Breaking Bad; post finale...

It is already being compared to Shakespeare, Melville, Dickens and even Shelley. The central character; Walter White aka Heisenberg was both Dr. Frankenstein and Monster, Ben-Hur and Messala, Batman and The Joker, Jekyll and Hyde, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird.   It was a drama of the highest order while ranging from being hilariously funny and timely, to moments of total absurdity. Existing for a mere five seasons Vince Gilligan’s “Breaking Bad’ became so ingrained into viewer’s psyches that an obituary was posted in an Albuquerque newspaper upon the series’ end. The fans that posted the obit said they needed the closure. The show will resonate still for some time to come.

Vince Gilligan the creator, producer, director and chief writer for “Breaking Bad” developed the series from an “off the wall” idea he imagined when he was between writing jobs. The multi-talented Gilligan has worked in the television medium for many years and written most notably for “the X- Files.” Joking to his friend that they should become meth dealers to make ends meet was to evolve into the TV series that is comparable to none before. Gilligan’s protagonist would essentially go from “Mr. Chips” to “Scarface” through the course of the series. This was as unusual and as risky a premise as has ever been proposed to any network for programing. AMC would give Gilligan “The Go” on his project. Gilligan’s idea would capture the imaginations and respect of a nation including house-holds, critics and the entire television industry. “Breaking Bad” has been awarded throughout it’s duration on every level for acting, writing and production.    

“The Pink Teddy Bear Mystery” began with the opening of Season II. A plastic eyeball floats on the surface of a body of water; a swimming pool…the ocean perhaps? The camera slowly drops below the water’s surface to an object; a pink teddy bear that as it floats aimlessly turns to reveal one side is blackened and badly burned. The scene fades away.  This was one of the many “Breaking Bad” flash forwards and a device used to great advantage throughout the run of the series. The things and events involving the pink teddy bear would expand with each episode as the season progressed only to be explained in a totally unpredictable fashion in one of the season’s late shows. The bear can also be seen again as part of a mural in Season III. It seems to hover above the head of a character directly tied to the events associated with the stuffed toy.  This series was one to watch closely looking and listening for clues, hidden messenges and unexpected cross-overs between characters and events. Things that seem to have little importance will later blossom full scale into major plot lines with significant repercussions.

 

Vince Gilligan and all those involved with the creation of this phenomenal TV series “Breaking Bad” have achieved a sort of immortality for their efforts. Whenever the great shows of the television era are mentioned this landmark piece of fiction will be mentioned as being among the very best; if not the best.  It was that good! 10.3 Million would watch the emotionally charged and anticipated finale. Who would live or die? Would there be revenge, closure or justice? How could so many intricacies be resolved in a satisfying way with so many fans to appease and so many potential endings?    With the airing of the finale “Breaking Bad” has ended; it has passed on to whatever place history will allow. It is sadly and was neatly and perfectly; with a nod to “Scarface,” done.

The cast of Breaking Bad was responsible for many miraculous, engaging, moving and entertaining performances. Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul were at the center of a cast that taken as a whole would come to keep viewers in complete awe and rapture. The many actors involved were amazing and are to be lauded.

The Breaking Bad Cast:

Bryan Cranston as Walter White aka Heisenberg: Chemistry teacher diagnosed with cancer who becomes a meth (cooker) manufacturer

 Aaron Paul as Jesse Pinkman: Former student of Walt's who becomes his meth-making partner in crime

Anna Gunn as Skyler White: Walter's wife, a mother of two and co-owner of A1A Car Wash

Dean Norris as Hank Schrader: Walter's macho brother-in-law and DEA agent on the trail of Heisenberg

Bob Odenkirk as Saul Goodman: Walt and Jesse's attorney (the shady lawyer’s shady lawyer)

Giancarlo Esposito as Gustavo (Gus) Fring: the owner of a fast food chicken restaurant and a major meth distributor

Krysten Ritter as Jane Margolis: Jesse's landlady; later becomes his girlfriend and also a recovering drug addict.

