Life Imitates Art...

My most favorite playwright Oscar Wilde once wrote, “Life imitates Art far more than Art imitates Life”.   This expression couldn’t be more true when it comes to the masterful way that creators of the film The Thomas Crown Affair, incorporate major works of art. 

"The Son of Man" 1964 by Rene Magritt

 

The rhythmic music of Nina Simone’s song Sinner Man, creates the anticipation and momentum as the major finale of the movie sees an all powerful and art loving thief protagonist Thomas Crown replacing a stolen work of art. He along with many long overcoat and bowler hat dressed men fill the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, all to outsmart the police.

This direct nod to the painting entitled “The Son of Man” by Rene Magritte is a whimsical and artistic way to bring this self-portrait to life.  As in the painting where the face of the man is obscured by a hovering green apple, so too are the faces of the many men trying to evade discovery of the real perpetrator by a crowded room of people.

I believe it is cinematic genius, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Looking for Picasso and found Dora

Sick on the couch this weekend and catching up on current affairs with BBC Canada, a segment on the new Picasso exhibit on now at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, caught my attention.

I was very sad to have missed seeing Musee National Picasso Paris on my first visit to the named city last year. I now learn that while it is under construction until 2013, the museum has put together a collection of pieces that will travel to four venues – it’s first stop in little old Richmond Virginia.

You would think that only the top art museums in major cities like New York, and London would be offered or could afford to bring such a high profile show as Picasso’s masterpieces. Instead these pieces will be on display in more unique venues that will draw a new crowd of people.

"Portrait of Dora Maar Seated" 1937 by Pablo Picasso

One of the many remarkable works in the collection is “Portrait of Dora Maar Seated” (1937).  Dora’s personal impression on Picasso’s life was deeper than just one of a long line of lovers. They were intellectually intimate, and as a Spanish speaking surrealist photographer, she was very involved in documenting his most monstrous creation "Guernica" – a violent representation of the Spanish civil war.

It has been said that you can understand their cerebral connection by the way he represents her in this portrait. She is elegantly clothed with her long red tipped finger nails pointing to her ear symbolizing his respect for her intelligence.

The next stop for this group of surrealist masterpieces is San Francisco, California at the de Young Museum from June to October 2011; so if you take a trip down the coast I strongly suggest you go and look for Dora.