"Swans Reflecting Elephants" Artist: Salvador Dali Dimensions: 51 cm x 77 cm Period: Surrealism Media: Oil paint Created: 1937 Genre: Pastoral
Ok, time to open the door a bit. From Swanny's wonderful Dali piece to one from Andres Serrano that cause no end of consternation. The award winning photo is said to be a depiction of the commercialisation of Christ. It has been vandalised by religious supporters on a number of occasions. What place do pieces like Immersion (Piss Christ.) have in society? please log in to view this image
For an atheist like myself religion is all about money anyway ................. when I first moved to Germany all those years ago the buggers wanted me to pay Church Tax (Kirchensteuer). Needless to say they were met with a firm refusal. Look at the money ploughed into places of worship worldwide, it is appalling. Oh and let's not forget the Bishop of Bling
I too am an atheist Oddy. I don't know what it is, but there is something about the picture that affects me. Maybe it's the urine, maybe it's the "in your face" affront to those who believe in Christ. I can see how they would feel insulted, and I have empathy for their concerns, but when I look at the picture, I'm a little disturbed, and I'm not sure why. I feel that I shouldn't be looking at it, or posting it for that matter, but I can't take my eyes off it. Art is supposed to stir emotions in us, so I suppose it has a place in society. I know one thing though, as much as it's disturbing, I think it would be wrong to ban it. I wonder why?
I too am a non-believer. Cannot think of anything clever to say apart from that it has just struck me that God is doG in reverse. Of course any relevance to this utterance assumes that English is the language of planet Earth! Ho-hum; back to reality and the Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe! The trials look outstanding this year.
Steady, that last line looks like hoss racing to me! Oddy, that is exactly what happened to me when I moved here a long time ago. The Evangelical Church advised me that they were my Church in Deutschland. I saw no connection with the Church of England/Anglican/Episcopalian and told them accordingly. Guess I would call myself an agnostic, which I suppose in hoss racing parlance is making a 'saver' bet? Being just a doubter is a bit chicken, I agree, but I am just not sure. All this space and ape jargon is interesting but some of it is baloney IMHO,
Did we not have 'tithe' payments in the UK? Possibly now only 'stolen' by the 'Wee Frees' up here in Scotland. They will have to come up with a similar word/phrase to represent the payment to agents now that the current transfer deadline is imminent!
The Mormon Church has a tithe system, but it goes both ways. If a member of the Mormon Church falls on bad times, e.g. loses his job, gets sick, he or she is looked after, with care and dedication, all by volunteers. Years ago, boarded with an elderly Mormon couple for over a year. It was their duty to try and convert a boarder, but stopped immediately when they got the message. Very good and decent people. Learnt a lot about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, to give it its full title. Followers don't drink, don't gamble, don't blaspheme, but oh my goodness, do the men ever chase the women!
Just watched TV morning show here, "Volle Kanne", and the main guest was the talented German jazz musician (trumpeter, singer, composer) Till Brönner. Here's a clip of him and his band performing at the 2009 Burghausen International Jazz Week, or is it the 2013 Viersen Jazz Festival, I can't tell which is which! If you like cool modern jazz, this guy's a master:
A few years ago bought a compilation and the latest CD by Til Bronner. Got them out of the specialist music store near Bar Centrale (round corner from HB'haus). Although my main love is rock music from the mid sixties I like to dip in and out of all types, shades and eras of music. Ledererstrasse!!!
Honestly think this superb photograph from the 2016 U.S. Grand-Slam Tennis Tournament deserves a place on this thread:
"High range" by Paul Cézanne. Mont Sainte-Victoire, 1904-06 (oil on canvas). Paul Cézanne/Getty Images/The Bridgeman Art Library:
My mother would kill to have these art pieces in her home. Probably even the Piss Christ. Especially the Piss Christ.
In March of 1990, two men dressed as cops overpowered guards at a Boston museum and stole 13 paintings valued at about half a billion dollars. These pieces of art are still missing. Among them works by Degas, Vermeer, Manet and Rembrandt. Police have said that they may be close to solving the crime. Here's hoping. One of the Rembrandt paintings is Storm on the Sea of Galilee. Jesus sits next to the tiller man. Experts say that Rembrandt often placed himself in his works. They believe he's the gent, second from the left in the back of the boat. He's looking at us and holding a stay with his right hand. If you know the thieves and dob them in, you'll be five million richer. please log in to view this image
