Michael Jackson and Van Gogh

It seems like everyone is talking about Michael Jackson and I just want to add my two cents. I would like to take this opportunity to express my thoughts about the performing artist and the similarity to visual artists.

There are many similarities between the performing and visual artists. I have read several times that Michael Jackson was a perfectionist. I have also read that he was tortured and that he was or appeared to be different or strange. This may sound familiar to many of us who know the historical backgrounds of some of the great visual artists.

One visual artists that comes to mind when I think about Jackson’s life is Vincent Van Gogh. A great deal has been written about the unconventional and brilliant master artists. I am sure there are many more visual artists I could compare Jackson to but I am haunted by the similarities of the lives of both of these artists.

One thing for certain that can be said about both of these artists is that they both seemed to seek salvation through their art.

Nella’s Books and Collectibles is an online bookstore that specializes in art books, art catalogs and local history books.

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The Future of Arts Journalism

There has been a lot of talk about the decline of printed newspapers and its effects. Many cities have lost or will lose their daily newspapers. Many newspapers that have not been discontinued have cut staff and consequently art coverage has suffered. This started me questioning if this could be the beginning of the decline in arts journalism.

Today there are 3 main areas that provide art news to the public:

1. Newspapers – This communication method is declining rapidly as well as cutbacks in space alloted for the arts.

2. Magazines – Magazines have their own unique merits and some of them do a great job of presenting quality art news. Magazines, however, cannot provide timely articles like a newspaper.

3. Internet – More people than ever before are reading and writing about art. Although blogging is extremely popular, its doubtful that this will have the standards needed for quality arts journalism.

Because there is a great deal of interest in arts journalism today, I seriously doubt that the end is near. I believe the creative art world will find another avenue to provide us with quality arts journalism.


You can find books art magazines—both vintage and recent at Nella’s Books and Collectibles.


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Art Theft and the Internet

It may be easy to steal art work today but very difficult as well as complicated to sell it. Today, thanks to internet and expert police work most stolen art work is recovered. There was an article in the news recently about Picasso’s sketchbook being stolen from a Paris museum. There is hope that it will be recovered soon.

This is not the first time that work by this master artist has been stolen. In 2007 two of Picasso’s paintings were stolen from the home of one of his relatives. In 2008 four works by Picasso were stolen from a museum in Brazil.

Picasso’s art work stolen in 2007 and 2008 were recovered quickly. It is believed that the internet today helps to prevent sales of stolen art work. Soon after these thefts occurred, pictures of the stolen work were sent all over the world. Several websites posted pictures which aided the authorities to recover the art work.

Great masterpieces like Picasso’s sketchbook should be available for all to view. Let’s hope that this work of art will be returned soon to the Paris museum.

You can find books on Picasso and other great artists at Nella’s Books and Collectibles.

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Free Art

• I was glancing at the entertainment section of my Sunday newspaper and ran across an article entitled “Free Art”. This of course caught my attention for 2 reasons:
  
  (1) I like most things free
  (2) I’m an art lover.
  
  This article described how to explore the local arts scene with little or no money. Street fairs to museums to live music were mentioned. There was probably a half dozen places listed. I love the idea of being able to enhance your cultural life without having to pay. These days when money is tight it’s almost like receiving a gift from above.
  
  I’m pretty sure there are many other cities like mine that offer free ways to explore art. I hope most of you will take advantage of getting out this summer and taking advantage of “free art” if it’s available. I know I plan to.
  
  Nella’s Books and Collectibles is an online bookstore that specializes in art books, art catalogs and local history.
  
  
  www.nellasbooksandcollectibles.ecrater.com

Art and the Economic Downturn

A fine arts gallery in my hometown recently announced it will be closing after 25 years of great service to the local art community. This is sad news for those of us who love art. It seems that the economic climate is continuing to wreak havoc on the arts. We are continuing to hear about the major museums cut backs. It makes sense that this economic downturn would also affect the small art galleries.

This gallery was much more than a place where more than 50 artists exhibited their work. It developed over the years as a social gathering arena for art lovers. Monthly openings and gallery walks and other activities made this gallery stand out.

I am sure this is something that is happening across the country. As a result of collectors and buyers not buying as much, many galleries may be closing their doors in the near future. We can only hope that this economic phase we are experiencing will end soon so that we can continue to enjoy art.

Nella’s Books and Collectibles is an online bookstore that specializes in art books, art catalogs and local history.

http://www.nellasbooksandcollectibles.ecrater.com/

Cultural Losses During War

A recent article suggests that there is new research showing Ukraine’s huge cultural losses during World War II. They claim that a large quantity of valuables was looted during the war. As much as 250,000 pieces of art was looted from 21 museums in the Ukranine by the Nazis.

Looting of art during times of war is not new or infrequent.. Recently in 2003, the loss of cultural valuables was noted in Iraq. A book entitled, The Looting of the Iraq Museum, Baghadad—The Lost Legacy of Ancient Mesopotamia, records this occurrence. This book was written by several archaeologists who spent years studying the history of Mesopotamia and collecting their finds. The book states that the looting of archaeological sites throughout Iran continues.

You can find this book and others and Nella’s Books and Collectibles.


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Crisis in Art Book Publishing

• I recently read an article that suggested that art book publishers were too focused (like many) on the recession and not on producing what most artists, curators, critics and art lovers, like--great art books.
  
  The article stated that there are some obstacles facing the publishers that are related to the economic conditions. Just as museums and other cultural institutions are struggling with funding for programs, purchases and staffing the publishers are also confronting challenges.
  
  Other issues mentioned were:
  
  Reaching consumers
  Competing with the low-price commodity market
  Finding the expertise available to produce a great art book
  
  
  Everyone is n agreement that public interest in quality art books has not declined. It is, however, becoming more difficult for a lot of us to find great art books. I sincerely hope that the publishers are able to resolve these issues. A world without great art books would be as sad as a world without art museums or art galleries.

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A Place To View Art

I previously discussed five reasons why we need museums today. One of the major reason I believe we need museums is to provide a central place for viewing art.

It was not always possible for the average person to view great works of art. Before the 18th century, most artists who desired to have their work seen had to seek a private viewing. Often wealthy individuals would gather a few acquaintances in their home and view art work.

Near the end of the 18th century the French Royal Academy held annual Salons, or exhibitions open the public. Great artists, like Jean-Antoine Watteau, were able to have their art shown to critics who offered opinions and evaluations and interpretations for the art-going public. These exhibitions were the first public museums and were established throughout Europe.

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Museums as an Educational Resource

I recently outlined 5 essential reasons for museums to exist. I would like to expand on one of the reasons--museums serve as an educational resource.

Out of all the reasons why museums are important, the use of a museum as an educational resource is probably near the bottom of the list for many people. I personally, have learned a great deal from visiting museums. Museums are taking a more direct approach to teaching today.

Several of the museums where I live, have classes for adults as well as children. In addition to classes that teach how to create an object of art, there are lectures on all aspects of art and history. Many teachers bring their classes to the museum for a field trip. Curators lead tours and give talks on various collections in the museum. I recently had an opportunity to hear a discussion on ancient and contemporary art work by the Los Angeles Museum of Art curators.

Museums are important for many reasons. I believe serving as an educational resource should be at the top of the list.



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