Capturing Social and Environmental Issues - Misrach's Cancer Alley Photos

If you live in the Atlanta area you have a few more days to head down to the High Museum of Art to view Robert Misrach's photography exhibit titled "Revisiting the South:  Richard Misrach's Cancer Alley" through October 7, 2012.

The images with this post are from Misrach's High Museum exhibit.

Most people associate the Mississippi River with beauty....beauty of nature and beauty built by man including grand homes and landscapes, but Misrach reminds us that the river has a dark side due to man as well. 

The stretch of the Mississippi River between Baton Rouge and New Orleans is known as Cancer Alley.  The area has earned the nickname because there are at least 150 industrial plants along the river as well as high members of cancer patients....some with very rare forms of cancer.   

While there has been no peer reviewed scientific study of the area.......which really amazes me....the numbers ARE alarming.   In one town along the river there are fifteen cases in a two-block stretch...another block has sever cancer victims.  

WIkipedia quotes an article that states in 2002, Louisiana had the second-highest death rate from cancer in the United States.  Although the national average is 206 deaths per 100,000, Louisiana's rate is 237.3  deaths per 100,000.  At the same time, the death rate from cancer in the area dubbed cancer alley was lower than the rest of Louisiana, as well as the national average.

Hmmm.....

This website discusses the cancer victims in Cancer Alley:

Those most often at risk are citizens living in small, low-income, predominantly African-American communities.  Residents in these areas suffer disproportionate exposure to the environmental hazards that come with living near chemical waste.  Cases of rare cancers are reported in these communities in numbers far above the national area.  For example, in the town of Gonzales, Louisiana (population 18,000), 3 cases of rhabdomyosarcoma, an extremely rare and devestating childhood cancer, were reported in a 14 month period.  The US national average of rhabdomyosarcoma cases is one child out of a million.  In addition to cancer, residents suffer increased health problems including asthma, neurological disease and stillbirths.  There is also the discomfort of living near towering flare vents which are noisy and occaisionally explode.  

....In the past several decades, an 'Enviromental Justice' movement has arisen to respond to problems such as these.  This is an area of environmental concern which many mainstream environmental organizations fail to deal with, since in these cases the victims are human beings rather than endangered wildlife.  Organizations including the Louisiana Bucket Brigade (which provides threatened residents with equipment for taking air samples) have been formed to help communities defend themselves against becoming victims of industry.  The recent success of the residents of Convent, Louisiana in preventing the building of a Shintech polyvinyl plant gives some hope.   Coinciding with this victory, however, was the company's announcement of plans to build a smaller plant 25 miles away, near the town of Plaquemine. 

So, how does Robert Misrach's photography exhibit figure into the discussion regarding Cancer Alley?

This Time magazine article states:

Richard Misrach first traveled to Cancer Alley in 1998, producing a series of images that were exhibited as part of a "Picturing the South" series at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta.  "I'd never heard of this area," Misrach recalls.   "And when I finally saw the landscape, I was shocked.  It was really extreme - the amount of industry along the river and the poor communities living there - I couldn't believe it actually existed.  

In February, May and November of 2010, Misrach returned to the region, only to discover that little had changed.  "It was impossible to tell if it'd gotten worse or better," the photographer says, "It looks the same.  It feels the same.  The roads are still below par, and the schools are as well."   Misrach's photographs from his latest trip - along with some of his 1998 originals - are again on display at the High Museum of Art......

The photographs show a bleak, desolate region, and one in which factories and plants are almost always present in the background.

I'm looking forward to seeing the exhibit....

The Frozen - Yet Human Planet

Aesthetic Realism...ever hear of it?  Basically it is a philosophy founded by Eli Siegel.  First, it refers to the deepest desire of every person to like the world on an honest or accurate basis.  Second, the greatest danger for a person is to have contempt for the world and what is in it, and third....the belief that all beauty is a making one of opposites, and the making one of opposites in what we are going after in ourselves. 

One painting that can be used to explore aesthetic realism is The Hunters in the Snow by Peter Bruegel...painted in the Sixteenth Century....a fine example of the Northern Renaissance movement.  

Take a look at it.....

This painting was part of a series of six...five survive today including this painting.  During the Sixteenth Century the Netherlands was undergoing a religious revolution and many state this painting is a statement regarding what country life use to be or what they wished it could be.

Though the landscape looks harsh notice for every sharp mountain peak and for every dark and bleak tree there is also a human moving around...ice skating, etc.    Even though things are cold and bare you can also see examples of fun and games.  There is human warmth and a sense of community.    

This website gives a good discussion regarding Bruegel and his painting in relation to aesthetic realism.

