Graffiti: Works of art, or Illegal tagging?

Personally I live in a smaller city where there isn't a whole lot of gang related news. At least not that I hear of. So most of the graffiti that I see is on a train that goes who knows were. And lately I haven't even been seeing that. There are those street tags where there's a small time teenage gang trying to "own this street" and such, but it's mostly back ally things that no one really sees or cares about. Basically I don't have a graffiti ridden city, which is good, and bad. I keep talking about the type of graffiti that we all think of; tags, gang related lettering, The kind of graffiti that makes you think of all those movies with the youth gangs that go around killing students who try to excel and get out of the gang life. There are other types of graffiti though. There are beautiful pieces of art that aren't considered art because they have the graffiti feel, or are on a wall in a subway tunnel. Pieces like these:

 

These are just some of the millions of amazing graffiti that I found. There is no doubt that Graffiti is illegal because it's on public property and these artist's are defacing that property, but think about how these artists do this without letting the world know who they are. They don't do it for fame, or money, they do it for the love of art. And I think that is an honorable reason to do this. Maybe the city can create a designated area for graffiti artists to do their work, but that's but that's not how it works. These artists do it for a reason, the placement of these pieces of art are specific and meaningful. Each piece has its own story, and if there is a designated area for these specific works of art, what makes them so shocking and moving? Part of the graffiti scene is that there is the shock at seeing something on what used to be a blank wall.

 

That's the beauty of this art form, the shocking part makes the painting stick in your head, plus the sheer beauty of the style. I don't know anyone who can make the graffiti lettering because it's not just a easy thing that BOOM you know, some are lucky where its easy for them, but like most artist, that's the case. Creation is what comes naturally to them. Graffiti is a hot topic lately, but the thing is, everyone has their own view on what is art or not, and this is mine. And I look forward to hearing your view.

 

Until I write again

Au revoir,

~Rayne

Abstract: Beauty or Excuse for Art?

Abstract Art is what I blogged about last time, but I blogged about the bad side of this type of art. To be honest, when I first became obsessed with art I found abstract art stupid, and boring. I didn't get most of it. Sometimes I'm still confused by it. But there was this time that I was doing research for a class and I found some abstract art that I found more beautiful than photography (which is my favorite art form besides music.) Here are some examples:


 



So what do these paintings make you think of? Each of these bring me the feeling of great happiness, and a little sadness. I feel as though I am not seeing the world as the artist does. The artists make the work so much more lively and beautiful than it is in the real world, this is some art that moves me in a positive way. How about saddening abstract art?

Do you see that the matches represent the life cycle of a person? We start unable to stand or move on our own, then slowly we make it to the stage in our life where we are completely independent. Soon after we start to deteriorate and then die. Sad if you understand it. Lets try one more.

 

This one is of a girl submerged in water in someplace I'd assume to be her home. Like she's swimming to survive her drowning circumstances. If she gave up in anyway then she would surely drown. It represents the strength and will to survive when you are feeling so hopeless you could die.

 

Please leave comments and let me know what you think of these pictures.

 

Until I write again

Au revoir,

~Rayne

Is The Bar For Real Art Being Lowered?

If anyone is immersed in the art world, then you've probably seen the painting that went for $43.8 million. Here's a link to show you what I'm talking about. Barnett Newman Painting. This and five other paintings very similar have shocked the world with how expensive they are. If anything, they're worth more on Ifunny than anything else. I've seen hundreds of comments on pictures of lined paper with two sections of blue and one straight white line in the center, and most of these comments are jokes like "Oh, how this artist captured such sudden sadness in such a subtle way!" or "Only $43.8 million?! What an outrage, this man deserves at least $50 million." I personally find more art in the comments than the actual painting.

One of my other blogs will be about the debate on whether or not abstract art should be considered art. I think it should be, but this man claims this IS abstract, and if this is than what isn't? Can a picture like this be considered abstract?

Or what about this?

There isn't a doubt that it's cute, but it's a child's work, it deserves to be appreciated, a grown man doing pretty much the same thing, but with MUCH less creativity, does not. I my whole point is that it's hard enough trying to get people to be accepting about abstract art, but when people go around making things like this mans painting, it just sets the non-artistic view into people's minds allowing them to shun all abstract art.

Please comment and respond anyway you see fit.

until I write again
Au revoir,
~Rayne

The Movie Industry

I realize that I haven't written anything about movies that are common in today's world. So I wanted to take this blog and try to evoke some emotion and comment about my topic, Disney Princesses.

There is Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, Ariel, Belle, and many more. But the names that Are shown above are the ones I want to focus on. All of these princesses are said to be the most beautiful girl in all the land, invoking jealousy as well as lust form other characters. The fact that these are shows and movies that young children watch, gives the children a sense of who they're supposed to be. Beautiful/handsome, generous, caring, and equal. These are great qualities, none the less there are some pretty hefty downfalls to the movies.