 Daniel & Luis Moncada as The Cousins: cartel killers who travel from Mexico to kill Walt for business and personal reasons

 Laura Fraser as Lydia Rodarte-Quayle: The Head of Logistics at Madrigal Electromotive and Gus Fring's methylamine supplier

Jonathan Banks as Mike Ehrmantraut: works for Gus and is Saul's go-to guy when his clients get in sticky situations

 

The producers of Breaking Bad used music in an uncompromising, elegant and unusual fashion. The music was effective and often juxtaposed with images that before Breaking Bad would not have seemed compatible. The soundtrack of Breaking Bad was as much a break through as all of the incredible and innovative themes the series was to introduce.

The Breaking Bad Soundtrack Play List:

(click on the titles to listen to the music)

PICK YOURSELF UP     Nat King Cole

CRYSTAL BLUE PERSUASION     Tommy James and the Shondels

ENCHANTED     The Platters

TAKE MY TRUE LOVE BY THE HAND    The Limeliters

WAITING AROUND TO DIE     The Be Good Tanyas

ON A CLEAR DAY YOU CAN SEE FOREVER     The Peddlers

WINDY     The Association

A HORSE WITH NO NAME     America

NEGRO Y AZUL     Soundtrack

BREAKING BAD INTRO     Soundtrack



Respect the Chemistry

The Wholly Original & Brilliantly Unique Jae Lee

           

        

 

 

 

His work is decorative, minimal intricate, detailed and refined. The work in many ways is a genre unto itself. Artist/Illustrator Jae lee is the elegance among the utilitarian, the poetry among the mundane. lee is best known for his still bourgeoning career as a graphic story-teller for Marvel and DC comics. His assignments consist of the “special” and the “heavy-weight” projects. Marvel’s adaptation of the Stephen King series “The Dark Tower” went to lee and it is to date is his most powerful achievement. The panels are rich with substance, alluring and visceral to an extreme. The ‘Tower” books; scripted by Peter David with King himself serving as creative and executive director are treasures.

 

 

                   

 

 

Lee is easily placing himself among the greats both in and outside of the comic medium with past and contemporary artists. Visionaries from Maxfield Parrish to Chris Van Allsburg are rivaled and complimented by lee. The master sculpture Michelangelo can even be referenced by the work of lee. The “Pieta” seems to be an inspiration for Lee who is quickly becoming a master of his craft and as an artist surpassing all norms.

                    

 

                                                                                                    

 

“The Illustrated Dracula” by Bram Stoker illustrated by Jae lee is one of the handsomest volumes of any modern publication. The book fits perfectly into the hand. It is precisely weighted and just plain feels good to hold. In another time this wouldn’t be so much a consideration but in this increasingly print less society it is a committed endorsement of the ancient process of book making. The paperback edition in design gives the illusion of worn leather and it is  tompe-l’oeil used to spectacular effect. I am reminded of a church hymnal in that it is very equal in look and size. The illustrations are not intrusive or distractions but give the edition an intended welcoming illumination. The enhanced drawings are again minimal, gothic and beautiful.

 

 

 

Jae lee’s new work remains anticipated by his followers and he seldom fails to deliver certain greatness into a pretentious, while ordinary world of massive mediocrity. His involvement with DC Comic’s reboot “Batman/Superman” series gives a marked importance to what might otherwise be a failed project. Lee’s efforts are always interesting, always pushing a little farther than the pack. The folks at DC have fallen behind their chief competition Marvel. They have been vastly outdistanced and hope to revamp and capitalize in publishing and especially in the film industry. Marvel has captured a large portion of the film world with “The Avengers” and their other film franchises like “Thor, Iron-Man and Captain America.” The popularity, quality and fascination Lee brings to his projects are intrinsically valuable especially at this critical time for the industry. DC Comics sees a successful “Batman/Superman” book as essential to their efforts and a prelude to a “Justice League” film franchise.

 

Jae Lee is an artist of the highest standards; someone to count on to deliver and to thrill. Look for him in a book store near you. The Graphic Novel section would be the place to begin; then on to the classics of literature and beyond.

