Hieronymus Bosch’s The Garden of Earthly Delights

The Garden of Earthly Delights, created between 1490-1510, oil on wood.

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One of the strangest paintings found in the study of art history is The Garden of Earthly Delights by Hieronymus Bosch. This piece is a triptych, and from a first glance, it looks like a typical biblical painting of Adam and Eve, sin and hell. However, from closer inspection it is obvious that the painting is far more detailed and strays intensely from the normal biblical accounts. There are strange sculptures, odd hybrid creatures, nude people engaging in sexual activity, giant fruit and fantastical monsters torturing people. While this triptych has been interpreted as a warning of temptation on earth, it remains a wild fantasy enjoyable through Bosch’s imagination.

Book Illustration Websites

The internet is an excellent tool for finding inspiration through other’s work. Old book illustrations are often very detailed, beautiful and fascinating. Three of the main websites which feature older book illustrations include: Oldbookillustrations.com, Oldbookart.com and Fromoldbooks.org.

The first website, Oldbookillustrations.com, is actually well organized into galleries titled by subject matter. However, it is a rather small collection of illustrations, and the majority of the images feature the same stiff style and all are in black and white. Although this site is interesting to browse for a few minutes, for richer inspiration look elsewhere.

The next site, Oldbookart.com, features a wider selection of book titles and therefore a wide variety of detailed, full-color illustrations. However, the website itself is quite distracting, with lots of ads, and a very busy layout. Looking through the gallery, it is only possible to sort by book title, however, there are also other categories on the home page that take you to specific topics of books.

Fromoldbooks.org also holds a nice selection of images, however, the original categories are tedious to navigate. On the home page the images are organized into four categories, however these categories are a little vague and each only opens up a long list of titles—which is not very attractive. Although there are a few smaller buttons up top that allow for easier navigation—search and browse—at first these buttons aren’t noticeable. In these selections it is easier to search by topic, size, and source.

Organization really helps a website featuring artwork become successful. It is important for the images to be arranged in a meaningful manner, and categorized so it is easy to find a specific image. While each of these book illustration sites is interesting to some extent, they are either poorly organized or poorly selected. The text and navigation options on each homepage would work better if there were more hierarchy between information. Also, a more attractive and clean web design would benefit usability and also give more attention to the detailed artwork being featured.

The Event: season 1, episode 7: “I Know Who You Are”

Looking for a new TV show to cure your 24 or Lost addiction? Try The Event.

The seventh episode of NBC’s new series The Event aired on November 8^th. Created by Nick Wauters, the show’s plot revolves around the presence of a group of extra-terrestrials on earth.  This episode, “I Know Who You Are,” continues the puzzling search for the origin of these creatures while only revealing enough information to keep the audience captivated. Adding new mysteries and science fiction thrills just as fast as it reveals answers; The Event follows a plethora of plot lines and flashbacks.

The Event is a successful mixture of the action-thrill plot line of 24 and the mysterious and time-shifting Lost. In the 7^th episode more is revealed about an unknown person who is trying to keep the extraterrestrials a secret, much like the usual plot line of 24 (there is always someone else behind each terrorist attack—and Jack states “It’s not over yet!”). Also, like the characters in Lost, the extraterrestrials don’t have the resources to get back home, and the show feeds off of many flash backs in time from each character.

The different plot lines and flashbacks are a bit confusing and frankly annoying in the first few episodes, considering the backstory of the show hasn’t even yet been established. However, the thrills and cliffhangers allow the series another chance. By the seventh episode of The Event, the viewer becomes used to the format of the series (provided they’ve kept up with the show), and it is easier to understand why this format adds to the dynamic of the characters.

The flashback format of the show adds a lot to the show’s bewildering plot. It keeps the viewer engaged since he or she has to pay attention and gather the details in order to understand the story. The viewer is really piecing together the details to solve the mystery. Although the back-stories are not always completely relevant to the plot, they allow insight into the characters’ thoughts and emotions in the more certain current situations.

At times The Event is rather cheesy and unbelievable. However, this type of show is meant to shock and keep the viewer craving more ridiculous action and mystery. This isn’t a show where one can miss an episode and expect to understand what is happening.

The Event has a blog and twitter account that feature additional information about the plot. NBC is trying to create a whole culture that will try to decipher the mystery of the extraterrestrials. Will The Event be as successful as Lost or 24? It will only if it continues to offer both new information and mysteries to keep the show as shocking as the first seven episodes.