The Baptism of Pocahontas

This painting by John Gadsby Chapman was painted in 1839 and hangs in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda.   More than likely Chapman used Pocahontas as his subject because he had already used her as a subject in 1836.

The year was 1613 or 1614 and Pocahontas, the daughter of Algonkian chief Powhatan was baptized  and given the Anglican name Rebecca.

The painting marks two significant events……it might possibly a depiction of the earliest or least one of the earliest conversion to Christianity and along with Pocahontas’ marriage to John Rolfe created a time of peace between the colonists and the tribes of the Tidewater region.

Look behind Pocahontas……John Rolfe is standing behind her.   Notice the various faces in the groupings.

The painting was installed in the Rotunda in 1840 which might seem strange since the Indian Removals were underway during that period, but this website explains the painting highlights the lofty intentions of the Jamestown settlers and condemns the obstinacy of those who can be understood as ignoble savages.  It propagates the idea of the  the noble savage in Pocahontas, one who is said repeatedly in the literature of the 19^th century to have embodied Christian virtues even before she was converted.  The painting also appears to make a case for the harsh treatment of antagonistic, unassimilated Indians.  The policy of “removal” had begun seven years earlier, and it was apparent at the time Chapman’s work appeared that the entire continent would soon be invaded by ambitious American settlers.

The painting appeared on the reverse of the First Charter $20 National Bank notes in 1863 and 1875.

Chapman created the painting in the loft of a barn on G Street in Washington D.C. and endured several tragedies while the work was ongoing.   His son died in 1838 and his daughter only survived ten days after being born premature.   His financial situation was terrible and was plagued by several debts.    He worked on the painting quickly so he could be paid, however, Chapman noted on his daybook that the fee hardly covered his expenses.

Famous Art Thefts: The Amber Room

The Nazis took possession of many works of art as they marched across Europe during World War II.   It's estimated they looted twenty percent of the world's art.

Hitler had grand plans to fill his Fuhrer's Museum with stolen art.

One of the stolen treasures was the contents of the Amber Room from Catherine's Palace near Saint Petersburg.  The Germans dismantled the room and took it.

Unfortunately, the contents were never returned.  Many think the amber room was destroyed by bombs, lost in a sunken submarine or still hidden away in some forgotten place.  

You can find an article regarding the Amber Room at Smithsonian Online.

The Photography of Henry Cartier Bresson

One thing I can say with certainty…Henry Cartier Bresson led an interesting life.   Most folks in the know consider him to be the father of modern photojournalism, but his creative life began as a painter….later he switched to photography….and even later in life returned to the canvas.

He made the switch to photography when he came upon the realization during his 30s that a photograph could fix eternity in an instant.  He began traveling the world to take pictures.

His first photojournalism job was to cover the coronation of King George VI.    His pictures cover a unique perspective since his photos show the people along the King’s coronation route…..and none of the King.

During World War II Cartier Breeson joned the French army and in June, 1940 during the Battle of France he was captured by the Germans and held as a POW.   All total he spent 35 months as a prisoner, but on this third try was able to escape.  He spent the remainder of the war documenting the Occupation and the Liberation of France through photographs along with other scenes from the war.

After the war he formed Magnum Photos with Robert Capa, David Seymour, William Vandivert and George Rodger.  Their cooperative picture agency split up photo assignments throughout the world.   Cartier-Breeson covered China and India, and his partners covered other areas.

During his career with Magnum Cartier-Breeson covered Gandhi’s funeral in India in 1948 and the last stage of the Chinese Civil War.

In 1952, Cartier-Breeson published his book, The Decisive Moment…..a book of 125 photos from the east and west.   Cartier-Breeson stated, “There is nothing in this world that does not have a decisive moment.”  The cover was drawn by Henry Matisse.

In 1957, Cartier-Breeson told the Washington Post….”There is a creative faction of a second when you are taking a picture.  Your eye must see a composition or an expression that life itself offers you, and you must know with intuition when to click the camera.   That is the moment the photographer is creative.”He became the first Western photographer to work “freely” in the post-war Soviet Union.

By 1966, he left Magnum to concentrate solely on portraiture and landscapes.  By 1968, Cartier-Breeson turned back to drawing and painting admitting that had said all he could through his photography.   He married Magnum photographer, Martine Franck, thirty years younger than himself and had a daughter with her.

Photographs of Cartier-Breeson are scarce….but they do exist like this one.  

He didn’t like having his picture made.  In 1975 when he received an honorary degree from Oxford University he held a paper in front of his face.

Imagine all of the history this artist witnessed!!!

Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Tulip

This painting completed by Rembrandt in 1632 when he was just 26 has an interesting story.  The painting is titled Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Tulip and it happened to be Rembrandt’s first important commission. 

Dr. Tulip was a real person…..not only was he involved in medicine he was also involved in Amsterdam’s government.  It was Dr. Tulip’s signature found on the fitness reports for the first Dutch settlers on the island of Manhattan.

Not only did the medical students in the picture pay to witness Dr. Tulip’s dissection they also paid a fee to be featured in the painting.  Dr. Tulip is seen showing the muscles of the arm.

Notice they all appear to be wearing warm clothing because the dissection theater would have been kept as cold as possible to keep the body from deteriorating.

Also notice there are no cutting instruments.   Someone as important as Dr. Tulip would not have participated in the actual cutting of the body.   That role would have gone to the Preparator….it was his task to prepare the body for the lesson, and he is missing from Rembrandt’s picture.

And the body?    He was the criminal Aris Kindt who was convicted for armed robbery and sentenced to death by hanging. 

Art historians can actually pinpoint this painting to January 16, 1632….since the guild of surgeons was permitted one public dissection a year, and the body had to be that of a convicted criminal.

Woman With Hat

This painting was completed by Henri Matisse in 1905 and depicts Matisse's wife....Amelie. 


 Gertrude Stein bought the painting along with her brother Leo.

They bought it in order to lift Matisse’s spirits after the show this painting was included was panned by the critics.  One critic said the paintings looked like a pot had been flung in the face of the public. 

The painting ended up being a bone of contention with the Stein family.   Gertrude and Leo’s brother’s wife claimed she actually bought the painting, and she may be right.   Photographs of her Paris and California homes clearly show the painting.

Surprising Sofonisha

When we think of the Italian Renassiance we think male artists, right?   

However, there were a few women who spent their time with canvas and paint……Sofonisha Anguissola is one.   She lived from 1532 to 1635 and once she was introduced to Michelangelo he immediately recognized her talent.  Eventually she would serve as a court painter for the Spanish court.

She is known for painting self and family portraits.  Later in life she would use religious themes, but sadly many of those were lost.

Her parents named her after Sophobisba….a Carthaginian noble woman who killed herself rather than falling victim to the Romans during the Punic Wars.

Though she was allowed to paint she was still unable to study anatomy or drawing from life like male painters…she was not allowed to view nudes in order to gain the knowledge she needed.  

Instead of allowing this to be a negative, Sofonisha turned it into a positive and did innovative things including new styles of portraiture, setting subjects informally.

At a time when male artists were creating large-scale religious and historical scenes Sofonisha created self-portraits and scenes with her family depicting everyday life.

For example….The Chess Game shows her sisters playing chess and includes a new element in painting….LAUGHTER!

Sofonisha Anguissola's The Chess Game

Sofonisha Anguissola's Self-Portrait at the Clavichord

Another example, shown above, includes a person in action.  This is a self-portrait at the clavichord.

Famous Art Thefts: The Last Judgment

Historians actually believe the very first art theft occurred when The Last Judgment by Hans Memling in 1473 was taken….not for the last but for the first time.

The Last Judgment is actually a triptych painting which means the painting is actually in three sections hinged together.

The painting was stolen by pirates.   Yes, real pirates.  It was on a ship headed for Florence  when the pirates took the ship, and they ended up with the painting.

The pirates took Memling’s work to a cathedral in Gdansk, Poland and believe it or not…..it’s still there – in the National Museum.

It’s a little surprising anyone would want to keep it.   The painting IS a little scary, isn’t it?

The Museum’s website states Angelo Tani, head of the Bruges branch of Medici’s bank commissioned the painting in 1465 for a church in Florence… Badia Fiesolana, but it never hung there since the painting was taken by pirates and eventually hung in St. Mary’s Church.

Later the painting was connected with the name van Eyck and over the centuries other painters from the Netherlands were thought to have painted The Last Judgement.   It wasn’t finally attributed to Memling until 1843.

From the 1700s forward the painting was caught up in various wars.  During the Northern War (1716-1717) Russian tsar Peter the Great demanded the painting as part of the reparations imposed on Gdansk.   In 1807, Napoleon’s army occupied Gdansk and took the painting to Paris where it was incorrectly identified it as a van Eyck.  

After Napoleon’s fall the Prussians took the painting to Berlin before it was returned to Gdansk where it eventually wound up in St. Reynaud’s Chapel.

Fortunately, The Last Judgment survived World War II though many works of art did not.   Initially the painting was found by the Soviet Army.  They took the painting to Lenningrad’s Hermitage as a war trophy.  On September 22, 1956 The Last Judgment was returned to Gdansk together with other artwork from the Gdansk Musem.

