ART & CULTURE

The underwater photography of Bruce Mozart

2009-03-22T20:52:00.000-07:00

Bruce Mozert pioneered underwater photography.
In 1938, he was the only person in the world who had a waterproof camera.
Mozert stopped in Silver Springs, Florida, on his way to Miami. He never left.
He built a waterproof housing for his camera and for the next 45 years photographed amazing underwater scenes in the clear waters of Silver Springs.

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MERRY CHRISTMAS

2008-12-24T07:26:00.000-08:00

A Christmas tree is one of the most popular traditions associated with the celebration of Christmas. Normally an evergreen coniferous tree that is brought into a home or used in the open, a Christmas tree is decorated with Christmas lights and colourful ornaments during the days around Christmas. An angel or star is often placed at the top of the tree, representing the host of angels or the Star of Bethlehem from the Nativity story.
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Rafflesia

2008-11-26T22:57:00.000-08:00

One of the rarest and most astonishing flowers in the world, including the very largest, is found only in southeastern Asia, Borneo, Sumatra, and the Philippines. The Rafflesia flower starts as a small bud and can take over a year to flower. Rafflesia plants are parasitic, lacking both leaves and roots. The flower is not designed for beauty. In fact, the five fleshy, petal like lobes, marbled red and white, resemble dead meat and through chemical reaction the flower generates a strong odor of rotting flesh. This attracts carrion feeders drawn by the fleshy color pattern and the stench! After a few days, the Rafflesia flower turns brown and rots. Thus the world's rarest plant lives for a few days making it extremely difficult to see in the wild.

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Obama Inspires Art

2008-11-05T06:19:00.000-08:00

No candidacy in recent history has inspired more artistic expression than Barack Obama's presidential campaign.

During the 2008 election year, Obama imagery seemed to be everywhere -- on walls, on bumper stickers, on clothing, and on the Internet.

Funerary Art of Borneo II

2008-10-20T17:46:00.000-07:00

Among the Ngaju, and other Dayak groups that were influenced by their culture, the long, complex rituals of the secondary burial required elaborate carvings. The mausoleum, called a sandung, is an intricately carved "house" that rest on one to five pillars, the whole structure standing about 2 meters high. The bones of the deceased are placed in a compartment in this carving. The sandung was
covered with carvings, including the hornbill bird, symbolizing the upper world, and a dragon/snake, standing for the lower world. At the climax of the ceremony, the priest enacts the reunion of the deceased with his spirit, and at this moment a water buffalo tied to a sepunduq-the sacrificial post-is speared to death by the relatives of the deceased. Pigs are also sacrificed. In earlier times, a slave would have been used rather than the animals. The sepunduq were often the finest examples of the woodcarver's art, and depicted demons with fangs, huge protruding tongues, and long noses. The highest, most complex carving associated with Ngaju funerary ritual is the Sengkaran, a 6-meter (20 ft.) pole that supports a carved hornbill bird flying over a forest of spears, which are stuck like a fan into the back of a dragon. The dragon rests on an heirloom Chinese jar.

This carving represents a cosmos, or a tree of life. Particular to Ngaju culture are the ships-of-the-dead, small model sailing ships manned by a crew of benevolent spirits, and designed to help a soul on its way to the after-world. Today, these soul shops are constructed out of gutta-percha for sale to tourists. The cultural diffusion of many of these Ngaju funerary rituals large areas of central Borneo began before the arrival of the Europeans. The recently named and officially recognized kaharingan faith of the Ngaju also has been at least partially assimilated by several Dayak groups in East and West Kalimantan. This religion incorporates a secondary funeral called tiwan, which requires much of the artwork mentioned above.

Funerary Art of Borneo I

2008-10-20T17:42:00.000-07:00

Figure (Hampatong), 19th–early 20th century
Ngadju or Ot Danum people, Kalimantan, Borneo, Indonesia
Wood; H. 71 in. (180.3 cm)

To honor the dead and protect the living, the Ngadju and Ot Danum peoples of southeastern Borneo create a variety of wood figures, known collectively as hampatong, portraying humans, animals, or supernatural creatures. Large hampatong, such as the present work, are of two basic types: tajahan (images commemorating the dead) and pataho (guardian figures erected to protect the community). The serene countenance of this figure, which lacks the fearsome expression typical of guardian figures, as well as the large jar on which the subject sits, indicate that it is likely a tajahan image.

Clad in an ornate headdress and seated upon a large ceramic trade jar, a symbol of prosperity and prestige, this figure almost certainly depicts a prominent and wealthy man. Large ceramic jars, primarily of Chinese origin, were, and are, prized by indigenous peoples throughout Borneo. Obtained in exchange for forest products, jars are transported to even the most remote inland communities, where they serve both as storage vessels and coveted symbols of wealth and status.

BORNEO TRIBAL ART

2008-10-20T08:28:00.000-07:00

Borneo's Traditional Tattoos

2008-09-30T07:56:00.000-07:00

For Borneo's Dayak peoples, spirits embody everything: animals, plants, and humans. Many groups have drawn on this power by using images from nature in their tattoos, creating a composite of floral motifs using plants with curative or protective powers and powerful animal images.
Tattoos are created by artists who consult spirit guides to reveal a design. Among Borneo's Kayan people, women are the artists, a hereditary position passed from mother to daughter. Among the Iban, the largest and most feared indigenous group in Borneo, men apply the tattoos.

