Friday, November 30, 2007

By, by November


I just need to say this loud, I absolutely can’t stand Novembers! The worst things throughout my life have happened exactly in Novembers. It’s needless to say that this year is no better. Will it ever skip me? I mean, I just can’t believe it sometimes. Ironically, my number is 11. Anyone has any idea how to prevent November? Winter sleep perhaps? LOL

Anyway, did anyone have any similar experience?

Friday, November 23, 2007

Aivazovsky


I think most of you already know how much I love art in general. This post is actually my answer to a friend. And the question was: What is so special about Aivazovsky?

One of the most forged of all Russian painters is Ivan Konstantinovich Aivazovsky and yet his name is quite unknown for many art lovers.


(the portrait of Aivazovsky by Aleksey Tyranov, 1847)

Aivazovsky was of Armenian descent, mostly known by his marvelous seascapes paintings. He has the ability to create interesting atmosphere and many admired his choice and use of colors.



Aivazovsky was obviously enchanted by the sky and sea. His paintings show a great span of a different appearances and sky changes, from pale and misty mornings through storms, clouds and red sunsets. His sea movements are brilliant.



Sky and sea - both endless, both are conveying the feeling of eternity and freedom. And there is always human presence, like small figures by seashores, or indirectly - ships and architecture that emerges from a mists and sunsets.



In essence, I can say that the entire emphasis of his work was actually on light and lighting aspects.


This indeed has connection with Aivazovsky’s character. He loved to travel! At the age of 25 he was already internationally famous painter. Beside, he lived by his ideals – love for a freedom and compassion for the oppressed and less fortunate. He was a great humanist and romantic. Therefore it’s not strange that most of his money went to charity purposes and openings of art school and gallery. His house became a place for artistic pilgrimage and inspiration.


I won’t go into his biographical details, as you might notice already. I’m just trying to answer to the above mentioned question. So, what is so special about Aivazovsky? The fact that one can admire not just his art but also his character and personal philosophy. And that is rare my friend. As the quote on Aivazovsky’s tombstone nicely says: Born a mortal, he left immortal memories.



Pictures are taken from Wikipedia and SightsWithin


Monday, November 19, 2007

This is for you Lorri :)


Finally some pictures of snow as I’ve promised before. It’s not enough for our Snowman Project so I’ll have to wait a bit longer to start with it.



Bits of colors… Autumn is still struggling to survive.








This one is my favorite.





Friday, November 09, 2007

Snow!


Out of the bosom of the Air,
Out of the cloud-folds of her garments shaken,
Over the woodlands brown and bare
Over the harvest-fields forsaken,
Silent and soft and slow
Descends the snow.



That was Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem. So yes, we had the first snow here in Zürich today! And the world looks beautiful again… But I didn’t take any pictures because it was too windy. Later my friends… How is the weather on your sides of the world?


Sunday, November 04, 2007

Back!


Once again I’ve been out and about and hardly at home in the past several days. Here are few shots from my trip :)











And your photographer :)



How is everyone? :)