 

 

Jean-Leon Gerome "The Orientalist"

 

Jean-Leon Gerome was one of the great Parisian Orientalists. They were artists that traveled to the mid-east studied, observed, photographed and reproduced a version of a world that was very much a reflection of their European sensibilities. They were not entirely accurate in tone or content but the attention to detail of patterns, textures and physiology were impeccable. These were works of beauty and technique that were academic gems.  His fellows including Delacroix, Regnault and others that supplied a vision of the mid-east that delighted mesmerized and to a degree informed a generation of collectors. The mid to late nineteenth century was fruitful and lush for these artists especially Gerome whose works were popular and sold profusely around the world including many American buyers. At least three of the images on this blog (including the richly lush The Snake Charmer) are in American collections. 

 

 

 Gerome’s academic style was much admired and rewarded before falling out of favor with the rise of the impressionist and later modernist painters. Photography and the increased access to mass travel beyond the elite classes were probably factors in the Gerome decline in popularity. World views changed as taste and fashion are constantly looking for “The New.” This applies just as readily to the world of fine art as to any other aspect of culture.

 

 

On many counts and in fact Gerome was an artist and creator of art of diverse themes and subjects. History, portraiture, stage and literature are all found among his catalogue. He has influenced film makers like Ridley Scott who used Gerome’s “Pollice Verso” as the informing inspiration for his film “Gladiator.” There is an adherent narrative element to the works of Gerome; they could well be scenes from great cinematic projections. The theatrical quality of his work is without dispute. There is no greater vision of drama or theatre laced with pathos and irony then Gerome’s “Duel after the Masquerade.” It is on view and among the permanent collection of The Walters Collection in Baltimore Maryland. The small 15.5” x 22.5” canvas is monumental in thought and achievement.

 

 

 

For the lovers of art and imagery Jean-Leon Gerome remains unsurpassed. His works are suggestions of mystery, eroticism and adventure. They are classical and romantic, rich in detail and skillful executions. To stand before a Gerome is to stand before genius and beauty.

A Murder of Crows

 

I dreamed I was haunted and hunted by a murder of crows; indicted by a parliament of owls and entertained by a gaggle of geese. These are all poetic terms for groups of birds; their origins not completely known. The case of the crows probably is in alignment with the fact that battle fields have been known to be covered with the feasting carrion birds. I’m certain more than one murder victim’s corpse has been found in the same manner. The crows black feathers an ominous symbol of death and their song a cry of pain, far less than alluring. A murder of crows in short has a “ring” that sounds remarkable fitting and ideally distinct.  

 

 

The crow is equally arresting in nature and in fiction. Books, film and song feature the resourcefully clever creatures. Aesop was fond of crows and found them useful in many of his illustrious fables, “The Crow and the Pitcher, The Fox and the Crow and The Crow and the Swan” among them. Disney used crows in his feature “Dumbo.” A flock (Disney would never have used the word murder) of crows befriend the distressed elephant; help him to believe in himself and his abilities. Disney’s Crows add humor, song, heart and compassion to the film. The characters were also considered racially offensive and rife with negative stereo-types. They remain debatable. Ralph Bakshi would use crows in a similar but updated manner as did Disney in his adaptation of R. Crumb’s “Fritz the Cat.” Bakshi’s films were much more satirical and “hipper,” they were critical of every aspect of society and culture. Bakshi’s brilliance was equal to Disney’s but drastically different and his target audience the radical chic and the underground covet his land mark films.

 

Actor Johnny Depp has chosen to wear a hopefully taxidermist crow as a headdress in the currently in theatres version of “The Lone Ranger.” His impressive “Tonto Look” was inspired by a painting by contemporary artist Kirby Sattler. The painting “I Am Crow” is a feat unto itself and Sattler’s fame should increase exponentially with the film’s success. Depp in full makeup is featured on the July 4-8 cover issue of “Rolling Stone” magazine. It will take its place among the many iconic covers from the magazine’s remarkable history of striking covers.