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Sabah Malaysian Borneo Costumes

2008-09-18T06:47:00.000-07:00

The title “Land Below the Wind" reflects not only geographic location of Sabah but also its enchanting culture and landscape.

Sabah comprises more than 23 ethnic groups, each rich in culture and tradition, the cultural mosaic of Sabah is amazing. Their traditional clothing reflects skillful handwork as shown in the ‘linangkit’ embroidery, and the creative application of sequins and beads as decorative items to the ‘sarempak’ head dress, the ‘mandapun’ ornamental collar, the long tapered ‘keku’ fingercovers, ‘ingkot pangkat’ coin belt and sash.

The expertise in decorating these costumes and the refined touch to the art of dressing expressed within the Sabah costumes illuminates a sense of beauty and uniqueness.

A traditional attire by the Suluk ethnic group worn during the Mengiluk dance.

The Lotud ethnic group tradisional costume. Man in velvet or cotton top patterned with sequins and embroidery. Head gear called 'sundi'. Maiden in cotton attire patterned with colourful 'tinobogi' and 'linangkit' embroidery.

An Irranun couple wearing traditional costume made from woven cloth or 'Mogah'.

A traditional Bajau ensemble. Maiden in blouse called 'badu sampit' and sarong called 'olos berangkit'. The neck piece is 'mandapun'whilst the head dress is known as 'sarempak'. The Bajau male wearing Baju Cekak Musang, trousers, samping and headgear

The Kokos traditional dress. A combination of frill organza blouse worn with batik or songket sarong and head dress.

A traditional Kadazan costume from Penampang. Man wearing 'gaung' top, 'souva' trousers, 'toogot' waistband and 'siga' headgear. Maiden in short 'sinuangga' blouse, 'tapi' skirt, batik shawl and 'himpogot' belt.

The Rungus ethnic traditional costume. Man wearing 'badu' top, 'soval' trousers, 'hokos' waistband and 'sigal' head gear. Maiden in tight 'banat' blouse, knee high 'tapi' skirt and head dress called 'sisingal' and 'rampai'. Accessories made from colourful beads called 'pinakol' and 'togkol'.

The Murut traditional costume. Man in 'barbaru' jacket and 'puputul' tree bark loin-cloth. The headgear called 'tupi sinulatan' made of a kind of tree bark. Maiden in cotton 'pinongkolo' costume patterned with traditional motifs and beads. Accessories such as the 'rarangkol' necklace and 'salupai' head dress created from colourful beads.

A Dusun Lotud Tuaran man wearing embroidered velvet costume complete with waistband and headgear. A Murut maiden in sleeveless blouse and embroidered skirt.

A Bajau couple wearing traditional wedding and ceremonial costume. Man's costume in lace satin similarly to maiden's dress which also includes a 'mandapun' and decorative belt.

A female farmer's costume from a Brunei sub group. Wearing a Baju Kebaya Pendek with knee high sarong. Shawl usually from kain batik sarong.

A fisherman's attire in colorful tunic and straight cut pants with sarong pelikat and bamboo hat.

The traditional Kadazan attire from Papar. Black velvet cloth with gold embroidery. man wearing headgear called 'sigal' and maiden in bamboo strip 'siung' head dress. Accessories such as bangles and belt made from silver coins.

The Suluk of Sampoerna male in traditional stylised costume. Satin attire complete with gold thread embroidery.

A Lotud Tuaran male in traditional costume fashioned from velvet, beads and sequins. Waistband styled from batik or woven cloth. Headgear is known as 'sundi'.

Choosing Art as a Career

2008-09-09T23:40:00.000-07:00

So you want to be an artist… is this a realistic career choice, or are you going to live in a cockroach-invested flat for the rest of your life, fulfilling the “starving artist” stereotype? In short, the odds of being a successful fine artist (someone who makes a living by creating original, one-off pieces of art) are against you -- but some people do succeed. Though most of us are exposed to art only as paintings in galleries, art teachers, and hobby painters, there are many other options out there. Being a fine artist isn’t the only career option for artists.

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THE MOST EXPENSIVE PAINTING EVER

2008-08-31T08:26:00.000-07:00

1. JACKSON POLLOCK: "Number 5, 1948", 1948 - $140 million

Private sale, 2006. Seller: David Geffen. Buyer: David Martínez (claimed)

Right now, this stunning "drip" by Jackson Pollock is the most expensive painting ever sold, though the stunning price is still not confirmed (but also not denied). The exorbitant sum demonstrates not only the strength of the Art market, but also the increasing interest for the contemporary works of Art.

2. WILLEM DE KOONING: "Woman III", 1952-53 - $137.5 million

Private sale, 2006. Seller: David Geffen. Buyer: Steven Cohen

Pollock the first. De Kooning second. The inmediate conclusion is that the american abstract expressionism has displaced the impressionism as the most sought-after Art period. This painting is the only "Woman" by Willem de Kooning still in private hands. One of this women -described by T. Hess as "black goddesses"- has been chosen by theartwolf.com as one of the 50 masterworks of the history of painting.

3. GUSTAV KLIMT: "Adele Bloch-bauer I", 1907 - $135 million

Private sale, 2006. Buyer: Ronald Lauder.

The acquisition of this iconic work by cosmetic magnate Ronald Lauder caused a shock in the Art world, not only for the spectacular sum paid for it, but also for the way it was sold, far away from the noisy auction houses. The painting was part of a group of five canvases recently returned to the heirs of Ferdinand Bloch-Bauer. The Nazis confiscated his paintings during the World War II, and after the war, the canvases were placed at the National Gallery of Austria in 1948.