Name the Artist

Recently I stumbled across these paintings.

The young man who created them tried to support his family by selling them, but he wasn’t very successful.   He was turned down twice by The Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna.  The directors told him he was unfit and should study architecture instead.'

He turned to politics instead….

What was his name?

Adolph Hitler, of course.

A Little Advice Is a Good Thing

It’s a good thing Mary Cassatt listened to her good friend Edgar Degas.   

While living and painting in Paris Degas and Cassatt met.   Cassatt was painting subjects that included groups of women drinking tea or on outings with friends.  Degas told his friend to begin to paint mothers with their children.   He told her it had only been done in a religious tone up to that point.   She could build a niche.    Mary Cassatt listened and she became known for her mother/child groupings.  

 

The painting I have here…..A Goodnight Hug is her first work after listening to Degas and it’s unique because the facial features are hidden.

Guernica

Guernica by Pablo Picasso

This painting by Pablo Picasso is his response to the horrific bombing by German and Italian forces during the Spanish Civil War in 1937.      

During the occupation of Paris during World War II Picasso kept a large photo of the painting on his studio wall.   At some point a Nazi officer saw it and said to Picasso, “So….you did that?”

Picasso answer, “No, YOU did that.”

Here's a great PBS page with information about this important work of art.

Famous Art Thefts: Mona Lisa

Vicenzo Peruggia, a former Louve employee actually walked out of the museum with the Mona Lisa under his clothes on August 21, 1911. 

How he removed the painting from its frame with no notice is beyond me. 

Officials questioned all sorts of people including Guillaume Apollinaire, a French poet who had at once time called for the Louvre to be “burnt down.”   He was arrested and then had the audacity to implicate his friend Pablo Picasso…….yes, that one.

Picasso was questioned but allowed to go.

Peruggia was fingered for the crime when he contacted a prominent art dealer in Florence in December, 1913 claiming he had a famous painting for sale. 

He had stolen the Mona Lisa because he wanted the painting returned to Itay – its rightful place in his opinion.

Once retrieved from Peruggia, the painting went on a whirlwind tour of Italy before being returned to the Louvre. 

Many of Peruggia’s Italian countrymen hailed him as a hero.   Back in France he was sentenced to a jail term of six months.

$80 Million???? Now That's a Scream!

Seriously.   This painting – Edvard Munch’s “The Scream” will be auctioned at Sotheby’s soon and experts are estimating the painting may fetch $80 million.

Sotheby’s describes the iconic painting as “one of the most instantly recognizable images in art and popular culture, second only perhaps to Da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa.”

Most paintings have only one original but Munch painted a few versions….using various forms of media.  The Munch Museum holds one of two painted versions and one pastel.  The National Gallery of Norway holds the other painted version…..and there is also a lithograph.     The version that Sotheby’s will auction is a pastel and is owned currently by Norwegian businessman Petter Olsen, which will be offered at auction in May, 2012.

This painting has been stolen twice.  In both cases it was the versions owned by museums that were stolen.

It has been parodied by “The Simpsons”.

…and the frame holding this version of the 1895 work has a handwritten inscription from the artist…the final line of which reads “I felt the great Scream in Nature.”

Edvard Munch explained the painting this way, “I was walking along a path with two friends – the sun was setting – suddenly the sky turned blood red – I paused, feeling exhausted, and leaned on the fence – there was blood and tongues of fire above the blue-black fjord and the city – my friends walked on, and I stood there trembling with anxiety – and I sensed an infinite scream passing through nature.”

50 Art Blogs to Enjoy!

1. Art History Newsletter: Don't fall behind in keeping up with art history's latest happenings– follow this blog and you'll always be in-the-know.

2. ArtsJournal: Whether you love painting, sculpture or performance art, you'll find updates about it here.

3. ArtForum: As one of the leading art publications, every art historian should keep up with this site.

4. CultureGrrl: Lee Rosenbaum blogs for Arts Journal on this site, sharing posts that will help you stay in-the-know when it comes to the art world.

5. Shelley's Art History Blog: This About.com blog is home to art images, articles and information all about artists and art history throughout the ages.

6. ART Histories: If you'd like to learn more about art and get some really insightful commentary, make this blog a daily read.

7. The Earthly Paradise: Here, Margaret, a historian, shares her love of art and aesthetic

.

8. Art Blog by Bob: Through this blog, you'll get to hear Bob's commentary on a wide range of art exhibits, artists and more.

9. Art History Today: This UK-based art historian blogs about current research topics and interests– a great read for any other art history students or professors.

