{"id":7744,"date":"2011-06-19T23:47:45","date_gmt":"2011-06-20T07:47:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.godammit.com\/?p=7744"},"modified":"2012-05-31T02:10:59","modified_gmt":"2012-05-31T10:10:59","slug":"art-is-art","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/godammit.com\/art-is-art\/","title":{"rendered":"Art is Art"},"content":{"rendered":"

After coming across this photo last week, I couldn’t get it out of my mind. \u00a0It’s a stage in Austria’s Lake Constance, for Kieth Warner’s production of Umberto Giordano<\/strong>‘s opera “Andrea Ch\u00e9nier”, which will open to the public in July.<\/p>\n

The first performance of the four-act opera, based on the life of the eponymous French poet who was executed during the French revolution, will take place on 20 July at the Bregenz festival in Austria.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Lake Constance is often used during the festival as an extension of the stage, which this year is being transformed into a 24 metre-high figure of Jean-Paul Marat, inspired by the depiction of his death in the 1793 painting by Jacques-Louis David.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The stage design also includes an open book from which members of the cast will emerge, and a large gold mirror.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Shit! How wonderful! I love the monumentalness \u00a0of this \u00a0enterprise. I wish I could transport myself to Austria. If you find this image compelling, see more here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

~<\/p>\n

$\"\"$ <\/a><\/p>\n

Here’s another piece of art that blows my mind. It’s a van I’ve seen around Venice lately, and yesterday I got to see it up close when I went to get groceries and there it was in the parking lot. \u00a0A slightly-built man emerged and he was very nice when I asked if I could take a picture.<\/p>\n

$\"\"$ <\/a><\/p>\n

I walked around and around the van, trying to take in all its wacky glory. It’s completely covered in black and white leather, heavily studded and topped off with realistic-looking stuffed tigers. \u00a0There are religious plaques on both sides of the van, praising the lord. \u00a0I believe this van is a tribute to the owner’s loved one, Shirley Ann, his “Queen in Life and Death,” “Together for Eternity.”<\/p>\n

It’s \u00a0uplifting \u00a0to see artistic commitment of this magnitude. Whether it’s part of a prestigious festival or one man’s expression of devotion, real art is transcendent, isn’t it? I’m grateful for these glimpses of it.<\/p>\n

*van photos via<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"