Google Olympic Doodle

2008-08-23T04:48:00.000-07:00

Many of you would have noticed Google’s new set of logos for the ongoing Beijing Olympics 2008. These logos are created by Dennis Hwang, a young talented graphic artist.

23rd August 08 - Baseball

22nd August 08 - Martial Arts

21st August 08 - High Jump

20th August 08 - Track Field

19th August 08 - Swimming

18th August 08 - Ping Pong

17th August 08 - Rowing

16th August 08 - Soccer

15th August 08 - Badminton

14th August 08 - Basket Ball

13th August 08 - Rings

12th August 08 - Rhythm

11th August 08 - Diving

10th August 08 - Weight Lifting

9th August 08 - Cycling

8th August 08 - Opening Ceremony Logo

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Colors of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games

2008-08-09T06:26:00.000-07:00

The Official Mascots of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games

2008-08-09T06:05:00.000-07:00

Every spring and summer, the children of Beijing have flown beautiful kites on the currents of wind that blow through the capital. Among the kite designs, the golden-winged swallow is traditionally one of the most popular. Nini's figure is drawn from this grand tradition of flying designs. Her golden wings symbolize the infinite sky and spread good-luck as a blessing wherever she flies. Swallow is also pronounced "yan" in Chinese, and Yanjing is what Beijing was called as an ancient capital city. Among Fuwa, Nini is as innocent and joyful as a swallow. She is strong in gymnastics and represents the green Olympic ring.

Like all antelopes, Yingying is fast and agile and can swiftly cover great stretches of land as he races across the earth. A symbol of the vastness of China's landscape, the antelope carries the blessing of health, the strength of body that comes from harmony with nature. Yingying's flying pose captures the essence of a species unique to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, one of the first animals put under protection in China. The selection of the Tibetan Antelope reflects Beijing's commitment to a Green Olympics. His head ornament incorporates several decorative styles from the Qinghai-Tibet and Sinkiang cultures and the ethnic design traditions of Western China. Strong in track and field events, Yingying is a quick-witted and agile boy who represents the yellow Olympic ring.

In the intimate circle of Fuwa, Huanhuan is the big brother. He is a child of fire, symbolizing the Olympic Flame and the passion of sport -- and passion is the blessing he bestows. Huanhuan stands in the center of Fuwa as the core embodiment of the Olympic spirit. And while he inspires all with the passion to run faster, jump higher and be stronger, he is also open and inviting. Wherever the light of Huanhuan shines, the inviting warmth of Beijing 2008 -- and the wishful blessings of the Chinese people -- can be felt. The fiery designs of his head ornament are drawn from the famed Dunhuang murals -- with just a touch of China's traditional lucky designs. Huanhuan is outgoing and enthusiastic. He excels at all the ball games and represents the red Olympic ring.

Jingjing makes children smile -- and that's why he brings the blessing of happiness wherever he goes. You can see his joy in the charming naivety of his dancing pose and the lovely wave of his black and white fur. As a national treasure and a protected species, pandas are adored by people everywhere. The lotus designs in Jingjing's headdress, which are inspired by the porcelain paintings of the Song Dynasty (A.D.960-1234), symbolize the lush forest and the harmonious relationship between man and nature. Jingjing was chosen to represent our desire to protect nature's gifts -- and to preserve the beauty of nature for all generations. Jingjing is charmingly naïve and optimistic. He is an athlete noted for strength who represents the black Olympic ring.

In China's traditional culture and art, the fish and water designs are symbols of prosperity and harvest. And so Beibei carries the blessing of prosperity. A fish is also a symbol of surplus in Chinese culture, another measure of a good year and a good life.
The ornamental lines of the water-wave designs are taken from well-known Chinese paintings of the past. Among Fuwa, Beibei is known to be gentle and pure. Strong in water sports, she reflects the blue Olympic ring.

Like the Five Olympic Rings from which they draw their color and inspiration, Fuwa will serve as the Official Mascots of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, carrying a message of friendship and peace -- and good wishes from China -- to children all over the world.
Designed to express the playful qualities of five little children who form an intimate circle of friends, Fuwa also embody the natural characteristics of four of China's most popular animals -- the Fish, the Panda, the Tibetan Antelope, the Swallow -- and the Olympic Flame.
Each of Fuwa has a rhyming two-syllable name -- a traditional way of expressing affection for children in China. Beibei is the Fish, Jingjing is the Panda, Huanhuan is the Olympic Flame, Yingying is the Tibetan Antelope and Nini is the Swallow.
When you put their names together -- Bei Jing Huan Ying Ni -- they say "Welcome to Beijing," offering a warm invitation that reflects the mission of Fuwa as young ambassadors for the Olympic Games.
Fuwa also embody both the landscape and the dreams and aspirations of people from every part of the vast country of China. In their origins and their headpieces, you can see the five elements of nature -- the sea, forest, fire, earth and sky -- all stylistically rendered in ways that represent the deep traditional influences of Chinese folk art and ornamentation.

The Olympic Emblem

2008-08-09T05:55:00.000-07:00

Every emblem of the Olympics tells a story. The Beijing 2008 Olympic Games emblem "Chinese Seal, Dancing Beijing" is filled with Beijing's hospitality and hopes, and carries the city's commitment to the world.