Aqua

Made from a mixture of metal, cement and glass, the new Aqua residential tower at 225 N. Columbus Drive looks refreshingly streamlined and light. While the center of the building is an average rectangular glass tower, Gang’s use of curvy balconies gives it a more sculpted, organic feel. The contrast between the opaque concrete and reflective glass also gives it highlights, depth and interest. Construction of Aqua began in 2006 and was completed in 2010. It rises 82 stories in Lakeshore East, Chicago, built by a team of architects headed by Jeanne Gang. It has been marketed as the tallest building (at a height of over 850 feet) to be completed by a team led by a woman architect.

Lakeshore east, near Lake Michigan and the Chicago River, is home to many buildings that have aquatic names including The Tides, The Shoreham and The Regatta. Aqua uses the sculptural quality of its construction to extend this theme into its appearance. The large concrete balconies on each floor form waves up and down the building’s sides. Each wave is different, and therefore each concrete section on each floor was unique. Although this made Aqua’s construction somewhat challenging because each layer had to be created independently, the finished look gives the building a nice flowing texture.

Aqua’s balconies have drawn some criticism because all units do not have equal balcony space. Because each section of concrete is unique, some decks are 12 feet outward from the rooms, while others have barely enough space to walk out on. However, while architecture’s main function is to provide an appropriate space for the people using it, uneven balconies are not enough to dismiss this building as a gimmick. Just as there are different versions of apartment space in Aqua, there are different sizes of balconies. Therefore, each resident may choose which space is best for his or her needs. While the decreased outdoor space may not please some people, others may be content paying less for that space. This also adds variety to the tower—it would be boring if all the residences were identical.

While studying the wavy decks, it is easy to forget that the residence is primarily a rectangular column of glass. The floor-to ceiling windows allow each unit to have spectacular views of the surrounding area (downtown, Michigan Avenue, Navy Pier) while also contrasting with the white decks on the outside. Aqua would be a plain glass building without its decks, but the windows also help add to the nautical texture. The contrast between white and blue pulls from visions from the sea.

Although Aqua is somewhat hidden behind neighboring towers, the different wavy textures along its exterior give quite a unique view from each direction one might glimpse it from. It is quite a nice look against a cloudy sky, since the two textures almost seem to merge. Although it is not the best in residential architecture, it is certainly more interesting than the typical residential tower with identical floors.

A Young Hare

Review #1:

Albrecht Dürer (1471-1528), a famous painter, printmaker and theorist during the Northern Renaissance in Germany, is known for his intricate and skilled woodcuts. His piece, A Young Hare (1502), has become one of his most well known images. 

This painting depicts a fluffy, furry rabbit posed in the center of the page. It is rendered quite realistically with special attention to detail in the fur, whiskers and features of the animal.  This piece is pleasant to look at since the rabbit is quite cute and realistic, and pops off the page.

Created with watercolor and gouache on paper, this piece is a nice example of Dürer’s technical skill. However, it is too simple a piece to be more than an exercise for the artist.  The rabbit simply sits on a blank background, and almost appears to be a diagraph for a textbook. In addition, since the rabbit floats in the center of the page, it is very calm with no movement or direction in the piece. Since Dürer has not even placed the rabbit in a setting or background, it is difficult to find much more meaning in the piece.

There is no narrative or interest to draw the viewer in further than the surface of the paper. Compared to Dürer’s other printmaking work, this piece is simply an exercise: a small sketch.

Review #2:

During the time of the Renaissance, portraits of animals were not widely accepted as high art. However, Albrecht Dürer’s painting of a rabbit goes beyond being simply a sketch. Dürer’s A Young Hare (1502) is an excellent example of the artist’s technical skill. The small painting, which was created with watercolor and gouache on paper, depicts a furry rabbit posing quietly. Dürer (1471-1528), a famous painter, printmaker and theorist during the Northern Renaissance in Germany, formed a great interest in animals throughout his life.

In this image, it is easy to see Dürer’s skill in creating a realistic representation of a creature. Not only are the proportions of the hare correct, but Dürer also used layers of watercolor and gouache to build up the depth and texture of the rabbit’s fur, resulting in a very lifelike piece. It is his attention to detail that makes the painting work well. Even of the smallest features are visible, from each strand of fur, to the whiskers and the reflection in the hare’s eye. It is genuinely nice to look at because the viewer is able to connect with the creature through Dürer’s use of realism.

The small and intimate painting (measuring only 25 cm by 23 cm) portrays a calm, natural feeling because of the warm browns and the central placement of the rabbit in the composition. Although calm, there is also life found in this portrait because Dürer has captured the moment between the rabbit posing and hopping away.

This small hare has become an iconic image from the artist for good reason. Dürer has captured the life of this animal in his painting.

