I spent several days in December in Oslo. You may not believe but first thing that comes to my mind is – light! And then color! And then some more light!
The color was more indoors. Somewhat lazy and unwillingly I went to City Hall, only to discover that it was a real gem. One may say it is kitsch or another that it is too much of national and soc-realistic portrayals of the history and local population; I may say that is was, in today’s abundance of images and reincarnations of power and force – just fresh, unexpected and alive. What you say?
What you have seen here are details from ceilings, walls, doors and interior.
Not so far away another fascinating indoors, Oslo Opera House, designed by Snohetta – and again light:
Although mother nature did its magic and outside are predominantly monochrome colors, human touch did its magic and, as beauty is in the eye of beholder, some of you may appreciate a whole different angle on Scandinavian outdoors:
After several unsuccessful trials, this week I finally managed to check in at Museum Ludwig in Cologne. Although it seems to be not as big on the outside and the 80’s architecture might also scare you, the museum was rather refreshing and exhibitions intriguing. It might not be huge, but it has some fine collections. Therefore, here are photos of some pieces that I particularly liked, which is not exhaustive. Thus, it is very probable that I would be impressed with some totally other art next time I am there…
“Before the Law” is current exhibition going there until 22.04. and “Nature does the Easiest Thing” of Karla Black is (1972 – ) is an amazing space installation.
Source: handelsblatt.de
I am starting with some classics and here impressionism. The piece impresses with its size as it spreads all wall long. The title also makes you think…
Henri Matisse (1869 - 1954), Woman and Monkeys, 1952
Then my eye caught the woodcut below, but the title surprised me. On the second sight, I can see why it is so, but I went with lovers first.
Otto Müller (1874-1930), Murder (Dancing Scene II / Lovers III), 1919
I was just about to say that I am not really fan of Max Beckmann, when I saw this for him quite unusual combination of motive and colors.
Max Beckmann (1984 - 1950): View from the Window of the Eiffel Tower, 1930
Then I looked on the left and I have seen through the real window another piece of art.
Cathedral in Cologne
Not things got interesting. Check this out:
Robert Rauchenberg (1925 - 2008): Soundings, 1968
I don’t know if that is clear from these photos, but what happens here: a couple was walking along the wall and clapping their hands. The ‘wall’ reacts on it by lightning up. Cool, huh?
By the way, Brillo Boxes in front are Andy Warhol (1928 – 1987) from 1964.
What I also found nice and beautiful are the following:
John Wesley (1928-1964): Holstein, 1964
… or this one: combination of photo, bathing cap, fabric, or bw with color.
Richard Hamilton (1922 - 2011): Bathers I, 1967
Now some classics: in case you are tired of ‘regular’ Warhol, you might want to see this (my personal favorite ‘game’ when I was little girl).
Andy Warhol (1938 - 1987): Do It Yourself (Landscape), 1962
Or another one: you cannot talk about Museum Ludwig without mentioning this series.
Roy Lichtenstein (1923 - 1997): M-Maybe (A Girl's Picture), 1965
Last but not the least, Mr. Gerhard Richter and myself, trying to capturing two of his pieces.
You think that you’ve seen them all, but every time your focus gets caught by another piece. I guess that it depends on the mood of the day and your own spirit.
This time I was fascinated mostly by sculptures and female bodies. Here are some highlights of today.
Camille Claudel (1864 - 1493): La Valse (1891/1905)
Auguste Rodin (1840 - 1917): Crouching Woman (around 1880/82)
Camille Claudel (1864 – 1493): La Valse (1891/1905) Auguste Rodin (1840 – 1917): Crouching Woman (around 1880/82) Francois Rupert Carabin (1872 – 1932): The Dancer Loie Fuller (1896/97) Paul Gaugin (1848 – 1903): The Birth – Te Tamari No Atua (1896) Gabriel von Max (1840 – 1915): The Ecstatic Virgin Anna Katharina Emmerich (1885)
The other day a colleague of mine asked me what events of classical music I can recommend these days. As I haven’t had time in last months long time to see some good opera concert play event, I first blushed before giving a decent excuse (and later indeed did my homework to check up on current events, only to discover that I am not so much behind after all, as in this time of year you have the chance to see some standard stuff again and/or some pieces that I have seen are scheduled again in a row).