Milestone
"Dancing Beijing" is a milestone of the Olympics. It serves as a classic chapter of the Olympic epic inscribed by the spirit of the Chinese nation, calligraphed by the deeper import of the ancient civilization, and molded by the character of Cathay's descendents. It is concise yet deep inside, bringing forth the city's gradual changes and development. It appears dignified yet bears a tune of romance, reflecting the nation's thoughts and emotions.
In the lead up to the Beijing 2008 Olympics, the emblem will attract more and more people from around the world to Beijing and China to join the great celebration with the Chinese people.

Commitment
"Dancing Beijing" is a Chinese Seal. It is engraved with commitment made to the Olympic Movement by a country that has 56 ethnic groups and a population of 1.3 billion. While witnessing the advocacy of the Olympic Spirit by a nation with both ancient civilization and modern culture, it also unfolds a future-oriented city's pursuit of the Olympic Ideal.
It is a symbol of trust and an expression of self confidence, standing for the solemn yet sacred promise that Beijing - the host city of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games - has made to the world and to all mankind.
"Complete sincerity can affect even metal and stone (literally meaning sincerity smoothes the way to success)." The inception of our ancestors' wisdom and the image of a seal made of metal and stone allow the emblem to present Chinese people's respect and honesty for the Olympics.
The moment we earnestly imprint the emblem with the "Chinese seal", Beijing is about to show the world a grand picture of "peace, friendship, and progress of mankind" and to strike up the passionate movement of "faster, higher, and stronger" for mankind.

Image
"Dancing Beijing" serves as the city's foremost appearance. It is an image that shows the eastern ways of thinking and the nation's lasting appeal embodied in the Chinese characters. It is an expression that conveys the unique cultural quality and elegance of Chinese civilization.
With inspiration from the traditional Chinese art form - calligraphic art, the character "Jing" (the latter of the city's name) is developed into the form of a dancing human being, reflecting the ideal of a "New Olympics". The words "Beijing 2008" also resembles the vivid shapes of Chinese characters in handwriting, voicing in concise strokes of the countless feelings Chinese people possess towards the Olympics.
As people ponder on the rich connotations and charms of these Chinese characters, a "New Beijing" has thus been brought forward.

Beauty
"Dancing Beijing" is a favorite color of the Chinese people. The color "red" is intensively used in the emblem, pushing the passion up to a new level. It carries Chinese people's longing for luck and happiness and their explanation of life.
Red is the color of the Sun and the Holy Fire, representing life and a new beginning. Red is mind at ease, symbol of vitality, and China's blessing and invitation to the world.

Hero
"Dancing Beijing" calls upon heroes. Olympic Games functions as the stage where heroes are made known, miracles created and glories earned, and where every participant constitutes an indispensable part of the occasion.
The powerful and dynamic design of the emblem is a life poem written by all participants with their passion, affections, and enthusiasm. It is an oath every participant takes to contribute power and wisdom to the Olympics.
The emblem cheers for arts and for the Olympic heroes, who pass down the essence of the Olympic Spirit, which well connects sports and cultures.

Spirit
"Dancing Beijing" extends the totem of the Chinese nation. The form of a running human being stands for the beauty and magnificence of life. Its graceful curves are like the body of a wriggling dragon, relating the past and future of one same civilization; they are like rivers, carrying the century-old history and the nation's pride; they are like veins, pulsing with vitality of life.
The intrinsic values of sports -- athlete-centered and people-oriented - are well defined and upgraded in an artistic way in "the dance of Beijing." We sing if words fail to explain it all, and we dance if the singing does not explicitly tell the meaning.
Vigorous Beijing is looking forward to the celebration in 2008 and the Olympics wait all mankind to dance together.

Invitation
"Dancing Beijing" is a kind invitation. The open arms in the emblem say that China is opening its arms to welcome the rest of the world to join the Olympics, a celebration of "peace, friendship and progress of mankind."
"Is it not a joy to have friends come from afar?" The idiom portrays the feelings of friendly and hospitable Chinese people and expresses the sincerity of the city.
Come to Beijing, take a good look at the historical heritages of China's Capital city, and feel the pulse of the country's modernization;
Come, share every piece of its joy, and experience the vigor of the country;
Come, and let us together weave a peaceful and wonderful dream.

Food, Energy, Color & Life

2008-08-07T07:53:00.000-07:00

The colors of foods not only identify their nutrients, they also identify their natural healing powers. It is said that energy imbalances within our bodies can be corrected by choosing foods that contain certain color frequencies. Each color frequency affects us differently both physically and mentally, thus there are profound healing qualities available simply by choosing foods that are associated with our internal organs.

Our internal organs vibrate at rates corresponding to the vibratory rate of various colors; the heart is linked to the color green, while the liver is linked to yellow.(1) The color of the food generally determines which organ or body system is being fed and nourished. This interaction also affects our mental and emotional state our health. Food is energy, energy is color, color is life!

Red foods stimulate, strengthen and increase our body temperature, circulation, and release of adrenaline, increasing our energy. Physically, red foods are related to our muscular system. They affect our adrenal glands, organs, bladder, lower limbs, our spine and reproductive centre, making them ideal in combating fatigue, fever, colds, flu's, etc. Psychologically, red foods alleviate depression, promoting a positive attitude.

Orange foods promote physical energy, as well as, mental stimulation, as they are directly related to our circulatory and lymphatic systems. They compliment the treatment of disorders and infections in our spleen, the treatment of kidney diseases and gall stones, and chest related aliments such as bronchitis. They affect our sex organs, legs and stomach. Psychologically, they have a positive effect on our emotions and should be eaten when feeling overwhelmed or anxiety.

