In Robin Pogrebin article When Applying the Paint Was Spreading the News she discusses how in the past painting was not only a form of art but also a form of recounting history. The painting he was referring to is Return of the 69th (Irish) Regiment, N.Y.S.M. From the Seat of War by Louis Lang. It is a painting that depicts a bunch of men coming back to new york from a fight during the civil war. The painting was found in pieces in 1997 and it was not until 2006 that the decision was made to fix it and put it on display. The painting is finally ready and will be on display at New-York Historical Society’s renovated building, which reopens on Veterans’ Day making it the perfect place to display this painting about men coming back from war. 

The issue I want to talk about is that Pogrebin talks about how “paintings were expressive and descriptive, tools not only to evoke emotions, but also to do the very real work of simply documenting and recounting history.” This is a very interesting idea, I think that this may be a reason we don’t have as many famous painters in recent history. I think good painters need inspiration and nothing can serve as better inspiration than the real world. I think that up and coming painters should try and gain there inspiration from real world situations like painters of old did.   

There is a new book coming out next week about Van Gogh’s death called “Van Gogh: The Life”. The article by Pogrebin called “New Biography Says Van Gogh Did Not Kill Himself” talks about Van Gogh’s suspicious death. This book by Steven Naifeh and Gregory White Smith is a biography of the famous artist Vincent Van Gogh and it questions whether Van Gogh really committed suicide or was murdered. The article claims “the bullet entered his upper abdomen ‘from an unusual, oblique angle-not straight on as one would expect in a suicide.’” The article also states “no gun was ever found.” that “Van Gogh had no knowledge of guns” and finally that he never left a suicide note as most people would do.  They say that Van Gogh’s friend’s teenage brother shot Van Gogh, but Van Gogh never accused the boy because “he saw no reason to punish anyone for bringing it about.”(Pogrebin)

I think that this article is a little suspicious that this evidence is coming out so late. Van Gogh died in 1890 and finally after 120 years have we figured out that he didn’t commit suicide. If this is true I wonder how it’s going to change people’s perception of Van Gogh. Van Gogh has now become some sort of saint in my eyes because he was able to forgive his enemy even though he tried to kill him. He was able to accept death and at the same time say there is no reason to punish anyone for bringing it about. (Pogrebin) Also there is a wide belief that “Wheatfield with Crows”, one of the late works signifies his loneliness and sadness. The painting “Wheatfield with Crows” is a somber painting and demonstrates Van Gogh’s misery. Van Gogh may have wanted to die, which is why he didn’t turn in his killer.

Every culture has its own enriched history and tale. In the dance recital entitled, “More More More…Future,” the audience is moved to understand and feel the struggles of the Congolese in Africa. Claudia La Rocco writes a detailed and inspiring review on this influential two-hour piece of art at the Kitchen in Chelsea, NYC. Choreographer Faustin Linyekula take the audience on an emotional rollercoaster of a journey through the Congo and daily life of its people. From the traditional sounds of Congolese music to the elaborate costumes of the dancers, the show is both captivating and touching.

Claudia La Rocco does a wonderful job highlighting the grace, passion, and vision of the recital, leaving the reader with an abundance of heartfelt questions and overwhelming emotion. One of the songs in the piece reads, “rather than a glorious past, let us have a future.” Such a phrase sheds light on the depth of despair and sorrow felt throughout Africa, as well as the brutal realities of life. However, it leaves the reader and the audience with a faint sliver of hope. The future may bring peace, happiness, and a better tomorrow. Overall, the review for ” More More More…Future” creates a certain fascination and desire to view the piece of work and see the images and themes portrayed by Claudia La Rocco come to life.

Being different always has its perks. An artist in Japan known as Tabaimo creates art that is quite different from what Japan is used to: kawaii art or cute art. In Cutting Through Cute to the Real Japan by Carol Kino, she talks about how different her art is from what everyone is used to.

Tabaimo is a very humble woman, she doesn’t think that her art is extremely special, despite being featured at many museums and exhibits. She stills attends Kyoto University of Art, a very famous art school in Japan. The author says that Tabaimo is found looking like everybody else during the installation of her art. She says that she didn’t start out wanting to do art. However, she eventually stumbled into the field and began to create art.

Many of Tabaimo’s work garners attention from many Japanese people. Many of her pieces of art are very interestingly made and many people are surprised that it came from Tabaimo. Her new art was very creative. Many of them involved normal things that people see. Her art developed a lot after she began. They became more detailed and more abstract and she got better. Art is always changing; modern art has made such significant changes that people aren’t sure if it’s considered art anymore.

Whether it is from London to Tokyo, or Los Angeles to New York, art absorbs the stylistic and cultural influences from where they originate.  However, these styles are not immune to change, and that is the underground rapper ASAP Rocky’s quest. In Jon Caramanica’s article he talks about and highlights the upcoming debut mixtape of ASAP Rocky, as well as ASAP Rocky’s rap style.

While this article is not a review, Caramanica basically analyzes and compliments ASAP Rocky’s unique mission to break free from rooted styles of NYC rap and to integrate rap styles from all over the country. He emphasizes that, for generations, NYC rap has donated its style to several rappers through the US, but now is the time to take these evolved styles from around the country and improve on NYC’s rap scene. Caramanica thinks that ASAP Rocky’s mission will change the future of the NY rap scene.

Although I am not a fan of ASAP Rocky’s music, his ideas of integrating new styles of rap to create a new New York style are very interesting. If art experiences the merging of more cultural styles, or even new techniques, then art will evolve and grow into something fresh. Would it not be interesting to see a fusion of Kabuki theater and something western? Currently, I think we can see a similar growth in art with the fusion of traditional art and modern technology. From musicals to art installations, technology creates new artistic experiences – something fresh like ASAP Rocky’s own music.

However, I do have one problem with ASAP Rocky’s idea. Many people respect and enjoy the New York style, and there are many people that do not welcome change. Also, according to the article, ASAP Rocky’s mixtape has many song styles, except one from New York. Is it right to suggest that this is “progress”?