Black Dogs

At 7:30pm on July 29, 1973 Richard Cole, Led Zeppelin’s manager, discovered that more than $200,000 in cash had been taken from the band’s safe deposit box. Who would attempt to steal from one of the most popular rock bands in history? In Black Dogs, Jason Buhrmester attempts to uncover the characters who might try a theft like this.

Buhrmester developed this story from real events as follows: in 1973, Led Zeppelin finished up their tour with three sold out shows at Madison Square Garden. However, $203,000 they made from the tour was stolen right before their last show—from a safe deposit box they rented at the Drake Hotel. Although the robbers and the money never turned up, Buhrmester uses this story as a backdrop for his explanation of how the money actually disappeared.

Therefore, Black Dogs is set in 1973, and is narrated by Patrick, a young guy who comes home from working in New York City to his high school (drop out) friends in Maryland. Although Patrick returns to greet his friend Alex who just got out of prison (a result from one of Patrick’s last schemes), he also decides to present the group with a plan to rob Led Zeppelin. It is easy to disapprove of the main characters when starting this book, considering that they are all criminals and seem to get themselves into the pretty dumb situations. However, the comic circumstances throughout the story quickly allow the reader to relate to the kids, and the book becomes a fun, fast read as the ridiculous scenes keep piling up.

Patrick’s friends, all thieves like him, are an unlikely group for the job. Frenchy, a spazzy guitar player; Keith, the dumb one whose only skill is stealing car radios; Alex, a recent ex-con; and Danny, an idiot scumbag; all jump on board for the job. The imperfect plan soon starts to falter as the kids get caught up with criminals worse than themselves. The reader starts to forget that the main characters are even thieves and starts to pity them. In this way it is easy to be drawn into the story further allowing the tension to build. The kids are certainly no high profile criminals, and the story is engaging because of the knowledge that the band actually is robbed. During much of the journey the reader wonders how this can possibly be pulled off. The comic situations and twists from their original plan makes for quite an entertaining read.

The premise behind this book is so epic that the explanation has to be a good read. Overall, this book was a fast read and a good combination of comedy, crime and drama. Wrapped up in a nice rock ‘n roll package with music history, lots of swearing and a great soundtrack, it is sure to be a popular read with rock fans and anyone else who wants to experience the life of a rock ‘n roll burnout in the 70s. 

The Town

Is Charlestown the bank robbery capital of the country? Although disputed by current residents, the claim makes for a good movie. Based off of the book, Prince of Thieves: A Novel, by Chuck Hogan, The Town tells the story of Charlestown—a neighborhood in Boston, Massachusetts—which the book and movie claim is the home to the most armored car robberies in America.

Starring Ben Affleck as Doug MacRay, the leader of a criminal group, the movie works its way through various bank robberies and car chases as expected. Early on, Doug falls for the young woman, Claire Keesey (played by Rebecca Hall), who the gang temporarily kidnaps during one of their raids. However, viewing the trailer will already tell you this—and unfortunately more of the plot.

The other members of the gang add a plethora of realistic, drama-filled characters, all of which are flawed but engaging. Although the plot was somewhat predictable at points, the characters kept it original. And while the viewer at first may question why this group is robbing banks, the film delves into their private lives giving us more understanding as to their motivations. As the movie continues, we begin to notice the regret and melancholy that Doug experiences. Along with the raw characters, the scenes weren’t dressed up and this added a sort of authenticity, most likely a result from Ben Affleck (also the director and co-writer of the film) having grown up in Massachusetts.

The stunts pulled by the gang in each subsequent raid continually get better and better, keeping the robberies interesting for both the characters and the viewer. There is also a great car chase scene on narrow streets, resulting in a much more tense and engaging action sequence than the normal high-speed chases found in usual action flicks.

While the majority of the music seemed to blend into the background, there were a few wide shots of Charlestown where the music accompanying the scene sounded reminiscent of the Dark Knight soundtrack. There was a nice feeling of dread and adventure.  Compared to other crime movies, this one appeared more realistic and quite refreshing. The characters seem real, about what to expect from bank robbers in Boston and unlike clean-cut, high-profile, classy criminals. Blending action with drama, romance, comedy and brutality, this movie provides a realistic look into the world of robberies in Charlestown.

While the majority of the movie presents genuine characters and a realistic plot, the end seems like out of a different movie entirely, and entirely cheesy. It results in quite a disappointing end to a fairly good movie. Although current residents may dispute that Charlestown is home to the most bank robberies in the country, there is history to support the ideas behind this movie. Moral of the story? Don’t start a bank in Charlestown.