Yellow foods stimulate our nervous and digestive systems. They are directly related to our pancreas, liver, gall bladder and stomach. They cleanse our liver and intestines making them ideal in helping skin troubles, indigestion, constipation, liver troubles and diabetes. Yellow foods are also know as 'foods for the mind'. They have a profound positive effect on focus and concentration.

Green foods cleanse, purify, balance and stimulate our digestive system. They are directly affect to our thymus glands, heart, lower lungs, ears, arms and breasts. They strongly influence our heart, lower our blood pressure and soothes our nerves. Physically, green foods play a powerful role in neutralizing disharmony where there are malignant cells, cysts, tumors and cancers. Psychologically, green foods are a great remedy for headaches, stress, tension and emotional problems.

Blue foods, such as prunes. plums, blueberries and sea vegetables, are directly opposite the energizing red foods, and have a cool, sedative effect. They are very powerful in helping aliments and diseases that increase our temperature such as inflammations, PMS, sunburn, measles, mumps, etc. Blue foods also have antiseptic, antifungal and bactericidal qualities. They are associated with our thyroid gland, throat, mouth, upper arms and upper lungs. They affect our respiratory system. Psychologically, blue foods are calming. They also aid speech and self-expression.

Indigo foods, such as blackberries, black olives, raisins and currants, have a direct association with our brow area on our foreheads and our pineal gland. They are directly associated to our lower brain, left eye and nose. They assist in the treatment of aliments relating to our eyes, ears and nose including our lungs. Psychologically, they purify and stabilize fears, repression and inhibitions.

Violet/Purple foods, such as eggplant, plums and purple cabbage, have intuitive and spiritual qualities. They stimulate our pituitary gland, upper brain, scalp and hair. Violet/Purple foods can purify the blood and have been used in studies relating to stopping the growth in tumors. They aid in the treatment of rheumatism, concussions, epilepsy, and kidney and bladder disorders. Violet/ Purple foods have profound healing effects on nervous/mental disorders and have tranquilizing, sedative qualities.

References: 1. pg.85 The Complete Book of Color, S. Chiazzari, Element Books Ltd. '89. - American Holistic Medical Association. American Aromatherapy Association.

Proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus)

2008-08-01T00:06:00.000-07:00

Facts

Kingdom Animalia

Phylum Chordata

Class Mammalia

Order Primates

Family Cercopithecidae

Genus Nasalis

Size
Male head-body length: 73 – 76 cm
Female head-body length: 54 – 64 cm
Male tail length: 66 – 75 cm
Female tail length: 52 – 62 cm
Male weight: 16 – 22 kg
Female weight: 7 – 12 kg

Status
Classified as Endangered (EN A2c, C1+2a) on the IUCN Red List 2002, and listed on Appendix I of CITES. There are two recognized subspecies – N. l. larvatus and N. l. orientalis.

Description
The proboscis monkey has one of the most unusual appearances of any of the leaf-eating monkeys of the family Cercopithecidae. Both the Latin and common names of this species refer to the mature males' large pendulous nose that hangs down over their mouth. Local people referred to these large monkeys with their potbellies and red noses as 'Dutch monkeys' as they were considered such a caricature of the Dutch sailors and plantation owners of the area. Apart from their large noses, male proboscis monkeys are also distinctive by being much larger and heavier than females, and having a bright red, visible penis and black scrotum. The coat is a light brown with red on both the crown of the head and the shoulders; the limbs and tail are grey in colour and there are cream patches on the throat. Infants are born with black fur and a vivid blue face. The cause of the males' large nose is still a matter of contention but may be a form of sexual selection, with females preferring males with large noses possibly as these enhance their vocalisations.

Range
Endemic to the island of Borneo in South East Asia. Found over the whole of coastal Borneo (Brunei, Kalimantan Indonesia, and Sabah and Sarawak Malaysia).

Habitat
Proboscis monkeys are found in either coastal mangrove forests or in lowland rainforest close to freshwater rivers.

Biology
Only a few studies on this intriguing primate have been carried out and little is known about their ecology and behaviour. Groups consist of single mature males and around 6 females and their young; adolescent males form bachelor groups until they can take over their own harem. Groups join together in larger more fluid troops to rest at dusk; these encounters may be noisy with rival males displaying to each other and often crashing through the branches. Unusually, females may switch harems several times in their lives, and they compete between each other to mate with the male of their group. When a female is ready to mate she will perform a head shaking and presenting display. A single offspring is born after a gestation period of nearly 6 months, remaining with their mother for the first few years; males will then leave to join bachelor groups.
Young leaves make up the majority of the proboscis monkey diet between June and December, and fruit from January to May, although seeds and flowers are also consumed. These monkeys are excellent swimmers and have partially webbed feet; they can be seen readily leaping into the water with a dramatic belly flop in order to cross rainforest rivers.

Threats
Numbers of proboscis monkeys in Borneo have fallen dramatically in the last 40 years primarily as a result of habitat loss. Vast areas of the native rainforest have been cleared for timber and for the construction of oil-palm plantations, which now constitute one of Malaysia's top exports. Proboscis monkeys do not adapt to degraded habitat and recent technical advances have meant that even mangrove swamps may now be logged. Hunting is also a threat to the survival of this species; their propensity to gather in large groups on the river's edge makes these monkeys easy targets.
Conservation
The proboscis monkey is protected by law, and is listed on Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), banning international trade. This species is found in at least a dozen protected areas. Recently, a vital area of wetland in Sabah has been designated as a sanctuary for a wide range of endangered species such as Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) and orang-utans (Pongo pygmaeus) as well as proboscis monkeys; this area is the Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary. However, even this corridor is currently fragmented by plantations, which proboscis monkeys cannot cross. The protection of remaining tracts of contiguous habitat is therefore vital for the survival of this unusual looking monkey.