Cinderella; Disobeys her parents and sneaks out to meet go some place she was forbidden to go. And for this she was rewarded with the Prince's hand in marriage and a happily ever after.
Sleeping Beauty (Aurora); Sneaking around with a man when she is betrothed to another, the man wakes her and just so happens to be the prince she is betrothed to, and they get married and live happily ever after.
Snow White; After being almost killed, she runs away and breaks in to a home, those that live there are kind and allow her to stay if she cleans. The queen poisons her and a man comes a long and kisses her, she marries the prince and they live happily ever after.
Ariel; She wasn't happy with who she was, disobeyed her father and went above water, saved the prince and changes herself for him and they marry and live happily ever after.
Belle; Disobeyed her father and becomes captive by a beast, conforms to live with him, he turned into a prince and they live happily ever after.

The point is that there are unachievable expectations set in place form these movies for girls. If they can just be beautiful and kind, they will live happily ever after with their prince charming. But that's not how the world works. There isn't such a thing as happily ever after, just real life. There are hardships and heartbreaks. First loves probably won't stay together, and there is going to be times where life seems too much. It's not as easy as a flick of a wand to get everything one dreams of. It takes hard work and perseverance.

Disney Princesses have amazing morals, but unrealistic story lines. Princesses like Merida, Tiana, Mulan, and Pocahontas tend to have a much stronger pull for some because they are just normal girls that want to change things, and they fight for it. They have a more realistic story, that makes it easier to aspire to be like them.

I look forward to hearing your comments and feelings towards the Disney Princesses.

Until I write again
Au Revoir,
~Rayne

Books, Life Changing or Not?

I was once again on the art debate website and found yet another debate that was all one sided. This one was titled "Can books change your life?" Everyone said yes, but I have to admit that a few of the responses bothered me. There were some who said that the Hunger Games changed their lives because it got them into running and climbing, yada yada yada. I don't think that those were the kinds of changes that the asker was looking for. I think they were looking more for inspiration to do something great, for example after reading this book called "A story of a girl" I began thinking about the number of people that were bullied and hurting because of lies and harsh things that others have done to them. I think that books do change people in the way that a good song can change you. It could make you re-evaluate your life's decisions and really think about your choices.

Please comment any good books that have changed your life, or anything that has given you inspiration.

Until I write again
Au revoir,
~Rayne

The Importance of Writing

Once again I was on the debate site for some topics I found interesting to talk about, and I found a debate that was all one sided. "Are instant communication platforms overshadowing the art of writing letters?" Every single person said yes! I mean I agree but if so many think this, why hasn't there been a change? Personally I write letters all the time. I don't really like the whole social media thing, (although I have to admit, I'm beginning to enjoy blogging.)
I feel that if so many people think that writing letters is a dying art, then why don't people make an effort to change it? I would, and if anyone is interested in joining me that would be awesome! I don't want hand written messages to be lost, they stay around longer than a phone call or text will. And it's already bad enough most don't know how to write in cursive.  It's shameful really, it's one of the first things we learn in school and pretty much the first thing people forget. But anyway, I hope all of you will keep writing letters and make sure you never lose the intimate connection that letters to one another bring to people. Comment back if you have your own opinions or comments.

Until I write again
Au revoir,
~Rayne

Art of the heArt

Today I witnessed someone creating some real heart... Actually I saw my mother make a homeless man's day. I'll explain:

We were on our way to the store, and we always stop at this specific curb to give some money to the pan handlers on the corner, and today this man was so exuberant about the change we were able to give him that my mother gave him the soda we had just bought. He started to cry and opened it right up. We continued on our way to the store and my mother couldn't get the look of the man's happiness out of her head, so we went on a food shopping spree for him. We bought him some cans of ravioli, sandwich meat, and a loaf of bread. I could feel my mother smiling all the way back over to where the gentleman was still sitting. As we pulled up next to him he waved really big and we waved him over. We handed him the food and he got tears in his eyes. He said "If there's anything I can ever do to repay you.." and my mother cut him off saying "Happy Halloween" with the brightest smile I've ever seen on her face. The man said he could go back to where he slept now, he had enough food, so he didn't have to be in the cold anymore. There was some faith in humanity restored right then. 

I realize that this may not seem like art to some, but to me it was the best kind of art out there. The type of art that really touches your heart and that you'll remember for the rest of your life. 

There is actually some videos on YouTube that have been going around where people are doing about the same thing. Making The Homeless Smile I keep saying how art is about heART, and that art makes the world beautiful, well these acts of kindness are making the world beautiful. It doesn't take much, just a little contribution to the community and you could make someone's life better. Because you gave them hope, and that's a lot for someone who doesn't have anything. 

If you would like to comment a story of an act of kindness that you've seen, please do. I'd love to hear about the wonderful things people are doing around the world.

Until I write again

Au revoir,

~Rayne