Tag Archives: Michelangelo

Michelangelo

Reeducate Yourself With These Recently Released Art Anthologies

We might not all have taken (or survived) Art History in college, but thanks to the plethora of art-stuffed publications available, we can still educate ourselves in the field without the pressure of an exam. Publisher TASCHEN recently released a new edition of Michelangelo’s anthology and so to follow—with the aim of wholly-artful pursuits—we felt it necessary for a lesson in other newly released books for the enlightenment of all.

1. Michelangelo. Complete Works

 

Michelangelo

Image: Taschen.

Celebrating the 450th anniversary of Michelangelo’s death, this anthology features an illustrated biographical essay and a complete four-part inventory of Michelangelo’s paintings, sculptures, buildings, and drawings. A truly comprehensive account, this is the book to have if you’re seeking a timeless reference for the works of such a master.

Michelangelo. Complete works, $69.99, TASCHEN. Available online at TASCHEN.com.

2. Henri Matisse: The Cut-Outs Exhibition Catalogue

 

Matisse

Image: MoMA.

Published in conjunction with the MoMA’s exhibition of Matisse’s paper cut-outs, this book documents approximately 150 works from the French artist’s final years. Featuring rich illustrations capturing the vibrancy of the cut-outs, the catalogue also includes period photographs of the works in progress from Matisse’s studios.

Henri Matisse: The Cut-Outs Exhibition Catalogue, $60, MUSEUM OF MODERN ART. Available online at MoMAStore.org.

3. Andy Warhol: The American Dream

 

andy-warhol-the-american-dream-3

Image: Artbook.

This book depicts the evolution of the American dream from the 1960s to the mid-1980s through a specific selection of Andy Warhol’s works, examining the permeation of free-market ideology through all aspects of American political, social, and cultural life. Includes commentary by noted Italian art critic Achille Bonito Oliva.

Andy Warhol: The American Dream, $50, ARTBOOK, Available online at ArtBook.com.

4. Tate Introductions: Klee

 

Klee

Image: Abrams.

A highly accessible overview of Klee’s work, this book also features 60 color illustrations depicting his distinctive, playful style. Authored by Flavia Frigeri, the Assistant Curator at Tate Modern, this is a great introduction to the 20th century artist’s canon.

Tate Introductions: Klee, $10.95. ABRAMS, Available online at abramsbooks.com.

5. Jeff Koons: A Retrospective

 

Koons

Image: Whitney Museum of American Art.

At 304 pages, this examination of Jeff Koons’ factory-like productions over the last 35 years contains all of the artist’s most famous pieces and a wealth of additional information. Preparatory sketches, plans for sculptures and paintings, and installation photographs provide insight into his artistic process. Published in association with the Whitney’s “Jeff Koons: A Retrospective” exhibition.

Jeff Koons: A Retrospective, $65, WHITNEY MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART, Available online at ShopWhitney.org.

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Tied to Art

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At first you won’t notice it. The emotive, sexually-charged imagery might appear to less-speculative eyes as simply interesting décor. But suddenly its subtlety falls away, and it slaps you in the face: an image of lovers wrapped in a Kama Sutra position superimposed over a scene from Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel; an amulet in the light reveals its true phallic nature. This is the way title of work works, subverting Creative Director Jonathan Meizler’s dark fixations and translating them into handcrafted men’s accessories.

“Our first vision of Jesus is an almost-naked man on a cross. It could be considered very sexual.” Meizler says, swallowing a smile as he presents his line for Fall 2013. “I wanted to explore that feeling in a tie. I do that in a very obtuse way.”

Besides fifteenth century Japanese shunga prints and dharmic hardware, a rich autumn palette dances through the rest of Spirituality vs Sexuality, title of work’s newest collection which can be seen in their video look book below (NSFW):

The clip opens with text that reads “both prayer and the act of sex could be perceived as forms of spiritual cleansing,” a quote from Meizler that suggests this might not be the type of neckwear that you’re accustomed too. What comes next are quick vignettes of the brand’s handcrafted creations: a Merlot colored Italian cashmere piece with crumbs of sterling silver, a skull-embellished rosemary pendant birthing out of of a wool tie, a model’s open chest—and then suddenly—a groin. Like the collection in its entirety, the video uses high-impact religious and sexual imagery to convey Meizler’s point of view, but rather than bombarding the viewer, the effect crescendos into something that is stimulatingly, provocative, and very much in line with Meizler’s creative background.

Creative Director Jonathan Meizler

title of work’s Creative Director Jonathan Meizler.

Always fascinated with the visual arts, Meizler attended Syracuse University where he studied film, art history, and graphic design. After working in Hollywood in the late 80’s, he began illustrating which quickly led to a men’s hand-painted silk collection. He subsequently co-founded JonValdi, initially a co-ed sportswear line that eventually dropped the menswear. In 1994, JonValdi opened their first Melrose boutique, and in 2003 Bergdorf Goodman purchased a couture collection from illustrations alone.

Almost a decade later, when Meizler decided to leave JonValdi, he still had the same passion for menswear and architecture that he started out with. “I knew I wanted to say something new in the arena of men’s fashion, but I saw it as cyclical and I felt like a little rat on a wheel,” Meizler remembers. “I wanted to get off and say something with a collection that had a little bit more longevity.”

In 2011, he merged his art background with his love of fashion to create title of work. Deconstructing the modern tie became his new passion, and after selling to Barneys, Bloomingdale’s, and Neiman Marcus, accessorizing the likes of Jay-Z and launching a diffusion line, exhibit A, it became clear that despite the growing-causality of today, men are still thirsty for a sense of formality. Whether they know they’re wearing a silver penis on their ties, though, remains a question that doesn’t concern Meizler.

Images courtesy of title of work.