The Role of Emotion in Art Appreciation

2008-07-28T19:44:00.000-07:00

The viewer is invited to become aware of many things when presented with a work of art. The viewer may become aware of the artist who created the work, the intentions of the artist, the life of the artist, or, if this knowledge is unavailable, the viewer may simply have the valuable awareness that the work of art was created by someone for some reason. Equally valuable is an awareness of the context and content of the work. The work was created in a specific time and place, surrounded by a particular social and political context. An awareness of the time, place and context in which it is presently viewed is also important. The work itself contains many possible variables of which the viewer should be aware. The subject, and the extent of the viewer's knowledge of that subject may be a key aspect in understanding the work. In other works, one might pay attention to the aesthetic qualities of the work, the handling of the medium, the skill in the making. Then, the viewer may gain an awareness of the many possible ways in which the work may be read, and of the effect of this knowledge on the viewer's initial gut reaction to the work. This reaction may be influenced by what happened to the viewer just before seeing the work, the state of wakefulness and general health of the viewer, the viewer's choice of breakfast foods, or the viewer's varying emotions.

At any one moment in the experience of viewing art, any combination of these aspects of awareness come together, and should come together, to create a holistic experience. The greatest works of art are those which appear to address, or at least to show the artist's consideration of as many of these variables as possible. The greatest judges of artwork are those who are constantly expanding their awareness, considering as many variables as they can, so that a final judgement may, in fact, never be reached. In any stage of this expanding awareness, it might be necessary, for the sake of organization, to separate out each variable, in order to become aware of them one at a time. For this reason, some viewers may wish to separate their emotions from their readings of the work. It may be helpful to do this for the appreciation of some works, but there is a danger in this thinking, that a hierarchy may develop among the many variables of viewing, and that false sense of separation may occur between them.

A common response in viewing artwork is the sense that the space in a work has meaning, both because it meant something to the artist, and because it means something to the viewer, who takes the time to look at it and respond to it. The response of finding meaning is never without emotion. Just because emotions are susceptible to change, resulting from the influence of stimuli to the mind, body and spirit, does not dismiss the fact that they are always present. They are even the cause of meaning in many works of art. Meaning is a complex interplay between the heart and the soul, and the mind and body, so that it is impossible to tell which part of you the art speaks to, or which part moves another.

Art is a holistic experience. The more we know about a work, and ourselves in relation to the work, the more it means. Objective appreciation somehow eludes us in art, just as we could never claim to appreciate another human being objectively. Our response to art cannot be compartmentalized into categories of awareness, and emotion cannot be separated from the experience, because it cannot be separate from who we are. Our critical awareness of emotions is an important factor in looking at every work of art, but to believe that any experience can be devoid of emotion is ridiculous. And it is not a failing on the part of the viewer, or the even the artist, to feel emotion about a work. In many works, a separation of emotion from the experience is devastating to the meaning of the work. An awareness and understanding of the response evoked by Vincent van Gogh's color and rhythm in The Starry Night is necessary to the experience of the work, but the moment we become overly self-conscious about this awareness, we lose the validity of its emotional meaning.

BODY PAINTING

2008-07-12T06:46:00.000-07:00

Body painting considered by some as the most ancient form of art has its origin in a widespread tradition of primitive tribes. Unlike tattoo and other forms of body art, body painting is temporary, painted onto the human skin, and lasts for only several hours, or at most a couple of days.
Body Painting combines creativity with the proper identification of ones natural body figures to envision, and apply a design that would perfectly compliment the whole art and the body itself.
Body paints had been used in different purposes. For costumes, sexy sports uniform, army camouflage, an intimidator (for athletes), fashion shows, and for promotional purposes.
The body painting movement started in the 60’s when it was impulse by the liberalization of social mores regarding nudity.
There are many kinds of paint that is used for body painting including textile acrylics, theatrical body paint, and temporary tattoo paint. Whatever paint you use it needs to have the non-toxic label. However the label "nontoxic" does not mean completely safe or nonhazardous in any case, and refers only to exposure to adults, not children so research carefully the body paint you are painting to use before making your choice.

Women In Art

2008-07-05T20:25:00.000-07:00

This fascinating animation uses the latest morphing technology to reveal how representations of female beauty in art have changed over the last 1,200 years. Beginning with early religious paintings and moving through the Renaissance, to impressionism and finally cubism, each face melts perfectly - and disconcertingly - into the next. The intriguing thing is how little the faces change both in terms of expression and, just as significantly, colour. Of course, the animator chose the pictures in order to make the morphing as smooth and effective as possible, so this can hardly be regarded as a serious, objective history of art. But the women painted are all rosy lipped, large-eyed, pale-skinned beauties - faces, in fact, that would not look out of place on the cover of Vogue today. Very clever and pretty worrying, too.

