david

being a part of the korean-american christian community, i can't stand the name "david." it is by far the most generic name & add a kim/lee/park to it, and you're bound to have FB/gmail/phone number mishaps (i am definitely guilty of emailing the wrong "david lee" on many occasions).

however, i see the appeal of naming your child "david." he is my favorite (and most interesting) character in the bible.  a poet, musician, sheperd, warrior, hero, adulterer, murderer, king- he is one complex man with amazingly human flaws but an unfailing love & "oneness" with God.

visiting italy last year, i had the pleasure of seeing different depictions of david, though i have to say bernini's david definitely trumps michelangelo's (most famous) version in my opinion.

michelangelo's david (1501-1504)

  

created in the height of the renaissance, it is said that michelangelo's david is the "perfect man" in regards to structure and proportions. he is depicted as "tense and watchful," in a posture that is ready for battle (though he looks pretty relaxed to me...)

bernini's david (1623)

coming from the baroque era, bernini's david is much more active and dramatic.  he is portrayed in mid-motion as he is battling it out with goliath. plus, i find him really handsome/attractive. i couldn't help but stare (for an inappropriately long duration) at his beautiful face.

who doesn't love a man of action?

the pieta

Michelangelo's Pieta is what originally spurred my desire to visit Rome. When I walked into St. Peter's Basilica, I got goosebumps. And when I saw the Pieta, I almost couldn't breathe. I snapped multiple shots of it. I think it's the most beautiful, heartbreaking, yet serene masterpieces of all time.


So according to my research, this was the only signed piece by Michelangelo. The story behind it is that when the sculpture was first exhibited, Michelangelo actually overheard the people attributing the Pieta to different Renaissance artists. Enraged by this, Michelangelo carved, "“MICHAEL. ANGELUS. BONAROTUS. FLORENT. FACIEBAT” (Michelangelo Buonarroti of Florence Created This). Later, he admitted that he regretted that he caved to his emotions… and never signed his art again.

With this magnificent statue Michelangelo has given us a highly spiritual and Christian view of human suffering. Artists before and after Michelangelo always depicted the Virgin with the dead Christ in her arms as grief stricken, almost on the verge of desperation. Michelangelo, on the other hand, created a highly supernatural feeling.

As she holds Jesus' lifeless body on her lap, the Virgin's face emanates sweetness, serenity and a majestic acceptance of this immense sorrow, combined with her faith in the Redeemer. It seems almost as if Jesus is about to reawaken from a tranquil sleep and that after so much suffering and thorns, the rose of resurrection is about to bloom. As we contemplate the Pieta which conveys peace and tranquility, we can feel that the great sufferings of life and its pain can be mitigated.

Here, many Christians recall the price of their redemption and pray in silence. The words may be those of the "Salve Regina" or "Sub tuum presidium" or another prayer. After Peter's Tomb, the Pieta Chapel is the most frequently visited and silent place in the entire basilica.

It is said that Michelangelo had been criticized for having portrayed the Virgin Mary as too young since she actually must have been around 45-50 years old when Jesus died. He answered that he did so deliberately because the effects of time could not mar the virginal features of this, the most blessed of women. He also said that he was thinking of his own mother's face, he was only five when she died: the mother's face is a symbol of eternal youth.

artist spotlight!

hasisi park. i have such a girl crush on her!



she did the f(x) cd album pics!

self portraits:




edit: okay, 2 hours later, i'm still on this site.

They have the most awesome clips on different artists from all across the globe... i discovered uram choe (amazing Korean artist who creates moving machine installations). they even have g-dragon! And here's one on phoenix. Reeeeally wana go to a concert. agh!

Pietà

one of my faves. i want to travel to italy.

street art

I love walking thru Chelsea/the Meatpacking District, because of all the random street art... it's like a happenstance outdoor exhibit- for free! I have a thing for low-brow art (though I hate the graffiti on the way to Queens taking the 7 train... something about it is just overwhelmingly garish...reminds me of the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air logo).

I'd have to say David Choe was the one who first piqued my interest for this genre. After watching his documentary Dirty Hands, I was very wow-ed by his wayward path, rebelling against his very normal Korean-American upbringing. Also, his first solo show was called "Double Rainbow," way before the youtube clip made it popular... what a trend-setter. I also met him in person a few years ago at the Giant Robot meet & greet and he was unexpectedly sweet... even to my male friend who hit on him.

(I remember I thought he was so cool and would lie to my old co-workers saying he was my cousin...)

And ever since watching Exit Through the Giftshop, I was completely enthralled by this secret inner circle of street artists. I think what really appeals me to when it comes to Banksy's art is his ability to balance the light and heavy. He is able to convey deep, dark, and often political/social messages in a whimsical way. This bit of playfulness is what I appreciate when it comes to art whether its Magritte's surrealistic paintings, Billy Collin's poetry or Kundera/Vonnegut's unconventional narrative voices.

With my bowler hat, I should've been THIS guy for Halloween.

My goal in NY is to become a street artist. Of course, announcing it here on my blog already takes away my street cred (I'm supposed to be as anonymous and elusive as possible). Nevertheless, I'm already working on my trademark designs and a catchy pseudonym.

barbara kruger @ highline park

love this one.

not part of the exhibit... but just a random plea of desperation:

i want to go here before i die

The Magritte Museum in Brussels.

Ahh it would be a dream.

its the end of all strain, its the joy in your ♥

So I tutor my little niece Natalie and she writes journal entries for me every week.
This week, the topic was: "What are you scared of? When were you the most scared in your life?"

She's a little bugger. I went the Skinner's "operant conditioning" route and tried to bribe her into doing her homework by giving her stickers and candy, but I realized that punishments in the form of public humiliation are much more effective. I make her do the "abra cadabra" dance in front of her whole family. I'm so evil.


My friend jane made me this delightful origami version of the Little Prince. She said she had a bunch of leftover origami from her origami-crazed days (which is so very believable), and I'm the only person who would appreciate this kind of stuff. I <3 it!

and to commemorate the beginning of the best month of the year:

its mah belly talkin'...

canned foods exhibit... closing this week!

http://www.canstructionla.com/

i should really refrain from looking at food blogs & restaurant reviews while I'm starving away at work. i should also stop stealing candies from the children.

oh & giant fork landing in pasadena!

reminds me of claes oldenburg:

love it when things are largely out of proportion!

this weekend

  

 

The month of July