Painter Jamie Wyeth works almost exclusively from nature. He is one of America’s most acclaimed and revered artists.  Crows, along with their cousin’s ravens have found their way onto a number of his canvases. These works are detailed to a flaw and lovely to behold. Wyeth’s crow paintings are successful renderings that illuminate the animal like no others.

                                                    "I Am Crow" by Kirby Sattler

 

 

James O’ Barr’s “The Crow” is the telling of a murder victim’s rise from the grave and vigilante style retribution of his own and his bride’s killers. It places Barr among the most revered of the graphic novel form. The original film version released in 1994 starring the late Brandon Lee became legend. Lee’s immersion into the character and his untimely death during the actual filming have made “The Crow” a cult classic that remains engaging and intriguing. The stylistic comic book, gothic-noir look of the movie is unsurpassed to this day. 

In as much as the crow informs and inspires the minds of the creative they are in general among the least popular of birds. Think about the scarecrow…what other bird has a thing named; invented and dedicated just to ward it off. The scarecrow does honestly have a justification in that crows destroy crops and are a general nuisance. There are few that don’t love a singing and dancing scarecrow as portrayed by Ray   Bolger in “The Wizard of Oz” and later by Michael Jackson in the “Wiz.” Crows themselves are by most accounts not the most beautiful of creatures especially considering the vast array of colorful families of known birds. Crows while reviled are actually the cleanest of birds, smart, loving and attentive as parents. 

 

As I write this blog a giant crow has just landed in a tree above me adjacent to my front porch, we are almost face to face. It is cawing wildly and dangerously close. I have to admit he is a little “too close for comfort.”  I will have to chase him away. It seems that the species is best viewed from a distance or through the interpretation of fiction.  The true scientist would perhaps view this as a rare opportunity and a great vantage point of observation. I do not. Why is it also in this moment of discomfort; this feeling something of ill at ease, with it there is too a strange validation; a degree of union to nature and in its oddity something akin to Poe?    

The Crow and the Pitcher 

 A crow, ready to die with thirst, flew with joy to a pitcher, which he saw at a distance. But when he came up to it, he found the water so low that with all his stooping and straining he was unable to reach it. So he tried to break the pitcher, then to overturn it, but his strength was not sufficient to do either. At last, seeing some small pebbles at hand, he dropped a great many of them, one by one, into the pitcher, and so raised the water to the brim and quenched his thirst.

Aesop

Moral: Little by little does the trick

Superman "Man of Steel"

 

 

The “Man of Steel” has been around for many, many extravagant, entertaining and extraordinary years certainly longer than you or I. He was originally conceived by teen agers Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster in 1938. Within his unique history he has been envisioned in every possible medium since his comic book birth; radio, theatre, novels, games, toys, music, television and film. He is certainly the stuff of legend both as a character and as a production icon of society. Ask anyone if they remember being introduced to Superman and overwhelmingly people will answer that they can’t recall “The Man of Steel” as a new concept. We learn about Superman as we learn of language itself. With so much history and saturation into the American psyche and hearts it is next to impossible to change or revamp the temperament and tone of the character for our contemporary times. Batman his partner, foil and diametric opposite is much more flexible for rewrites and reworks. Spiderman, Dare Devil, Iron Man and even Hell Boy are crafted for our dystopian modern existence. Superman; the “Grand-Daddy” of them all is in most ways just that; the “Grand-Dadd

                                               

                                          

                       

                                                                  

As Superman is known there are some definite things that he can do such as to leap a tall building in a single bound (it would take the rest of us at least three or four bounds.) He is faster than a speeding bullet (there are benefits to this ability; ask just about anyone.) He is more powerful than a locomotive (this refers to a train; something most Americans under the age of thirty probably have never heard of.)  Now; there are also some things that he cannot do. He cannot and has no right to doubt himself. When you can fly purely as a result of your own will power, bend steel in your bare hands, see through walls etc. you do not have any time or reason for petty insecurities. When using said powers you cannot do anything wrong. This means any selfish thing or anything that hurts anyone else (even the bad guy or gal.) You’re the opposite of the baddie and that‘s what makes you the hero; not your powers.   

