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The eroticism in Music & Eros
The book examines the role of music in awakening passion and shaping cultural perceptions of love and intimacy. Through historical analysis and vivid illustrations, Döpp delves into the symbiotic relationship between sound and emotion, offering a captivating look at how music becomes a medium for erotic expression and human connection.
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Leonardo Da Vinci – Artist, Thinker, and Man of Science
The archetypal Renaissance man is here explored by the engaging prose of Eugène Müntz who narrates how Leonardo da Vinci mastered a diverse range of fields, from painting to engineering, making him one of the most brilliant minds in human history and one of the most recognised artists in modern times.
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Music & Eros
The text below is the excerpt from the book Music and Eros, written by Hans-Jürgen Döpp, published by Parkstone International. Cunning Odysseus had to protect his shipmates from the alluring song of the Sirens by plugging up their ears with wax. However, Odysseus himself did not want to forego the beauty and voices of these dangerous creatures. As a precaution, he had himself bound to the ship’s mast so as not to fall victim to the dangerous singing. How can something as simple as sound transform into a powerful love spell? How is it possible through singing alone to inspire sensuality? Why does music play such a major role in love? We…
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Johannes Vermeer: Painter or Rebel?
It has always been muttered that playing the guitar is the work of the devil or, more famously, that rock and roll is the devil’s music. During the Dutch Golden Age, the former was avidly believed. Whilst there were numerous superstitions bandied around during the 17th century, this one is particularly interesting as there is a wealth of Dutch guitar music and paintings of guitar playing to come from this era. In a society where superstition could cost a person their life (witch trials in the Netherlands in the 17th century were a common occurrence, the largest of which was the Roermond witch trial leading to the deaths of 64…
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The Hidden Beauty of Cubism
It was Ralph Waldo Emerson who said: “Love of beauty is taste. The creation of beauty is art.” However, there are many forms and styles of accepted ‘art’ which do not conform to conventional definitions of beauty. Take Cubism as an example. Many art enthusiasts, whilst acknowledging that the likes of Pablo Picasso and George Braque are masters of their craft, are confounded by Cubism. Abstract art may have this effect in the general sense, but there is something about Cubism which perplexes and befuddles the viewer.
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Don’t Punk with Me
During my middle school days, I donned black jeans, mid-calf black combat boots, a Ramones T-shirt from Hot Topic, and a studded belt. Thanks to the growing fame of Good Charlotte and Green Day coupled with our young, impressionable minds, everyone at my school flocked the racks of Hot Topic (a rock-inspired clothing store) searching for the Punk look. And as trends go, when a newer, cooler style appeared, we discarded our punk attire and jumped onto the latest bandwagon. But not everyone is as fickle as my classmates or me. For the true punkers, clothing and music are the mediums through which they express their individual freedom and anti-establishments…
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A Searching Truth
Question for the day: What brings us to make particular choices? Choices which range from our music preferences to major life decisions? Religion is one such important life choice. Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism… the Big 5 (in terms of the most well-known religions). Today I shall be looking at Buddhism. What is the draw? Why is it becoming more and more popular in the Western world?
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Why We Owe Spain a Big “Gracias”
This is how I started my office questionnaire (I take my research for these blogs very seriously): “What has Spain given the world….go:” These were the answers I received (and yes, some of the responders are Spanish): Helicopters “America” “Hot men” Tortilla
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What is Love?
Love. Love is, waking up late on the weekend. Love is, frosty, autumn mornings, breath fogging the air. Love is, smelling the cut grass on a hot summer’s day. Love is, feeling the steam rise off the ground after a tropical rain storm. Love is, laughter.
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Where Did It All Go Wrong?
David Bowie: Musician, Idol, Icon. In March of this year he surprised everyone with the unexpected, yet welcome, news that he was releasing his 24th album, The Next Day – the first to be released since 2003. So, bearing this in mind, as well as giving a big shout-out to London’s Victoria & Albert Museum for hosting a spectacular exhibition based on this rock legend, what has Bowie’s legacy been thus far? Let’s look at today’s popular music – Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Adele, One Direction, Justin Bieber, Mumford & Sons, Muse, Marilyn Manson, and The Script, to name but a few. With some of these artists, it is relatively easy…
This is an interactive art blog in multi languages, you will find new articles on artists, art history, exhibitions, etc. Contributions welcome.
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