Art Blog 2:: The Prehistoric and the Now

This is a picture of the aptly titled "Hall of Bulls" from the caves at Lascauz. At first glance its kind of strange to see paintings on the ceiling, then once that hurtle is crossed, it is hard for some to see these as art. I think no matter what one thinks of the subject, it can be generally acknowledged that they are regardless its amazing that they have survived through time. Even at the beginnings of our humanly existance we were fascinated with capturing the full energy of the "life" around us in something more permenant that just mere memory. I can imagine lying on the ground and looking up at the scene almost as it trying to sleep and my dreams were escaping to join the creatures up above. These delicate images, with their whispy outlines, manage to show the great power of its subjects.

Seeing a painted ceiling evokes memories of the Cistine Chapel, and looking at the simplistic, but carefully planned strokes, brings to mind the many grafiti pictures in cities across the nation. But more that those, the bright color from the "Hall of Bulls" ceiling, and the energy it creates, brings forward to my mind another modern master- Dale Chiluly.

This is his instalation at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art and it titled the Persian Seafoam Ceiling.

When thinking of ceiling installations many people think of the lobby ceiling in the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas Nevada, but I think this instalation relates better to the "Hall of Bulls" above. This series title-Persian Seafoam Ceiling- hints different ancient glass styles and reflects the fusion of East and West. Chihuly worked at the Venini factory in Venice and historically, Venice showed an assimilation of Persian, Byzantine, and eastern ideas. His awareness of these historical ties and stylistic influences in Venetian art grew. Persians glass design highlights gently fluted edges, which are delicate and powerful, plus their jewel-like colors and sensuous curving forms make them stand out as some of Chihuly's most amazing work.