Rage Against the Art Gene

Are the 2,500 people who have declared themselves Schönberg fans on Facebook committing some kind of crime against esthetic nature?

(clever lead-in.... read the Newsweek article concerning art development here)

Darwin revolutionized our understanding of mankind's origins. Now scientists think they can apply his theories to the source of our creativity without it sounding like a lot of monkey business.

Museum of African Art - Portland

We're hoping to get here in the next few weeks. I met a fascinating man last week - Oscar Mokeme, a Nigerian priest. He presented his masks and his culture at the Newburyport Public library, as a CHIME presentation. He is a very spiritual man, he had a gentle way about him that happened to calm me greatly after a week of great consternation and fear.

He offered blessings to us all, but perhaps just his presence alone was enough for me that evening. I hope we can soon get to his museum, and see the masks and him again!

Public Art, Eyesore to Eye Candy

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/24/arts/design/24smit.html?em

NYTimes' great article about public art. Also explains "the bean" - Anish Kapoor's sculpture in Chicago. I had no idea there were more "balloon dogs" around. Road trip!

(did you notice the first pix - "puppy" by Koons at Bilbao???? - all my favorite stuff!)