye. In addition, these revelations serve not only science but can stand alone as pieces of stunningly beautiful art. This year there were over a hundred entries and the entire group is 'awesome'. Here are the first three winners. Enjoy!.
1st Place to Igor Siwanowicz for "Portrait of a Chrysopa"
Third Place to Frank Fox for "Melssira moniliforms' "
In the 1930's this sleek beautiful car was all the rage in Germany. Because of World War II and heavy bombing by the allies, the ability to continue production was halted. Following the war, the main factories for this model ended up being in East Germany. Ironically the same 'works' that produced this beauty was later used to make the famous plain East German Trabant. Recently an unrestored version of this car was sold at auction for close to $300,000. This model is incredibly rare in today's market.
There was a time when public art/street art was more modest. Street performers, chalk drawings on sidewalks or the graffiti artist who got everyone's attention. Of course there was the huge Calder sculpture in Chicago and the theme art that some cities resorted to each summer. In Washington, it was painted donkeys and elephants all over the city or cows in Chicago. The George Segal benches with life-like figures in bronze.
Flavorwire.com has presented us a real treat with twenty photographs of amazingly bizarre works of public art from around the world. Click here to see all twenty and the cities of origin. Enjoy! (thanks to my friend Meg for this tip).
In my continuing series of featuring automobile's as art, this week is the 1903 Cadillac. This was the first Cadillac. From day one this sleek accessorized clean line vehicle was in a class by itself. The company was founded by William Murphy and Lemuel Bowen. The car is powered by an eight-horsepower, single-cylinder engine. The roadster could be modified into a touring car with an attachment to the rear. Recently, this car sold for $300,000.
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