 

“Man of Steel” opened this weekend in theatres across the country and world-wide. The reviews are mixed; the consensus at this point is “Man of Steel” is at best a descent effort but nothing special. This is the fourth big screen incarnation for Superman. Christopher Reeves set an impossibly high bar for anyone to reach in the Donner films. They will never be surpassed. Reeves personified Superman on screen and he proved to have an amazing amount of courage and resilience in real life. Reeves was an inspiration. This new film comes to us over blown, dark and repetitive. These days the source materials for the super hero “Block-Busters” are known as Graphic Novels. Originally the book’s genre was classified and considered Comic or Funny Books. There has to be a sense of humor; a joyfulness in the equation for anything relating to a comic book creation like Superman, again he is the original. Superman doesn’t need to imitate the kids. He only needs to be himself.      

                                                 All Images of Superman by the Stellar Alex Ross

"The Greedy Child"

Mrs. Wonderley was everything her name suggested. She was joyful, energetic, vibrant…she taught with a passion and love of the thing; Art. Her knowledge of the subject ran deep. Art’s history, movements and techniques were all introduced to her students. Her classes ranged from pottery to macramé and from mixed-medium to painting, drawing and graphics. Mrs. Wonderley taught from her head but she taught mostly from her heart and love. Her gift to us was a richer understanding and meaning to what art was and could be. She inspired and was wonderful!

The methods of teaching she choose were tried and true and from the respected scientific laws of seeing. Drawings from plaster models and life were done in her art room as we learned the importance of symmetry, perspective, form and composition. There was little she missed but one of the simplest and yet most extraordinary things she did was after instruction and background on our assignments she would jump in and do her own version of the topic. There was no competition in this but she knew as did Leonardo that working with a superior more experienced artist would only make us better. The reality is that she truly enjoyed expressing herself as she continued her own learning and artistic growth. At these times she would most often create originals but copies would sometimes be her choice of expression, depending on her whim. 

On one occasion as we students worked on assignment Mrs. Wonderley chose to copy something from Picasso’s Blue Period, “The Greedy Child.” To see her copying as a drawing this master piece of 20^th century painting, this modernist marvel from a master’s hand was a thing of beauty onto itself.  She worked with a relaxed diligence that showcased her talent and ability to see and reproduce both the detail, depth of feeling and nuance of the original. It was impossible to discern any real difference between the graphic structure of the image she copied from and the image we saw unfold on Mrs. Wonderley’s paper. Her choice to copy “The Greedy Child” would increase my admiration for my teacher as well as for the masterful, Pablo Picasso.

Forty years later while walking, relaxing, passing through the National Gallery in Washington, DC my grandchildren and I would stop to sit before a work from the museum’s permanent collection. This was an opportunity to study and further enjoy a painting of beauty, worthy of deeper reflection. It was a gift of sort from me to them. I felt something wholly unique and special as we look at the miraculous, this original work of art “The Greedy Child.” I thought about Mrs. Wonderley and as we looked; the wheel turned. Within this rarest of moments I somehow knew the essence and meaning of art.

Bitches Brew

 

There was a time when music was saved or recorded onto vinyl discs; the discs were packaged and sold in wrappings that were decorated as works of art. Artist including Andy Warhol, Frank Frazetta, Salvador Dali and Roger Dean would be commissioned and their works reproduced for these designs. One of the most radical and innovative works of cover art was for a new music by musician Miles Davis. The Davis recording of what he referenced as “New Directions in Music” was titled “Bitches Brew.” It was a landmark and pivotal work in that it changed perceptions of the nature of music itself; particularly Jazz. What the music really was is still being argued. The cover art was by artist Mati Klarwein. He would produce several famous works for recording artists/performers like Miles including an incredible rendition of “The Annunciation” that Carlos Santana would see and use for his opus; “Abraxas.”