However, just an hour ago, I have discovered through a cool friend of mine a cool artist friend of her. Her name is Valida and she is an Los Angeles based music radio host / DJ / … and now dubbed by LA.com as “one of the most important figures in L.A.’s nightlife scene”. She is jetting around the world and playing anything from disco, house, indie, hip-hop, b-more/electro, and some classic 80s, soul, and pop tracks in her own style and mix. As I don’t want to write some non-sense here, more accurate infos about what all Valida does and has done you may find here.
I am no an expert but in my opinion and music taste, this stuff is good, right? *
Last night I finally went to ballet to see “Multiplicity. Forms of Silence and Emptiness”. Although an occasional ballet-goer, I am not an expert in evaluating a piece, but this one – I find truly exceptional. Why I said ‘finally’? Well, already few months ago I had a chance to be invited to the rehearsal and I have instantly realized that this is something that I would like to see. And it was almost impossible to find a match when I am in Munich on the day of the show. But to this personal story related to rehearsal, I am coming back later. Now about last night:
Commissioned from a Spanish choreographer, Nacho Duato, in 1999 for City of Weimar for the occasion of being European Cultural Capital, the piece represents a collection of works of Johan Sebastian Bach interpreted in a originall modern yet humorous way. First part, “Multiplicity”, is more vivid, energetic and shows a choreographic variety, not only in dance moves, but also in costumes and stage scenes. Some classics are here the sequences when the dancers are portraying music instruments in a concert, where music appears to come from their bodies, or another one, where Bach ‘plays’ a cello, that is, another dancer (to me – a bit daring though). For a video excerpts, please see below.
Source: bayerische.staatsoper.de
Second part, “Forms of Silence and Emptiness”, is more spiritual, introspective and subliming the idea of death, with Arte of Fugue being a basis throughout the part.
Bach with his Muse Source:cndanza.mcu.es/english/erepertorio/eduato/multiplicidad_e.htm
It was interesting that Nacho Duato does not often distinguish between dancers’ genders. We see them most of the time dressed only in shorts and tanks tops. On the other side, Bach stands out in his barock costume and every time the choreographer wants to emphasize another element, it really stands out with colour or dress element. Having black being a predominant colour on stage and light relatively dim, it is sometimes almost impossible to track all dancers’ moves. I loved this play of dark and light.
Source: bayerische.staatsoper.de
However, the rehearsal was also an experience for me. It is then when you can finally realize that the dancers are ‘just the regular people’: that they go to work every day but that their professional careers are shorter, and they have to make a shift to something often similar to dancing later. Hey, if you imagine male ballet dancers somewhat feminine – well, this time I was wrong. There were some tough boys there, wearing a sort of hiphop style clothes. What amazed me there was the energy that these young people had and off course their talent. From what I have heard from others, Bayerische Staatsballet is one of the best in Germany, as they try not only to show classic pieces, but also choreographies of Mats Ek, William Forsythe, just to name few. My personal favourite is Mats Ek, as I have ‘re-discovered’ modern ballet in Dansens Hus in Stockholm.
Although not having some particular talent, dances have always fascinated me: acrobatics, folk, breakdance, classic… My personal recollections to ballet are often melancholic. It happened few times that I went to watch dances when I felt particularly distressed or sad and it would always make me feel better. Obviously, it was like that this time as well!
P.S. To prove it: I went afterwards with some friends to put my dance moves now in practice
P.P.S. For some preview, here is a summary of the ballet, where you can also hear from Nacho Duato himself and generally about performance, in German and English – although the performance video is nothing like the live thing:
My personal favourites in this excerpt are:
(around 0.23) ‘Orchestra’: maybe even the most favourite part of whole ballet
(around 2.34) funny moments such these are often in the first part; I love the energy and allegro of this one
(around 2.58) ‘Cello’
(around 5.50) nice romantic piece
(around 7.00) very strong piece dealing with religious elements and inquisition
(around 8.28) when ‘Death’ destroys ‘Music’
ninichissim(art) 