Amazing Hand Painting

2008-07-02T07:51:00.000-07:00

Here are some absolutely amazing and beautiful pictures of Guido Daniele's Hand Painting Art. Each animal is meticulously painted in a way that brings out not only the outer detail, but the inner personality of the animal as well. Guido Daniele was born in Soverato (CZ - Italy) and now lives and works in Milan. Since 1964 until 1968 he attended Brera artistic High School and he graduated from Brera School of Arts (major in sculpturing) in 1972. In 1972 he started working as hyper-realistic illustrator, in co-operation with major editing and advertising companies, using and testing different painting techniques. In 1990 he added a new artistic experience to his previous ones: using the "body painting" technique he creates and paints models bodies for different situations such as advertising pictures and commercials, fashion events and exhibitions.
Official Home Page: guidodaniele.com

Day Of The Donut (Photo Manipulation)

2008-06-23T07:01:00.000-07:00

Photo manipulation is the application of image editing techniques to photographs in order to create an illusion or deception (in contrast to mere enhancement or correction), through analog or digital means. Its uses, cultural impact, and ethical concerns have made it a subject of interest beyond the technical process and skills involved.

In digital editing, photographs are usually taken with a digital camera and input directly into a computer. Transparencies, negatives or printed photographs may also be digitized using a scanner, or images may be obtained from stock photography databases. With the advent of computers, graphics tablets, and digital cameras, the term image editing encompasses everything that can be done to a photo, whether in a darkroom or on a computer.

Photo manipulation is often much more explicit than subtle alterations to color balance or contrast and may involve overlaying a head onto a different body or changing a sign's text, for example. Image editing software can be used to apply effects and warp an image until the desired result is achieved. The resulting image may have little or no resemblance to the photo (or photos in the case of compositing) from which it originated.

Op Art

2008-06-14T08:01:00.000-07:00

Optical art, or Op art as it is better known, is an abbreviation for Optical Art, a modern art movement that developed in the United States and Europe in the mid-1960s. Op art paintings exploit the fallibility of the eye through the use of optical illusions induced by abstract spiral or wavy patterns, stripes, spots, etc. Hungarian-born French painter Victor Vasarely (1908-) and British painter Bridget Riley (1931-) were leading exponents. The term was first coined in America's Time magazine in October 1964, and by 1965 it was well entrenched in the art world and soon spilled over into advertising and design in popular culture.

Optical Art by Akiyoshi KITAOKA

2008-06-14T07:50:00.000-07:00

JAPANESE VISION SCIENTIST AKITOSHI KITAOKA is a master of optical art. He has extensively studied visual illusion, including geometric ones, light illusions, color illusions, relative motion illusions, and stereoscopic illusions, and has incorporated many new effects into his artistic pieces, creating startling results.

An optical illusion (also called a visual illusion) is characterized by visually perceived images that are deceptive or misleading. The information gathered by the eye is processed by the brain to give a percept that does not tally with a physical measurement of the stimulus source. There are three main types of illusion - literal optical illusions that create images that are different from the objects that make them, physiological illusions that are the effects on the eyes and brain of excessive stimulation of a specific type - brightness, tilt, color, movement, and cognitive illusions where the eye and brain make unconscious inferences.

Double Picture Illusion

2008-06-14T07:38:00.000-07:00

Look carefuly at this picture, what do you see?
You saw a couple in an intimate love position, right?

Interestingly, research has shown that young children cannot identify the intimate couple because they do not have prior memory associated with such a scenario.

What they will see, however, is nine (small & black) dolphins in the picture!

So, I guess we've already proven you're not a young innocent child. Now, if it's hard for you to find the dolphins within 6 seconds, your mind is SO corrupted that you probably need help!

OK, here's help: look at the space between her right arm and her head, the tail is on her neck, follow it up. Look at her left hip, follow the shaded part down, it's another one, and on his shoulder..

How the "Pavement Picasso" Does It

2008-06-13T01:58:00.002-07:00

Julian Beever Chalk Drawings

2008-06-13T01:58:00.001-07:00

The 3 D Chalk Art Of Julian Beever

2008-06-13T01:39:00.000-07:00

Julian Beever is a British chalk artist who creates 3D chalk drawings on pavement using a projection called anamorphism that creates the illusion, or Trompe-l’oeil. His street paintings appear to defy the laws of perspective.

Besides the 3D art, Beever paints murals and replicas of the works of masters. He is often hired as a performance artist and to create murals for companies. Beever is interested in advertising and marketing, as well. He has worked in the U.K., Belgium, France, The Netherlands, Germany, Austria, the USA and Australia.

Vegetable Art

2008-06-09T08:11:00.000-07:00

O-bento - The Japanese luncbox

2008-06-09T07:42:00.000-07:00

The Japanese o-bento is a compartmentalized boxed lunch usually containing one large part rice, one part vegetable and one part fish, meat or egg. While many cultures have the concept of the lunch box, the Japanese boxed lunch is somewhat more. In a way, the o-bento represents a Japanese approach to food: convenient, fresh and balanced in terms of nutrition, colour, texture and shape, and appropriate to the occasion-season, event or place. The aesthetics are sometimes valued as much as taste. The o-bento has been a part of Japanese culture for at least1,300 years.