The cover for “Bitches Brew” was a painting somewhat surreal in nature featuring an African couple; lovers, standing on a beach gazing at a stormy sea and beyond into infinity. To the left of the couple is a flower erupting in flame as it begins to ignite the woman’s hair filling the sky with smoke. Above the couple to their left is an extreme close up of another African profile with large beads of sweat strategically placed adding intensity to the portrait. The cover wraps around to the back and becomes a sort of a mirror/reversal of the front. The large dark tone face morphs into pink or extremely lighted skin on the back. The images of the facial profiles snake into two joined hands; one black the other white which could be seen as a form of commonality and unity reflected in humanity even with the obvious differences in skin hue. The stars of night subtly illumine the darkness of the reversed back cover. A figure seemingly in a fit of rage or pain grimaces.  A woman of resolve or quiet hope rounds out the composition as we are left to ponder.

Klarwein's original piece for “Bitches Brew” was much admired and sought out by Miles but he was unable to acquire the piece. It would have been an amazing addition to Davis’ art collection but it was not meant to be. Miles was himself a water color and pen & ink artist. His tastes ran from fine sculpture to French and European graphic novels.   

Davis and Klarwein were immensely creative.  Their admirers were and remain many. “Bitches Brew” an achievement for both men and all from a time when music albums were vinyl and the covers were works of art.

 

Miles Music

 

Quentin Tarantino Inglorious Basterd

The pen and mind of Quentin Tarantino have produced works of malevolence, humor, brutality and passion that illuminate a reflection of life from a most incredibly unique perspective. His perspective is like none the world of film or perhaps the world in any form has known before. Oh that we all could be so blessed as Mr. Tarantino. The characters in his films are often cool to a point of ice cold; violent and bloody (no kiddie stuff here) but they are never lacking of a strong wit to complement their cunning. Tarantino; the magician that he is, makes movies of thought and complexity that are immensely entertaining.  

“Reservoir Dogs” was his first directorial piece but his “Pulp Fiction” burst upon us like nothing before. This powder keg would dramatically change and challenge every established notion of film.  “Pulp Fiction,” something so radical, so different that nothing worthy of comparison has appeared since; except for perhaps some of Quentin’s own works. There’s nothing close to his level. He has spawned some imitation that at best serves merely as flattery. Tarantino is much flattered by his imitators. “Pulp Fiction” revived the career of John Travolta, show-cased the talents of Samuel L. Jackson and made the sound track central to the story telling. The timing and pacing of the piece was everywhere at once and the ending of the film is the chronological center of the actual events. Great job Quentin!   

 

 

 

Tarantino is well on his way of becoming one of the all-time favorites and greats of the cinema. Certainly the most distinct visionary of this age of film. His recent Oscar win for best original screenplay speaks volumes for his craftsmanship. His brilliance and daring are to be envied. In his most recent venture he has been able to take one of the worst segments of American History twists it, turns it, shakes it up and produces a work that elicits laughs, horror, tears and revulsion. He offers questions, enigma, insights and solutions to what is largely the unspeakable; American Slavery.His “Django Unchained” is brilliant in that it is both epic in scope while retaining something of the fun of a romp.  Christoph Waltz wins an “Oscar” for best supporting actor portraying a dentist turned bounty hunter in ‘Django.”  Waltz’s character develops a heart through the course of the film as he and Jamie Fox complement each other well. Samuel L. Jackson is stellar in his portrayal of the “Uncle Tom” character.  No plantation even a fictional one should be without an “Uncle Tom.” Jackson and Leonardo DiCaprio also serve well as foils to their respective characters.

 

 

The list of Tarantino films continues to grow longer and they are increasingly more intriguing. There is talk of a third “Kill Bill” and I’m expecting “Django” to be at least a trilogy; possibly a series. Django and Broom Hilde are prime for a civil war Bonnie and Clyde in a second outing. The third would take place in the reconstruction years and most likely unfold out west in the true “Cowboy” era.