10. Art History Salon: Whether you're a lover of art or a professional art historian, you're bound to find something of interest on this blog written by Assistant Professor Heather Jensen.

11.Art History Ramblings: This blogger is currently a Master's student in art history and uses this site to post all kinds of art images, links and articles that other students might find of interest.

12. Alberti's Window: Here you'll find some really great posts on art in pop culture, the history of art and a whole lot more.

13. Baroque Potion: Amateur art historian and software developer David Byron posts commentary and links to interesting events in the art world here.

14. Three Pipe Problem: This intriguing blog delves into some of the greatest mysteries in art, as well as providing explanations of symbolism and meanings behind many others.

15. Looting Matters: On this blog, you'll find discussions on the ethics of collecting antiquities as well as insights into the theft and trade of illegally obtained artifacts.

16. Art Theft Central: This blog will let you follow up on the theft, looting and recovery of artworks the world over.

17. Safe Corner: Learn about many works of cultural heritage that are in danger of being lost, stolen or destroyed on this blog.

18. Archaeology News: Bookmark this blog to keep up with the latest excavations and discoveries in the archaeological world.

19. Kris's Archaeology Blog: From Norway to Mesopotamia, Egypt to South America, this blog explores archaeology all around the world.

20. ArchaeologyOnline: Featuring information on websites, excavations, field schools, books and more, this site is an excellent resource for any art historian interested in archaeology.

21. Bearded Roman: Those who simply can't get enough Classical art should check out the posts on this blog.

22. Ancient Egyptian Art: Learn more about the painting, sculpture and culture of Ancient Egypt from this site.

23. Brooklyn Museum: On this museum blog you'll find information about everything art related from excavations of ancient cities to the latest in modern art.

24. Indianapolis Museum of Art: Learn about new artists and see what exhibits are up and coming at the IMA here.

25. Museum 2.0: This blog is an excellent place to learn more about the museum of the future– one that uses technology as an active part of any exhibit.

26. Walker Art Center Blog: Walker Art Center in Minneapolis maintains this blog, full of interviews, photos and information about up-and-coming artists.

27. Woodson Wanderings: Learn more about Woodson Art Museum staff, exhibits and much more on this blog.

28. Face to Face: This blog lets you get up close and personal with the collections at the National Portrait Museum.

29. The Modern: The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth's blog is an excellent source of information not only on the museum but on new modern artists as well.

30. Museum Strategy: Every museum has to have a strategy to engage visitors, get donations and generally be a great cultural venue. Learn more about how that's done, and the marketing behind it, here.

31. Curator's Corner: Karl Cole, Davis Art Images' curator of images, is an art historian and teacher who really knows his stuff, making this blog an excellent place to learn more about anything curatorial.

32.Curator and Collector: Learn more about museum studies on the Northwest Coast from this blog.

33. Watts Gallery: Watts Gallery's Mark Bills blogs about the curation field and what the gallery is doing on this site.

34. Museum Anthropology: Study up on the anthropology of museums, a complex and interesting subject, through this site manned by two PhDs and curators.

35. Open Objects: You'll be able to take an interesting look at the role technology and digital issues play in any museum on this blog.

36. Museum Studies: If you're thinking of pursuing a career in museum studies, this blog can help you learn what it's all about.

37. Mythical Women: Study women in mythology and paintings of these mythological subjects, through this blog.

38. Art Deco: If your favorite period in art, architecture and the decorative arts was Art Deco, then don't miss this blog.

39. Romantic Ruins: This blog takes a look at the role of ruins as a artistic subject.

40. The Warhol Influence: Warhol fans can read up on everything related to the famous Pop Art sensation here.

41. Pre-Raphaelite Art: This blog focuses on the painting and sculpture created in the years prior to the well-known artists Raphael.

42. Art and Architecture, Mainly: Visit this blog to read more about fine art, decorative art and architecture from the 1640's to the 1940's.

43. The Textile Blog: If textiles are your area of interest in art, you'll find loads to read about them here.

44. Painting History: Get your fix of history painting through the weekly updates to this site.

45. Every Painter Paints Himself: This blog explores the field of self-portraiture, often in a very interesting way.

46. The Art History Blog: Looking for some interesting images and information about art? This blog offers up both.

47. Your Daily Art: Blogger Martha shares a new art image almost every day on this fun site, a great way to learn more about artists with whom you might not be familiar.

48. Art History Attacks: Get your artwork of the day, as well as a short art history lesson, on this site. 

49. Famous Paintings Reviewed: If you're not an expert in art history, this blog posts tons of information that can help you learn and is paired with some pretty pictures to boot.

50. Old Paint: Here you'll find one old painting posted every day.