Ancient Rock Art & Cave Paintings of the World

2008-06-07T21:36:00.001-07:00

Ritual art from Borneo's culture

2008-06-07T21:14:00.000-07:00

Warrior Dance - By Orang Ulu

2008-06-07T21:13:00.000-07:00

Borneo Sape

2008-06-07T21:10:00.000-07:00

Didgeridoo - Jeremy Donovan, Aboriginal Artist

2008-06-05T01:07:00.001-07:00

Australian Aboriginal Music: Song with Didgeridoo

2008-06-05T01:04:00.000-07:00

Australian Aborigine Art & Culture

2008-06-05T01:03:00.000-07:00

Japan Geishas

2008-06-04T05:10:00.000-07:00

Japan Culture Lab - Sushi

2008-06-04T04:58:00.000-07:00

Paintjam Dan Dunn

2008-06-04T04:45:00.000-07:00

Amazing artist paints in 2 1/2 minutes!

2008-06-04T04:41:00.000-07:00

3 Year Old Solves Rubik's Cube in 114 seconds

2008-06-04T04:40:00.001-07:00

3 year old Genius

2008-06-04T04:37:00.001-07:00

Amazing Art Work by an Amazing Artist

2008-06-04T04:34:00.001-07:00

ART

2008-06-04T04:32:00.001-07:00

ART FOR THE SKY

2008-06-04T04:28:00.000-07:00

New art exhibit is A-Glow-Glow

2008-05-28T06:11:00.000-07:00

Renaissance_Let it Grow (Fantasy Art)

2008-05-28T06:10:00.000-07:00

fantasy fairy art

2008-05-28T06:08:00.000-07:00

Fantasy Female Art Photography by Frank Rozasy

2008-05-28T05:59:00.000-07:00

Gothic Slideshow (Passion of Lovers - Bauhaus)

2008-05-28T05:57:00.002-07:00

Modernism: Bauhaus

2008-05-28T05:57:00.001-07:00

Borneo Bamboo Orchestra

2008-05-27T07:50:00.000-07:00

PHOTO OF THE YEAR

2008-05-24T17:17:00.000-07:00

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AMAZING PHOTOS

2008-05-24T17:15:00.000-07:00

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COOL ART

2008-05-24T17:14:00.001-07:00

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ILLUSIONS

2008-05-24T17:13:00.000-07:00

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ART PRESENTATION

2008-05-24T17:12:00.000-07:00

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ART

2008-05-24T17:09:00.000-07:00

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Italian Street Painting Festival

2008-05-19T08:28:00.000-07:00

3d Chalk Art Street painting 2008 Lori Escalera

2008-05-19T08:27:00.000-07:00

interactive street art

2008-05-19T08:25:00.000-07:00

Fantastic Street Arts with Chalk

2008-05-19T08:23:00.000-07:00

Julian Beever-Sidewalk Chalk Drawings

2008-05-19T08:21:00.000-07:00

Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest photos - Long Beach, Calif.

2008-05-19T08:20:00.001-07:00

Sidewalk Pictures - (Music by Stephanie Smith)

2008-05-19T08:19:00.000-07:00

Optical illusions and 3d chalk drawings

2008-05-19T08:17:00.000-07:00

3d street art

2008-05-19T08:16:00.000-07:00

Julian Beever & Kurt Wenner- Street Art - Girls

2008-05-19T08:15:00.000-07:00

Julian Beever - Transformers - Mt. Dew

2008-05-19T08:13:00.000-07:00

How the "Pavement Picasso" Does It

2008-05-19T08:12:00.002-07:00

Julian Beevers 3D art!

2008-05-19T08:12:00.001-07:00

E8 POLYHEDRA UNIFIED FIELD THEORY MATHS ART

2008-04-29T03:38:00.000-07:00

My Art Portfolio

2008-04-29T03:36:00.000-07:00

Signs

2008-04-29T03:33:00.000-07:00

SEMIOTICS

2008-04-29T03:32:00.000-07:00

The Gestalt Effect

2008-04-29T03:19:00.000-07:00

Serendipity 6

2008-04-29T03:15:00.000-07:00

GC 100 - Gestalt Theory Principle: Proximity

2008-04-29T03:14:00.001-07:00

Theo Jansen - Kinetic Sculptor

2008-03-29T22:39:00.001-07:00

Kinetic Sculptures

2008-03-29T22:15:00.000-07:00

Tim Fort's Kinetic Art

2008-03-29T22:14:00.000-07:00

1week of art works

2008-03-29T22:13:00.000-07:00

The art of coffee

2008-03-29T22:12:00.000-07:00

Japanese Human Art

2008-03-29T22:11:00.000-07:00

Fallen Art

2008-03-29T22:07:00.000-07:00

GMail Art - Google

2008-03-29T22:02:00.000-07:00

MAKE ART ~ a YouTube category ~ {CHEEKYCHEN REMIX}

2008-03-29T21:52:00.000-07:00

VDO by Visual Dhikr

2008-03-29T21:49:00.000-07:00

Yves Klein Anthropométries

2008-03-10T04:08:00.000-07:00

Yves Klein

2008-03-10T04:05:00.000-07:00

Antoni Tàpies

2008-03-10T04:01:00.000-07:00

Frozen Grand Central

2008-02-08T02:29:00.001-08:00

The Art of Bruce Nauman

2008-02-08T02:24:00.000-08:00

Futurismo

2008-02-08T02:22:00.000-08:00

Danilo Rhodies Retro Design Art

2008-02-08T02:21:00.001-08:00

Gothic Slideshow (Passion of Lovers - Bauhaus)

2008-02-08T02:11:00.000-08:00

Fluxus

2008-02-08T02:07:00.002-08:00

Installation of the Sculpture Garden, MoMA

2008-02-08T02:07:00.001-08:00

Doug Aitken Happening, The Museum of Modern Art, New York

2008-02-08T02:05:00.000-08:00