    Quentin Tarantino; one heck of a film maker. Watch out! He’ll be back and I can hardly wait.

Cubism

Imagine shattering the wall of reality and then putting it back together based on the relationship of light to shadow, random juxtaposition of geometric forms and color guided only by the particular artist’s own whims and fancy. Picasso takes the world our vision senses as reality, steps away from it, bludgeons it with a sledge hammer and reassembles it with the care of a madman. This was his genius.

Message to Terrorist #2 (the one in the white cap)

 

Your terror spree was so short. Did you really believe you could affect America; Americans, for any extended amount of time. You and the others like you who think your brief moments of terror can stop us from being a free nation, a free people who will not bow to your acts of senseless and a most brutal, depraved violence. Your crimes, your self-serving acts were truly acts of cowardice. You chose to attack innocents when they were at their most vulnerable. You disgraces and dishonor whatever sick cause you believe you represent. The only truth is that you ultimately failed because your cause is a cause built on lies with a foundation of sand.

We continue to rise up against you as we try to come to some understanding of your sickness. Why did you do this? This is not for your benefit but to help prevent the next depraved person, pair or group that wants to inflict pain on those they see as weaker. We will do whatever it takes to bring you and others like you to justice, we believe firmly in that too. You will be granted a fairness you never granted you victims. We celebrate that you were brought down, you will never harm another and there are runners across the nation and around the world running today, running in marathons without fear and completely devoid of terror.

Kiki Smith and Her Drawings

 Kiki Smith arrived on the major art scene in the nineteen nineties with an exhibition at MoMA and became an immediate star. She is richly deserving of her following and her works are of a nature that is striking, compelling and thought provoking. Kiki works in many mediums and is most famous for her sculptor. It darts and dives, hangs from ceilings, attaches to walls and sometimes is disjointed and scattered across the floor. This all from what is largely the female form, plaster casts taken from her own body. Her work is feminine in theme and content but she is not a feminist of the traditional definition.  Her work is far too outreaching to be limited to a genre, too immense to be bracketed in terms. She is possessed of a marvelous, mind and creative spirit. Her work is adventurous and lively; a world treasure.

 

Kiki comes from one of the most artistically creative families in the country. The only other major American family that might be more artistic would be the Wyeths. The two families’ approaches to art are very dissimilar but they both are completely saturated with the bug. Kiki’s father; Tony Smith was a celebrated for his minimalist sculptures. Her mother was an actress and opera singer.

 

Her sisters; Seton and Beatrice, photography and theatre were their interests respectively. Beatrice died young but Kiki and Seton continue to work and support each other. The girls didn’t attend school and really had little other career choice but fortunately were gifted and internally inclined for the arts.  



The mind, body and spirit were central elements to Kiki’s original pieces. She continues to grow as an artist and her works including her sculpture have become more narrative in nature. Myth, folk and fairy tales have become central to many of her new works. These are especially evident in her graphics and drawings. “Red Riding Hood” and “Alice in Wonderland” are among her inspirations. At times she creates what could well be and truly are beautiful illustrations. These coupled with unique works that turn the myths inside out, upside down with a complete interchanging of metaphor. Her works and vision is totally original and a leap forward into unexpected places.

There is an unrefined quality and freedom to the drawings of Kiki Smith that is reminiscent of earlier artists like Marc Chagall and the more contemporary Leon Golub. Her lacking of a true academic technique adds to the charm and whimsy of her concepts in a way a more serious and structured style would only serve to distract. The over-all impact of the pieces is dominant in an illuminated text manner. Kiki is one of the most unrestrained artists working today and there is a timeless quality to everything she touches. The mystique and allure of Kiki Smith will only grow given time.

 

“It's really special when you share history with people and are in the same field. We come from a background where it's completely natural for someone to devote their life to a vision. It's an unsaid vision, one that's constantly moving and falling apart, and sometimes there are really still periods. Artists live in unknown spaces and give themselves over to following something unknown. I see that in Seton's work and in mine.”

Kiki Smith