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Did Michelangelo Have a Hidden Agenda?

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Sistine SecretesRecently I have seen this story pop up across the web in various forms. So it is my turn pitch my opinion.

I am going to embark down a path I rarely discuss because the subject of religion like sex can have oh so many views and opinions. Not to mention meanings. However I have to speak forward on Michelangelo, who in my view was one of the greatest artist of all time and reading books about his art and his life has always inspired me.

When the book the Da Vinci Code was released I was right there getting my copy and when the movie staring Tom Hanks hit the theater I was one of the first see it. The reason was the master of all masters was on center stage or at the vary least the center of the story.

So when I recently read the article “Did Michelangelo Have a Hidden Agenda?”  By Cathryn Drake | Special to the Wall Street Journal, I had to take notice.

Michelangelo and mysteries have become common place these days and it seams we have another mystery on our hands or should I say coauthors Vatican docent Roy Doliner and Rabbi Benjamin Blech have one. Their new book “The Sistine Secrets: Michelangelo's Forbidden Messages in the Heart of the Vatican” claims he embedded subversive messages in his spectacular frescoes.

On the 500th anniversary of the artist's first climb up the ladder in 1508 to paint the Sistine Chapel ceiling, Michelangelo is yet again in the middle of controversy.

Like the Da Vinci Code (fictional story) Scandal and deceit is married with religion and art. In the 1500’s the church was a formable power and one did not say no to the Pope. So I can certainly understand why Michelangelo might have included subtle reference or symbolism buried within his art.

At this point in history does it really matter? The major religions have all declared they are the only one with claim to fame where God is concerned. Wars continue to rage in portions of the world all based on religious ideology and some governments contend to rule the world because of their understanding of their religion.

Art is like religion in that every individual has his or her own interpretation. So regardless if Michelangelo painted or included subversive messages buried in his art, Michelangelo is still in my view one of the great masters of all time.
 

Russia communists say Ukraine Bond girl a traitor

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Bond Girl Olga KurylenkoSo how many of you think this is a ridicules statement? I thought if I was not mistaken the Rossiyskaya Federatsiya or english name Russian Federation gave up on communism?



Apparently not by call counts Russia’s communists still believe they have a say in world politics! Sorry guys I think it is time you took a hard look at the world around you. Yes communism does still exist in places like China, North Korea, Cuba, Vietnam, and Nicaragua, but it was thrown out with the bath water in Russia in the early to mid 90’s.



Well according to a story posted today by the Associated Press - “ST. PETERSBURG, Russia – First it was Indiana Jones. Now it's James Bond's latest lady friend.

The Communist Party in St. Petersburg says Olga Kurylenko, the Ukrainian-born model who plays a Bolivian agent in the latest Bond film, "Quantum of Solace," has betrayed her roots.

 

GROOVY 'TOONS

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When I was growing up Rock ‘N’ Roll music was hitting its prime. We tuned our radio’s to the top ten to get our weekly pick. We plastered posters of our favorite stars on our bedroom walls defying our parents dissatisfaction with our choice of music.

I grew up during the time of Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan, The Monkees, and lets not forget Woodstock Music & Arts Festival. A half a million fans crammed into Max Yasgar's farm in New York.

Of course there were Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin. Frank Zappa, The Beetles and the list goes on and on.

Today the faces of Rock ‘N’ Roll have changed and the latest craze is Caricatures of our favorite stars. I am not sure it helps the music sound any better but it certainly lends more artistic flare to the faces.

The artist who create these caricatures are truly gifted and although the caricature of my self is not as colorful as these I feel honored that I had my face immortalized in 2003.

Amy Winehouse along with a number of others are featured on MSN’s Groovy ‘Toons. There really are some amazing art here. Maybe your favorite star is here. Check ‘M’ out and be Groovy!
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 05 November 2008 08:55 )
 

Using Old Materials to Put a New Face on a Museum

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How many LP records to you still have sitting around in your attic?

"Hiroko Masuike for The New York Times
The Museum of Arts and Design’s first exhibitions at 2 Columbus Circle, “Second Lives” (including Jean Shin’s “Sound Wave,” above), “Permanently Mad” and “Elegant Armor,” open Saturday. The shows, Roberta Smith writes, reflect an institution “wild with delight” at having a building of its own."

Hit the jump to read the full article

 

Art in Photos

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Art comes in all forms of expression. Be it a protest to save our environment, those that dare life or just the casual trip to the zoo. Here are a smattering of some photos taken this week curtesy of Reuters news service. Click the jump to see the full list.

An animal rights activist covered in red paint lies on a white sheet made to look like a Japanese flag during a protest against dolphin slaughter in Madrid September 3, 2008. REUTERS/Susana Vera

A performer displays a "fire-jump" during a presentation at an amusement park in upstate New York August 24, 2008. You Witness News/Agnidipta Ghosh

A pedestrian walks past a mural in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, August 26, 2008. You Witness News/Md Chot

A swan rests in its enclosure at the Pardisan Zoo, northwest of Tehran, Iran, August 27, 2008. You Witness News/Nima AliBeiglou

Reuters News Service

These photos were taken off Reuters News Service


Last Updated ( Friday, 05 September 2008 06:52 )
 
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